City Council Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, the 16th day of October, 2024
Location: Houston Lake City Hall, 5417 NW Adrian, Houston Lake, MO 64151

Note: The regular meeting of the City Council of Houston Lake, MO, was originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Due to staff illness, the meeting was postponed to Wednesday, October 16. A Notice of Postponement was posted more than 24 hours ahead of the original October 9 meeting. However, the month referenced in the notice was September instead of October. That notice was corrected as soon as the error was recognized ahead of the originally scheduled October 9 meeting. The regular meeting of the City Council of Houston Lake, MO, originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Ashley Fuglestad on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:32 PM. On roll call, the following members were present: Mayor Pro Tem / Alderman Ashley Fuglestad (Acting Mayor), Alderman Sarah Loring, and Alderman Teena Walker-Robin.

Loring moved to approve the agenda for 10/16/2024, including the addition of a dock permit for VGHA under “Permits”. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Walker-Robin moved to approve the 09/11/2024 City Council Meeting minutes, including the addition of “Municipal Code of the City of Houston Lake, MO Section 115.090. City Clerk – Election – Duties.” referenced in the first sentence of the Treasurer’s Report. Fuglestad 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval, including the additional language.

Fire Department Report – Assistant Chief Keith Payne reported three calls in the last couple of months, one medical assist, one carbon monoxide, and one medical emergency. When questioned about the carbon monoxide call, Chief Payne verified they do respond when called about carbon monoxide detectors going off, they come out to test for carbon monoxide and will call the gas company, if needed.

Sheriff’s Report – The Sheriff’s report was included in the packet of documents prepared for the meeting. However, it was speculated that Captain Woodrow Painter may not have been aware that the original October 9 meeting had been postponed to the 16th. He was not present at this meeting.

VENETIAN GARDENS HOMES ASSOCIATION (VGHA) REPORT Mary Head reported the annual VGHA meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 2:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting will include voting on board members, the annual budget, and the annual assessment. Absentee ballots can be arranged ahead of the meeting, if needed.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

There was no public discussion.

Building – VGHA dock to be installed at 5419 NW Adrian, included waiving the fees. Loring moved to accept the permit. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

Fuglestad mentioned she liked the new format of the financial reports. Shepard mentioned noticing a discrepancy in totals between two of the income reports. She believes this can be attributed to the change over to new reporting. She will work with staff before the next meeting to ensure all reports match. Council noticed Houston Lake receives tax revenue for services received by Houston Lake residents (such as Direct TV). Loring mentioned how important it is for residents to list their city as Houston Lake for all of their services, so the revenue is received by Houston Lake (instead of Kansas City). It was noted this should be pointed out to the community. Walker-Robin moved to approve the Financial Reports dated 09/30/24 as submitted. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

City Council Review of 2023-2024 Accounts : Discussion regarding this is the type of report, per Missouri statute, the Council should publish twice a year. This report will be sent to the Houston Laker editors for publishing per mutual agreement of the council members.

Prepare for upcoming election in April 2025, steps needed: Shepard she had contacted the Board of Elections and they indicated a packet of information is on its way regarding what steps are needed. We will likely receive this information soon so it can be reviewed at the November city council meeting. Loring indicated she would contact the Board of Elections to ask what they needed in order to update our ward system in their records.

Sheriff’s Report (revisited) – Lt. Mark Cathcart arrived at the meeting. It was his first time attending a meeting. There were six calls for service last month, no major crimes, all minor incidents. Only one report was taken.

Brush Pickup – October 21 and 22: Fuglestad reported we are using the same company as last year for the pickup. Residents may, individually, request additional services from them at their expense. There was discussion about tying up some branches for ease of removal. The company is Arbor Master.

Shepard thanked all that had covered for her during her vacation and recent illness. She offered information regarding when early voting would begin for the upcoming election in November. 

Loring reported a possible nuisance complaint at a residence in town and it was pointed out that when a resident reports suspicious activity to council members, the resident should be directed to contact the police directly. She announced the Platte County Senior Fund is now offering free transportation for seniors for any reason. Loring will share this info with Walker-Robin to post on the website. Loring has walked the bridge with a company offering bids for a driving and a walking bridge. She is seeking more bids. There was discussion regarding putting up signs on the bridge for safety reasons.

Walker-Robin is still working on getting the pothole fixed on Venetian. She’s noticed a lot of motorcycles at Mayor’s Park recently and wanted all to be aware. She is still working on a grant for the playground. She found a grant possibility for a hydration station.

Fuglestad has reached out to MML to see if we can set up our permits to be filled in and signed online to offer this option to residents. There may be services that need to be purchased for this. The forms need to be revised and other options are being researched.

The Working Meeting will be Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM. The next City Council meeting will be Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Loring moved to adjourn the meeting. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.

The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Minutes submitted by: City Clerk, Lisa A. Shepard
Approved 11/13/2024