City Council - Regular Meeting

anything show you after this. Welcome. Good evening. Thanks for attending the last council meeting of 2025. Please stand and we will say the pledge of allegiance. Captain Barnhart from Pattonville, would you lead us, please of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, the clerk will call the role. Council member Hood here. Council member Yuwanu here.

Council member Luke here. Council member Luther here. Council member Norris here. Council member Patel here. Council member Satel here. Council member Wesy here. All right. We have all eight council members present. Next item, agenda approval. So moved. Second. Motion made by council member Luther, seconded by council member Luke for the approval of tonight's agenda. Any changes, deletions? I see none. All in favor of the agenda for this evening. Say I. I.

Opposed? I hear none. Tonight's agenda is approved. Next item, we have public comments. I have one card and it is from Captain Mark Barnhard from our Patville Fire Protection District. Please come forward. Yes, sir.

So, um, members of the council, for anyone who isn't aware, uh, my name is Mark Barnhard. I'm one of the paramedic firefighters with Patentville Fire District. And, uh, I just wanted to take a minute tonight to come and, uh, thank you for your continued partnership and support, uh, to serve the residents of Bridton and Patville Fire District. I'm I'm normally better at just going off, but I don't want to leave anything out, so I have a little script here. So, uh, while our boundaries overlap, they don't perfectly align. However, our desire to serve this community does. Brides is a great place to live for all ages, work, and raise a family. This cannot be accomplished without a fantastic team. And while I'm sure there are people in the departments and departments that I might leave out, I would like to take a few minutes to highlight those that we coordinate with v uh various projects throughout the year. I completely and totally missed one. That's okay. Oh, the police. We partner with Britain police to ensure that all the officers are trained in CPR, how to use an automated external defiill, administer Narcan, and perform bleeding control. Additionally, after you all made the investment to purchase forcible entry tools for every uh squad car, we provided the training in order to make sure that all the police officers knew how to use that in the event that they would need to breach a door and uh get to to uh someone who's hiding inside. While there are many events that we work together on, Tammy does the majority of the work for our breakfast with uh badges events and those are very well attended uh for you all and um the community. In parks and wreck, Tara helps us organize programs for kids at summer camp like the camp Olympics where we compete against the campers and uh the first responder showand tell day where the kids get an opportunity to see the police cars, the firetruck, ambulance, and uh ultimately that ends with us setting up the ladder and the kids cooling off uh in the water. Vicki and Katie work with us to coordinate the

dive-in movie in the summertime, movies in the park in the fall. This year we did the uh 10th anniversary outdoor pool rededication and the Christmas tree lighting. Additionally, this year uh we expanded the programs that we do to include two lifeguard trainings which included the lifeguard team rescuing a drowning victim, starting patient care, and then transferring care to the ambulance crews once they arrived on scene. So, they would know what that looked like. God forbid that should ever happen. In the senior's office, we have Denise, Mary Lane, and Sharon who ensure that uh our our residents that are young at heart are not forgotten with senior lunches, picnics in the park, the chili cookoff, which we are backto-back champions on. No, no bad part there. The annual senior barbecue at the rec center. And uh out of the senior office, I also feel like it's important to recognize Rick and Mike who drive the buses. They make sure they know at least one thing about every one of their passengers and ensure that everyone feels special every day that they pick them up. The National Night Out, which is coordinated by you all, that we get to come out and attend and see everybody in your all's neighborhood. And we do appreciate that. And then the Fourth of July event, we all know that everyone comes out, all the members of the council, every every department at the u the street department, parks and wreck, bridge police, and countless other volunteer committee members work together to celebrate the another great year in Bridton. Now, you've probably heard this uh me come and talk once or twice with this, and that's normally about where my uh my speech ends. However, I want to recognize the community as a whole that showed up the morning of March 15th following the tornado, the EF2 tornado that hit on March 14th. Everyone came out, came together, and in typical Britain fashion work together to take care of all the needs of the community.

