HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-03-10• Special Meeting of
Board of Aldermen of
City of Riverside, Mo.
March 10, 1870
A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Riverside,
Missouri was held in the City Hall in Riverside, on March 10, 1970 at
7:30 p.m, and upon a roll call, aldermen Brenner, Shelton, Sw:tnam and
Young were present, Bailey and Layton absent; and Mayor Filger calling
said meetinglD Order.
The purpose of the meeting was to meet with the Polution Board of
Kansas City and State of Missouri, trying to work out the sewage system.
Glen Hopkins and Don Boyd were present from Kansas City Polution
Board; Harold Gadd and Ron Wallace were present from Missouri Polution
Boe}rd at Kansas City, and L~ngineer E. I. Myers was also present.
Mr. Myers brought up the matter of having to get the tax bills
out on the sewers which were already installed under the reeds and that
Attorney Witt wrote a letter stating that the person has within 30 days
in which to object to the tax bills after they have been let, but it
does not have anything to do with the paying off in 30 days. As the
tax bills are not figured until the final work is done which. is necessary
to figure the cost of same. Mr. Myers also had the ownership run on
the four culverts and the description of the property. The letter from
Attorney Don Witt was read, said letter being dated March 10, 19~'g
Mr. Myers also stated he received a letter from the Kansas City
B~].ution Board regarding ordinances that should be passed in the cit;ites
using the interceptor sewers.
Mr. Gadd spoke with regard that the requirement now, in order to
get federal grants on the sewer system, requires the the City has
ordinances which protects the industry wastes, sewer districts as to
hooking on and various aspects on this. Holverer if we are not interested
in this type of grant, it is still imperative that we have ordinances
of this type. He feels that we cannot have a successful sewer district
without these ordinances and have the people hook on these sewers,- couldn't
have this one on and the other off. The State requires by law that in
a case of extreme emergency, where this is not done, the State has
authority to do this type of work and bill it against the property owners.
But to get the matter working smoothly, and the sewer working smoothly,
it is necessary to have a uniform ordinance that covers everyone.
No one can be excluded where the sewer line comes by the users.
It was Mr. Gadd opinion also that the City consider industrial waste
as well because eventually the City will have this. Because it is necessary
to have a certain degree of sewage, we will have to do this in accordance
with Kansas City sewers.
E. I. Meyers stated that the City has already passed ordinances
requtrin g permits to hook to sewers, have set the fee which must accompany
the application to connect to sewers and that fee is based upon a minimum
of 1,000 feet of line as a base charge and once the applic9~ion is filed,
it is the responsibility of the engineer to examine the line and see
what the total tributory area is, the grade of the sewer and size of
sewer and then advise the council of this. Have also plans for 16
districts within Riverside, and feels that all the people who can hook
into the sewers in these districts are required to do so, after completing
the application, say within either 30 - 60 - or 90 days. The City should
have a policy requiring this. The City has one sub-division that is
Page 2 - special meeting - March 10, 170.
served entirely with sewer and have one apartment building group that
has septic tanks and is not hooked into the sewer. Howeve r the new
apartments that are being built are being connected. The City has not
definitely determined a policy, however this will be changed and if the
sewer will be available, the people will have to hook on. The City
dose not have any s~p~ic tanks that do not have trouble.
Mr. Gadd stated this may be hard, but once you spend it to put
in the sewage that you make it a ncecssity that each of the people
will have to hook on.
On the one particular apartments, Mr. Myers stated you realize
that the City ;has not put in these sewers, that David Brenner has
put in all the sewers and paid for it all and he and his father
have owned all the apartments that have not hooked up. If the
policy is to be necessity, then we will have to charge for the hook ons.
After this, if the people who can hook on and do not, if the polution
occurs, the State has the right to come in and make the connection and
will charge back to the Cif and if this is to succeed, we will not be
able to exclude any and include others.
available
Myers asked the question whether there was any federal aid/to
Riverside. Mr. Gadd stated he felt that there was.
Myers asked if it required bond issues by the city for their
part of it. Mr. Gadd stated this would require some money.
