Board of Aldermen meeting recap

     The Board of Aldermen met Monday, January 9th, approving three resolutions related to the City's water, sewer, and household waste management. 
     The Board approved a resolution to purchase 400 water meters as a continuation of the City's annual water meter replacement program. The Board also approved a resolution to purchase sewer camera equipment and enclosed trailer to replace aging equipment and technology. A resolution to continue participation in the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program was approved, allowing residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste at scheduled community drop off events.
     The Board also unanimously approved a resolution to reappoint Mark Clark and Joe Panza and appoint Jim Wyzard to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for five-year terms.
     The approval of members of the Planning and Zoning Commission was not quite as simple. 
     Alderman Dale Arnold requested one of the proposed members, current Planning & Zoning Commission member Scott Shafer, be pulled from the resolution and voted upon separately. The original resolution was amended to strike Shafer from the vote. The Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution reappointing Justin Tyson to a four-Year term, appointing Jayci Stratton to fulfill the unexpired term of Commission member James Hofstetter, and appointing Chris Bamman to fulfill the unexpired term of Commission member Kevin Browning.
     Considering the resolution to reappoint Scott Shafer to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Arnold pointed to personal attacks he claims Shafer has made against him. 
     Arnold accused Shafer of using his “knowledge while being on the Planning & Zoning board, and while being on that board, has used it to weaponize City staff against individuals, including myself, to continue his vendetta and personal attacks on myself and others.”
    Mayor Todd asked Community Development Director Mark Trosen if there have been any complaints received regarding Shafer as a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, and Trosen stated there had been no complaints.
     Arnold followed up, asking “has he brought complaints to you about individuals in the community about violations and codes that your department has to do with?”
  “I believe he has brought complaints to our codes enforcement officers, like other citizens of Grain Valley, where he sees complaints. Yes," Trosen said. 
     Arnold stated Shafer has singled him out, filing complaints with City codes enforcement officers and later Jackson County regarding sewer issues at his property. Arnold stated the County visited his property and determined there were no issues. Arnold stated that while codes officers do not disclose the names of those who make complaints, he believes Shafer is behind them.  
     "I feel under his continued operation of using our codes department as a weapon against those who he does not agree with, is a bad form to affirm by putting him back on this board," Arnold said.
     Alderman Rick Knox, who serves as board liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission, shared his thoughts.
     “I am well aware of the dislike between Dale and Mr. Shafer, but as the board liaison between that board and this one, I can say that I have had not ill dealings with him on the board. He speaks his mind and nothing out of line as far as I am concerned on that.”
     The resolution reappointing Shafer passed with Arnold as the lone nay vote. 
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Planning and Zoning Commission meeting recap:
     The Planning and Zoning Commission met Wednesday, January 11th, approving the final development plan and final plat approval for Copper Creek, formerly known as The Lofts at Creekside Landing. The proposed development, located at the dead end of NW Sni-A-Bar Blvd. east of NW Sni-A-Bar Parkway, will consist of four apartment buildings containing 24 units in each building, three four-plex buildings, and one duplex. 
     The Commission postponed the election of officers due to the absences of members Scott Shafer and Justin Tyson. 

     A joint workshop regarding the Comprehensive Master Plan and Parks Master Plan with Board of Aldermen, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Parks Board will be held Tuesday, January 17th at 6:00pm.