City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the May 6, 2026 city council meeting. Please rise and we will say the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. The clerk will call the role. Council member Bazada here. Council member Shear here. Council member Iwan Yawanu here. Council member Luther here. Council member Norris here. Council member Patel here. Council member Satel here. Council member Weshi

here. All right, we have all eight council members present. Next item on the agenda is the agenda approval. So moved. Second. Motions made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Patel. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Any changes, deletions? I see no lights. I hear none. Tonight's agenda is approved. Next item on the agenda, we have public comment. We have one card this evening and it is Heather Hardy. Please come forward. Please state your name and address to the city clerk.

Hi, Heather Hardy. You guys know me by now. Um, I just wanted to give a few updates. I wanted to give a storm water update and that update is that there is not an update. It's still dirty, still has the trash and debris in it. Um, MSD came by, cut some branches, threw them to the side, but that's about it. still roing and flooding everyone's properties out. Still, I'm still working with MSD to improve it or try to do the best that I can for my neighbors to improve it. Um, also waiting to hear back from some public works officials who I talked to in the last few weeks. Um, also just have a few questions. Have a question about our sales tax because I know is it Prop F that just passed. Um, I was wondering if maybe in the next Bridgetton banner, so summer 2026, it would be helpful and informative to see a breakdown of what makes up our sales tax here and how much of that is a state sales tax, how much stays in Bridgton, if it is a special Bridgton tax, what is that percentage, the name of it, where does it go to? I just couldn't find anything online about it and I think that should be easily accessible to our residents. Um, also I was wondering if there were any local park and storm water management improvements that have been done using the local park and storm water management improvement sales tax over the last six years cuz I could not find anything done using that money for its purpose as well. Um, I also see data centers are a hot topic on the agenda tonight which we all just witnessed. Uh, Ferguson City Council voted against the data center which was admirable. Also, what is now national news, the residents of Fesus fired half of their city council, the incumbents over this part of a data center um that the residents vehemently opposed. While I have not read the proposal, I can't help but ask

why would Bridton not introduce a permanent ban on them or at least a 5 to 10year moratorum against a centers um in our limits until further research is done. I do know that the data centers do receive a significant tax break in specific areas and while they do hold a high capital value, the exemptions reduce the local property tax base and that leads to a loss of revenue for our public schools. Um, also St. Louis area schools have reported that tax abatements for the data centers have cost their schools over $380 million in the last eight years alone. And finally, beautifification commission has their annual summer landscaping contest. The deadline to submit your nomination is June 8th. You can call 314739-5599 to submit your nomination or email Katie katuckerbridgeidgetomo.gov. Um again, the deadline is June 8th and I've been working outside all day and have pollen in my lungs. So, thank you for your time. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, we have approval of minutes. Let's start with the April 15, 2026 council me minutes.

Make a motion to approve the April 15, 2026 council minutes. Second. Motion's made by Council Member Luther, seconded by Council Member Patel to approve the minutes for April 15, 2026. Any changes, deletions? I see none. All in favor of the minutes from April 15, 2026, say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. The April 15, 2026 council minutes are approved. Now second the special council meeting minutes of April 29th, 2026. Do I have a motion for approval? So move.

Second. Motions made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Patel for the approval of the special council minutes from April 29th, 2026. Any changes, deletions, comments? None. I see none. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. The special council minutes from April 29th, 2026 are approved. All right. on to appointments, presentations, proclamations, and introductions. First, um on your um DEAS in front of you, you had a list of three appointments um for boards and commissions. And um the second page, there's a couple of uh biographies for couple of the members there. The third person, uh, Mary Beth Eststeep. Uh, many of you may know her from the, uh, parks, uh, board. Um, and she's served on other commissions as well. Um, if you want, I can gather more information for her at a later time and get it to you. Do I have a motion for these appointments?

Make a motion to second. Motions made by council member Norah, seconded by council member Luther for the appointments of Mr. Getty Triebus, Finance Commission, Mary Beth, Steve Planning Commission, and Sylvia Crosby for design and review. All in favor say I. I. Before I ask for oppose, Mrs. Norris has a light on. Yes. I'm I'm sorry, Mayor. Um, is Mr. Travis is he is he new? He is new. No Mary Beth the Steve was on parks so she has experience. Her term ended last year. Yes. Okay. 25. And Sylvia Crosby.

She is new. New and you are going to get their bios for us. I have them on the second page here. I only have one. Daddy Trebbus Triebus it just for one. Oh, here it is. I'm sorry. Beg your pardon. Thank you. All in favor say I. I. I. Any oppose? I hear none. The appointments are made. Thank you. Next item on the agenda under appointments, presentations, proclamations, and introductions. We have elections for council chair and treasurer elections. Do I have a motion to open the nominations for council chairman? So move.