Mr. Hopkins stated that there would have to be a master plan and
presented to HAUD(Housing Association Urban Development} and they will
pay equ.lvalent to 50~ assistance. However the Plan K.C. had never
had moved. They never had the money appropriated. He felt that they
had given priority to smaller communities, particular those that have
serious problems and didn't have a sewer system. There was a question
whether HAUD would participate in piece-meal program.
Mr. Hopkins advised that they have never been able to get HAUD's money
in hand, but felt that they might give the smaller communities help.
E.I. Myers question whether they do work on tax bills. Mr. Hopkins
stated that they are financed by special assessments to repay
general obligatim bonds and thus saing the credit of the cif as a whole.
There are general obligation bonds and the only people who pay
on the assessments are those who are included in the sewer district
and pay on a square foot basis. (The way K.C. Does).
on a few districts.
Myers questioned where Riverside would qualify/ However, Mr. Hopkins
stated that if the City came up with a plan for the severs to serve
that part of the town that is build up and also with a master plan of
the entire city. It certainly would be eligible for it, have much
better of a chance than K.C. The master plan would have to be reviewed
by HAUD and approve and then appliration for the part that we are
ready to construct.
Myers asked whetner it was necessary to have election for the City to
have general obligation bonds. Mr. Hopkins stated this was right. It
is voted on by the people as a whole. It takes 2/3 majority to pass.
The cost of each individual project is assessed back on the square foot
basis .
Mr. Myers questioned whether the grant would have to be repaid to
HAUD. Mr. Hopkins stated this is a 50~ outright grant that does not have
Page 3, March 10, 1970 - special meeting
to be paid back. The person to apply to would be Heyi.n~~ at Jef"erson
C _iy. Iviissoui'i
It was stated that the City of Northmoore applied to HAUD, but
it was not known how they came out.
Mr. Hopkins stated that this project was definitely eligible.
Mr. Myers stated that he thought the only way to pay for the
sewers would be on a square foot basis. However the people do not
like this. Some prefer to go on a front foot basis, depending on
the amount of property owned. The land owner or trustee would rather
let the contract and build the sewer and pay the obligatim and then turn
it over to the city as a public sewer.
Mr. Hopkins stated that this was a 50~ grant, and the people should
be interested
Mr. Gadd stated again that he hoped Riverside could work out
this problem. Over the last few years they have had many complaints
on Riverside for not trying to work this matter out. But they
have reached the point where they have to demand action on Riverside
to solve the proplems, otherwise they will have to take other action
to see that they are worked out -- the City with. the ordinance require
the poeple's hook up to the accessable interceptor. Stated they
were unique to the other cities and when mis is done, this is an
obligation that they have to make these findings
applicable and utilize them to the word no.
Mr. Myers stated that the pro~lem with Riverside is financing.
If someone can find out where we will get the financing, then we could
do it.
Mr. Gadd stated as a matter or practicality and salesmanship
because it has now reached the point that the people have no longer
the option to duap into the river, then the state will have the
right to step in and soly the matter and it will cost much more.
He stated he will work with us in any way that he can and am sure
that Kansas City will be of any assistance they can and will do
anything in their power that we can to solve the problem and stated
that they cannot help the people who do not want to help themselves.
Shelton stated if the City ~t up the constructim of sewers for
bids, the contractors don't want the tax bills, and this is our
problem -- financing.
Mr. Hopkins stated that if we are going to get
and spend it over the entire - square footage of
then we would have to have a plan to provide sewers
If we approve the Riverside Bond, like Kansas City,
set up a charge to support the work to be built but
going to service the vacant areas until later, than
figured later.
obligation bonds
area in Riverside,
for all the area.
we have to
if we are not
that would be
Mr. Myers stated that he thought that possibly if the City is
going to abide by the agreement with Kan~,s City, one of the first
things to have is to adopt ordinances and get up an order that
-they have to use the sewers if there are available to that sewer or
that connection or they will have to be subject to the sewer use charge.
There is only one place this would apply to how and that is Plantatiop,
apartments. Have talked to them about it and they don't seem to have
Page 4, Mareh 10, 1970 - Special meeting
any objection to hooking into it.
