Ways & Means Committee - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to the in progress. Welcome to the November 6, 2025 Ways and Means Committee meeting. Roll call, please. [clears throat and cough] Awoman Goat here. ADM Good here. Alman Urgger, here. Ty, here. Uh, next up is approval or amendment of the agenda. Does anybody have any changes to the amend to the agenda? Seeing none, it will be so approved. Uh, next is an opportunity for citizen comment. So, this is a chance for people to talk about anything u related to ways of means. I don't see anyone in the chamber. Doesn't look like there's we don't have any online.

Okay, great. Uh, moving on to uh report of committee chair and alderman. Uh, I have one item. uh we have been meeting a lot uh with the ways and means committee and so we have decided to not have a meeting in December and we will come back in January and please check your emails for dates because our meeting is scheduled for January 1st and we will not be here that night. So um um check your calendar and we'll set the meeting um week or two later in January. Alderwoman go no report. Uh Alderman uh Alderman Gould, no report. And Alderman Urgger,

no report. um on under city administrator report. Um just a reminder about the budget. We will wrap things up uh tonight with police and fire. It will go uh for public hearing and first reading on the November 17th meeting, a board of alderman meeting, and we'll uh hopefully approve it on December the 1st. Um and now we are at the uh point of the citizen budget forum. So this is uh yet another opportunity for citizens to come and talk about the budget for 2026 and offer suggestions. And since there were not any citizens for the general comments, I don't think there'll be anyone now, but uh we do give everyone that opportunity. Uh that takes us to uh department reports, which there are none. Uh consent agenda. We have the minutes from the October 28th meeting. Were there any changes to the uh Is there a motion for approval?

So moved. Second. All in favor? I. And no one opposed. Eyes have it. Old business the um budget. So it looks like uh Chief Cotrol is moving. So it looks like we're starting with fire.

Right. Good evening. Thank

And in u tonight's presentation, I just provide some highlights um based on what's in the uh budget book. Um please stop me at any point and um we'll answer all questions. So mission and vision statements for the fire department remain the same. Um our mission is providing excellence through service. share that mission daily with all personnel. To highlight a few accomplishments um for this current year, uh we did have the promotion of Lieutenant Anner. Um we replaced and upgraded thermal imaging capabilities and that was a a neat project because of advancements in technology. We now every riding position, every firefighter has a thermal imaging camera on them and we did it for about half the price um that we originally uh had budgeted. So um it was a very successful program that helps all of our firefighters. Um, we did replace and upgrade cardiac equipment and the capabilities with such that was 100% funded through the state of Missouri and that was our last ARPA grant that we have received um with the state of Missouri. We launched a mobile application for our medical protocols with Washington University. So um our partnership with them began last year, very successful beginning, but they did not have a mobile application for our medics to quickly look up um medications or scenarios um just the directives. So we have that implemented now. That was a lot of leg work on uh some of our personnel to uh to get that going. All radio equipment um has been replaced and is upgraded to the latest technology on Motorola and um which is directed by St. Louis County Emergency

Communications. We did begin construction of the fire training facility um that is progressing nicely. We've provided a few reports in our weekly um department updates and we are currently um still in process of procuring all loose equipment for the new fire engine. Um we placed an additional [clears throat] order today for equipment and uh we look to complete that. We we tried completing it last week, couple little hurdles, but uh we should have everything ordered by uh next Friday. That is our goal. So, the highlight of goals and objectives for uh for next year, the big one is let's get this fire engine in here. Um we're quickly approaching four years from the time we signed that agreement. Um so, we are uh excited to get this in here. Construction on the truck actually began yesterday. So, on Fridays, starting next Friday, we will start receiving weekly updates on the progress of that construction. We will replace all PPE for personnel. Um, and that does include the ballistic protection. This year, we do order PPE, the turnout coats and pants, um, every five years um because they have a 10-year life expectancy. And so after five years, all personnel have two sets a year that we rotate. So once it reached 10 years of service, it is um discarded and we then we replace the ballistic protection. Very similar um for the ballistic vest and the helmets. Um those are a five-year rotation. We did delay the helmets because of the use, frankly, but the the vest we are not we're not delaying that. Uh we do uh intend to complete the construction of the training facility. that should be completed May at some

