Arnold Arsenal Newsletter, July 15th Edition

 City Council Business

Next Meeting

Regular meeting July 18th 7:00 p.m.

Last Meeting

Ordinances

Both ordinances below have to do with making the position of City Clerk a hired position rather than appointed or elected. Since Mrs. Waller’s retirement will be effective in August, this will go into effect when she leaves. The position has been placed on the City’s website and applications are currently being accepted. If you know of someone who may be interested in filling this position, please direct them to the City page: http://www.arnoldmo.org/index.asp?Type=B_JOB&SEC={ACEAC51D-EA04-4A90-86D4-01A3A59CFE32}&DE={3468DA5E-156D-4AF4-A786-EE9C779AF39E}

Bill #2552: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article III of the Code of Ordinances relating to the Office of City Clerk. Passed.

Bill #2553: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article IV of the Code of Ordinances. Passed.

Resolutions

Resolution #13-26: A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with Gerstner Electric, Inc. to Provide Traffic Signals and Street Light Maintenance and Repair Services for the City of Arnold. Passed.

I believe this is pretty self explanatory, but this came about when Mr. Moss asked about the timing of the lights surrounding the Arnold Commons shopping area. It was determined the signal lights had not been maintained and were therefore, not synchronized.

This company will provide the maintenance regarding the synchronization of the signal lights throughout Arnold, as well as the replacement of bulbs for the signal and street lights.

Resolution #13-27: A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with J. H. Berra Construction Company, Inc. to Provide Sanitary Sewer Repair & Replacement Services for the City of Arnold. Passed.

The use of Berra’s services will be on an “as needed” basis when the repairs are too large for City employees or for supplemental services if City employees are overwhelmed with other jobs.

Resolution #13-28: A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with the J. H. Berra Construction Company, Inc. to Undertake the Jere Lane Storm Water Improvements Project for the City of Arnold. Passed.

Resolution #13-29: A Resolution Exempting the Two Detention Basins in Magnolia Place Subdivision, owned by the Magnolia Place Subdivision Property Owners Association from Chapter 12, Article II, Section 12, Weeds and Other Noxious Matter. Passed.

I did vote against this resolution. Although I believe using native grasses is beneficial, I was apprehensive in using the buffalo grass as I had read many accounts that it is not a very aggressive grass and can be difficult to establish. A condition is supposed to be added to the resolution stating all other grass and weeds have to be kept mowed to the required 8”.

I would have been more comfortable waiting to see the results in the growth of the buffalo grass before allowing the exemption.

Resolution #13-30: A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Assignment of the Use of a Utility Easement to Richardson Place Villas LP. Passed.

This was to allow the developer to access the best location to connect the new development with the existing storm water system.

Motions

None.

City News

Emergency Meeting

While I posted the link to the video of this meeting, I’ve had several complaints people are unable to hear the audio. I’d like to try to explain the exclusions and what they really mean for the City. Although some on Council argue the City needs this coverage in order to protect taxpayer dollars, I don’t necessarily agree.

Contrary to what is being said, the exclusion of Mr. Moss does not have to put the City (i.e. taxpayers) at risk. Basically, the exclusion is for any law suits arriving out of Mr. Moss’ acting as a City Council member outside the scope of his authority. Personally, I believe if a law suit arises out of ANY council member acting outside their scope of authority, that individual should be responsible for any expenses for their defense and settlement regarding that suit. Some on council have spoken about a Code of Conduct or Ethics regarding elected officials. If we would implement this type of a policy, I believe this would influence an unwritten Code of Conduct of our elected officials without an official resolution, which could restrict an individuals’ first amendment right of free speech.

But the exclusion of Mr. Moss is not the only item MIRMA changed.

For many years, possibly from their inception, MIRMA has excluded any coverage for law suits arriving out of one elected official suing another, basically, in-fighting. MIRMA doesn’t want to get involved in political arguing. And who can blame them? With the coverage period beginning July 1, 2013, MIRMA has decided they are adding two positions in that “exclusion” for Arnold only, that being the city administrator and the city attorney. So, now they will not cover any expenses from suits filed between any elected official and the city administrator or city attorney or vice versa.

The reason stated for the “emergency meeting” was that some council members were worried their homes and personal finances were at risk because of these exclusions. This was never the case. The first exclusion was only regarding Mr. Moss and the exclusion of “in-fighting” had always been there.

To sum up the meeting, Council was presented with two proposed insurance plans, one from Tony Becker at Custom Insurance Services, the other from Andrew Rohan at Smith McGehee. Both were very similar in their coverage, deductibles and premiums. Neither of these proposals were to cover Mr. Moss ONLY. This coverage would be supplement coverage for ALL elected officials and still excludes “in-fighting”. It is my understanding there is no policy that will cover council vs. council law suits. Although there was much discussion among the council, no decision was or has been made regarding supplemental insurance coverage.

2013 Sewer Initiative Resolution

I will detail my thoughts on this proposed resolution in a separate document to follow.

Automobile Gas

It’s recently come to my attention at least two gas stations in town offer a discount on gasoline purchases if customers pay inside the store. The Huck’s on Jeffco at Richardson offers a discount of 5 cents a gallon for purchases paid with any form of payment (cash, credit, debit). The station on the west side of Jeffco at Starling Airport offers a 3 cent discount for cash purchases.

With some folks struggling to make ends meet and gas prices being so high, I wanted to pass this information along. If anyone hears of any other discounts for other stations or other businesses, please let me know and I’ll pass these along also.

Community Garden

Our next meeting will be on July 24th at 7pm. Please email or call (636-467-2057) me if you are interested.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: BE INVOLVED

THIS IS NOT ONLY WHERE YOU LIVE, THIS IS YOUR HOME

TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD ARNOLD INTO A COMMUNITY OF WHICH WE CAN BE PROUD