Mr. Hopkins stated the interceptor agreement under which they built
the Line Creek and Jumping Branch sewers was to provide that Riverside
pay to Kansas This sewer charge for every property for which a sewer is
available to connection. The Riverside ordinance actually states that
this charge will be paid. Mr. Hopkins stated that he must request that.
this ordinance and policy be changed to be consistent with the reciprocal
agreement With regard to the main sewer down Line creek where it
is very deep, we (K.C.) do not encourage all people to have to connect,
only where they feel it is available for routine connection or where
Riverside has brought its own sewers, that is where they require the
City to have all people connect and if they donut they will have to
pay the sewer charge anyhow. The State of Missouri also make this a
must where the sewers are available. Just as soon as the sewer is
finished, then the charges go into effect. When a sewer is built,
everyone participates in the coat of it, in that district.
Swetnam asked what is a sewer charge based on. r. Hopkins stated
that it is based on the Kansas City rate that th~~g~~~efor single
family dwelling is $2.88 per month that is what has to be paid the
City of K. C. If the City of K.C. raises their charges so that
the average is $3.50 per month, then the City of Riverside would
have to pay $3.50 per months for commercial and industries is the
same as K.C. charges, $l.Qper month, plus 2§¢ per 100 c.ft., over
5000 c.ft. drops to 20¢ p c.ft.
Duplexes are considered shgle family, although considered two
houses. Over duplexes, then this goes into commercial. These are
made up of the average K.C. rate on the residental charges.
Mr. Gadd stated with reference to Kalivas, as of September 1,
1968, the permit for the lagoon was cancelled and they would have to
be on the sewers. This is up to Riverside to prosecute.
If they are not set up, they will have to be set up where the ordinances
have enough teeth that the matter of charging where the sewer is available
even though they are not connected. If they are paying the charge,
it most likely will be that they will hook into the sewer.
Mr. Hopkins asked the city of another favor that it preclude the
dumping of materials from septic tanks and industry wastes in the
man holes of their sewers. Thas has been done and this has caused
problems. This is particularly true in the low flow of water at this
time. In order to prevent this in the future, they have bolted up
the man hole. They have a place in Birmingham bottoms to do this, but
we do not permit the industry waste of the type that this particular
person has dumped into this. They do maintain points where they can
keep close watch and so it will not cause any public nuisance. This
is not for naptha, they hae or could have quite a large problem with
this. Need an ordinance that no one can use the sewer without first
obtaining a permit. As it is now there is no fine if he donut.
D-X actually asked for permit to go into the sewer byt haver knew
when he went into,. it but it has been since last March or April.
Missouri City water company to collect for thie usage. Mr. Dorsey
made ordinance that Missouri City Water Company will collect.
Shelton stated that we need to get the ordinances so that they
can be enforced.
'Page 5, March 10, 1970 - Special meeting
Myers stated that the State has a form of ordinances that
municipalities are passing. He was to get a set of these, either
from the State or Mr. Hopkins would have a complete set.
Mr. Myers advised that there was no way of knowning when people
hooked into the sewer, the only way was to walk the lines.
Mr. Gadd stated that if the police department would walk the
lines once a month, they could detect any new hook-ups.
Mr. Myers stated what he is afraid of is the way the districts are
formed.
Mr. Hopkins stated that in Kansas City, when a development puts
in a sub-division, they require them to build the sewers and deed
them over to the City. The City requires that they put in large
enough sewers to take in all the water shed and supervise the
installation, the proper size sewer and the proper grade. There is
no completely equiptable way, they just do the best under the circumstances.
K.C. under the charter are not allowed to make a tapping fee or
connection fee, believes the State law allows Riverside to beable to do
this.
Mr. Gadd stated that they have discussed manythings here tonight
and would like to request that the connsel to authorize Mr. Myers to
give them a report on May 15 as to what the city is doing and a
progress report every thirty days, to see what we are doing. So long
as the City is willing to progress, the State is willing to work
with. the City.
Mr. Myers would like to request of Mr. Gadd that the complaints
that he receives be given to the Ctty, as we have no way of knowing
what complains he receives. He stated he would give the City the
-"information on complains. ffir. Myers stated he herd that they were
investigating the Common Weal~h theatre from Platte City. Mr. Pettet
does not report to Mr. Gadd. Mr. Dave S;~art, manager of the theatre
came over to see Mr. Myers and stated that the treatment plant is working
perfectly. However at that time there were not using it.