Second. Motion is made by council member Satel, seconded by council member Wesy for opening of nominations for council chair. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. All right, let's entertain nominations. Council member Luther. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to make a motion to nominate Councilwoman Joanie Norris for council chair. Second. Okay, the nomination is made and seconded. All in favor of the nomination say I. I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. Any further nominations? I hear none. Nominations. I want to ask for the closure of the nominations. So moved. Second. Motion's made by council member Luther or seconded by council member Patel for closing of nominations for council chairman. All in favor say I. Any opposed? I hear none. The clerk will call the role. Council member Wesy. Point of clarification. Am I supposed to say I for this or am I supposed to say Joanie for this? If I'm wanting Joanie to go. I believe the vote is for Joanie since she's the only on. Council member Bazada

I. Council member Shear I. Council member Yowanu I. Council member Luther I. Council member Norris I. Council member Patel. I. Council member Satel. I. By a vote of 8 to nothing. Congratulations council member chairman Joanie Norris. Thank you mayor. I appreciate that. And thank you councel. Next item is the opening of nominations for council treasurer. Do I have a motion? Some move. Second. Council member uh motion made by council member Satell, seconded by council member Westing for opening a nomination for council treasure. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. Council member Norris. Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh I'd like to make a nomination for uh Mrs. Patel. Second. Motion is made by council member Norris, seconded by council member Luther for council member Patel as treasurer of the council. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Any more point u nominations? I need a motion for closing of nominations. Move. Second. Motions made by council member Satel, seconded by council member Wesley for closing the nominations for council treasure. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. The clerk will call the vote. Council member Shear I. Council member Yawwanu I. Council member Luther I. Council member Norris I. Council member Patel I. Council member Satel. I. Council member Weshi. I. Council member Bazada. I by a vote of eight to nothing. Congratulations, Council Member Patel, on your appointment to chairman. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, we have consideration of resolutions. Council member Luther.

Thank you, Mayor. I make a motion to approve resolution of the city of Bridgen, Missouri, appointing RBC Wealth Management as the employee pension fund management firm. Second. Motion is made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Bazada. Bazada. Thank you for the appointing of RBC Wealth Management as the employee pension fund management firm. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any discussion?

We don't need no. Okay. All right. All in favor of this favorable recommendation say I. Roll call. Clerk will call the role. Council member Yawwanu. I. Council member Luther. I. Council member Norris. I. Council member Patel. I. Council member Satel. I. Council member Weshi. I. Council member Bazada. I. Council member Shear.

I. I have a vote of 8 to nothing. The resolution 2026-01. passes appointing RBC Wealth Management as the employee pension fund management firm. Thank you very much. Next item on the agenda, we're going to recess for a public hearing. I'm going to call Mr. Zach Great to the podium.

Thank you, Mr. the public hearing uh uh on this the tonight's agenda. I just wanted to review it is a zoning text amendment and since we do have two new city council members for their benefit and also for the benefit of those in the audience since we haven't had a text amendment in a while just to go over the steps. So when a text amendment to the zoning ordinance is proposed, the first step is that the planning commission holds a public hearing, reviews the proposal, and makes a recommendation to city council. City council as the legislative body holds an additional public hearing and makes the final determination for approval or disapproval on zoning text amendments. Uh zoning amendments are um addressed in section 410.200 200 in the zoning ordinance which also reflects requirements in the applicable state statutes for public hearings. This is application 26-PZ-4. This is a text amendment proposed by city staff. The request is to amend the zoning ordinance to add data center to the M1 manufacturing district limited and M3R plan manufacturing district as a permitted use with a special use permit and to add a definition for data center to section 410.030. 030C definitions. The planning commission held a public hearing at their April 13th, 2026 meeting for this application. They recommended approval by a vote of 10 to zero with an amendment. That amendment was to include some additional M3 plan manufacturing districts north of Interstate 270. I do have some um some of my later slides. I include some screenshots of the zoning map that provides some better visual explanation of staff's proposal and then also what the planning commission uh amendment entails. A little bit of background. Um

as um of course as one of the previous public comment individuals stated there's been a lot of publicity in the news about data centers and there's uh of course rapid expansion of the technology which has led to a significant increase in demand for the these types of facilities. uh in terms of why staff is proposing this change to the zoning. Um one of the concerns was that without a specific data center definition, it leaves room uh for interpretation to treat them simply as a warehouse which is permitted by right. So the concern was that if we didn't have them as a distinct land use, they uh a developer could come right in and go straight into the permitting process by adding them as a special use or requiring a special use permit. The city of course has uh the ability to um review them in more detail, examine the proposals. It allows for public notification and public input. Uh the city council can of course establish conditions uh of any approval or potentially deny any type of proposal if it does not meet the review criteria. So that was uh one of the main reasons was taking more of a proactive approach rather than leaving our ordinance as is um and leave us in a position where uh such a development could come in without any review or public input. The this is the proposed change the proposed uh definition which was included in your packet. The as I mentioned staff's proposal was to add the definition and add it to the M1 and M3R as permitted with a special use permit. As stated in the bottom of this slide, planning commission's amendment included some additional M3 districts north of 270. And I'll show those in the following slides. Um when we when staff was talking about this concept and this proposal um the main um our assumption was that the most

attractive portion of the city was here. This is a screenshot from our zoning map. The area in the north that is um still undeveloped and also it's not close in proximity to any uh existing residential developments. There is still some R1 zoning there, but we've had some recent requests to to reszone those to M1 uh uh within the last couple years. So, we were thinking about this particular area outlined in the yellow dash line. That's the undeveloped land generally speaking um north of in the northern part of the city. Uh also, what we discussed was in the area circled at the bottom of the slide. So there currently is a data center in Bridgton. It was built in 2003. Um of course that was long before the current popularity and and the reasons for the demand now. Well, when this was built um it was simply classified as a warehouse. Um essentially storing servers and and computer uh equipment. So that also tied into the the reason for um clearly defining the use and deciding which districts to include it in. The next slide I have a little bit more zoomed out portion of the city. So taking a step back as I mentioned in staff's staff's recommendation to add data centers as a special use in the M1 and M3R. So, so this map, this slide shows in that um highlighted area, if if staff's recommendation was approved, it would apply to these areas um as requiring a special use permit. So, any any proposal would have to get a special use permit. Planning commission in their discussion, they um thought

there could be other development opportunities. So, in their motion, they decide they um approved adding some additional M3 districts in this slide. So, you see it uh included a bunch to the south and west of what was what staff had proposed. I'm trying to kind of go back and forth here. So, this was the this is how staff proposed it and the planning commission added these um districts north of 270. their um their thought was um there could be potential development opportunities. The reason staff didn't propose anything beyond the M1 and M3R. Our concern was that there is a residential development in that area to the south and west Spanish Village. Our concern was, you know, that is that's in close proximity to an existing residential development at Bridton. So that was the staff's reason for proposing simply the M1 and M3R. So that was our concern that um that would be too too close in proximity to a residential development. Um and I I'd be more than happy to answer any questions about that um at all this evening. But that is that is my last slide. Are there any questions or if I need to go over anything, please feel free to ask.