So, as I said before, this couldn't be done by just any one individual. It starts uh with a great team. uh it starts with the your leaders who you have in place, the council to do that and everyone working together to to take care of the count or the uh the city. So on behalf of Patville Fire District, I would like to thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to serve our community. Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. And if you need us, you all know the number. So thank you. Thank you, Mark. Did you want to suspend council rules?

I would like to suspend council rules to address the uh address mark. Second. All right. Motions made by council member Wesy, seconded by council member Satell to suspend council rules for remarks. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? I hear none. Continue. Thank you, mayor. Uh, I just wanted to thank you and everybody at Penville uh, fire department for all the work that you do. Uh, I know that we ended up going to the uh, uh, breakfast with breakfast at the firehouse, breakfast with Santa over the weekend, which was awesome. I'd love to see just how many toys that you all were able to raise. Um, do you know out of curiosity about how many you got total?

We've taken care of everyone in the Patill School District who has needs. We've reached out to local um local schools uh like private schools at this point. We're taking care of them and then some of the other school districts who have need families. We're sending them out there. So that just goes again to show what a great community we have and how everybody watches up.

So one thing I don't know if everybody realizes or not, but the firefighters that are there um volunteering are actually off the clock. There were some there that are on the clock that were helping out, but as soon as a call came in, guess what? about half of the firehouse that was there ended up hopping in call hopping in the trucks and driving away which I got to see happen and my son really enjoyed seeing the trucks roll away. But um so that was all stuff that I know you and your team ended up volunteering for. I also know that you all do all sorts of other events whenever we had my son. I know you yourself ended up hosting the event teaching the grandparents how to giving them a refresher course on how to care for a child in the 2010s instead of the 1970s and things like that, how to install the car seats properly. So, uh there's a lot that the fire department does that I feel like not everybody realizes. So, I just wanted to take a second to thank you for everything. And by thanking you, I also mean the rest of the Panville Fire Department, too. And also, um, I wanted to, uh, applaud your efforts. I know there was that Lieutenant in St. Charles that ended up passing away. And I saw on your Facebook page today that, uh, Patville ended up sending some people over to their firehouse to help cover for that. So, I thought that was really cool to see, uh, you helping another city in the community. So, thank you very much.

All right, council. Any further comments? I see none. Okay, go ahead and clap if you want that.

Next item on the agenda is the approval of minutes. I'm going to ask for a motion for the November 18th minutes uh from the uh budget meeting. Move for approval of the November 18th, 2025 city council budget meeting. Second. Motions made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Hood for the approval of the November 18th city council budget meeting. Any changes, deletions? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. The November 18th, 2025 I'm abstaining. I would I didn't attend.

Okay. We have seven affirmative and one abstension because she wasn't at the meeting. All right. The minutes from November 18, 2025 city council budget uh meeting are approved. Motion for approval of the minutes from our council meeting December 3rd, 2025. I'll move for approval of December 3rd, 2025 council meeting minutes. Second. Motion is made by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther for the approval of the December 3rd, 2025 council meeting minutes. Any changes? Council member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. On line 219, the next stormwater subcommittee meeting is January 21st. Second Motions made to change line 219 for the subcommittee meeting being January 21st by council member Luke, seconded by council member Satel. All in favor say I. I. I.

Any opposed? Any further changes? I see none. All in favor of the amended minutes for December 3rd, 2025 say I. I.

Any opposed? I hear none. The minutes amended minutes for December 3rd, 2025 are approved. Next item on the agenda, we have a few few things to get through here. I'm going to recognize Police Chief Mark Msadi. Good evening, mayor and council members. Um, I just wanted to quickly introduce our newest employee with the police department. Um, I have here uh this evening is Brian Jansen. Uh, Brian's the new police administrative aid for the police department. Um, he'll be handling purchasing and um our supplies, equipment, and all that stuff, keeping track of that. and then also processing all the bills and that and getting them over to finance. But Brian comes to us. He started on uh the 24th of November. He's married. He has his beautiful wife here with him tonight, Tara. He has four children, a cat and a dog. Okay. He's actually was born in St. Louis. He uh lives over in Maryland Heights now, but he comes to us, excuse me, he was ret he's retired after 20 years with the United States Army. Um he primarily worked as a military police officer. Um following his army career, he had uh extensive uh background and administrative duties on various different police departments. He just moved here back here uh from Colorado. Um so we welcome him. He's done a great job since he started. He hit the ground running and uh we're glad to have him aboard. Uh Brian Jensen. SO

