City Council Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, the 12th day of June, 2024
Location: Houston Lake City Hall, 5417 NW Adrian, Houston Lake, MO 64151

The regular meeting of the City Council Meeting of Houston Lake, MO, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Ashley Fuglestad at 6:32 PM.

On roll call, the following members were present: Mayor Pro Tem / Alderman Ashley Fuglestad (Acting Mayor), Alderman Sarah Loring, Alderman Teena Walker-Robin, and Alderman Keith Carey

Loring moved to approve the agenda with the following additions: Amending the 04/08/24 Meeting Minutes (which have previously been approved); adding under New Business – #6 CDs Maturing; #7 Designation of Mayor Pro Tem; and #8 Permit Violations. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Amend Minutes for 04/08/24 – Lisa Shepard, City Clerk, explained that the notice for the 04/08/24 meeting was inadvertently posted 7 hours late. The Attorney General’s office suggested we amend the April minutes by adding language at the beginning of the April meeting minutes explaining why this happened. A paragraph was proposed to be inserted.

Loring moved to approve the 06/12/24 Budget Meeting minutes; the 06/12/24 City Council Meeting minutes; and the 06/26/24 Budget Meeting minutes. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval of all three meeting minutes.

• The meeting notice for the Houston Lake City Council (HLCC) meeting on April 8, 2024, was posted less than one business day in advance. Given that a 7:30 PM Monday meeting requires notice by 5 PM on the preceding Friday, the notice for this meeting was posted approximately seven hours late. As soon as the missed deadline was identified, the notice was promptly posted. The delay was caused by a council member who, while also serving as the volunteer Acting City Clerk for more than eight months, inadvertently missed the deadline.
• Walker-Robin moved to Amend the 04/08/24 minutes by inserting the text provided above. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Walker-Robin moved to approve the 05/08/24 minutes. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

• Fire Department – Assistant Chief Keith Payne – as of June 7, and since last month’s report, only one call was reported. So far this year, 4 calls have been made. Council noted an awareness of the need to raise utility lines higher than 13′ 6″ in order to accommodate the new pumper truck. Chief Keith Payne indicated that the new pumper truck is now in service. Loring volunteered to contact all the utilities to make sure they are aware of this new requirement by the Fire Department. Payne indicated he believes the City will not be charged by the utilities for raising the lines as it would be in the utilities’ interest to avoid having the pumper truck come through the neighborhood, taking out the lines, and interrupting service to residents.
• Sheriff – Captain Woodrow Painter reported five traffic stops and seven disturbance calls where two reports were taken. Sheriff Dept. officers worked a little over 23 hours in May.

Mary Head reported that the next VGHA meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 17, at 6:30 PM at City Hall and that the Jackalone bench dedication is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at 2:00 PM at the park across the street from City Hall. She asked if the City could help with refreshments for the event. It was indicated that assistance with refreshments would be provided, and an agenda item will address this later in the meeting. Head also inquired about a 4th of July celebration this year. It was noted that the current dredging project around City Hall is a factor in not holding a city-wide 4th of July celebration this year.

• Charles Burgess suggested acquiring a PA system so the public could better hear City Council discussions during meetings and inquired about whom to contact regarding a resident violating city codes. It was noted that code enforcement officer is currently an open position. Burgess was advised by the Council to directly contact any alderman with details of his complaints. Burgess asked about replacing a broken sign. Council indicated there are several other signs in need of repair and/or replacement and this one will be added to the existing list in the Project Tracker.
• Pam Riley noted that USPS does not recognize “NW” Adrian as a legitimate address, only “N” Adrian. It was mentioned that council had previously discussed this discrepancy with a local postal employee but had not made progress in resolving the issue between Platte County and the USPS. The impact of addresses on emergency services was raised, with Chief Payne indicating reliance on the 911 system. It was suggested that the 911 system should be coordinated with Platte County and USPS to ensure accurate street address names for the community, with a recommendation for a city official to engage these entities. Riley also brought up concerns about smoke from burning activities just outside Houston Lake affecting residents and causing breathing problems. Chief Payne of the Riverside Fire Department advised that if burning occurs in Kansas City, residents should contact the fire department directly.
• Mary Head asked about mowing on Houston Lake Drive. It was determined that the strip between the road and the chain link fence is the City’s responsibility. As there are other similar grassy strips bordering woodland that also need mowing, including those along Houston Lake Drive, the need for addressing all has been added to the Project Tracker.
• Linda Kramer inquired about obtaining a new Codes Enforcement Officer for the community. Several ideas for filling this position are currently under advisement by the City. Filling this position is a high priority, and training is required for the role. It was noted that cases being investigated prior to the loss of the previous Codes Enforcement Officer can continue to be addressed once a new officer is identified. Residents are encouraged to report situations directly to an alderman in the interim. Kramer also inquired about consistent grass cutting in areas identified as the City’s responsibility. Council advised that the grounds keeping program follows the map of designated areas however, the back of the dam area cannot be mowed with the City’s current equipment and personnel. The task is the VGHA’s responsibility and the city is working with them on solutions. A brush hog was suggested for this task.
• Pam Riley offered free firewood that needs to be cut by whoever wants it. Walker-Robin offered to post this offer on the City’s website if contact information is provided.