Council member Wesy. Thank you, mayor. Um, question about how we're defining a data center here. With how I'm reading this right now, my house could be considered a data center. In fact, how I'm reading it right now, I believe the very building we're in could be considered a data center because we do have we are containing multiple servers. We're containing multiple UPS's. We have at least five switches to my knowledge. Do we need to somehow tie this up to where we're not going to inadvertently end up hitting stuff to where we say more than 15 if more than 15% of a building is used to hold these things cuz how I'm reading it right now and I could also be incorrect and I apologize if I am. It seems like a lot of things are going to fall under this and I run servers out of my house and I have the ability to access it now which legally is considered cloud computing. So, because I can do that to connect to my home network and do that from here, I'm concerned that my house could be considered a data center judging by what's on here. I'm not trying to be annoying or anything. I just want to make sure we don't end up opening up a can of worms.

Thank you for pointing that out. The the difference would be this is talking about when it's this is the principal use of the building servers in your house. The principal use of your single family dwelling is residential. A single family dwelling any servers or computers that's just ancillary or accessory to your principal use of residential. The difference is that this would be where it's the principal use of the facility. Um the and we could take a look. I mean just looking through it right now if it would help to add something about calling out the principal use. I think it was implied that the principal use of these buildings includes this list of of what's um what's in them. Um

and

but that would the way I uh interpret this is when it this is that's the principal use whereas whether this building or your house any type of activity like that like the servers behind behind the council members that's ancillary to the main function of city government here. Would I be able to ask the city attorney if he feels like we should end up saying it would have to be over we could even make the number be small over 10% of the building is used for XYZ or something like that. My concern is just right now because there's ambigu ambiguity that somebody could use that ambiguity to exploit what's going on here. Um, having a extensive background in servers, networking, cyber security, cloud computing, all that stuff is what I do. I'm reading this and I'm just concerned how this could be even impacting Hunter Engineering. I mean, I know the head of their IT. I know how much stuff they have in that their building there. So, I mean, I'm just worried that we could end up seeing this impacting other stuff. So,

and again with the Hunter Engineering, I would I would look at their that not being their principal use, but I'll you ask Mr. Limbrooker. I'll I'll defer to him. No, I think it's I mean, I think it's a good it's a good comment. I And um I think that uh you know, I I think it could be addressed in the text where it says a building or group of buildings including any associated outdoor equipment and structures. we could say primarily or principally used to house servers and so on. I'd probably be inclined to do that as opposed to a percentage of square footage or anything along those lines, but I I think it's I think it's an excellent point. Okay, thanks. And again, I promise I'm not trying to

throw throw a wrench into the equation here. I'm just looking at this from an IT point of view and it threw up a couple red flags. I think I think it's a great a great call and I think it should be addressed. Now, I think that had it not been addressed, I think it would actually make things more restrictive than less restrictive. So, um I it wouldn't mean that it would theoretically mean if you wanted to put if you wanted to do any of that in your house, you'd have to get an SUP. So, yeah. Um but I think it's a good call out. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Satel.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Two things. Um one kind of leading and adding to that would be like Davidson Logistics. I mean, they got a lot of computer stuff out there for everything they do. Maybe it's already in the same zoning, but I'm looking here at the Carolton buyout area that's out there that's still R3. Does that mean if we wanted to allow um a data center there, we just change the zoning to M3 and then it qualifies? Well, it it depends if if that area is reszoned to an M3 district. It would be a new M3 district. So, we would have to determine at that time what the permitted uses and special uses are. Um, if it were, using that property as an example, if that were reszoned to M1, then it would allow a data center as a special use if this text amendment is approved. Okay? So,

so it kind of just depends on what that's reszoneed to at some point. Okay. Because once once this is around, there's no other houses west north of 270 that it would affect either either way. And that's there's over 500 acres there. Okay. As well, correct? But at this point, since future development there is unknown. Correct. Yeah. We don't we don't know what that would be. Yeah, that's all. Thanks, Council Member Luther.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for starting this off. We're talking about a text amendment. We're not talking about allowing data centers to come in. That's not the topic for tonight. But I also wanted to consider the the approval and suggestions from the zoning commission. And I wanted to clarify that staff recommendation seems to be more restrictive than what the zoning commission approved and that the text amendment adds a layer of control and protection from the city then as well. So the staff's recommendation in it is that a fair is that fair to say?

Correct. Because staff's recommendation includes fewer districts. The planning commission's amendment added these other districts. So, correct. It would be more restrictive geographically. Yes. Okay. All right. And then the text amendment is a control. It's a firewall of sorts or it is a layer of control over decisions about what that property is used for. Correct. It ultimately gives city council the ability to approve or deny any such proposal, which we would not have without this text amendment. Correct. That was the concern from staff is that it could be considered a warehouse which is permitted without any special use permit.

