Board Meeting Minutes

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING  (Old & New Business; Open to Citizens)

All 4 current Trustees present.  Citizens present:  13.

New Business:

1.)  Budget Proposal for 2022-2023 submitted by Ellen Knoernschild and discussed.

2.)  Aug 2, 2022 Election location change discussed with Town residents.

3.)  An Appreciation letter sent in by Tom Conboy was read to the Town by Ellen Knoernschild.

4.)  No Tax Due system information submitted by Laura Miller and discussed.

5.)  Free Covid Test kits available at www.covid.gov/tests.

6.)  Training session in September for Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers.

Old Business: 

1.)  Hoffman Company employees using the Library restroom has been addressed.

2.)  Town letter sent out to residents about filling a vacant spot on the Augusta Town Board.

Open to Citizens:

1.)  Jeanne Abbott on Washington St. requests a dangerous tree for removal on an easement behind her house.  Joe Buchheit will follow up on her request.

2.)  Todd White requested to access the ball field for camping and the Bike Across America event from October 9 – 14.

3.)  Kathleen Thompson, representative with St. Charles Urban County CDGB Community block program, spoke to the residents.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report:

1.)  Treasurer’s Report and check expenditures were approved.

Collector:

1.)  Eff 7-15-22:  $616.74 for June monthly collections.

2.)  Land Use Permit ($50.00) for Artist Inn, 5350 Hackman Rd.

Public Works:

1.)  Trees were removed from City Parks.

2.)  Decision was made to move forward with 5 Star Painting’s bid for painting and repairs of the History Museum.  Motion made and approved to allocate $3,000.

3.)  Park sign designs were submitted by Laura Miller for discussion.

Zoning & Planning: 

1.)  Request was made for reimbursement of the rezoning fee at 255 Washington St, since it was withdrawn.  The Board voted to approve reimbursing Randy Green $500 of the application fee.

2.) Motion made and approved for the following Town of Augusta Board of Adjustment members with their terms:  John Krakowski (2022-2027), Dave Schrader (2018-2023), Kelly Dolan (2019-2024), Randall Oaks (2020-2025) and Eric Gargrave (2021-2026) with Chris Coleman as an Alternate.

History & Museum:  No report submitted

Chamber of Commerce:  No report submitted

Farm Report:

1.)  Levee has been repaired.

2.)  Farm field corn and bean crops are growing good.

Other Committees:

Tree Committee:  No report submitted

Parks Committee:  No report submitted

Cemetery Committee:  No report submitted

“Best of Augusta” Photo Contest:

1.)  Kids’ 12 and under Photo Contest is coming up in September.  Cash / check prizes from the Town are First Place: $30.00,  Second Place:  $25.00, and Third Place:  $20.00.

CALENDAR  EVENTS

September 16-17, 2022          Swinging in the Vines and the Augusta Harvest Festival

September 30, 2022               Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest deadline

October 3, 2022                       Town Board Meeting  7:00 pm

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING  (Old & New Business; Open to Citizens)

All 4 current Trustees present.  Citizens present:  24.

New Business:

1.)  Letter to be sent out to Town residents in search of an additional Town Board member.

Old Business:    (No updates.)

Open to Citizens:     

1.)  Discussion with John Fuhr on cutting grass and weeds on Chestnut and Jackson St off the street right of way and the Town will maintain grass and weeds in the street right of way.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report:

1.)  Treasurer’s Report and check expenditures were approved.

2.)  Town Asset Report was given by Ellen Knoernschild.

Collector:   

1.)  Eff 6-15-22:  $122.86 for May 2022 collections.

2.)  Sign Permits (@$10.00) for 3 properties with Ziglin Signs.

Public Works:

1.)  The Extension of the Moratorium ordinance was introduced as a bill.  It went through the process of being read in full at the first reading, read by title only for the second reading, voted on and approved as Ordinance 2022-06.

2.)  The Board approved an additional $5,000 for tree removal.

Farm Report:

1.)  Levee repairs have begun.

2.)  Crops are growing good.

Zoning & Planning: 

1.)  Sign Permits 22-11, 22-12, 22-13, and 22-14 are on hold.  The Board recommended that they install either the blade style sign or the flat style sign, not both.  Sign Permit 22-03 for 233 Jackson Street was approved.

2.)  LATEST UPDATE:  The Public hearings on July 12 and July 19 for Rezoning 255 Washington Street were cancelled because the applicant withdrew their application.

3.)  Discussion concerning the 6 Board of Adjustment members [John Krakowski, Dave Schrader, Kelly Dolan, Eric Gargari and Chris Coleman (alternate)] was held.  Everything is on hold until term expirations are determined.