next from the EPA, we have Jessica Evans to give us a short update on the Westlake landfill. Please come forward. Good evening, mayor, council members. Uh my name is Jessica Evans and I am the community involvement coordinator for EPA's uh the Westlake landfill site. Uh I appreciate the opportunity to come up and provide you another update on site progress. Um so the pre-exavation confirmation sampling field work uh it started in July. Tom Mailor came out, gave a brief update uh to you all in September. That field work is ongoing. Um, as of earlier this week, it is approximately 93% complete. The purpose of this field work is to refine those excavation areas that will be addressed during the remedial action or when they start to clean up the site. Um, the fieldwork is currently scheduled to end on December 22nd, so in just uh I think about a week or so from today. Um and the determination for the end of that field work will be decided once they get those sampling results back from the next few days of of samples that they collect. We are anticipating we'll receive that information from the lab around mid January. Um so I will send another update out um to our email distribution group as well as the community and it'll also be updated on our public public facing resources like our Westlake landfill dashboard as well as our site profile page. Um, another update, uh, EPA did receive the 100% remedial design. Um, and the remedial design basically lays out how the cleanup will occur. Um, so it's a lot of technical specifications. Um, so we did receive that in October with the exception of portions that are going to be refined based on the field work that is currently ongoing. So updated site drawings, sampling results, things like

that. So EPA has started review of that 100% remedial design document. Um, and we are working to expedite that review as much as possible. Um, again, I will continue to update our public facing resources with all this information. I also do weekly office hours here at Bridton City Hall. I'm local to the St. Louis uh county area. I live in St. Louis County. Um, so if anyone has any questions or would like to schedule a time to, you know, talk about the site or if you'all have any, you know, you want any additional information, please feel free to reach out. Um, my information is on our site profile page. And that is it currently, council. Any questions?

I see none. Thank you. Thank you. Council member Luther. Oh, I just wondered if there were any scheduled public I'm sorry if I missed it. Any scheduled public meetings coming up or uh not currently. Okay. Um, but as soon as we have some information for any public availability sessions or meetings or engagement events, I'll let you know um and let members of the council and the mayor know as well. Thank you.

Uh for those of you that missed it and and those that are watching, please remember that uh Miss Evans um has office hours here at city hall uh every Wednesday. Um, and uh the EPA does uh pay us for uh space rentals. So, just want to make make sure that's clear. Council member Luther again. No. Okay. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, we have an Arbor Day proclamation. I'm going to call on Council Member Hood.

Thank you, Mayor. Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees are assets to a community when properly planted and maintained, they improve the visual appeal of neighborhood, increase property value, reduce home cooling cost, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our city enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community. And whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renew. Now therefore, Mayor, you want to take the rest of it? Now therefore, I, Randall Behind, acting mayor of the city of Bridton, do hereby confirm that Friday, April 11th, 2025 was celebrated as Arbor Day and the city of Bridton supporting efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. And further, our all citizens were urged to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations passed on this 17th day of December, 2025. Council. All in favor say I.

I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. I have the original here that I signed along with our city clerk, Bridget Waters, and it will be presented to our parks and rec director, Brendan King. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, council, I I've asked for uh approval of some reappoints of members to the uh planning commission. Uh would somebody like to make a motion for that? Motion to approve all all uh as presented. Second.

Motion made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Satil. The re approval for reappointments of um members from the planning commission. And all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. I will send out letters uh tomorrow letting them know about their reappointments. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, resolution 2025-06. Again, council member Hood. A resolution adopting the fourth amended and restated rules of the city council of the city of Bridgton, Missouri.

Second. Motion's made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Norris. Any further discussion?

