Board Meeting Minutes

October 5, 2020 Town Board Meeting Highlights

  • Public Works:  School sidewalk grant update includes finishing up the walkway from the street to the playground.  Stop, no parking, and street signs ordered.
  • The monthly Town website cost is $40.91.
  • Kids “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest is cancelled.
  • Farm Report:  Backhaus Brothers have a 3 year contract for $230.00 per tillable acre.
  • Zoning & Planning Report:  Construction permit issued for Ryan Durban on Lower Street.  Discussion about right-of-way between property owners and the Town vacating the property.  Sanitary sewers are the homeowners’ responsibility.  Storm sewers are the Town’s responsibility.
  • Good News Brewery is expressing interest in purchasing Augusta Brewhaus.
  • Cemetery Committe:  They have purchased the property at 94 and Jackson Street.
  • Mark Piontek, the Town lawyer, is reveiewing the 2020-21 Town Budget and the last audit.
  • Museum and Historic Preservation Committees:   The two committtees are being combined and will meet four times per year.  A report to the state is due this fall on the Historic Preservation.  Augusta’s Certified Local Government (CLG) program is for small communities to qualify for grants from Federal and State governments.  Kathryn Frazier is the Augusta representative for aspects of educational, cultural, and historic value.  The Town is researching zoning guidelines for buildings on the historic register for St. Charles County.  There are 13 houses, the winery, and the Walnut Street District currently on the historic register.  The committes with the Town Board are focusing on the educational aspects of the guidelines.  The Museum and Historical Preservation Committees will maintain a separate website.  Centennial Farm is celebrating their bicentennial in September of 2021.   The State of Missouri is also celebrating their bicentennial in August of 2021.  Discussion about combined or separate celebrations.
  • Bill Harrison, who also mows the Town Park, is working on the park erosion project.
  • The Augusta Visitor Center (AVC) needs to be whitewashed and shutters put up.
  • GACC: On October 15, 2020 a Convention Center bus tour will pass through Augusta; they are looking for festivals in wine country that they can possibly support with advertising money.  A discussion will be held on October 16.  GACC meeting is at 6:30 at the Visitors Center.  On Halloween, October 31, the Visitors Center will be open for a maximum of 25 people (kids and adults) in the building.  Halloween candy will be placed in to bowls.  Food will be served.  There will be no street closures.  November date for having a luminary party for the businesses to put together the supplies necessary to make the luminaries for the Christmas Walk.  November 22 at 1 pm will be the day to decorate the Town Square.  The Augusta Visitors Center will host a Gingerbread House contest during the Christmas Walk on Fridays, December 4 and 11.  There will be no horse carriage rides, no trolley, or no Santa.  The bonfire will be going at the Augusta Brewhaus.

September 14, 2020 Meeting Highlights

  • The Town Budget for 2020-2021 was reviewed and approved at the Special Budget Hearing.
  • The proposed Personal Property and Light Tax Rates were read, accepted and approved at the Special Tax Rate Hearing.  The General Tax rate is 0.1949 per $100 of assessed valuation.  The Lights Tax Rate is 0.0973 per $100 of assessed valuation.
  • Public Works:  Powerwashing of Town buildings is complete.  Town & Country sprayed the streets for weeds.  The gutters at the Post Office were repaired.  Motion made to re-approve $5,000 for the Sign Project.  Motion made to re-approve $3,500 for the Town Park erosion project.
  • Farm Report:  Farm bids were presented for the 2020-2023 contract:  Tim Hellebush at $203 per acre and Backhaus Farms at $230 per acre.  Approved the contract for Backhaus Farms at $230 per acre.
  • Historian Report:  Kathryn Frazier presented information on the Historical Preservation Report.
  • Musuem Report:  Kathryn Frazier announced that the new museum website will be linked to the Chamber and the Town websites.
  • Chamber of Commerce:  Plein Air is moved to April of 2021.
  • Cemetery Report:  Approved Phil Estes as the new Cemetery Sexton.
  • Bob Hofer will be speaking with the Town attorney on the Road Funding Maintenance Project.
  • Approved the request by Terry and Jeri Heisler for the Augusta Bottom Beer Fest at the Augusta Ball Field on October 3, 2020 from noon – 5 pm.

August 3, 2020 Meeting Highlights

  • Town Board members decided to remain in their selected jobs.
  • The proposed Budget for the fiscal year of September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021 was presented by Ellen Knoernschild for review and approval at the September meeting.
  • Public Works:   Trees were removed in the Town Park.  Approved $2,000 for right of way cleanup.  Joe Buchheit presented a Town Park plan with drawing.  Approved $1,130.13 for Phase 2 of the sidewalk improvement project grant by East West Gateway.  Approved up to $1,050 for power washing cleanup from an estimate by Crescent Mobile Power Wash.
  • Dana Sullivan requested information and use of the Town Square on August 21, 2020 for a wedding celebration.  Motion was made and approved that no events or gatherings on Town properties and streets are to be larger than 25 people according to CDC guidelines through the end of December 2020 without the approval of the Town Board.
  • Farm Report:  Farm contract is up at the end of August.  A farm bid notice will be placed in the Missourian for 2 weeks.  Bids will be read at the September meeting.  Bob Struckhoff nominated Rick Rehmeier to serve on the Farm Committe.  The nomination was approved by the Board.
  • Zoning and Planning:  Jenny Mazia requested rezoning of her property line.
  • Museum Report:  Greg Nadler has two potential contractors for the History Museum addition.  Putting together a possible website for the Museum.  Special thanks goes to Ken Campbell for the flower garden upkeep.  Special thanks also to Ellen Knoernschild and Sally Heining for the prepping for the garden annuals.
  • Tourism meeting on July 17 went well.  Bob Hofer and Joe Buchheit attended the meeting.
  • The “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest for kids 12 & under will be supported by the Augusta Elementary art teacher, Sarah Bayless.  Motion made and approved to sponsor two $25 cash prizes for the winners.