2014-06-16 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

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With respect to the proposed change to require three members of Council to place an item on the agenda he stated hat this would simply impede the effort of members to introduce a measure of special interest to their ward. He stated that one person can introduce a measure in Congress and the legislature in Jefferson City. Mr. Porter stated that while this may be nitpicking, he does not believe that the word profanity referenced in the resolution pertaining to Mr. Kraft is the correct terminology for this case. He stated that profanity is a form of sacrilege and that is not what is involved here. Mr. Porter stated that the correct word would be obscenity and he would suggest that before Council acts on this resolution that they make an editorial change to make it right. Sarah Davoli, 7378 Milan Avenue, University City, MO Ms. Davoli stated that she is glad that Mr. Kraft has apologized and proud of Ms. Martin for coming forward about this incident however she would still like to read her statement into the record. As far as power abuse it has become evident that citizens are being treated very poorly in multiple areas. She stated that her neighbor, who is a highly skilled police candidate, submitted an application and went to the Police Department to check on the status of her job application. He was yelled at and told that he should never come to the Police Station to check on an employment application. She stated that two years ago Council allocated money to the Police Department to hire six officers; to date, she only knows of two individuals that were hired. Ms. Davoli stated that since 2010 her subdivision has experienced one major felony per year in a one block radius. She stated that throwing garbage and cursing in front of a resident is unacceptable. Criminals and garbage have a proper place in a well functioning municipality and it should not be what government subjects residents too if they want their City to grow. Gary Nelling, 850 Warder Avenue, University City, MO Mr. Nelling stated that he is not here to debate the rules or the behaviors that have been endlessly discussed so far this evening. What he would like to do is beseech Council to put this factional . conflict which underlies so much of what has been going on to restMr. Nelling stated that he has received assistance by Councilmembers on both sides of this divide and believes that they are all people of intelligence, hard work and a commitment to University City; even if that commitment takes on different forms and ideas. He would ask Council to find a time and a venue, and maybe even a professional group counselor to assist them in finding a way to forgive each other, because neither faction will succeed without the other. Mr. Nelling stated that Council has very important business at- hand, and the complexity of this business, which will make a permanent change to the physical and economic landscape of this City, is of critical importance. It cannot be accomplished if there are two groups who have devolved into something much like we have on a national level where Republicans and Democrats are only interested in landing blows. He stated that he is sure that both sides feel as though there was an original issue and someone fired the first shot, but what we all know is that there have been an endless series of volleys ever since. The only way that it stops, is if everybody stops. Mr. Nelling stated that what has gone on this evening, little will be remembered down the line, but what this City does, what it builds, whether it’s viable or brings in the right tax revenues, with be with us all the rest of all our lives. Felix Simmons, 6620 Chamberlin Avenue, University City, MO Mr. Simmons stated that the definition of stature is “The importance or reputation gained by ability or achievement”. He stated that after attending a Council meeting several weeks ago he had talked to a lot of people, which included the City Manager. He stated that they had engaged in some insightful commentaries that changed some of his personal views. Mr. Simmons stated that he has a lot of respect for the Mayor, members of Council and the City Manager, and the reason he wanted to read that definition into the record is that for the most part members of this Council have demonstrated their respect for citizens even when they disagree or don’t want to hear what is being said. Mr. Simmons stated that on the other hand, while the profanity and bottle throwing is hard to overlook, Mr. Kraft’s nonverbal communication is also offensive. He stated that Mr. Kraft appears as if there are better things that he could be doing with his time instead of listening to citizens, and that really sends the wrong message to his voting constituents. 9