Sorry to be repetitive but I thought it was worth mentioning. Thank you. You're welcome. Mr. Greatens. Yes. Uh to your knowledge uh other than council member Wesley's home and city hall are there any other data centers in Bridton? The only one other one logistics

as I I had mentioned on this map down in the lower portion of this map. Um this would fall under the def our proposed definition of data center. It houses servers. Um it was built in 2003. Uh it did not require a special use permit because it was considered a warehouse. uh when looking back at those permits, um it's it's backup data for financial institutions is what's located out there. Are you aware of any problems that we've had? No. Okay. No. Council member Wesy.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Uh just for going on record letting know why I'm having a little bit of concern and so the people in the audience can know. Um, I did want to just quickly read what section one is saying here. It's saying, "A data center is a building or group of buildings, including any associated outdoor equipment and structures used to house servers, computer systems, data storage systems, networking, telecommunication equipment, and associated components used to support the storage processing distribution or delivery of data and digital services, including cloud computing, collocation services, and artificial intelligent processing. Examples of supporting infrastructure include power systems, including UPS systems, which that's a battery backup. Um, emergency generators and electrical switch gear, cooling and mechanical equipment, security facilities and and excuse me, office space accessories to the primary data center use. It is my concern that that is a very Oh, thank you. You have it up there. Nice. It's my concern that that is a very very broad definition of it and we are going to catch just about any mediumsiz plus business. We could in theory catch most fast food establishments. We could in theory catch houses very easily. Not just IT geeks like me, but this is somewhat pretty common now for a lot of houses. And that's why I feel that we really need to look at constraining this a bit or else I think we're going to end up having some possible issues. So, thank you for your time. So, uh I believe Mr. Bookout and I and all the city employees can honestly say that no developer, broker, business uh has approached the city as of this date. Um but um we're wanting to make this text amendment in case uh that

opportunity uh comes about. So thank you um at this point. Are there any further questions from council comments? Council member Wesy again.

Thanks. I actually just had one last question. So um just making sure I fully understand this is going to affect M1 and some M3. What would M2 be considered? So M2 and that that's a great question. So the M2 and that is there are two areas on this map that are M2 and circled. So the M2 permits all the same uses in M1 and that's why I included it. So anything we put in M1 by default would be an M2, but there's only two small areas zoned M2. So,

and the reason I asked that is I can't speak for the rest of my council members here, but I know personally, even though I have an IT background, I am not necessarily going to be pro data center. And I would actually be completely cool with having it to be any data center, whether it be M1, M2, M3, or anything else requires a special use permit. And I think a lot of the public, having seen how stuff has changed within the last month, would agree with me on that. So, I don't know. I realize that we're not going to be voting on this specifically right now, but I'm just saying that is something I would like to personally see added to make it even more restrictive to where anything that is considered a data center I would like to be able to vote on. Thank you.

That's what this provides. Yeah, that's the way it's set up. Yeah. I was just I was worried because it was saying M1 and M3. I So, I was worried about M2 possibly as a sneak in. So, thank you for clarification. So, anything in an M2 district, uh, so sorry. Anything that's permitted with a special use permit in an M1 district is permitted with a special use permit in an M2 district. Correct. Correct. Sorry about the confusion. No, it's all right. Thank you, Mr. Great. Thank you. By a show of hands in the audience, um, is there anybody that is in favor of this text amendment?

Thank you. We show what, five, four, five people. Just to clarify, the text is the extra layer that protects special. Yes, correct. We got more than that. Okay. Seven. Eight. Okay. By show of hands, anybody opposed to this text amendment. You can't speak. I'm sorry. I shouldn't. Yeah. Show hands.

Opposed. Three. Okay. Thank you. This public hearing. Well, well, so public hearing, individuals from the public who want to speak need to have the opportunity to speak. So, we need to invite anybody who would like to speak in favor to speak in favor. That's the point of a public hearing and anybody who'd like to speak against to speak against. Okay. Yes. Anybody like to come forward and speak in favor of this? I see none. Anybody want to come forward and speak in opposition? Please come forward.

I just agree with what Steven said. I think that there needs to be like more defined terms in the verbiage as far as like what a data center is. And I think that's lacking for sure. So I I agree with what you were saying as well.

Come forward.

No, I u I think we need to uh keep an open mind on these things. U you know technology is is always advancing. Um, I think that we have the to have the opportunity to examine these things as they come along is probably the wisest thing to do, but we shouldn't close our close our doors to uh development, future development. We should have the opportunity to take a look at this. I think the text amendment that we have proposed is probably adequate and adequate uh uh way of doing that. So, I would be in favor of accordingly. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further comments? Come forward. Miss Schwarz.

Hello, Mr. Mayor. Hello, council. Most of you know me, Melanie Schwarz. Um, I'm not necessarily in favor or against the proposed text amendment. I think it's a good idea to codify these things. My question is more about the process of what would happen should a developer approach city council with a proposed plan for a data center. Um what would be the procedure for getting the public's input on such a thing? And what I'm getting at is, and I think you gathered that from from the mood in the room, is that this is has been a concern um within the state and beyond. So, I'm trying to make sure that if this were proposed, how would the public learn about it and have the opportunity to weigh in on this decision? If you could speak to that, I would appreciate it.

