By Dianne Sudbrock

In February, 2011, Heather Swann, a former teacher at Daniel Boone Elementary School in New Melle, filed a civil lawsuit against former New Melle Police Officer Terry Calahan, New Melle Police Chief Aaron Burkember, and the City of New Melle. Per court records, that lawsuit was settled via mediation and voluntarily dismissed on March 23, 2012. No details about the resolution are available to the public.

On April 3, 2012, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office (AGO) sent a letter to New Melle city officials demanding an explanation of inaccuracies between the city’s February 28, 2012 response to the AGO regarding a complaint that the city had held an illegal closed session on January 3, 2012, and the audio recording from January 3, 2012. Specifically, the letter from the city stated that the closed session on January 3^rdhad been properly called and the former city clerk’s notes indicated that a roll call vote had been taken, however, the Attorney General’s Office said the audio recording proved otherwise.

By Dianne Sudbrock

The New Melle Board of Aldermen held two meetings in April. The regular monthly meeting was Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Present were Board President/Alderwoman Jan Jokisch-Messig, Aldermen Joe Lehman and Bill Pollihan, City Attorney Karr, City Clerk Dianna Lazzaro, and Police Chief Aaron Burkemper. Pete Schepis, Planning and Zoning Chairman, also attended, as well as several people from the community. Alderman Ginther was absent.

Home cleaning chores can unveil many leftover items that can negatively impact our community, if not handled correctly.  The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment’s Division of Environmental Health and Protection offers a solution for the proper disposal of these toxic materials (like pesticides, paints and chemicals) in a safe and convenient manner.

St. Charles County _ County Executive Steve Ehlmann said Friday (April 6) he was pleased with the action of the Missouri Senate, which unanimously approved a bill that would make it more difficult for municipalities to give tax increment financing benefits to developers.

Sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, the bill would prohibit city governments from overruling TIF commissions that have rejected such proposals.

Instead, TIFs rejected by the commissions could take effect only if approved by a two-thirds majority of voters in a countywide election.

By Dianne Sudbrock

The New Melle Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Interim Mayor Jan Jokisch-Messig, Aldermen Bill Pollihan and Joe Lehman were present along with Police Chief Aaron Burkemper, Interim City Clerk Dianna Lazzaro and City Attorney Stephanie Karr. Aldermen Ginther was absent. Present in the audience was mayoral candidate Don Hendrich and Planning and Zoning Commissioner Pete Schepis and local resident Martha Hillmann. Minutes from Feb. 7 and Feb. 15 were approved.

New Melle Board President, Jan Jokisch Messig (left) and Chief Aaron Burkemper presented a proclamation to Carolyn Holt (center) at the New Melle Board of Aldermen Meeting on March 21, 2012.

In November 2011, Holt purchased donated an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to the New Melle Police Department. After a failed attempt to get an AED donated from another organization, Carolyn took it upon herself to purchase the device at her own expense. Her decision to donate the AED to the New Melle Police Department came from her being saved by an AED, and her deep family ties to the New Melle area.

Per the St. Charles County County website, April 3, 2012 Unofficial Results:

New Melle Mayor:

Donald O.  Hendrich, 76;  Richard W. West, 56; Write in, 1.

New Melle Ward One:

Darla Green, 67;  Write in, 0.

By Dianne Sudbrock

As reported in the February issue of the Boone Country Connection, a Sunshine Law Violation complaint was filed with the Missouri Attorney General on January 11, 2012 by New Melle Police Chief Aaron Burkemper. The complaint alleged that the New Melle Board of Aldermen improperly called a closed meeting on January 3, 2012 and during that meeting, discussed items that were not appropriate for a closed session.

By Dianne Sudbrock

As editor of the Boone Country Connection, I received a copy of the city’s letter to the Missouri Attorney General (AGO) from the AGO’s office. After  reading the city’s letter I had a number of concerns.  (First, I should note that a reporter representing the Boone Country Connection, either myself or someone else, typically audio records any city meetings we attend for fact verification purposes. The city clerk also typically audio records city meetings. This has been standard practice for several years.)

On April 3, 2012, the City of New Melle received a letter from Brenda Siegler, Sunshine Law Coordinator for the Missouri Attorney General. In the letter, Ms. Siegler said:

“Upon review of your response, and the audio recording that we requested of the January 3, 2012, meeting, there are several issues I would like to further address.

Your letter states that a motion and roll call vote to move into executive session was properly executed during the January 3, 2102, meeting; however, review of the audio recorded meeting proves otherwise.

By Dianne Sudbrock

On February 15, 2012, in response to the resignations in late January of the New Melle City Clerk, Financial Coordinator, and Mayor; the New Melle Board of Aldermen appointed Dianna Lazzaro as interim City Clerk, and Greg Smothers to do payroll and other financial activities. Smothers was recommended for the position by City Attorney Stephanie Karr, and will work for the city as an independent contractor for a fee of $50 per hour. Lazzaro is the wife of Lt. Craig Lazzaro of the New Melle Police Department.