point. And we anticipate performing um drills, perhaps not burns just yet, but uh in the month of June. And so uh we are completing our agreement with West County now. And I believe all crews have completed their sessions for this calendar year. So we our equipment will not be going there on a regular basis any longer. It will all occur at Shrewsbury beginning next summer. We do intend to launch a fire department scheduling software. I know uh that a question about that was brought up. This is fire department specific and this is um launching new technology to allow our people to not only track time but um receive updates, know when open shifts may be available, know if somebody is needing off that they can fill that shift. It is a communication tool but also an administrative tool to help us with our scheduling. The next item kind of coincides because multiple vendors offer both. It is to launch an inventory management software. Again, it's it's to transfer that from paper documents to applications and we're ordering um our consumables. So when I say inventory that is meant for our capital purchases down to our consumables everything that we use uh within the organization um complete the replacement and upgrade of mobile data terminals inside our uh department apparatus. That is a big increase within the IT budget that has been uh we worked on it in this fiscal year for two pieces of apparatus and then we will do two additional next year. Moving that the mobile data terminals to a windowsbased device does um enhance our communications with dispatch. We have better views of what they see and they're able to share

better information with our people currently on a iPad. because it goes through an application not written by Motorola, we cannot see hydrant locations. For an example, if we go to routing on the iPad, it completely takes you to another screen and you lose all dispatch information. So, the Windowsbased device eliminates those hurdles and does provide a better um system for our personnel to see. Renew the fire department strategic plan. So um we will that our plan was rolled out to run through the end of this year and so um with the department turnover it is time anyways to renew that revisit our values and uh update the goals and objectives of the department. We are proud to say we've accomplished a lot in that strategic plan. Um there's items perhaps that will continue to remain in the plan moving forward, but um that will be revisited in uh fiscal year 26. And then we did reduce our our total response time metric for all of our personnel and that's based off the prior three years data. And um we are proud of our response times. We are proud that our people take this very seriously. And what we're tracking here is the time someone calls 911 till our units arrive on scene for Brentwood calls. So I'm not tracking what we do mutual aid. These are only Brentwood calls. Um and this the presentation we did a couple me you know meetings ago for the board of alderman. It it truly makes a difference. So highlights of our expenditures. Um our staffing levels remain the same the same. um this uh category does remain flat because of the hiring of the um five new employees. So they're at a lower rate than um the more senior

employees. So that kind of gives us a little balance there. Um and similar to the employee benefits um just reduction of the number of people we're covering that they don't have families and you we're not providing that coverage. The critical illness pool, I have a slide in here on that. I'm happy to report that's going exceedingly well. Um and as such uh the rates are not changing on the critical illness pool. A tremendous benefit for our employees. The educational benefit. We got some tremendous relief from the state of Missouri on this. Um they passed uh a retention um education incentive. And so for employees that meet criteria um they are able to apply um for a grant through the department of public safety to attend um college up to a bachelor's degree. Um they I believe the time of service is at least six years of service. Um so once they reach that then they qualify for this. Um so I I signed in a form yesterday. I have an employee that applied for this program. So, this is a a great opportunity and provides relief to the city. Um, we still do have one employee uh pursuing his master's degree. Um, in fact, he just started uh this this fall travel and meetings. It's just a slight increase based on inflation and similar with the fuel miscellaneous contractual. we're capturing um the increase uh on that technology piece as I talked about earlier, the staffing and um the inventory and in addition to regular market increases. I did uh receive an invoice for our code red the emergency notification um last week and that has now increased over $9,000 annually. So we we're just capturing these increases