Mayor, I just would like to uh explain a little bit how this process all started. There was a committee of uh four council members, one from each ward that had the opportunity to review these rules and then after we come up with suggestions, it's presented to all members of council further input and this is our guideline as to how we operate as a council uh especially when we're in session. So I want to thank everyone that participated and gave the recommendations and we came to a conclusion on this document. Thank you.

Any further questions, comments? No sir. Council, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. I'll be signing this and this resolution will supersede all previous resolutions pertaining to city council rules. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, we have a first consideration for liquor license for Omni Banquet Events and Conference Center.

Thank you, mayor. First consideration of Omni Banquet Events and Conference Center, 12567 Natural Bridge Road, sale by the drink, Monday through Saturday, and Sunday sales by the drink. Second. Motion's made for first consideration of Omni Banquet Events and Conference Center by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? This will be continued at the next council meeting. Thank you. Next item on the agenda, we have per we have perfection of bills beginning with bill number 6518. Council member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. Move for second reading of bill 6518. Second. Motion is made by Council Member Luke, seconded by Council Member Luther for second reading of bill number 6518. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Please continue. Thank you, mayor. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridgton, Missouri, amending and restating chapter 510.030, International Property Maintenance Code, chapter 3, section 302.10 and section 410.060D of the city's code of ordinances. Move that bill 6518 become ordinance 25-39.

Second. Motion is made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther that bill number 6518 become ordinance 25-39. Discussion. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I'd like to know if we can hear from Mr. gun about some updates um that are in here different from our previous version. Mr. Gun, the main purpose of doing this is because of state statute has changed. So, we went ahead and worked with the city attorney and his staff and they crafted this that puts us back into compliance so we can start with startup going ahead and doing the inspections for the home sales.

And when will those inspections resume? As soon as the mayor signs it, it gets approved. Thank you, council. Any further questions or discussion? I council member Norris.

Sorry. Sorry. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just had a comment and of course it's too late to do anything, but I just wanted to just make a comment about the street numbers, which is on the second page. Uh it's always been my concern um that uh our people, our residents have their numbers all over the place and I was hoping that maybe we can work with it in a future date that we could have them at one consistent place. And also I do want to remind um Robert or if this would be considered uh a problem with these handwritten numbers that people have. I know it looks really pretty but um in my experience or things that I have young people can't read cursive anymore. So, I don't know if that would become an issue, but I would like to I will approve this tonight, but I would like to make sure that maybe we could work at that to have it more consistent. And then also, I have one more under 12. Also, just a comment. Um, I was just hazarded. You know, I get a lot of things because people are concerned about their neighbors not taking care of their landscaping and they have dead trees, dead limbs. Is this it says hazardous dead trees and shrubs shall be promptly removed. Now will we give them will that be a um will you be giving them an ordinance violations on that? Robert,

this is going to be to get their occupancy permit or their certificate of occupancy. It has to meet the criteria. So before we would issue that, they'd have to clean up that landscaping. So existing people, we have no control. Well, we can cite them for that and then bring them through the the court process. Okay. But if it's a a home sale and they're looking to move in, then we can go ahead with that. But that's the existing property is what I have neighbors. The existing property will take a little bit longer. Okay. All righty. Okay. Thank you very much. You answered my questions. Thank you,

Robert. What I was going to suggest, I know the inspectors when they're doing the annual inspections on condominiums um and probably apartment complexes also. Um they're looking at um addresses on the buildings or on walls. Um and I know uh the fire protection district uh has certain guidelines they like to use, but she can get together with them and make sure that um we're we're kind of working with them. Sure. towards the same goal. Mhm. Is that good, Council Member Norris? Thank you. Yes. Okay. Right. You know, I I mean, I see it when I um I'm sorry if Can I speak? Go ahead.

I just was when I have gone out or if I'm looking at something that might be a complaint, I'm looking all over the house trying to find the the numbers are off the mailbox. There's nothing on the house. So, that's my situation, too. If we have issues that people don't have proper uh addresses, I think that needs to be because that's an emergency situation as for our firemen and our police. So I think that uh is very important. Thank you. Very good. Thank you. Any further questions, comments? I hear none. The clerk will call the role.

