City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Calling to order uh the April 15, 2026 city council meeting. First, I would like to ask for a moment of silence for longterm resident, longtime council member Ferd Fetch that passed away last Friday. Thank you. Now, please stand. I'm going to call Officer Simmons forward and have him lead us in the pledge of allegiance this evening.

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to theublic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The clerk will call the role. Council member Luke here. Council member Luther here. Council member Norris here. Council member Patel here. Council member Satel here. Council member Weshi here. Council member Hood here. Council member Ywanu is absent.

We have seven out of eight council members present. Next item on the agenda is the agenda approval. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion for approval. Second. Motion's made by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther for the approval of tonight's agenda. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. I have three changes to propose. Uh number one is um to postpone the reading of resolution 2601. The second is to add council member Luke is reading bill 6544 and the third is to add some committee appointments under section G. Did you make a motion? That's a motion. Yes. Second.

Okay. Motions made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther for the amendments that she described. Any further ones? I see none. All in favor of the amended agenda say I. I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. The agenda for this evening is set. Next item on the agenda, we have the public comment portion. First up, we have Heather Hardy. I have lots of fun.

Thank you. We can share Heather Hardy, 3508 Falcon Avenue. Um, I'll try to make this as quick as possible. After hearing yet again storm water improvements were not in the budget, I went home determined to find funding and I did. I found five to $700,000 in unused grants to update and improve our storm water infrastructure and that's what I intended on presenting today. However, then I received a tip that I did not expect. The information being that the city of Bridgton has been collecting millions of dollars annually through a local park and storm water improvement tax. Seeing that the lack of storm water improvements and as funding for a recent park improvements seem to come from a municipal park grant, I have to ask, where is all this money going? According to the financial statements, over $48 million has been collected since 2009. Meanwhile, I can't even get rip to line an unimproved storm sewer line as it's quote not in the budget. With that being said, I urge city council to vote no on bill 6542. The storm water systems need to be improved to a level at which they can easily be maintained by the private property owner with clear defined expectations of what that entails. A comprehensive municipal storm water study needs to be conducted by a third party as we are now all aware the funding is there in that budget. We already have a municipal code that addresses all of this. I know because when I reached out originally to Brian Peterson in March of 2023, he simply stated section 230.050 050. A of the municipal code states it's on the

property owner to keep the storm water lines clear of debris and trash. He not only chose to not address this issue for 3 years, but decided to share his opinions when I spoke at a meeting. And for that, I thank him. I thank him for not only acknowledging the issue, but for showing his complete lack of the knowledge on this matter. In that email he sent to you all, not only did I not not only did I not do what he claimed, but he effectively distributed that flyer to more people than I did. His memo directly disputes data from the EPA, MSD, Missouri American Water, and FEMA. If you truly care about your city and Bridgen and its residents, you will vote no on that bill. We deserve a plan using data-driven frameworks to improve our storm water infrastructure using licensed professionals funded by our tax dollars. The choice is now in your hands. Will you use the restricted tax funds for this intended purpose or turn your back on your neighbors, your constituents, and the city? Spread it as fast as I could. That is it. Thank you. Your comments are being recorded and noted. Thank you. Next person, Gabriella Kuier. Good afternoon. Um, my name is Gabriela Kubertier Santos. I'm president at 3509 Falcon Avenue. Good afternoon, council members and bridgen neighbors. I am here to show show my opposition to changes to bill 6542 that could reduce the access of homeowners to the local park and storm water sales tax funding and help. This tax was passed in 1998 when our neighbors realized that our growing city needed well-maintained parks and to prevent storm waters from creating

problems for residents as described in the official documents. I am very much affected by this new possible change. My property actually is in the meeting points of two separate creeks. I do have my survey here to prove it. When building two retaining walls to prevent even more erosion next to the creeks, which were at great financial cost to us, me and my husband, we were discouraged from easier solutions in order to not encroach in the MSD marked easement. The erosion of these areas have already required the the removal of a wooden bridge that com that connected two different level sections of my property. There is visible erosion taking away the ground around these creeks and the over and the creek commonly overflow with heavy rain. It was well sought vision of the voters to create this tax in order to help current and future residents of certain properties from taking the burden of paying for maintenance to their properties caused by growing city and the need to reduce move natural and manmade water collections around the area as well as the natural changes in water flow. I humbly ask that this council rejects such a measures to change the bill that will burden people including my household with cost in order to keep property from damage that they did not cause. Thank you so much.

Thank you. I see no further cards. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from April 1st. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. Second. Motions made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther for the approval of the minutes from April the 1st. Council member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. I have a couple of corrections. Line 26, uh, Chief Madi should be place replaced with interimm chief level. And then lines 118, 142, and 166. These motions passed by a vote of 7 to one instead of 8 to one. And that's all I have. I make a motion for those changes. Second. Any further changes?

