City Council Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday, the 8th day of May, 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 6:30 p.m.
On roll call, the following members were present: Mayor pro tem / Alderman Ashley Fuglestad, Alderman Sarah Loring, Alderman Teena Walker-Robin, and Alderman Keith Carey
Approval of Agenda
- Agenda for 05/08/2024 – Walker-Robin moved to approve the agenda by adding adding a Burn Permit for 5404 NW Venetian Dr under Permits and Locks for City Hall under Old Business. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
- Minutes –
- Loring moved to approve the 04/08/24 minutes, Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in all Ayes.
- Walker-Robin moved to approve the 05/03/24 special session minutes, Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in Ayes from Carey, Fuglestad, and Walker-Robin. Loring abstained.
Emergency Management
- Fire Department – Assistant Chief Keith Payne – no calls to report in the last 60 to 90 days. Payne then explained there is a low phone line on Edgewater Trail. This will need to be raised, by the phone company, to a minimum 13′ 6″ in order to accommodate the new pumper truck. The new truck will be coming within the next two years.
- Sheriff – Captain Woodrow Painter reported three calls for service and three traffic stops. One traffic stop regarded a drunk driver who was arrested and went to jail. Sheriff Dept. officers worked a little over 22.5 hours in April.
Venetian Gardens Homes Association Report
- The next HOA meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 20 at 6:30 PM.
Public Discussion
- Sharron DeLaFuente mentioned the passing of Jan Jackalone on April 27. Jan was a longtime resident of Houston Lake. She served on the City Council for many years and supported the community in many other ways. Ms. DeLaFuente requested a proclamation from the city in recognition of Jan Jackalone’s service to the community to be given to her family. Walker-Robin suggested this might be a resolution. Fuglestad indicated this should be added to the next meeting’s agenda.
- Lisa Shepard, new City Clerk, thanked everyone for welcoming her to the position, thanked the council for the new computer, and thanked all for their patience while she is getting acclimated.
Permits
- Burn – 5400 NW Wagon Trail
Loring moved to approve the permit pending inspection of the current commercial pit. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval. Loring will inspect. - Burn – 5404 NW Venetian Dr
Walker-Robin moved to approve the permit for the existing home made pit. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval. - Building – 5404 NW Venetian Dr
This permit regards replacing a shed that needs repair. Discussion resulted in more information needed before it can be approved. - Dumpster – 5404 NW Venetian Dr
This permit regards the shed referenced just above. This permit needs more information before it can be approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Walker-Robin questioned whether or not the Treasurer’s Report should be approved since, during past meetings, sometimes this was done and at other times, it was not. Loring moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated 04/30/24 as submitted. Walker-Robin 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
Pay Bills
Walker-Robin moved to approve the May 8, 2024 Pay Bills report as submitted. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
Old Business
- City Code banning on street parking – next steps
- Discussion focused on what would be needed, such as substantial signs, in order to remind the community about no parking on the streets. There are multiple steps needed making this a project. It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to address the parking issues then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Stormwater Grants 2025 including listing and prioritizing opportunities to work with the Platte County Stormwater Grant to address flooding issues – next steps
- It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to address the flooding issues then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Parking for residents whose vehicles cannot jump the barrier curb at City Hall during meetings and/or inclement weather – next steps
- It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to address the flooding issues then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Missing ordinances & contracts – next steps
- It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to locate missing documents then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Abandon the ward system – next steps
- It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to address how to update the current ward system then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Platte County Outreach Grant 2024
- It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to implement the grant then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
- Locks for City Hall
- Discussion focused on security needs at City Hall. Walker-Robin presented recommendations for keyless locks and deadbolts. Further discussion. Walker-Robin moved to approve up to $600 to purchase and install new locks at City Hall. Loring 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
New Business
- Open position of Mayor of the City of Houston Lake
- Discussion focused on advertising for a resident to complete the mayor’s term of office.
Reports from Council Members
- Loring mentioned the bridge over the dam and her efforts to determine how to make it safe for foot traffic. Part of the project is removing boards and, perhaps, inserting a steel plate. Many ways to secure the bridge have been discussed in recent years. It was recommended to move this project to the Project Tracker to identify steps needed to make the bridge safe then bring a recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting. Loring has researched senior needs/programs that benefit seniors and hopes to offer information to the Houston Lake community at large. Walker-Robin mentioned senior information kits in the City Hall basement she will bring out for the next meeting.
- Fuglestad mentioned a resident requested a resolution regarding national Gun Violence Awareness Day set for June 7. Fuglestad/Loring mentioned a resolution has been done in the past for this, as well as one for MADD. Loring indicated she does not know how to do this. A template is included.
- Walker-Robin mentioned a resident had suggested a gift certificate and recognition be presented to another resident who had taken care of a particularly difficult situation in our community. The city council agreed to move forward with this recognition. Loring mentioned honeysuckle in the community has been addressed by unnamed angels then segued to how happy all are that Carey has joined the council.
- Carey reported overseeing the repair of the leak in the garage and the replacement of the sump pump in the garage. Also he has worked on the leak in the basement in the City Hall records room.
Adjournment
- Walker-Robin moved to adjourn the meeting. Carey 2nd. A voice vote resulted in unanimous approval.
Meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Approved June 12, 2024