in here. This one is different to report is the decrease in training and this is a one-time decrease because the training um group had money that we use for contingency for the training tower out of our operational. So we're transferring that as a from operation to the and applying it to the capital. So it's a one-time offset. So it will increase um again in 27 but for 26 we do have some relief uh clothing allowance uh that was noted at you know increase uh for all uniform personnel up to $1,000 annually that's broken out over uh two payments. The clothing allowance and make sure I try to be clear on here. Clothing allowance is to purchase and maintain our uniforms. Uniform purchase is to this is when we hire a new employee. This is how we outfit them and which can cost more than $10,000 now because of the turnout gear. Everyone's getting turnout gear next year. Even if by chance we lose an individual that all the vehic or a PPE replacement will come out of the capital fund, not this uniform. So it's a again kind of a one-year offset of that. And then supplies materials, that's we're just tracking on market increases on that. the report from the critical illness pool. Um, I pulled this from their most recent meeting and I had a verbal update but it wasn't recorded as such. I get water.

Oh, it's okay. Give her just a minute. good. I would rather catch our breath than spring into action. So, this is good. So, with the update from the critical illness pool, uh, at their last meeting 2025, they are up to 129 members, um, 4,900 active firefighters covered. Um, they do state now that they are over 5,000 um, individual firefighters. I reported on this last year, we were at, I believe, 36 um 36 agency members. Um, so it has grown tremendously is it's doing well. So the total claims um near uh $1 million. I know the fund is over $12 million. Almost all of that is been um from the state of Missouri. The program expanded to include behavior health. Again, that was 100% funded by the state of Missouri. They launched a new mobile application for um all firefighters that they can connect

straight from the station to a mental health expert if needed even while on duty. Critical illness pool this year did transition I believe it occurred in uh July to the new third party administrator which I believe we are familiar with uh Thomas McGee Group and again there's no increase um in the premiums for the upcoming year. Now I'll jump to the capital expenditures that we have uh proposed for the fire department. Um the first is to complete the fire training facility. It remains on budget. Um there there concern over uh soils and um we had no overages there. So we we are doing well. The concrete is poured and at this point we're truly waiting on that structure to be uh completed and assembled on site. you have the support vehicle inserted. Um I know I had that last year. Um we're bringing that forward again. Um I try to be clear, it's more than a fire marshal vehicle. Yes, the fire marshall would be using this, but it truly is a support vehicle to the department um for many factors to towing the boat on a regular basis, especially at nighttime if the assistant chief and I are not present. um other needs of the department, perhaps taking, you know, firefighters to training um our drug screens, you know, whatever the case might be on that. And the $40,000 does include all u proposed all upfitting charges. So, we already have a radio for it and whatnot. The PPE replacement again includes uh the turnout gear at 150,000 Um there was the numbers for vests and helmets were um transposed in the book.

So the vests are more than the helmets. Um that correction in the that will be corrected in the final draft. And then the new fire engine um it will be delivered after the first of the year. Uh I know finance has uh worked with those monies um and or is prepared. I hope it's in February but um time will tell questions. No

apologies. Um I do have some questions. I'll start if that's okay. Um so the um vehicle that the truck would be replacing uh what is the city or reselling that vehicle? What's going to happen to that vehicle that would be sold as surplus equipment? It has failed the inspection. Okay. Um yeah,

great. And then my other question is um about the um we had a discussion sort of I don't at some point about pulling the dollars that go to ECDC from the fire department and putting them in the fire budget. I'm I'm this is probably maybe more of a question for Michelle. Is is that in here? Is that in miscellaneous contractual? Is it um in the budget? Michelle's shaking her head behind you, so maybe we can let let her come. Yeah, we did some allocation to the fire department for miscellaneous contractual for the ECDC cost. They are minimal in compared to what the police has. I knew it was minimal, but it just seems fair to have it by department

