Meeting Minutes

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

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

New Business (Open to Citizens):

Emily Lochirco announced the Parks Committee will have their 1^st meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the Kemner Building at 7 pm.  The Committee is requesting Town input on repairs and improvements to the Town Park and Town Square.

Old Business:      none

Open to Citizens:       (under New Business)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report:

1.)Treasurer’s Report and check expenditures were approved.                                                                                                    2.)ARPA expenditures report submitted by Ellen Knoernschild.

Collector:   

1.)Eff 4-15-22: $6.92 for March Collections.                                                                                                                                    2.)Sign permit of $10.00 for Augusta PTO.                                                                                                                                      3.)Business Licenses submitted for Halcyon Spa ($50.00 for 2 @ $25.00).                                                                            4.)$1,000.00 Conditional Use Permit for 233 Jackson St. from Hoffman Companies.

Public Works:

1.)Dave Lorenz will take over Ken Campbell’s duties of general maintenance around Town at the rate of $25/hour.  2.)Patrick Makin to paint around Town and repair History Museum shutters and hardware.                                            3.)Bill 2022-04 approved as Ordinance 2022-04 for Bill Hampton Enterprises to provide Right of Way acquisition.

Farm Report:

1.)Re-bid needed for the Levee repair.                                                                                                                                              2.)Fields are still too wet for any farming or plowing.

Zoning & Planning: 

Discussion about re-zoning 233 Jackson Street from residential to commercial.  The ruling for the re-zoning request is on hold until the June 6 meeting.  To avoid fines, Sign Permits need to be submitted for the Clothing Store at 5573 Walnut Street, Cranberry Cottage at 5557 Walnut Street, 233 Jackson Street, and the Cabins at 210 Ferry Street by May 13, 2022.

History & Museum: 

1.)Plant Sale made $250 profit.                                                                                                                                                          2.)Museum meeting on May 10, 2022 at 6:30pm to discuss Museum repairs.

Chamber of Commerce:

1.)Visitor’s Center open on Fri – Sun from 10 am – 5 pm.                                                                                                              2.)Plein Air Art paintings sold for $107,784.                                                                                                                                    3.)Two Scholarships were also awarded from the Plein Air proceeds.

Other Committees:

Tree Committee:

1.)Town of Augusta celebrates 13 years as a Tree City.                                                                                                                  2.)Arbor Day Proclamation read by Ellen Knoernschild.

CALENDAR  EVENTS  

May 7, 2022                 Washington, MO Veterinary Clinic from noon – 1 pm at the Kemner Building

June 6, 2022                Next Town Board meeting at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall

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

New Business

• Approved an Ordinance to pay the Zoning Commissioner an hourly rate of $28.80/hr for the Zoning Commission work performed.

Old Business

• Hoffman updates are in Open to Citizens.

Open to Citizens:   Don Simon, Hoffman’s Representative, spoke to the citizens and expressed positive motives and plans for the Hoffman’s Family of Companies.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Treasurer’s Report:   -Treasurer’s Report was approved.                                                                                                           -ARPA expenditures report for Mar 3 thru Mar 31^st submitted by Ellen Knoernschild.
• Collector:   –Eff 3-15-22: $95.02 for February 2022 Collections.                                                                                              –Land Use Permits (2 @ $50.00) for Janit Cross and Aleman Builders.                                                                                              –Business Licenses submitted (9 @ $25.00) for Miss Rhineland Tours, Ozark Hospitality, Good News Brewery, Red Brick Inn, Swan Haven Inn, Hoffman Gator Tours, Hoffman Gas Station, Mt. Pleasant Winery, and Hoffman Guest Home.
• Public Works:   -Various pot holes have been patched.          -Visitor Center clean up went well.                                      -We’ve received 3 bids for asphalt paving. Approved an additional $3,000 to the already approved $17,500 for asphalt repair.                -Approved $4,000 for paint for the History Museum.                                                                             -Mowing bids submitted and reviewed.  Approved mowing bids by Trei Irwin and Bill Harrison.
• Farm:    No updates.
•  Zoning & Planning:   -Zoning Commissioner gave an update on the Vacation Rental Dwellings by Owner moratorium.          -Zoning Commission received a request to change 233 Jackson St from Residential to Commercial.          -Zoning Commission meetings are Apr 12th & 25^th.
• History & Museum:   -Open House Apr 30^th from 11am to 3pm.     -Museum meeting Apr 12^th.
• Chamber:   –We have 90 artists signed up for the Plein Air event from April 20^th thru the 30^th.-April 30^th will be the Art Sale at the Kemner Building.
• Other Committees:  No reports.

CALENDAR  EVENTS  

April 20 – 30, 2022 (11 days)       PLEIN AIR Art Festival event in the Greater Augusta community

April 30, 2022                                  PLEIN AIR Art Sale at the Kemner Building

April 30, 2022                                  History Museum Open House (11 am – 3 pm)

May 2, 2022                                      Next Town Board Meeting

May 7, 2022                                      Rabies Clinic (noon – 1 pm)