• Burn – 5372 NW Wagon Trail Cir
  Walker-Robin moved to approve the permit. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
• Dumpster – 5404 NW Venetian Dr
  Dumpster permits are addressed by the Codes Enforcement Officer. Since there is currently no one filling this position, the Council will decide how to handle.

Loring moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated 05/31/24 as submitted. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Brief discussion. Walker-Robin moved to approve the 06/12/24 Pay Bills Resolution as submitted. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

An ordinance abolishing the north and south wards, and authorizing the aldermen of the city of Houston Lake, Mo to be elected at large.
Walker-Robin explained that she sponsored the proposal to abandon the ward system and that while most 4th class cities are divided into wards and elect aldermen from and by those wards, in a city as small as Houston Lake, the ward system impacts the ability to identify qualified candidates, and abolishing it would increase the pool of available candidates to serve as aldermen. She further noted that, with the ward system abandoned, all residents will vote for all candidates, and all four aldermen will serve at large.
Walker-Robin moved to approve an Ordinance Abolishing the North and South Wards, and Authorizing the Aldermen of the City of Houston Lake, Mo to be Elected at Large. Loring 2nd. A roll call vote resulted in unanimous approval.

• 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget Ordinance
  Discussion, budget is still in discussion. The budget was not approved at this time.
• Jackalone Bench Dedication, Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 PM at City Park
  Walker-Robin indicated City will be participating with the VGHA in this event. The City will be providing refreshments.
• Working Meeting – Wednesday, June 26 at 6:30 PM at City Hall
  This meeting will be used to continue discussion regarding the 2024-2025 budget.
• Bridge Proposal
  Bill Winton offered three proposals from Overman Steel and Fab that could address the needs of the bridge over the dam if it is to be turned into a pedestrian bridge. Discussion.
• Resident Certificate Presentation
  Walker-Robin, on behalf of the Council, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Teri Deister for volunteer services she offered to the city which regarded animal rescue. Teri thanked her friend, Lori Fink, for assisting her.
• CD’s Maturing
  Fuglestad mentioned that two of the City’s CD’s were due to mature. It was agreed these should be renewed at a higher rate if possible.
• Designation of Mayor Pro Tem
  Mayor Pro Tem Fuglestad addressed the need to designate an acting second who could serve in her stead should she be absent or need to abstain from a vote. Walker-Robin indicated she would be interested in serving as Fuglestad’s second.
  Carey moved to appoint Walker-Robin as Mayor Pro Tem. Loring 2nd. A role call vote resulted in unanimous approval.
• Building Permit Bonds
  The discussion concerned improved documentation on the return of building permit bonds when work is completed and the retention of bonds when permits expire before work is completed and the potential of auditing these records.

Walker-Robin expressed appreciation for no longer having to serve as City Clerk and for the new City Clerk.
Loring expressed appreciation for Fuglestad serving as Acting Mayor, and for Shepard and Walker-Robin’s time spent at City Hall working on projects for the City. She expressed thanks to Sharron DeLaFuente for the kind things she has been doing for a neighbor, and appreciation for all neighbors who are looking out for each other.
Carey had nothing to report.
Fuglestad mentioned that she is aware of the frustration in the community about not having a Codes Enforcement Officer at this time. Training is needed for this position. It was suggested that once the requirements for the Codes Enforcement Officer position are determined, they could be posted to the City’s website.

The next City Council meeting will be July 10 at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Loring moved to adjourn the meeting. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM

Approved 07/10/24