by increase that has your market value increases, but also had those costs contained as well. Great. Okay, thank you. That's all I have. Are there other questions from other members of the committee? Okay. No. Well, we answered them all beforehand, so thank you. Oh, thank you. Great. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. [laughter] Uh, so now we are moving to police. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Welcome to the police department's version of our budget 2026. And like everybody else, uh we were going to start with the uh advance on this thing. Joseph popping. Okay. So, I was going to start with um the goals of the department going into 26. And the first item on that list you see is a succession plan. And uh we continue to do this each year. But um our our transition as we look to the next few years in the police department is I think is really at a vital time because we promoted two lieutenants who are uh learning the job of being commanders and we have a new major who's in charge of administration at this point and Major Simpson who's in charge of of the policing side. So all of those uh pieces are integral as we go into 2026 that we cross trainin these folks that they are capable of doing uh each other's jobs in the event somebody goes down. Um the second one that you see on that list of the goals is this continued process of buying radios. We we tried to chunk the radios out over a few years to try and keep the the shock of the cost of these things down. They're they're running, you know, 7 $8,000 per handheld radio. And we obviously have more than the fireside did. So, our costs were uh right around $350,000 for new radios. It was quite expensive. So, uh luckily though, uh Major Sullivan wrote a grant application through uh the Blue Shield process and we were able to get some radios. Uh so that that process is going to continue and I think uh the plan is Joe's going to write to that grant again and try and get some more radios as we go forward. Um the third one that you see on that list, the business park and

school checks uh always high on the list of goals to protect our uh particularly our schools and parks. [snorts] But the uh one of the things that we look at as we go into 26 is what the success is going to be of having a corporal a supervisor uh implemented in that role and and how that both the traffic and the park protection and our school checks are really going to be successful. So we'll be monitoring that very closely as we go through next year. And our goals and objectives of city officer safety training program that's been implemented here since 2018. [snorts] I believe all of you have um been um know what that is, but we would like to put that on steroids going into 2026. And by infusing a very um talented group of people that have their own company to do that with us and we're going to use asset forfeite to pay for their services, uh we really think that it's going to um augment that training and make it better next year. Uh the rest of these uh things are pretty self-explanatory. Uh, as you see, we only have one vehicle listed on the next year for outfitting for our department. Accomplishments for 2025. Uh, there's a couple I won't go through all of these, but I did want to hit on a couple of them. The new body warn camera system has proven to be very uh reliable and a successful implementation so far. Uh, you may remember that the board approved this. It was quite expensive, but it offers a lot of upgrades and security for our police officers and for the community. U thus far, I'm I'm very happy with the uh selection of the product that we have. I think the police officers are comfortable with it at this point and it's performing well. So, as we switch into 26 from 25, that that new system has been a a nice upgrade for us. We also in 25 replaced our duty pistols with the red dot sight weapons. uh we

tried to familiarize the the board with those in our day at the range. Uh that's one of the reasons that we asked you to do that was so that you would uh have a a feel or an understanding what the value of that new system is. Just about a 40% increase uh across the board in police officers and accuracy using that weapon system. So we're we're very glad to have it. Uh I think it's going to work out well for us. Even noviceses can be accurate with with that [laughter] red the red dot. Some people are very accurate with it.

Ronnie mentioned the new scheduling system. We also did that in 2025. Um quite frankly, we always struggle with the schedule on the policing side because it change it fluctuates so much. So now with the uh app on our phones, we can look at it and I use it every day. We look at it every day to be able to change and adjust, put people in and out. Um and it gives us a much better idea and accountability of who's working dayto day. So that's helped us. you see the the promotions that are on there. Um that includes the we asked Bola to make a fifth corporal and she agreed to do that based on my recommendation and thus far Brian Hoppler's done a great job doing that. So I I think that's um something that we can include in our success from 25 the blue shield program. We talked about that. Um um depending on how the state of Missouri funds that uh we'll continue to aggressively look at uh funding for more grant opportunities through that program. We had a line increase a slight one on uh and it's on the next screen here. Um along with the Regis costs that we have uh we're we've been asked to include a prosecuting attorney's management system. This is actually through uh our courts. So, this allows Josh to be able to immediately link up with our prosecuting attorneys and and be able to u find out what case adjudications come down the line quicker and be able to do his job better and easier. So, we we've included that in our budget for the 26th. We wanted to mention any asset forfeite fund uh that group uh that's going to help us with our officer safety training is uh is included in this. So this will be quarterly training where this unit comes out and helps us. We will still participate. The command staff will uh but it's four times each officer throughout the year. So it's it's a lot of training. Uh they do multiple