The New Melle Police Dept. recently announced the following upcoming statewide enforcement periods:

February 24 Occupation Protection Enforcement Day – Seatbelt Enforcement

Statistically, one in four drivers in Missouri do not wear seatbelts. Of people killed in traffic accidents, 7 in 10 were not wearing seatbelts. New Melle Police will be reminding people on February 24th that seatbelts can, and do save lives.

Filing for the April municipal election ended January 17. In New Melle, Donald O. Hendrich and Richard W. West are running for mayor; Darla J. Green has filed for Aldermen Ward 1–2 year term (seat currently held by Jan Jokisch-Messig); Douglas Bice has filed for Aldermen, Ward 2–2 year term (position currently held by Linda Ginther.)  Linda Ginther and Gary Schneider have filed for Alderman Ward 2–1 year term (seat currently held by Joe Lehman.)

In Augusta, there are four positions open on the Town Board of Trustees and five people have filed: Robert Hofer, Richard Barton, Raymond Neuberger, Kevin Massmann and Gay Eskew. The four candidates who receive the most votes will serve.

At the January 18 New Melle Board of Alderment meeting, under the agenda topic of “Aldermen General Subjects,” Bill Pollihan said he had been thinking for quite some time that the city should ask for a tax increase. The last increase was at least 10 years ago. Income is down and the city needs more money for general revenue. When he brought up the subject to the City Attorney, he learned the board would have to act quickly to get the measure on the April, 2012 ballot.

UPDATED 02/03/12

On January 30, 2012 the New Melle City Clerk resigned. Her resignation letter read, “Dear Mayor Arteaga: This is my formal notification that I am resigning from New Melle City Hall as City Clerk. February 10, 2012 will be my last day of employment. I am not the scapegoat for the Board of Aldermen. I will not accept responsibility or culpability for the people with authority who either will not or cannot accept liability or culpability for their own action or inaction....I appreciate the opportunities I have been given here, and wish you much success in the future. Rene C. Mulligan.”

Issue #1: 2011 vacation buy-back amounts.

At the January 3 Board of Aldermen work session, Chief Burkemper questioned why the vacation buy-back amount on the 2012 budget appeared to be based on 2010 salaries. He was told the Board would research that issue and get back to him.

At the January 18 Board of Aldermen meeting, Chief Burkemper said he had not received an explanation, and stated that when the checks for unused 2011 vacation hours were issued, the amount received reflected 2010 salary rates instead of 2011. Attorney Karr said that was inappropriate. Joe Lehman said he had replied to an email on the subject and stated he thought the vacation buy-back should be based on 2011 salaries. Pollihan said he had done the same. Aldermen Ginther said she couldn’t remember how she responded to that email, and Aldermen Jokisch-Messig said she did not get the email because of computer problems.  Attorney Karr said the vacation buy-back amount should have been based on 2011 salaries.

Issue #2 – First Paycheck of 2012 reflects salary rollback to 2010 levels.

At the end of the Board of Aldermen Work Session on January 3, 2011, Mayor Arteaga asked for a motion to go into closed session. No reason for the closed session was not announced and the intention to hold a closed meeting was not stated on the agenda.

Editors Note: Every agenda from the city of New Melle contains a notice at the bottom that says upon a motion duly made and adopted, the Board of Aldermen may hold a closed meeting for a number of specific purposes listed in the verbiage. However, whenever possible, a notice of the board’s intent to enter into closed session and the reason for it should be posted on an agenda. It is also important to note that City Attorney Karr was not present at the January 3 work session.

At the New Melle P&Z meeting Dec. 27, 2011, the P&Z commission voted 3-1 (with Mayor Arteaga opposed) to recommend to the Board of Aldermen that the Historical Preservation District Zoning classification be eliminated. The P&Z commissioners are in favor of classifying properties according to use: residential or commercial or industrial, instead of trying to give historical properties their own zoning rules and regulations. Instead of a “Historical Preservation District” zoning classification, and in order to maintain some means of identifying historical properties, P&Z and Board of Aldermen members would like to see a historical recognition program of some type, perhaps a plaque, that would identify and recognize properties that have historical significance to the community.

One of the New Melle Police cars was wrecked on Dec. 30, 2011 and the Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of a replacement car from the Missouri Highway Patrol on January 18. On December 30, 2011, Lt. Garrett Nixon was traveling west on Hwy. D attempting to overtake a violator. Coming around a curve, the rear of the vehicle lost traction. Lt. Nixon overcorrected and was unable to regain control of the vehicle, a gray 2006 Crown Victoria, which left the roadway to the right and hit a tree. There were no injuries and no charges were filed. The crash occurred just west of New Melle Oaks Lane. The car was later totaled. The cost of the new car is $13,750, less $7000 salvage value of the wrecked car, plus the cost of reinstalling equipment from the wrecked car. Funds for the purchase will be taken from the Capital Improvement budget. The replacement car is expected to be in service in early February.