Okay. All in favor of the changes that council member Luke described, seconded by council member Luther, say I. I. Any opposed? All right. All in favor of the minutes as amended for Wednesday, April the 1st, say I. I. Any opposed?

I hear none. The amended minutes are approved for Wednesday, April the 1st. Next item on the agenda, we have appointments, presentations, proclamations, and introductions. First up, we have a proclamation for a resident, Council Member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a proclamation honoring C. Roland Woodcock for his 100th birthday. Whereas Roland was born May 13, 1926 in Sullivan, Missouri to Hector, a farmer and concrete finisher, and Veronica, a school teacher, and was raised with strong values of faith, hard work, and service. And whereas he graduated from Patentville High School in May 1944 and soon enlisted in the United States Navy serving honorably for two and a half years aboard the USS Casa Grande LSD as a quartermaster in navigation. And whereas following his service he began a career with Eastern Airlines where he met his beloved wife Miriam and they were married October 1950 building a life centered on family and commitment. And whereas Roland and Miriam settled in St. Charles, Missouri, where they raised their three children, Dan, Cheryl, and Phyllis. And he later dedicated many years of service to Spats Pink Company until his retirement in 1988. And whereas in 1962, he moved with his family to St. James Estates on Swift Drive, where he remains a long-standing and valued member of the community. And where else throughout his life, Roland has encouraged has enjoyed traveling, camping with family, gardening, and creating stained glass works, including pieces displayed at Zion Lutheran Church. And whereas he is the oldest living charter member of Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights, and has faithfully served his church and community, including as a Gideon, sharing his enduring Christian faith. Now therefore, not I, but you, Randall Hine, mayor of the city of Bridton, Missouri, do by here hereby recognize and honor Roland for his extraordinary life of service,

devotion to family, commitment to community, and steadfast faith, and do commend him as an example for all to follow. Pass this 15th day of April, 2026. Happy birthday.

Thank you. Congratulations. Rin has his grandson with him tonight and his wife, right? Yes. Would you like to say a few words to the audience?

Well, I went to Pattonville High School for four years when it was on the rock road. I enjoyed it. I got interrupted by World War II, which read about and I have been happy member in this part of the country for all those years. Gotten along pretty good and and uh of course I know the hoods because they they worked on cars and I always had car problems. But uh it's been a fun and wonderful neighbor neighborhood for me. I've seen it grow in large amounts and and and by the way you've all heard of Bran East. I'm one of the guys who worked at Bran East many many many years ago. So uh other than that I appreciate this thing here and I don't know what to say all a whole lot more. And I I know I know this guy since before he was big the big mayor.

I'm friends with his daughter Cheryl and her husband. So yes, we've known each other for a few years now. So we appreciate your residency here in Bridton and we appreciate you uh participating in community activities and we really do congratulate you on your 100th birthday. Wow. Thank you. Many more.

Thank the good Lord for that. for taking care of this nice city and town which has grown and it has become well I don't want to say become it has always been a very respectable wellmannered well-governed city in this entire area around the airport so we've been highly respected by all our other neighbors it's privilege to be sir. Thank you. So nice to meet you and thank you much. Appreciate it. Thanks for the work. Okay.

Congratulations. That was sweet.

All right. Next on the agenda, we have the introduction of a couple of our new police officers. I'm going to call up Major Interim Chief Bryce Love. Thank you, mayor. Council members, I appreciate you affording me a few minutes so that I can introduce the newest members of our Bridton Police Department team, Eli Simmons and Ryan Savage. First, I'd like to introduce Officer Eli Simmons. Officer Simmons is a resident of Ofala, Missouri, a graduate of Francis Howry High School, and he attended Missouri Baptist University on a lacrosse scholarship. He was hired by the Bridton Police Department in March of 26 as a cadet while he was already attending the Eastern Missouri Police Academy, class 4, 2025. Right. Making sure I had that class number right.

Uh he successfully graduated from Police Academy on April 2nd of 26 and was sworn in by the police department on April 7th of 2026. So, we welcome Eli to to our ranks. Excuse me. Next, I'd like to introduce you to Officer Ryan Savage. Officer Savage is a resident of Forest Stell and a graduate of Hazlewood Central High School. He's married to his wife Denise, and together they have four children who are 10 years old, four years old, three years old, and nine months old. Uh, Officer Savage is a US Army veteran who has also worked as a contractor, an oil rig worker, a truck driver, a deck hand, and now as a police officer. He holds an associates degree in criminology and forensic applied science from ITT Technical Institute where he graduated as as validictorian and he is currently attending Lynenwood University for a business administration degree. Officer Savage was hired by the Princeton Police Department as a cadet in February while he was enrolled in the Eastern Missouri Police Academy, the same class as Officer Simmons. He successfully graduated that program on April 2nd of 2026 and is awarded the distinguished performance award at his graduation. That award is presented to the cadet who shows exceptional teamwork and willingness to help in any way possible and it's actually presented by the staff of the academy. He was sworn in as a police officer in Bridton in April 7th of 2026. So, if you would please welcome me in joining these two gentlemen to our ranks. Thank you, Major.

Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, sir. Looking forward to the next 30 to 40 years. I thought you would say your next ticket. All right, next item on the agenda. Resolution 2601 is being continued. So, we are down to um appointments of some board and commission members. I make a motion to approve the committee appointments as presented.

Second. Motions made by Council Member Luther, second I mean Luke. Second by Council Member Luther. Um for the appointments that are before you. Are there any questions or need any clarifications? Council member Norris, you had your light on. Yes, sir. I I I just would like it. Mary Macowski is is she new or going on beautifification? Is she on auxiliary? And then re Yes.

Okay. And is Melanie Schwarz a new person? She's new. New. All the All these are new. New. Okay. I I don't Do you have some bio on them? I don't have to have it tonight, but I would like to there's any bio about them. I would like to know that. Sure. All right. Thank you. All in favor of the appointments? I I

Any opposed? I hear none. Congratulations. All right. Next item on the agenda. We do have perfection of bills. First is bill number 6542. That is council member Hood. Mayor, in light of the information that has been passed out recently, would we like to have the council members have an opportunity to review that before we read this for a second reading? Move to table. You can't table.

You didn't make a motion. Okay, I'll make a motion to table so that they would have the opportunity to review it. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but the only change that I see in chapter 510 of the existing structure code is related to detention and retention basins. It's not related to storm water issues on private property. So, I don't see why we would table uh moving forward with bill 6542. Mr. Gun.

Yes. Um there we didn't made no changes to anything to do with storm water. The only thing we did was we added the maintenance of the tension basins and it talked about how they needed to be kept clean and um staying in the same condition as they were when they were were originally designed and constructed. Council member Norris. Yes, sir. I'd be against tableabling. Um, we've had two weeks to look at this and I made I made uh notes and I did contact our public works. So, um I would like to forward this on. We've delayed this long enough. Okay. There. Council member Hood.

Well, considering that, I'll go ahead and withdraw my motion to table. I'll remove my uh second then. Okay. So, I'm going to go back to the original motion you made tableabling it and it was seconded. Yes. All in favor of that? Nay. Nay. Nay. Nay. Okay. That fails. Okay. Go ahead. Council member Hood. Second reading. Move for second reading of bill 6542. Second. Motion's made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Norris for second reading of bill number 6542. All in favor say I.

Any opposed? Roll call. Roll call.

Council member Luke. I. Council member Luther. I. Council member Norris. I. Council member Patel. I. Council member Satel I. Council member Weshi I. Council member Hood I. I vote to seven to nothing. Please continue. Okay. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridton, Missouri substantially in the farm attached here to amending and restating chapter 510 of the Bridton code of ordinances entitled existing structure codes. Move that bill 6542 become ordinance 26- 21. Second.

Motion's made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Norris that bill number 6542 become ordinance 26-21. Discussion. The way I understand it, um, with some of this information that was presented, the way I took it, it was related to primarily funding and this ordinance does not address anything when it comes to the funding. That all occurs at budget time. And what we were doing with the changes in this, we didn't redo all of 510. We just added something that would give us more teeth when it comes to structural u inspections and enforcement.

Thank you, Council Member Wes.

Thank you, Mayor. Um yeah, so I was read I've read over all this uh over the last week or so uh since we ended up first getting it. And I also and I've also been ever since um it was brought to our attention here rereading over this at least the section I believe that it would be and section 310 would be the only area I would see talking about it and I'm not showing anything on here under section 310 that would end up changing funding. uh it mainly is looking to where it would end up as Mr. Gun said changing how detention basins are I'm sorry retention bases are going to be maintained and giving us a little bit more teeth on that. So because of that and because of a couple other portions of this which I ended up having numerous discussions with Mr. Gun on um I'm personally uh for this as it's currently written.

Thank you. It's both retention and detention basis. Ah gotcha. Thanks. Okay, Council Member Satel.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. Um, I was just trying to be uh coral to a presentation that we're just given tonight to give us time to read this information that we just kind of received right now. Uh, but I know that even what Mr. Gunn had just mentioned, it's basically does just cover this amendment uh on retention and detention ponds. Uh, retention means hold back, detention means it might also have a lake there sometimes and it fills up, which we do have some that are like that. But um I think this does not at all address our streams, you know, or the financing off of that that basically comes in when we do our budget time. And we do have a budget halfyear meeting that comes up at usually the end of June. So we don't actually have to wait all the way till November one. So there is times, you know, that that's a time and it's a public meeting uh when it comes to finances for storm water or parks. So that's all I want to say about that. Thank you,

Council Member Norris.