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 council member Iwanu I by a vote of 8 to nothing bill number 6518 becomes ordinance 25-39 next item on the bill on the agenda is perfection of bill 6519 council member Patel thank you mayor Move for second reading of bill 6519. I second. Motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council memberanu for second reading of bill number 6519. All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed? I hear none. Continue. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridton, Missouri, adopting a budget for the 12-month period commencing January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026 in the amount of 32,733,585 for all funds with operational expenditures of 26,76,65 debt service expenditures of 2,337,755 and capital improvement and tax increment financing expenditures of 4,319,225. Move that bill 6519 become ordinance 25-40.

Second. Motion is made by council member Patel, seconded by council memberanu that bill number 6519 become ordinance 25- 40. discussion. I see none. The clerk will call the role. Council member Norris, I. Council member Patel, I. Council member Satel, I. Council member Weshi, I. Council member Hood, I. Council member Wanu, I. Council member Luke, I. Council member Luther,

I. By a vote of 8 to nothing, bill number 6519 becomes ordinance 25-40. Next item on the agenda, perfection of bill number 6520. Council member Patel again. Thank you, Mayor. Move for a second reading of bill 6520. Second. Motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council member for second reading of bill number 6520. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. I hear none. Please continue.

An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridton, Missouri, repealing ordinance number 24-55 and adopting a new ordinance fixing the salaries and other compensation of the classified employees of the city as provided for in section 8.04 of the charter and section 115 of the code of the city of Bridton, Missouri for the fiscal year of 2026. Move that bill 6520 become ordinance number 25-41. Second

motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council memberanu that bill number 6520 become ordinance 25-41. Discussion. I see none. The clerk will call the role. Council member Patel I. Council member Satel. I. Council member Wesi. Hi. Council member Hood. Hi. Council member Yuwanu. Hi. Council member Luke. Hi. Council member Luther, I. Council member Norris, I.

By a vote of 8 to nothing, bill number 6520 becomes ordinance 25-41. Next item on the agenda, perfection of bill number 6521. Again, council member Patel. Thank you, Mayor. Move for second reading of bill 6521. Second. Motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council member Iwanu for second reading of bill number 6521. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Please continue.

An ordinance repealing ordinance 24-54 and adopting a new ordinance fixing the salaries of certain special service and salaried employees as denoted in the city charter for fiscal year 2026. Move that bill 6521 become ordinance 25-42. Second. Motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council memberanu that bill number 6521 become ordinance 25-42. Discussion. I see none. The clerk will call the role. Council member Satel I. Council member Weshi I. Council member Hood.

I. Council member Yuanu. I. Council member Luke. I. Council member Luther. I. Council member Norris. I. Council member Patel. I. By a vote of 8 to nothing. Bill number 6524. 21 becomes ordinance 25-42. Next item on the agenda. We have consideration of new bills. First bill number 6522. Council member Luke. Thank you, Mayor. Make a motion for first reading of bill 6522. Second. Motion's made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther for first consideration of bill number 6522. 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, amending and restating chapter 665 of the Bridgton code of ordinances dealing with taxi cabs in its entirety. Move for table of bill 6522. Second. Motion's made by council member Luke, seconded by council member Luther to table bill number 6522. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Bill number 6522 is tabled. Next item is first consideration of bill number 6523. Council member Patel. Thank you, mayor. Move for first reading of bill 6523.

Second. Motion's made by council member Patel, seconded by council member Settell for first reading of bill number 6523. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Please continue. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Bridgton, Missouri, authorizing the mayor and the city clerk to sign a contract in the form substantially attached here to extend the professional service agreement with Sikitch CPA LLC for independent auditing services through the 2027 audit year with the first year audit be set at 42,200. Move to table bill 6523.