Mr. Greatens, would you like to address it? When we when we receive an application for a special use permit, there are statutory and ordinance requirements for public notification. Um, we're required to uh uh publish a public hearing in in the paper at least 15 days prior to the planning commission public hearing. Uh we're required to notify all property owners within 185 ft of any site where a special use permit is proposed by certified mail. Um and then planning commission makes a recommendation. They they do not have the final say. Um if and then city council makes the final decision. If planning commission recommends in favor, it requires a simple majority of city council. And if the planning commission recommends against any special use permit, it requires at least six city council members to vote in favor. Uh there is an additional public hearing held at the city council meeting um that does not require notification of property owners that requires a public hearing in the paper. Um, so whether it's following uh public hearings in the paper or property owners within um the specified distance of 185 ft, any other way that a resident would find out about it would just be simply through checking the city's website and following what's going on in in day-to-day city government proposals.

City attorney would like to add some. Well, and I think Zach said it, but just to be very clear, there would be two public hearings before it could be passed. There would be a public hearing in front of the planning commission where any individual who wants to speak and inform the planning commission's decision uh would have the opportunity to do so. And then there would be a second public hearing like we're having here tonight in front of the city council.

Thank you. Any further comments? I see none. This public hearing is closed. Moving forward, next item on the agenda, we have perfection of bills. First is bill number 6544. Council member Luther. Thank you, Mayor. Move for second reading of bill number 6544. Second. Motion's made by Council Member Luther. Seconded by council member Bazada for second reading of bill number 6544. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Please continue.

Thank you, mayor. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridgton, 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 an amount of $75 per each 24-hour period or portion thereof in which an inmate is in the custody of the county department of justice services. Move that bill number 6544 become ordinance number 26-23. Correct.

Second. Motions made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Vizada. That bill number 6544 become ordinance 26-23. Discussion. I see none. The clerk will call the role. Council member Shear. I. Council member Yawanu. I. Council member Luther. I. Council member Norris. I. Council member Patel I. Council member Satel I. Council member Weshi I. Council member Bazada I.

By vote of 8 to nothing bill number 6544 becomes ordinance 26-23. Next item on the agenda is consideration of new bills. First bill number 6545. Council member Satil. Thank you mayor. Move for first reading of uh bill number 6545. Second. Motions made by council member Satil, seconded by council member Luther for first reading of bill number 6545. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? I hear none. Please continue.

An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridton, Missouri, authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute an agreement substantially in the form attached here two with a recycle ink for tub grinding and wood chip haul off in an amount of $27,700. Project budget includes a contingency in the amount of $3,000. Move to table. Second. Motion's made by council member Satell. Seconded by council member Luther to table bill number 6545. All in favor say I. Any opposed? I hear none. Bill number 6545 is tabled. Next item on the agenda, first consideration of bill number 6546. Council member Luther.

Thank you, Mayor. Move for first reading of bill number 6546. Second. Motion is made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Bazada for first reading of bill number 6546. All in favor say I. Any opposed? I hear none. Please continue.

Thank you, mayor. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridgton, Missouri. Application number 26-PZ-04 amending the Bridgton zoning ordinance by adding a definition for data center and adding data center as a permitted use with a special use permit to the M-1 manufacturing district limited and multiple M-3 planned manufacturing districts. Move to table bill number 6546. Second. Second. Motion's made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Bazada to table. Bill number 6546. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. Bill number 6546 is tabled. Next item on the agenda, no discussion items. The attorney's report. I have nothing to report. Mayor, thank you. Thank you. Council communications. Council member Wesy.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I've already talked a lot tonight, so I'll try and keep this relatively uh short. I've been trying to take more after uh co my uh fellow council member uh Joanie over there. So uh you'll just have to excuse me on that one. Um thank you all for coming out. I appreciate it. Thanks for the people watching online. And um also uh Mr. Grins, I hope my questioning wasn't taken the wrong way because I do fully support what you're trying to do with that bill. Um I just had a couple concerns on it like that. So uh please don't take my questioning in a negative way. Um myself and the mayor and a couple other people from city council ended up meeting up at uh the place that has been a giant hole in my wall lately known as Dutch Brothers Coffee and uh we were able to participate in their ribbon cutting which was awesome. Um the ownership up there is really cool. They ended up moving out here from California. Really nice couple that own it and the St. Charles locations as well. And I know I drive past it all the time on Lindberg and it constantly has not a super long line but a line which that's what I like seeing because that tells me they're getting people in and out and um I'm just really excited to see how they can end up adding stuff to the Bridton area and increasing our amenities here. Um, I did want to uh really I also wanted to uh thank staff um for doing the whole reception out there and everything uh at for the last council meeting and um uh oh did I say something wrong? I just got a weird look. Okay, gotcha. Um and

what was that? You exceeded Jony's. Oh yes. And uh with that I will be quiet and um back to you mayor. Thank you council member Satell.

Yes. Thank you mayor. Uh first I'd like to uh thank our two new council members uh you know that we came on in ws three and w four tonight at their f first full council meeting that actually get to vote on stuff. Uh welcome to the council. Uh secondly, I know we got a lot of different new citizens here that don't normally come to our meetings right here, but a lot of them have been calling me and getting me videos about storm water issues. So, uh, you know, with that said, I mean, we're passing those information on to Robert Gun, our stormwater people, uh, public works, uh, and hopefully, uh, they can keep following up on that. And, uh, the next step probably if it ends up being a financial issue to the city or whatever, needs to be brought up at our June budget meetings halfway through the year or the one in November. So, with that said, that's all, mayor. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Shear.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, this is my first time doing this, so bear with me, please, everybody. Um, I got two things. One, I want to personally and publicly thank Miss Bridget Waters, our city clerk, for the whole election from the filing, the first time I met you and through the whole election process. She she had everything. She was very inclusive. And thank you. I I wanted to acknowledge there's a lot of things that go on behind the works that the public don't see and including orientation last Friday with the city. Thank you. Um and the only thing I have to report because this is my first week is last Thursday myself, Mr. Bazada attended the municipal league elusted officials training seminar. Um again that was set up by Miss Bridget Waters and um we learned a lot and it was a good time and that's all I got. Thank you. Thank you.