roleplay trainings when they do it. Um they're also going to do active shooter training for us. They're going to do active building uh searches for us. And we're going to try and infuse some training with other cities close to us with this. Wester Groves is buying this package and other cities are considering it as well. So, uh, as they take on training for these other cities, we will, um, we will practice response to a school shooting, uh, things like that. So, uh, obviously if something horrible kicks off, we will all be going in together and we like to practice that. listed in our capital items. You see the the men's locker room, that building that we're in is over 20 years old and the showers are gross and they need to be changed out. So,

[snorts]

um we we will hope to do that in the capital items. You see in there though that the 7500 plus is coming out of our asset forfeite. In the asset forfeite uh guidelines and rules from the federal government, we're not allowed to uh pay for the installation, but we can pay for the materials. So that's why that's separated in that manner. And then that next item, it kind of explains to you how we had bro broke down the uh purchase of the handheld radios for the police department and includes the grant that I told you that Joe wrote. Um so I think that that slide is pretty self-explanatory. As you look towards 27, we will finish out the purchase of those radios. So and then we have the one patrol vehicle for going into next year. It's going to replace a uh dated 2020 Ford Explorer that did not pass the tests. That's all I had. Uh Joe and I'd be happy to answer any questions for you if you'd like.

I I just have uh two. First, same question that I asked Chief Katrrol about the the replaced vehicle. Uh is the plan to sell the vehicle that we're replacing? Yes, ma'am. We always put our cars on on the uh go sell list.

Right. And then my second question is about training. So first of all, uh I applaud you for the training that you've done in the past and for doing training and clearly we've made an investment in the fire department with training and I'm glad to see that you're uh doing enhanced training. U but I noticed that there's a big bump next year, but it goes back down in future years. Is this a one-time thing or is this something you want to do next year and you're going to try to figure out how to make it work in future years? Yeah. So, it comes out of the asset forfeite portion of what we're doing anyway. So, I think if you look at the asset forfeite um uh future uh I think that's on the bottom list of what you're looking at.

Uh honestly, this is going to be an evaluation process for us 26. So, we're going to look at this and see uh determine the value of it. Obviously, we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think it had high value, but we want to look at it and see how it is. Great. Thank you. Other questions from other committee members?

I guess I just have a followup on Alderwoman Ty's. So when I look at the um the item itemization of the of description under training on on page 149, the training dollars says it's 25,000. But then when you look at the budget report statement, am I looking at this incorrect that it's it's 40,000 in the proposed budget line for 2026? Um I'm sorry. It's on it's 154. Yeah.

Um, and if I mean maybe it's just not recorded right in the statement or um line 64. Yeah. Uh um 64. I think that's what that is. You're looking at the So, I'm looking at uh line item 10 10-221 uh-6240.

That's the asset forfeite one. So, what we do is they're actually two different training budgets for because asset forfeite money, okay, is separate. So, um, in years gone by after discussing this in our meetings with Bola and Michelle, uh, we've been putting asset forfeite money into those into those, um, codes to be able to use if we need it. Uh, but there's also one in our regular budget for training. Okay. Okay. Got it. A little confusing. I see that now that Thank you. That that's where I was getting confused. I was like, wait a second. It is a little confusing because you're looking at double. Yeah. Yeah, like double line items are the same thing. All right, that clears it up. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Other questions? Alder Mcode. First, thank you for your very nice responses. Do you want to just all out on page 145 your violet kind projections? Right. Budget for a cake. If you're successful in that, not budget. I will bake you a cake. Drop our crime rate 30%. You're looking at what? 145. Is that what you said? 145 to line one uh crimes group A violent crimes the 30% drop projections.