Mr. Gadd stated the City investigates the complaints, if the
County Health department does not , then the State takes over. From
City to C.,unty to State.
Mr. Myers had been informed that there were two complaints had come
through his office
Mr. Gadd stated they try to investigate them and if they feel they
are valid, they try to get the cooperation of the ~atners. They do not
have the man power to investigate all the complaints. Would sooner
thrn them over to the County and City for them to work it out
and if this does not work than the State steps in. Felt that the
City should appoint a health officer for them and authorize him to
act in the city's behalf. This would be for him to have the investigation
and if he couldn't solve them than that he give it to the State and we
will solve them.
Mr. Myers advised that Mr. Pettit was the City's health officer
as well as the county health officer.
Brenner stated that it was hard to realize by outsiders why this
was moving so slowly, but that most of the aldermen were working full
time jobs outside the pity and this was only a part time job for them.
Page 6, March 10, 1970 - Special meeting
But thought that this might be eliminated in the future, and that the
financial problem was the main one.
Mr. Gadd stated if the City had no bond indebtedness, that he felt
the City was in favoaable condition.
Mr. Brenner stated that the City xas behind.
Mr. Gadd stated that perhaps this was why we- were behind.
Hopkins stated that Kalimvas was subject to all the charges what
were provided for in the _ reciprocal agreement with K. C.
and that they put a riser in the sewer so that Kalivae could connect
to it.
Mr. Myers advised that the risers 1n Renner Plaza are not where
they are actually on the paper or plans, they are in different places.
Mr. Gadd wanted to remind the City what would happen if in violation
of the _ polution laws -- 204.050 - Violation law - not less
than $25.00 nor more than 1500.00 and 500.00 for each day in violation.
At the present time the polution department of the s~~te has turned
over one case to the Attorney General and is being processed, the
attorney general is recommending 100.00 fine retroactive for two
years.
young stated that the city would work on the necessary things to
get this to function if they knew where to start they would get the
full cooperation and with the new city attorney, perhaps this will
help and the ordiances and other tools will be forth coming. But don't
think that is the problem. The problem is the financing the construction
people do not want the tax bills, but if we could get the 50~ grant
this would help if we are eligible for this assistance andperhaps this
would be good to use as a selling point that 50~ of the cost is
paid by the Federal Government then maybe we could get the other money
to get the sewer and get around the tax bills. If we can get your
help. Could probably go down to Jefferson City and find out about this
procedure.
Mr. Hopkins stated if you are considering an application to Haud, it
would be good for the engineer to get the plans approved by the
planning people in Kansas City. Haud would not be interested in
anything until the plans are approved. Once the plans are approved
by the planning committee in Kansas City, then the application could be
made.
Young stated that in the bottoms the plans could not be certain.
Mr. Hopkins stated that only preliminary plans are necessary first.
Young asked that if the city got into a bond issue, would it be
necessary to have more than a preliminary plan. It was
only necessary to get preliminary plans.
Young asked if there was any other assistance they could get
or any other agency they could do business with.
Hopkins stated there was the FWPC~ ( Federal Water Polution Administration)
however if we apply to Haud and it belongs to the FWPCA, it will be
forwarded to the proper place. It is only a one page application.
Mr. Brenner moved that Mr. Myers report to the polution board July 1
Page 7 - March 10, 1970 - Special Meeting
and thereafter every month, seconded by Shelton, the roll was called
and all present voted in fafor. Bailey and Layton absent.
Mr. Hopkins stated that he had most of the right of way and most of
the plans worked out on the other sewer up Burlington creek, wants to
have this available when ready to start,
Young moved that we authorize Mr. Myers to make the
preliminary plans of the area and present to Haud, seconded by
Shelton, all voted in favor. Bailey and Layton absent.
Myers spoke with regard to Skelly making their line up M~ttox road
and taking an easement of 20 or 30 feet. and would like for the
City to widen the road. The gas company promised that they would
deed this over to the City ofr a street, however to our knowledge
this has not been done.
Mr. Myers reported that they were almost all signed upon the
levee and it would not be too much longer.
Shelton moved that we accept Booth's four different bide on
repair of the roads, seconde by Swetnam, the roll was called and
all voted in favor. Layton and Baiey absent.