Yes. I just went, you know, this went through our attorney cape uh went over this extensively, our prosecutor. So, you know, they have double checked this and made sure that it would uh be correct and we would be able to have some issues with uh some of the incident, you know, things that are happening in our city. We are an aging city and it things have been kind of taken for granted and and we want to just keep our city as new as possible. U so I think I'm agreeable to this. It's been a long time coming to get this in writing and what we can have because many times the prosecutor did not have it was very vague. So now they have exact it's not perfect but it's going to help them. Thank you. Thank you. Any further comments, questions? All right, the clerk will call the role.

Council member Luther, I. Council member Norris, I. Council member Patel, I. Council member Satel, I. Council member Weshi, I. Council member Hood, I. Council member Luke, I. By a vote of seven to nothing, bill number 6542 becomes ordinance 26-21. Next item, second reading of bill number 6543. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. I make a motion for second reading of bill 6543. Second. Motion's made by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther for second reading of bill number 6543. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Please continue.

Thank you, Mayor. An ordinance exempting the city of Bridton, Missouri from temporary extended liquor hours authorized under section 311.2026 of the Missouri state statute during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and establishing an effective date. Second. Oh, sorry. I I make a motion that Bill 6543 become ordinance 2622. Second. Motion's made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther. That bill number 6543 becomes ordinance 26-22. Discussion. Council member Luke.

Thank you, mayor. Um to I guess this would go to the police department. I don't know who this would go to actually. This question, will letters with a signed copy of the ordinance be sent to the applicable establishments in Bridgton from the city? Um, if that's not in place, I think that's a very reasonable request and Mr. Bookout and Major Love and I can work on that and get that out. Thank you, Council Member Satell.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. It talks about the temporary extended liquor hours. Do we know what they are or is it just going to be a hypothetical whatever they want to do that time that year? Establishments. Does anybody have a guideline what the Is it just one hour? Is it all night long, 24 hours or or what? Mayor, this go council member Luke. Go ahead. It's in the state statute. It's basically a 24-hour open period. This is opposing it. Council member Satil, opposing a change. So, it's it's a reverse. Yes. Council member Luther.

Yeah. Perhaps given there's a little confusion, could we just kind of recap what the state statute is and then what there seems to be confusion. And if we could just kind of set the record straight on that if someone could please. Mayor if I may. Go ahead.

So the state statute um approved by the state says that during just this time frame where those dates that are in there um bars or establishments I should say that serve liquor are allowed to be open extended hours only during that time period and for the purpose of the FIFA World Cup. What it also says in number four of the state statute is that municipalities, local governments can choose to opt out of the state statute and deny that ability. So, Bridgton has chosen not to allow the establishments serving liquor to be open these extended hours during the FIFA World Cup time frame. So it stays with our existing current laws that we've already passed. Right.

Council member Luther. Yeah. Thank you. And just for further clarification, these are for soccer, World Cup soccer games taking place in Kansas City, the Kansas City area over a period of two months, I believe. I think there are six games over two months in the summer. I think from June through June 11th to July. So just just it seemed like there was some confusion. Council member Wesy, just a point of clarification here. Um, I was under the, um, when I was looking over this, I thought this was only going these extended hours were only going to be happening on game day. It's not going to be the entire time from June June 11th through July 6 or July 19th. Or did I misread that?

It's the entire time frame that the city attorney could weigh in for us if he were aware of the statute. I I I'm not familiar enough with the statute to win. Mr. Brook, council member Luke is correct. It's from the dates that are listed and it's the time period within those dates that it will allow 24-hour service and this essentially exempts us from that uh service of alcohol for 24 hours. Council member Wesy,

I would uh like to table this because my original understanding of this is not what it's supposed to be. So, I don't personally feel comfortable voting yay or nay. Is there a second? I'll second that for him. All in favor? Roll call. Roll call. Council member Norris. Nay. Council member Patel. Nay. Council member Satel. Nay. Council member Weshi. I council member Hood. Nay. Council member Luke. Nay. Council member Luther.

Nay. By the vote of six to one. Uh tableabling fails. All right. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. Um it's a very short fourpoint um state statute. If Council Member Wesley would be more comfortable, I have it right here. I could read it. If you want to, you're more than welcome to. I mean, I can also, it's pretty obvious. I'm just going to vote nay on everybody else is going to vote I. So, it's going to pass one way or the other. So, to save your time and to save everybody else's time, might as well just keep on going. Any any further discussion?