So these are these are obviously projections based on trends. And the trend over the last two years really, but really this year is that in particular our violent crime has gone down. And that's that's a that's a condition that we're seeing really throughout St. Louis. Um, but Brentwood's experienced it as well and and there are several reasons for it, but it's really tied to nighttime car crime, which drives some of the the violent crime that we see. And I think that area wide, including us in Bramble, we've done a a good job trying to affect that. Doesn't mean it can't come back or uh we couldn't have an incident. Uh, but that's why the projections seem to be trending down.

Very excited about that. And if you didn't budget a cake and you hit that, call me. I will bake you a cake for that number. That is I'll eat it if you a 30% drop in violent crimes would be fantastic. So, yes, ma'am. And thank you for all your other answers. Thanks in advance. Other questions? And I failed to um ask the two elected officials in the room if they had questions on fire. Do you have questions on fire for fire or police? Great. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Yeah. Okay. So, that brings us to the end of the budget unless there are any other questions from anyone. I was going to ask Oh yes, please do.

Two very high level questions. Um, one just making sure when I look back on page 26 and 35 for the overall budget, we've got a fully balanced budget with a slight contribution to our reserves. That is correct. And this also includes our full payments for all of our bonds with Absolutely. Fantastic. Thank you. Okay. With that, the chair would entertain a motion to present the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget to the board of alderman for approval. So moved. Second.

I guess we need a roll do a roll call vote for this. Aud, yes. Urgger, yes. Ty, yes. So, thanks to everyone, staff, um, especially for the tremendous work that went into getting us this far. We're not quite over the finish line, but we're really close. So, um, thanks to all. Um, that takes us to new business. And there is one item, an amendment to the city's financial policies and procedure manual. So, I think that's is that Michelle want me to do it?

Oh, it's Bola. Okay. Your name's in the on the agenda. My name is on the agenda.

No, Michelle's name is on the agenda. Um so [snorts] we um piggybacked on um on using contractors, vendors that had been um that had gone through the process of we piggybacked on using contractors that MDOT had approved for different projects. And in the past when when we have done that um we believe that they have gone through their purchasing policy requirements and those contractors or vendors have met those requirements. So there was no need for the city to duplicate that effort. Um so when their auditors reviewed their work they said that the city didn't do its independent verification of the background of those contractors and that going forward we needed to do that. So, we worked with uh the city attorney and here for your consideration is amended language that says going forward the city will do its own suspension and debar debarment assessment on all construction projects. So, that's that's what this is.

That seems pretty straightforward. Um, so clearly I guess this would be if we did another joint project like along u Manchester Road with MDOT that can, right?

Are there other things on the horizon that you anticipate in the next year or so, us needing to um use these new procedures? Well, you know, there there is the MSD project clear and if they're going to be working, which they are, in the neighborhood, if there is a request to speed up a storm water project by, you know, partnering with them to accomplish it, we would have to use their contractor hopefully. So, then this covers us um for next time we would do that. We would do our own evaluation, background check of of those vendors as well. So I I think there's a possibility for that to come up here in the immediate future.

Okay, great. Are there other questions? Alderman Gold. And when we do that evaluation, do we need to contract with other um partners to do the evaluation or is that an just We would do it ourselves. It's really about contacting references. So it's not any um really hard costs of It's what we do now. It's Yeah. Okay. Right. Awesome. Thank you.

Other questions? So, are you looking for a recommendation recommendation to send this on to the board? So, um I will uh the chair would entertain a motion to amend the city's fiscal uh financial policies and procedure manuals regarding a process to conduct or perform suspension and debarment assessments on construction projects with other governmental or intergovernmental partners. Second motion and a second. Um, is this Can we do a roll call on this or do you want Okay. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Roll call. We're going to do a roll call. Oh, roll call. Oh, sorry. And then

Okay, we're going to do a roll call. So, [laughter] Alderwoman Goat, yes. Gold, yes. Urgger, yes. Awoman Ty, yes. Motion passes. Uh that takes us to our second opportunity for citizen comments and um doesn't look like anyone has come in the room and no one online. So with that this meeting is adjourned. Excellent.