City Clerk
City Clerk
The city clerk’s office serves multiple functions that include
housing the offices of the Municipal Court. The city clerk is
responsible for compiling information to be presented to the Board
of Aldermen at its regular meetings,
attending those meetings, digital
recording the Board’s action, and then preparing the minutes of those meetings.
Additionally the city clerk’s office maintains the official records
of the city, including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts
and other vital documents. The Branson Municipal Codebook is coordinated through the city
clerk’s office.
The
clerk oversees the filing of candidates for municipal elections and
prepares the legal notices for those elections. In addition, the
office keeps track of city appointed boards, commissions and
committees.
In November 2007, City
Clerk Lisa Westfall was certified as a Missouri Registered Clerk by
the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association, and
she was named a Certified Municipal Clerk from the International
Institute of Municipal Clerks. Click for
news release.
Archiving / Records
Archiving of city records is also handled by the city clerk’s office
and request for records are processed through this office. The
office will respond to requests for records within three business
days after a request is received. A request is simply made by
filling out a Request
for Records form and mailing or delivering it
to us. In order to assure the fulfilling of your request,
all requests for records must be submitted on this form. There are
minimal charges for these requests.
Links to Other
Resources
Overview and Application for Tourism Tax Contingency Funds
How to address the Board of Aldermen
F.A.Q.
| 1. When are the Branson Board of Aldermen meetings
held? |
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The
Board of Aldermen’s regular meetings are held on the
second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.,
unless cancelled or otherwise scheduled. Additional
meetings are scheduled as deemed necessary and posted by
the Board. The meeting agendas are listed on the city’s website. |
| 2. Where are the Board of Aldermen meetings held? |
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The
regular meetings are held in the council chambers at
city hall, located at 110 W. Maddux Street. Specially
scheduled meetings could be held in various other
locations and the meeting posting will state the
location. |
| 3. Are the meetings open to the public? |
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Yes. All city of Branson government meetings are open
to the public and must abide by all open meeting laws.
Notices are posted in front of city hall and on the city’s website. |
| 4. How do I request
to appear on the Board of Aldermen's agenda? |
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If you want to
appear on the Board’s agenda to bring forward an issue, you must
submit a letter outlining your topic and reason for appearance.
This must be received by the city clerk by noon on the Monday prior
to the actual Board meeting. |
| 5. How are the
meetings organized? |
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Regular Meetings |
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a. Call to Order. |
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The Mayor will call the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. |
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b. Pledge of
Allegiance. |
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The Pledge
of Allegiance is led by the Mayor |
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c. Invocation. |
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A staff
member will give the invocation. |
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d. Roll Call. |
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The City Clerk
will call the roll to establish a quorum in order to have an
official business meeting. |
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e. Public
Comment |
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The public
may make comments regarding city business. See addressing the Board of Aldermen. |
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f. Consent
agenda. |
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Consent Agenda
items are routine items that the Board will vote on with one
motion. There is no discussion on these items. They may be removed
from the Consent Agenda at the request of a citizen or a Board
member. |
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g. Regular
Agenda. |
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These items are
the regular business items of the Board. They may include
presentations, annexations, codebook policies, zoning issues,
ordinances, resolutions, bid awards and Board appointments. |
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h. Mayor/Aldermen/Administrator's
reports |
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Any
reports by the Mayor, Board of Aldermen or City Administrator is given at
this time. |
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i. Adjournment. |
| 6. Can I address the Board of Aldermen? |
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Yes.
Please see this document for further information addressing the Board of Aldermen |
| 7. Why do some of the agenda items have a public hearing? |
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Certain items by
law are required to have a public hearing for public input. Public
hearings are always advertised in the paper prior to the meeting.
Anyone is allowed to speak at a public hearing and there is no
requirement to sign-up prior to the hearing in order to speak. Addressing the Board of Aldermen. |
| 8. Why does the Board of Aldermen go into an Executive Session? |
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The Missouri
Sunshine Law has specific reasons why a board can go into Executive
Session – for discussions on real estate, personnel and litigation.
When the Board makes the motion to go into Executive Session, it
must state for what reasons under the Sunshine Law they are going
into Executive Session. The only issues that can be discussed in
the Executive Session are items that are stated in the motion. |
9. If
I can’t make the meetings, is there a way I can listen to them? |
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Yes. The audio recording is
available on the city’s website, or a CD can be obtained from the
city clerk's office for a minimal cost of reproduction
fee. |
| 10. Where do I find the rules that the city follows? |
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The city of
Branson has all of its codes listed in a Municipal Codebook which is available online. |
| 11. How
can I get involved with the city? |
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Boards, Commissions & Committees |
| 12. Who
can I contact for further information? |
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The city of Branson’s website is
a great resource
for answers to many questions. Also available on the website are
email addresses of city staff who can assist in answering your
questions. |