Good job. Okay, Council Member Norris. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I also want to welcome officially Mr. Bazada and Mr. Shear to city council, wishing them good luck. Um, again, thorn between uh rose between two thorns, so I can reach them if I can't if they need some help. That's

I want to thank you all for the position of city council president. I will be a leazison for the council administration and staff working together as a team to bring Bridgton to a bright future. Uh design and review I attended last night. They approved the new sign for our baseball training center. It's kind of an odd name. I thought we were getting a restaurant cuz it's called Prime 108. So, I thought, but anyway, it's on its way. I said, I'm very pleased. And also, we're getting, I guess, a replacement uh for the bakery that closed. It's called Apple of My Eye. So, I'm I'm very happy about that. Uh, a question was brought up about the uh uh the roofing company, uh uh Platium, Plum,

Platinum,

Platinum. I'm sorry, I can't read my own writing. Platinum. Um, a question was asked about the trailers. They're parked in uh a neighbor's parking lot. I didn't know if that was Platinum's roofing company, but if someone could check on that for me and get back with it so I can make a report to the people at Dishon and Review. And also, I attended the police prayer breakfast April 28th to honor and it was an honor and a privilege. Uh, we must never forget our police, our firemen, our paramedics and their families. They make the ultimate sacrifice. I also attended the Dutch Brothers ribbon cutting. Whatever I had was good. I You know, there's You just go in there, you got to do a soda, you got to do a tea, then you get something else, and then you go and I'm going, "Huh?" I just But anyway, it was really good, but I don't know. Then, of course, I hit a curb, so I I'm not happy. So, anyway, but it was very good. It was very crowded. I said, "So, um, there people like it, but I too many choices. Just give me some coffee with some cream in it." So, I I don't know if I'll be able to get back to that because again, too many choices. Um and I also just final I just want to thank you again for city council president and I will be in contact with the existing committees and will assign new council members and we will just double check to see if they want to continue the committees that are set now from uh the past president. So thank you.

Thank you council member Luther. Thank you mayor. First, thank you everyone for coming, for participating, and for watching. That's what makes our city vibrant. I want to welcome the two new council members, including the gentleman to my left, Mark Bazada, Jamie Shear, and congratulate our two council officers. Before I I talk a little bit about the reason I nominated Council Member Norris, I did want to mention, isn't there a W four meeting next week? Oh, yeah. I guess I should have said that. May 13th. Uh, and it's I'm I'm letting Jamie do it all. So, you know, he's going to go with the fire to the foot or foot to the fire. So, kidding.

That's not what we discussed. Uh, but yes, May 13, 6:30. Uh, so Ward 4, all welcome. Okay. So, with that, thank you.

I did want to mention my reason for nominating council member Norris. She has been a resident since 1974. She's been active in various nonprofit organization including the Boy Scouts BAA Pattonville School District holding multiple leadership positions for PTA. She's a present and very active member of the Kowanas Club in Bridgton and has been a member since 2010. She was appointed to city council in October of tw 2008, elected in 2009 to the present. So she served more than 17 years. She's the longest serving member on coun, a continuous serving member on council currently. I'll get back to that in a minute. Her current responsibilities and her present and past responsibilities include work on various committees including storm water, business partnership, assigned exopicio duties include park, police, planning, zoning, design and review, senior citizen advisory, beautifification, special events. And I will say that many people say, well, isn't that a good reason? If someone served a long time, isn't that a reason to get some fresh some fresh ideas? Well, take a good look at us. Four of us here, half of council members sitting here tonight have served three years or less, present company included. Two members are serving their second meeting tonight. So I think with that 50% of us are newish and we need history and we need a knowledge base including processes, procedures and rules that govern our work. That is one of the many reasons and a very important reason we have Dave Linenbroker our attorney sitting up here. We want to avoid pitfalls and making the same mistakes we've made before to give us a better and clearer perspective of

what we need to be focusing on. These are leadership qualities that we need especially now and we I believe that council chair Joanie Norris will help us keep moving Bridgton forward and I welcome and congratulate you. Thank you Mrs. Luther. That was very nice. You read exactly what I said.

Council member Bazada.

Thank you all for coming out tonight. Uh I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who's helped me get here to this point. I want to thank current council. I want to congratulate Jamie for getting elected, Bob for reelection, Becky for your re-election. I want to thank the mayor and and the city clerk for their support along the way. Uh Jamie wasn't lying when he said that Bridget is a shining star when it comes to newcomers coming on to city council and I imagine for those who have been on a long time as well. U so I speak for everybody I think when I say thank you. Um lastly, I'm very excited to take this position. I'm really excited to step up and lead and do what's right for Bridgton. That's it. If everybody doesn't know, Mark's mother and grandmother are in attendance here this evening.

Congratulations. You won't get to see him as much now. Thank you, Council Member Patel. Thank you, Mayor. Why concurrent vote eye with everything that everybody said because they said it all. So, um I do want to congratulate Jamie and Mark. welcome to the team and congratulations Miss Joanie on your uh council lead role and other than that that's all I have. Thank you everybody for being here and who are watching as well. So that's all I have mayor. Thank you. Thank you council memberu.