History & Museum: 

1.)  Windows need replacing at the History Museum.

Chamber of Commerce:

1.)  Christmas Walk Committee met and discussed the event.  Christmas Trivia night on December 10.

2.)  Harvest Festival begins September 16 with Swingin’ in the Vines and additional activities on September 17.

3.)  Harmonie Verein Tailgate July 21st.

Other Committees:

Parks Committee: Emily Lochirco

8.1   Committee is holding meetings to coordinate priorities for the Parks.

8.2   Suggestions for putting a pavilion on half of the basketball court.

8.3   Suggestions for new picnic tables.

Cemetery Committee:

1.)  Jan Mallinckrodt was nominated and approved to serve on the Cemetery Committee.

“Best of Augusta” Photo Contest:

1.)  Kids’ 12 and under Photo Contest is coming up in September.  Cash / check prizes from the Town are First Place: $30.00,  Second Place:  $25.00, and Third Place:  $20.00.

CALENDAR  EVENTS  

August 1, 2022                        Next Town Board meeting at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall

August 18, 2022                      Harmonie Verien Tailgate with music and food

September 16-17, 2022          Swinging in the Vines and the Augusta Harvest Festival

September 30, 2022               Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest deadline

SPECIAL REORGANIZATION MEETING           

          Town Trustee duties assigned and approved as follows:

                     Joe Buchheit                  Acting Chairman

                     Ellen Knoernschild      Treasurer

                     Joe Buchheit                   Director Public Works

                     Laura Miller                    Clerk

                     Rick Barton                     Secretary/Collector/Notary

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING  (Old & New Business; Open to Citizens)

All current Trustees present.  Citizens present:  22.

New Business:

1.)  The Rezoning of 233 Jackson from R1 Residential to Commercial went through the process of being introduced and read as Bill 2022-05 to being approved as Ordinance 2022-05.

Old Business:    (No Hoffman updates other than discussed.)

Open to Citizens:       (no signups)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report:

1.)  Treasurer’s Report and check expenditures were approved.

Collector:   

1.)  EFF 5-16-22 $26.45 for April 2022 collections.

2.)  Sign Permits (@$10.00) for Augusta Clothing, Hoffman Guest Home, Cabins, and Bungalow.

3.) Business Licenses (@$25.00) for submitted for Augusta Bicycle, Emporium, Augusta Winery, and Beer Garden.

Public Works:

1.)  Suggestion was made for a Park Bench or Tree in Memory of the late Town Board Chairman Bob Hofer.

2.)  There are around 7 trees at the City Park that need to be removed due to safety hazard.  The Board approved an allocation of $7,000.

Farm Report:

1.)  Contractor for the Levee repair is set for July.

2.)   Farm fields plowed and seeds sowed ready to grow.

Zoning & Planning: 

1.)  Sign Permits 22-04, 22-05, 22-07, 22-08, 22-09 and 22-10 were approved.  Sign Permits 22-03 and 22-06 are on hold until work is completed.

2.)  Rezoning Application from R1 Residential to Commercial received for 255 Washington Street.  Public Hearings are scheduled for July 12, 2022 at 7:00pm and on July 19, 2022 at 7:00pm at the Kemner Building.

3.)  Moratorium discussed.

History & Museum: 

1.)  Historical event held on 6/5/22 at the History Museum.

Chamber of Commerce:

1.)  Plein Air was very successful.  The Plein Air Committee is allocating $3,000 to the Park Account for a total of $7,000 so far.  Plein Air dates for 2023 are Sept 20^th – 29^th.

2.)  History Museum meeting June 14^th at 6:30pm.

3.)  Harmonie Verein Tailgate June 16^th.

4.)  Show Me the Music June 18^th at Balducci’s.  Tickets are on Chamber and Balducci websites.

5.)  Swinging in the Vines Sept 16^th.

6.)  First Christmas Walk meeting July 13^th at 6:30pm at the Visitors Center.

Other Committees:

Cemetery Committee:

1.)  The Committee pays tribute to the late Bob Hofer for outstanding dedication; he will be missed.  The Cemetery Committee is looking for a replacement.

“Best of Augusta” Photo Contest:

1.)  Kids’ 12 and under Photo Contest is coming up in September.  Cash / check prizes from the Town are First Place: $30.00,  Second Place:  $25.00, and Third Place:  $20.00.

CALENDAR  EVENTS  

August 5, 2022                Next Town Board meeting at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall

September 16, 2022       Swinging in the Vines

September 30, 2022      Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest deadline