Yes, mayor. I could also state that it states right there in the first whereas the section 311.2026 2026 of the state statute. And that's how I knew to look that up. Oh, I did look it up. I just must have misread it or misunderstood it when I did look it up. The clerk will call the role. Council member Patel, nay. Council member Satel, nay. Council member Weshi, nay. Council member Hood I. Council member Luke I. Council member Luther I.

Council member Norris I. So you want liquor being served for 24 hours? 52. How do we push the 4 to3 4 to 3? By a vote of 4 to3 bill number 6543 becomes ordinance 26-22. All right. Next item on the agenda, we're moving right along here. The attorney's report. I'm sorry. We have consideration a new bill. Bill number 6544. Council member Luke again. Thank you, Mayor. I make a motion for first reading of bill 6544. Second.

Motion's made by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther for first reading of bill number 6544. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Please continue. Thank you. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridton, Missouri, authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute an amended contract with St. Louis County, Missouri for the housing of municipal inmates at the St. Louis County Justice Center 100 South Central Clayton, Missouri in amount of $75 per each 24-hour period or portion thereof in which an inmate is in custody of the county department of justice services. Move to table bill 6544. Second.

Motion is made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther to table bill number 6544. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Bill number 6544 is table.

Now the attorney's report. Uh nothing to report, Mr. Mayor. Okay, Council Communications, Council Member Wesy.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, first of all, thanks everybody for coming out tonight. I appreciate it. Uh, thanks for the people watching online. Hey, how's it going? Um, the mayor and I ended up meeting up at uh, Dutch Brothers Coffee whenever they had opening day and I know I've been back three times since. I'm very happy to have them here and they are going to be bleeding me dry moneywise. So, uh, yay. Um, I also uh wanted to say something a little bit less jovial here on this one. Um, on uh April 12th, a longtime teacher ended up passing away, Mr. Gallagher. Um, anybody that went to Carolton Elementary School or Brierrest Elementary School might have known him. He'd been teaching since the 80s. Uh, he ended up he uh I believe was uh 80 I thought I wrote it down here. 83 years old. Um he's one of those people that uh especially people that grew up in like my age group uh everybody knew him. If you would go to BMAC, there would almost always be at least a group of like five or 10 kids that would be going up to him throughout the night, if not more, always saying hi to him. He uh was uh very with it still. He was always happy no matter what age you were to come out and uh say he was proud of you and remember what was going on in your life and everything. Um he ended up always saying that he ended up uh doing he taught for 35 plus years and it was the best job in the world. Um I do believe he was somewhat involved with the uh senior club as well uh through Bridgton. Um, I know multiple people at the community center knew him and uh, one of the big things that he ended up doing is he ended up making a program called the keys to success, which I'm not going to end up saying what they all were, but uh, one of the biggest ones was uh, loving one another, loving your neighbor, that type of thing. So, um I just wanted to acknowledge his passing and I know that he ended up uh touching my life and the lives of countless other

people um my age plus and minus 30 years. I would say the amount of people I've seen on Facebook talking about it over the past 12 hours or so has been extremely high. So, with that, back to you, Mayor. Council member Satel.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. A few things here. Um, on bill 6543, he only received four votes and it requires five, I think, to pass something. I would be willing to have a revote and change my vote from no to yes to make it five, though. So, it couldn't pass since I'm in the descending of that. I think that's uh it didn't get five votes. It only had four. So, we really should bring it back up. He's looking it up.

Thank you. I'll continue then with the rest of mine. Um I was also uh disappointed about Mr. Ferdf Fetch passing away. I saw that um it showed his years of service. He came in u with me back in 2009 for his third his third stress right there. And since then, uh, I've lost four of my council members. Sorry. We lost Barb, we lost Linda Eager, we lost Coach Ben, now Ferd. So was the people that came on with me and sorry. On a positive note, Mr. Woodcock here, I've known him since the 60s. I went to grade school with his daughter Phyllis along with uh my co-consel Wesie's dad Mike Wesy at the same time even at Batville Elementary like he talked about he was a member of my church at Zion Lutheran excuse me it's an honor to see him live to 100 years old my dad's 90 and I'm hoping he makes it to 100 my grandma made it to 101 Michael is 102. Uh I may be one of those people at Z Lutheran Church is the oldest one as a congregation member someday. I remember the most from him was every Christmas they gave big Hershey bars. Mr. Woodcock was the one that walked around to all the kids and gave them Hershey bars. So with that said, unless you find out about something on the election, let me know. I think we should go back and and and yell out L2 to change our vote if we had a no vote. I think that's process, but I think it does require five to pass. Thank you,