Thank you mayor and um good evening everyone. Bear with me. I have a lot to say this evening. First I'd like to say congratulations to Miss Norris on her appointment as council chair. Well done. I also want to congratulate and offer a warm welcome to the newly elected council members Jamie Sher and Mark Bazada. The city, the residents, and myself are counting on you to raise the bar to set a higher standard of accountability, conduct, and excellence and service going forward. And I believe in you. I want to extend my respect to Mr. Sher, Mr. Bazada and Miss Josea Connors for their hard work and the honorable way they ran their campaigns for election. During your campaigns, each of you earned my respect and support, and you will continue to have it. Tonight, I am publicly announcing my resignation as council person for W 2. It has been a tremendous honor to serve my city alongside the mayor, staff, and all of you, our residents. I appreciate the trust and the support that the public placed in me. The city of Briston is still in my heart. That's not changed. It's the place I've called home for more than 34 years. 20 of those I've served on various boards and commissions prior to ever taking on the duties of council in October of 2024. Since that time, I've always strived to uphold a standard of excellence and service to all of you to fulfill my oath to office and duties of service in a manner that honored the trust and the support that you, the residents, placed in me. The residents who pay our salaries deserve that level of commitment from each and every one of us sitting up

here. In 2024, and again in April of 2025, I placed my hand on the Bible and took an oath to office, not as a politician, not to become a politician, nor to behave in a manner that resembles one, but as a civic servant with a job to do. Accountability, honesty, character, and integrity. What do those words mean to you? Because I'm going to tell you what they mean to me. Those are the guiding principles that govern my conduct professionally and personally. All of us on council should strive to stand on such principles. Even when it's not the easy thing to do, even when it's not going to win us a popularity contest or an election, principles do matter and they should matter. I've never been one to lower my standards to follow the crowd, to fit in or to be liked. And there comes a point if you cannot change the environment or raise the performance standards of others, you have to make a pivotal decision. That decision for me is I have to remove myself from what does not align with the foundation of who I am. I must stay true to those guiding principles of honesty, character and integrity of self. Whether others receive it with agreement, judgment, indifference, or disdain does not change my loyalty to those attributes. It is a cornerstone of who I am. Being a council person is a job. It's not a prestigious title to be used for personal gain. Doing the job properly requires time, money, energy, and effort. A great deal of it. I willingly sacrificed all of those things to serve as your council person, and I was honored to do so.

Going forward, I will be transitioning those assets back into my business and into ministry into those things of which I can make a more meaningful impact and positive difference by transforming the lives of others through service. My genuine hope is that my resignation will become a catalyst for some muchneeded change with council performance. that it will shake the dust off of any idleness, complacency, or a sense of entitlement that has settled in. No one is owed a seat up here. It is to be earned each day through duty, service, and sacrifice. Fulfillment of duty and service and accountability for conduct are requirements that should be upheld by the city. Tolerating lesser standards from council impairs the abilities of those council persons who strive for excellence and service. So going forward, please do better. Thank you. It's been an honor to serve as your council person. God bless our city and I wish everyone a happy Mother's Day celebration. Thank you.

God bless you. Thank you. Thanks. Staff reports. Mr. Gun, grass cutting has started on the MDOT properties. The trash is getting picked up. It looks pretty good. And our paving contractor is just about finished with all the work. He got a good start um coming out of the winter months and Mother Nature did cooperate. So, the main line is completed and we're just finishing up some sidewalk, uh some curb ramps, and some gutters. And that's it. That's all I have.

Any questions for Mr. Gun? I see none. Mr. Kaine, parks and rec director. The uh beautifification commission had their plant giveaway on April 25th, collected 785 pounds of food. Y

um since 2021, we have collected 5,790 pounds of food and provided um just under 5,000 meals. So, pretty pretty cool deal we've been doing there for a while. Uh, the Gentry Park playground, we had a little bit of follow-up work done uh last week. There was a little bit of a static electricity issue uh with the surface there and they came out and pulled it up and grounded the uh equipment. So, that has been uh eliminated. Uh we'll keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't come back. That's all we got. Any questions of Mr. King? I see none. Major Acting Chief Bryce Level.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh few things. Uh drug uh takeback day a couple weeks ago. Uh we got 88 pounds of pres prescription medication turned in that day. So, that was a good thing that didn't get into the wrong hands. Uh we have a few upcoming events. Dunkin Donuts Cup on a rooftop will be next week on the 15th. Uh we have planned a business watch meeting for the 19th at 5:00 pm in the multi-purpose room. Uh we will be inviting all area businesses to that. Uh the Special Olympics torch run is on May 21st. Our portion will begin at the rec center around 12:15. And then uh we have finally scheduled our next public trace training. For those who don't know, that's civilian response to an active shooter event. It's about an hour long. It'll be 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room on the 17th. It just gives you some ideas if you're out and about with your family and god forbid happen to be there during one of these events. Some things to think about to help keep you and your family safe. That's all I have. Mayor

Council, any questions of Major Lovwell? I see none. Mr. Bookout, city administrator. Yeah, I just want to let you all know that I was notified this afternoon that the city of Bridgton will be receiving one of the four innovation awards from the Missouri Municipal League at the at the fall conference. So, we're excited about that. First, first ever, right?

I believe so. As far as I'm as far as I know, you some of you may recall that when we approved when the council approved the uh development agreement with Leonardo DRS, one of the requirements as part of that development agreement is that they signed a community agreement with the school district and worked with the school district on their STEM program. That included judging competitions and allowing for shadowing and internships. So, in the last six, seven years, it's been really successful and uh I spoke with the Missouri Municipal League and they said it it was one that really stood out. So, kudos to the city. Thank you. That's all I have. Mayor, great.

