Meeting Minutes

SPECIAL TAX RATE HEARING MEETING MINUTES (6:30 – 6:35 pm)

1.)  Motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the General Tax Rate of 0.1716 of $100 per assessed valuation.

2.)  Motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Lights Tax Rate of 0.0857  of $100 per assessed valuation.

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING  (7:00 – 9:52 pm)

All 4 current Trustees present.  Citizens present:  18.

New Business:

1.)  Block Grant Program Bill 2022-07 went through the process of being read as a bill to being adopted as Ordinance 2022-07.

2.)  Moratorium Bill 2022-09 completed the process of being read as a bill to being adopted as Ordinance 2022-09.

Old Business: 

1.)  The Coffee Shop is open for business in the Emporium.

Open to Citizens:  no sign-ups

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report:

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

Collector:

1.)  Eff 8-15-22:  $35.74 for July monthly collections.

2.)  Business License (2 @ $25.00) for Augusta Home LLC and Indian Creek Capitol.

3.)  Conditional Use Permit ($500.00) for Bill and Debbie Schaffer

4.)  Land Use Permit ($50.00) for Harmonie Verein.

Public Works:

1.)  Bids given for addressing trees with limbs hanging: 1 bid for $6,700 and 1 bid for $4,200.  Placed on hold.

2.)  Motion made to approve the Bid for $900 to remove a dead tree at Jeanne Abbott’s Residence on the town right of way.

3.)  Motion made and approved for $21,000 for roof repair at the Library.  Motion made and approved for $1,000 for an Asphalt pallet to be delivered.

4.)  Motion made and approved for $2000 to fix 3 doors at the History Museum.

5.)  Park sign illustrations presented by Laura Miller and discussed.

6.)  Acquisition Letters are being sent out to Home Owners with information on the side walk construction.  Motion made and approved to move forward with Phase II of the Sidewalk Grant.

Zoning & Planning: 

1.)  Public Hearing request set for Oct 4, 2022 for Bill and Debbie Shaffer on Conditional Use Permit.

2.)  Pending Land Use Permit for Harmonie Verein.

3.)  There are 8 signs in Town without Permits all of which are Hoffman Properties. Notification being sent to Hoffman Properties by Zoning Commission.

History & Museum:  No report submitted

Chamber of Commerce:  

1.)  Harvest Festival is this weekend, September 17.

2.)  Street Closure request for the Harvest Festival was submitted and approved.

3.)  Motion was made, seconded, and approved for the horse and carriage street closure.

Farm Report:

1.)  Ellen Knoernschild will call about the farm check.

Other Committees:

Tree Committee:  No report submitted

Parks Committee:  No report submitted

Cemetery Committee:  No report submitted

“Best of Augusta” Photo Contest:

1.)  The Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest is scheduled.  An article in the September Boone Country Connection explains the contest.  The art teacher at Augusta Elementary is assisting with entries.  The deadline is September 30.  Judging is again being handled by Lois Barton.  Cash prizes by the Town for the kids include:  First Place = $30.00, Second Place = $25.00, and Third Place = $20.00.  Thank you for supporting this creative outlet for the area’s kids 12 and under.  (by Gay Eskew)

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  (Moved to October 10, 2022.)

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