Council Member Patel. Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, thank you for everyone for coming out and everybody watching um on video. Also, uh, thank you to all of the guests. I have two special guests that came out to surprise me, which I was pretty shocked. um, Captain Alec Schmidt and also Captain uh, Colin Chadik who are both from out of town and they decided to join us to see how the city council of Bridgton works. So, thank you for being here. Uh, condolences to Mr. Fetch's family and also to you mayor because I know you were very very close to him and I know this is a hard time for you. Uh, thank you for everyone who came out to vote uh, for last week. Thank you all for all of the the uh standing in line and which there wasn't many but thank you for coming out to vote. Um also congratulations to Mr. Woodcock. Um it's an honor to have met him and also his family and congratulations to Mr. Shear who's in the audience and also Mr. Bazada who's in the audience who will be on a deis um in just a few weeks. So thank you for all of that and um other than that that's all I've got. Thanks mayor.

Thank you. You're welcome, Council Member Luther.

Thank you, Mayor. So, I do want to point out that with regard to the World Cup events and suspending liquor license during that the the FIFA World Cup that our city clerk did send out extensive information. She sent information quite a while ago. Thank you for that. Maybe a little maybe a little too early. October 15, 2025 on the World Cup event details kind of outlining that setting us up to be able to evaluate this. So I wanted to mention that and thank our city clerk for that. The I wanted to mention that I did attend the historical commission's ready to wear event last night. It was very well attended about 30 people and we forget about the fascinating history that we have here not only in Bridgton. I every time I go to one of these I learn about Bridton is an old town and it was pivotal as was this region during the western expansion. It's just amazing every time I hear the hear these stories. So I want to thank everybody who put that together. It was very interesting and look forward to others at the rec center. April 22nd is our ward 3 meeting. It will take place next week at 6:30. We do it a little early so that everybody can get home. And this will be my co-consel Gretch and Luke's last ward meeting. So you want don't want to miss that. And that will so we'll be here at 6:30. We on April 25th we have a double header. We have the drug takeback event that will be taking place here I think 10 to 2. And then we have our plant giveaway and I'm sure maybe someone's going to mention that at the recreation center which is always fun. I wanted to say congratulations to all reelected and newly elected colleagues. Come May, there will be some new faces up here. So, we welcome them. Mark Mark Bazada, W 3 will be sitting next to me and Jamie Shear will be sitting next to Joanie Norris. Dutch Bros Coffee again, we hit it up first thing. I was a little concerned about

traffic, but so far so good. Thank you to I I just wanted to make a comment that thank you for everybody who comes and thank you to everyone who speaks, who gets up and talks. This is a public meeting. And with that, I want to say part of our work here is ordinances. Part of it is some of the celebrations that we have. Listening to you come up and tell us what's important to you, but certainly celebrating Mr. Woodcock's birthday. You could not see the smile on his face as Gretchen was reading this proclamation, but it was ear to ear. And so I say, isn't that wonderful that we can do that for individuals? What a wonderful. So, thank you, mayor. I want to thank his family for coming and we did move that around so he could leave a little concerned about weather and thank you for reading that. He was just pleased as punch and that's something we need to remember that we can do for our residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, first welcome to officers Simmons and Savage. Um, we're really happy to have them on board. Um, coming up on April 23rd is a parade volunteer meeting at the rec center at 6 pm. If you want to be involved in the parade but maybe not sure what to do or how to get involved, please make sure you attend that meeting again 23rd at 6 p.m. at the rec center. If you're unable to attend for any reason, just call up to the rec center and ask for Katie and she'll get you all of the information you need. Um, on April 25th, the John Calvin Presbyterian Church is having a free family fun festival. They are on Bridgton Square Drive. The festival is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They're accepting food donations of spaghetti sauce, canned meat, peanut butter, and jelly. And those are for the community helping ministries food pantry. If you have any questions, uh, go to www.jcpurch.org. And then, uh, yeah, Mr. Woodcock, that's just wonderful. What a goal to try to reach a hundred years old. Um, I have dabbled in a little bit of stained glass work. I'd really hope to see some of his work. My husband and son do go to Higher Grounds Cafe for coffee occasionally. So now they'll have a deeper appreciation for that stained glass window that he created. That's really special. And then finally, um, so I was the council member who was appointed to sit in this seat replacing