Thank you. Any questions of Mr. Book?

I see none. Before we moved in to close session, I'll uh give my mayor's report. Um, I was honored to uh have been asked to and participate in the Elmarelia Super Marcato 25-y year anniversary celebration that was held over at Westport Plaza on Sunday. Also in attendance was Council Member Luther and her husband. Um, they were also celebrating the Mexican uh Day of the Children. So, very nice. I would like to um at the next council meeting have a proclamation ready uh to present to them. So council, I hope you're on board with that. Uh please don't forget about our Fourth of July parade. The theme being cheers to 250 years. I know there's still openings for floats. Um there's going to be uh sat on on that evening, Saturday night, there's going to be concessions, food trucks, and live live music by Pure Nectar this year. and of course the uh firework display at uh dusk. So if you know any individuals or companies that want to participate in the parade, please contact um our rec department, Katie Tucker. She'll be happy to help you. I also want to talk about uh how nice everyone looks tonight up here on the dis. Um I think this should be uh the attire we should wear for every council meeting. However, I know people uh have other responsibilities and can't always um get home in time to uh dress up in a suit and tie or or dress or skirt. So, but anyway, everybody looks nice. We we had photos this evening prior to the council meeting. Uh those will be in the calendar, 2027 calendar. Um the police department is uh restarting the business watch meetings. Um, there's not a set

schedule yet. However, the first one is May the 19th and it will be in the multi-purpose room here at city hall at 6 p.m. I like that time better. Uh, previously they were held in the morning um at 8:00 a.m. I think uh attendance might improve with the new time, but thanks for doing that, Major. Appreciate it. Uh, National Day of Prayer is tomorrow. Um, I will be attending the Kana's prayer breakfast um at 7:00 a.m. And that's right, bright and early at Cybersky.

I will be back here tomorrow morning at 8:30. Uh we will begin our interviews for our uh police chief. Uh tomorrow and Friday and also the National Day of Prayer celebration here in the council chambers will be at 11:30 tomorrow. So, please do come and participate. It's always a nice event. Um, Cypress Village, uh, they're on track to get some, uh, work done over there that's, uh, been long needed. I'm going to read you a quick note here from, uh, the property management company. I am sorry for the delay. We're working on bringing all items together. Here is an update. We have pulled the permits to replace all the roofs and we will be pulling some for gutters and facial also balconies. We are waiting for our engineer to design and replace uh the balconies and staircases that have been rotting. Uh the design work should be done later this month. The pools have been contracted with the goal of having them all open for the season. They've hired um a company that uh will begin replacing 10 HVAC systems per month starting in May and they'll be pulling permits for those this week. They'll also be replacing all the basement doors with metal doors to ensure safety. So, um looking forward to that. Um I think it will improve their property value and also bring in new residents. I know they're not fully occupied. So, um I want to tell you that u I attended along with some uh council members and other residents the uh visitation and funeral for council person 36-year council person retired Ferd Fetch and also uh many of us attended the visitation and funeral for longtime resident and Pattonville coach um teacher Frank

Gallagher. Uh we also lost a couple of our retired van drivers um from the uh senior department. Um I'll be attending tomorrow night the backstoppers dinner um down to Chase Park Plaza. It's an annual event. Uh very worthy cause and I look forward to attending that every year. Council, don't forget May 28th at the Renaissance Missouri Municipal League has their annual installation uh dinner and meeting. Uh thank you. Kathy Ywana for your past year and a half plus of service to the city of Bridton. I appreciate what you did. I appreciate you taking time and doing your diligence prior to council meetings and making sure that you were informed to make any decisions for the city. Um I will miss you. I'm sure we will work together in other ways and um looking forward to um maybe getting you on a board commission uh when when time allows for you to do that.

Okay. Absolutely.

Exicial appointments. Um I'll try and do those tomorrow and get them to you via email by Friday. Uh there's no other meetings this week that uh uh requires exeicios to be there. So they'll all be in place for next week. That's all I have uh at this time. I want to ask our new uh chairman. Um by the way, Joanie and I have served together for many years. And um I welcome her as the chairman. If you don't know, chairman of the council um if anything happens to the mayor where the mayor passes away like our last one, the chairman becomes the acting mayor until a special election can take place u for a new mayor. Um so if I passed away in the in the last week after our um installation of new council people people and retirement of uh Miss Gretchen Luke who was the chairman the treasurer that was Bob Satil. He would have taken over if I passed away in the past week but anyway looking forward to having you. Welcome also, Treasure Patel. And uh we have two council members that are also going to be on the interview board here tomorrow for the uh the police chief. Council member Norris,

Mayor, thank you. And uh I hope that doesn't happen. Uh you live a long life. I said I don't want to do it. Uh we are uh I do need to make a motion uh for a close session. Second. A close session may be held to discuss matters relating to legal actions, litigation, or confidential or privilege communication with council pursuant to section 610.021 one RSM paragraph 2 leasing purchase or sale. It's just Sorry, Joan. It's just the first one. Just what you've read so far. Okay. This is good. All right. All right. Sorry. The clerk will call the role.

I'm just whatever we can talk about. Huh? No. Sorry. Council member Norris. I, Council Member Patel. Hi. Council member Satel. Hi. Council member Weshi. Hi. Council member Bazada. Hi. Council member Shear. Hi. Council member Yawwanu. I. Sorry. Council member. I. By a vote of 8 to nothing. We're going to move to close session. We will be back afterwards to adjourn the regular council meeting. Thank you for your attendance this evening. Yeah. that work.