Ferd Fetch when he retired midterm. And it's always been an honor that um then council member Hine and Mr. Fetch selected me. I wasn't their first choice, but I was the one who said yes. That's how I recall it, mayor. So, I was always honored to to step into his shoes. I know that I don't think I did as well of a job as he did, but I did try. Um he came on the parade with me uh I believe three for three different years. He was in my cart with me. That was always special. But my favorite memory of Ferd was on July 10th, 2022. And the reason is he and my husband chose to get baptized at the same time at Grace Church. And that was special to me that my husband would choose to do that, but that he inferred someone who had mentored me um chose to do it to for reasoning. He said, "I know where my wife is. I can't remember if I've been baptized, but I really want to go to heaven where she is. So, I'm going to do it even if I've already done it." And then we went out to Cracker Barrel for for lunch. And um even though that was 4 years ago, well 3 years ago, um one time we did go back to Cracker Barrel on the anniversary and uh just enjoyed each other's company and remembering that time. So both mine and my husband's thoughts and prayers are with Ferd's family and um friends. And that's all I have. Thank you,

Council Member Norris. Thank you, Mayor. I want to congratulate to reelection of council ward one, Bob Satal, Ward 2, Bakula Battel, and our new council members, Ward Three, Mark Bazada, and Ward 4, Jamie Shear. I wish them good luck to all. But I also want to thank take this opportunity to thank Gretchen and Don Hood for the years of serving on city council representing and serving the residents of W three and Ward 4. Wishing you great happiness in the future. Thank you.

And my deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Ferd calling Ferd that was our you know I never called him fetch. I guess if someone was mad at him maybe they did. Um I will he was a great friend and I want you to keep your f their family in their prayers. Um the arrangements are next week. If you go on Kier's website, it gives you the time. Um he was a wonderful friend. Uh I I heard he was pretty much a he loved golf. He loved the city of Bridgton and he loved his CBC's. So those were his loves. And so he's now with his wife and his son. So I'm I'm happy for that. He lived a wonderful life. Um and I wanted to thank the staff for working on updating our code violations ordinance. So I think this will help our inspectors and um I want to congratulate to our new officers, Eli Simmons and Ryan Savage. I too wish them a long service with Bridgton. Thank you very much. Council member Hood.

Thank you, Mayor. Well, I do want everyone to keep Ferd and his family in your thoughts and prayers. He was a great great leader and he loved this city. I've known him for a long time and he's in a better place. I also want to congratulate Bob and Becky for their reelection and Jamie and Mark on their election. I have the most faith in those two. I know they're going to be very good for the city. I trust them and they're going to do a fine job. And I just want to say thank you. It's been 48 years. It's time to go. Thank you. together.

All right. Pretty terrible, but I There's been a little discussion here, but the final determination is Mr. Satil, if you want to ask for a revote, you can make a motion. I make a motion to revote. Can Do I just change mine or do we totally revote? Second. Point of order. Second. Council member Luther, what you said? Point of order. Yeah. I just Okay. To go through the motion prior to discussion. Yes. So, the motion council member Satell is for a revote on bill number 6543 seconded by council member Luke. All in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? I hear none. So now the clerk will call the role. Yes. To change. Okay. Okay. Now we need a motion to vote. You made a motion to revote, but now we need Mayor, since it was my bill, I will make a vote motion to revote on bill 6543. Second. Okay. Motions made uh to reconsider bill number 6543 by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

Nay. Okay. The clerk will call the role. Council member Satell. Before I cast my vote, I want to make sure that an I means that uh this exempt means it goes in the right direction instead of saying nay. So, I'm voting I in in favor of this ordinance exempting these issues. Thank you, Council Member Wesy. Nay. Council member Hood. I. Council member Luke, I. Council member Luther, I. Council member Norris, I. Council member Patel,

nay. All right.

Okay. By a vote of 5 to two, it passes. Bill number 6543 becomes ordinance 26-22. Next item on the agenda, we have staff reports. I'll start with Mr. Kaine, parks and rec director. Um, just want to mention that the uh, beautifification commission has their spring plant giveaway on April 25th at 900 a.m. That'll be just outside the outdoor pool. Um, please bring a we ask that um, participants bring a um, canned food item or non-p perishable food item um, in exchange for the plant and uh, resident card as well. And look look forward to seeing everybody uh, on the 25th. Thank you. Council member Lou.

Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Just as a reminder, they uh typically ask for the food items to not be in glass. Correct. Right. That's correct. Thank you. Any further questions, Mr. Kane or comments? I see none. Major interim chief Bryce Level. Thank you, Mayor. The only thing I have uh is I just want to remind everyone of the drug takeback day that will be on April 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 2 pm here at city hall. Any questions of the chief? I see none. You get off easy. Oh, council member Luke.

Thanks. I'm sorry. I spoke too soon. Not a question, but there's been some confus a little bit of confusion about whether there's a shred event. There will be a bin to collect materials to be shredded, but the shredding will not happen on site.

Mr. Gun, public works director. The bin that they will bring out on that Saturday will be a lockable bin. So, yes, it won't be shred on site, but everything will be secured. That's all I have. Any questions? Mr. Gun, I see none. City administrator, Mr. Booka.

Yeah, I just have one reminder. I know the city clerk had sent out an email regarding the installation dinner for the the local league. I encourage you all to take a look at that. It's a it's a pretty nice event and I think it's a good re regional organization and I think you it's uh it's an enjoyable evening. So, I encourage you to take a look and if you can attend, please do so and let the let the city clerk know. That's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Mayor's report. Please bear with me. Thank you uh to all of you in attendance. Glad to see everybody taking an interest in your local government. We are all mourning the loss of Ferd Fetch, retired council member that served the city for at least 36 years and was a resident even longer. If you count the council members on the plaques back there on the wall, um you will find that Ferd served with 57 other council members during his 36 years on council, 18 from Ward 1, 19 from Ward 2, seven from Ward 3, and 13 from Ward 4. He also served under five different mayors. Ferd called Bridton home, even after downsizing after his wife passed away. and he moved into a one-bedroom apartment in St. Peters. You would always find Ferd at many of the Bridton events and happenings and until about three or four years ago on the golf course, many times at Barry Hill. You could also find Ferd volunteering over the years as a member of the Optimus Club of Bridton. He was a charter member. It was chartered in 1983. and also at his alma mater CBC class of 53 helping organize and participating in the alumni association fundraising events. Ferd went through two life-changing events later in life. First the passing of his wife Maim in 2014 and then his son Jim just last year at the age of 68. Ferd continued to live his life to the fullest even though dealing with a heart issue the past couple of years. There are at least three of us up here on the dis that can tell you from firsthand experience that even though a loved one or a friend is in an

unresponsive state that they can still hear you. After a full day on Easter Sunday of attending mass, having brunch, visiting a winery, and listening to some live music, and going to Jefferson barracks to visit my parents' graves and Sally's father's grave. When arriving home, Gretchen and I spoke and she let me know that when I went to see Ferd again that she would like to go. I told her I would pick her up in 10 minutes. Along the way, Kathy Luther joined us and we all visited Ferd for one last time. During the course of our visit, I asked that we join in prayer together. Ferd's hearing aids had been lost probably by staff sometime during his three to four week stay at the skilled nursing facility. and his hearing was very limited. However, when the three of us started praying a large prayer, it was evident that he heard us and he was making every attempt to talk and pray with us and he was also moving his eyes. Ferd knew we were there. As you know, he passed away 5 days later and is now with God and the family members and friends that have passed before him. Ferd certainly left Bridton a better place than it was when he started. And he without a doubt provided those of us who served with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in order to continue the work that constantly needs to be done. Don't forget that Ferd's memorial visitation is next Thursday, April 23rd at Collier's funeral home from 4 to 8:00 p.m. And then there will be mass celebrated at Holy Spirit Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. and then burial. God bless Ferd and thanks and praise to him for all he did for the city and all of us

during the Metro Mayor's meeting last Thursday. We were given a presentation by a couple police officers that affiliated that are affiliated with the regional law enforcement training facility in Ofallen. It sits on 87 acres and has one mile driving track. Tours are available. Keep that in mind. The facility is offered to municipal police departments and law enforcement agencies to rent in order to provide training for their officers. St. County Council members voted to place the use tax proposition on the August ballot. This is in addition to the use tax that municipalities already collect. If this passes, Bridton s stands to be provided approximately $575,000 in additional revenue annually. I attended the swearing in of of officers Savage and Simmons last week. I was able to meet with the Maryland Heights President of the Chamber of Commerce last week. We discussed Bridton's interest in having our name added to the name of the chamber. This would be a great partnership for both municipalities. She agreed to take it to her board and have discussion about it. Mr. book and book out and I have had a couple of meetings with airport personnel and contracted airport personnel regarding how land they own in Bridton can be used. I attended a confluence trash bash last Saturday night. First time I've been able to do that because it's always during tax season and as you know I retired from taxes at the end of last year. So what a great event. I hope to see more people out there next year. here. I think council member uh Luke has done that in the past. Um the shred event, as council member Luke said, uh will be up here on the parking lot along with the DEA drug takeback day. Uh the

container is being provided by Central Paper Stock Company. Uh they did this um at the spring drug takeback day last year. Also, uh the container will be locked as at 2:00 p.m. and the driver will be called to come and pick up the container immediately and then taken to the facility where everything will be shredded on Monday. Congratulations to Council Member Patel, Council Member Satel, and also to our new council members coming up, Mark Bazada and Jamie Shear. I do I do want to give my sincere congratulations and thanks to Council Member Luke and Chief Council Member Hood. Thank you for all you've done for the city, both of you. It's been a pleasure working with you and I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors.

Thank you. That's all I have. I will ask for a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. Motions made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Norris. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. We're ajourned. Thank you. I wish.