Second. Motions made by council member Patel, seconded by council member Iwanu to table bill number 6523. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? I hear none. Bill number 6523 is tabled. We have no discussion items. The attorney's report. Nothing, mayor, other than to wish everybody a happy holidays. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Lumbroker. Council communications. I will start I'm going to start with Council Member Luther tonight. Thank you, mayor. Well, I want to wish everyone happy holidays. And I know you'll get to this in a few minutes, but the Shop with the Cop event last night at Target, I've got to tell you, you know, when you're doing something nice for kids, I'm looking at you right here, Mark, that uh I don't know, the kids were happy, but the pe the adults with them and the police officers were pretty darn happy, too. So, it turned out really nice. So, thanks for all of those efforts and thank the mayor was up there as well. It was it was a lot of fun to just kind of see them go through the line. I did want to clarify something that I'd said at the last council meeting and I had said that going forward we that that that I would like to see a balanced budget presented to budget and I need to clarify that because the balanced budget was presented to council and we we approved it tonight. However, I would like to see a balanced budget without use of unreserved fund balance. So I want to clarify that statement so going forward that our budget is balanced without dipping into that fund balance. I'm just clarifi clarifying that. Thank you mayor. Thank you, Council Member Luke.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just want to one say a reminder of what I told you at the November 19th council meeting, and that is that grants are available for eligible small business owners, and the application process is open through end of day, January 16th, 2026. It's for business owners who have a forprofit independentlyowned small business, operate out of a physical brickandmortar store located in the United States, and currently employ 20 or less full-time equivalent employees. They're going to be giving away 250 grants of $20,000 each. And I think it's really important that any of our small business owners here in Bridgton who are eligible apply for this program. Um, again, it's you can Google American Express Shop small grants program to get take you to the National Main Street site to get the information about how to apply for the grant. Um, thank you parks department for adding doggy bag stations near the waste cans around the rec center Hickory Woods walking path. I think that'll be a nice addition. There's no reason for anyone to not pick up after their dogs. There's no longer an excuse not to do so. Um, welcome to Mr. Jansen to our police department. I'm sure he'll make a fine addition. Council members, I sent an email yesterday. You may have seen Jen Irvin's email about the Explorers Trivia Night January 31st. The mayor and I invite you to join us at a table. Uh if enough of us are interested then we can always get a second table because obviously there are more than um eight plus guests who might have interest. Uh that is that event is

open to the public. The explorers trivia program is the main fundraiser for their summer academy. So it's a very important event. Um, I agree with Council Member Luther that we need to take a hard look at the budget next year and do things a little bit different and tighten ship so that we're not pulling from funds that eventually aren't going to be available. And there are some big expenses coming up over the next few years that we know different departments would like to see happen. Um, other than that, my my prayer for you all is to have peace and joy this holiday season. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Norris.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I wanted to thank the park staff for the wonderful tree lighting ceremony. Uh, I think it was one of the largest crowds we've had. They enjoyed Santa, uh, Mrs. claws, the games, the hot chocolate, the cookies, the fire pit, the marshmallows roasting, and a choir from home and middle school. We had it all. So, it was a wonderful event. Many volunteers took to make that event uh possible. So, it was I hope we can continue. Um, also I wanted to say, did you pass the lobby? How nice it looks. We don't have the plywood up anymore. So, I think we need to, you know, be happy about that. It looks so nice and it's supposed to be, I guess, hooked up or something the rest of this week. And also, I was at Design and Review last night and I want to congratulate to St. John's Bank. They are requesting a new sign to celebrate their 100 years 1926 to 2026. and I appreciate their devotion to Bridgton. And also I attended the Municipal League uh vendor appreciation at the Maryland Heights Convention Center. I'm sorry, community center. I I give them credit for something they don't have yet. Um but anyway, it was very nice and I do appreciate seeing some of the vendors that we have done business with. And also I wish you a merry Christmas, a happy new year to the staff, the council and residents of Bridgton. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Hood.

Yes. I just want to touch a little bit on the relationship that the city of Bridgton Police Department and the Patentville Fire District have had. It's it's been amazing. Not every city has that opportunity to coordinate their efforts as well as we do. We have been working together personally for almost 50 years and there's been a lot of changes and they have become one of the leading fire districts in the nation and it's all because of their management and hard work and I just want to congratulate them and thank you for being a part of it and everyone have a safe and happy holiday.

Thank you. Council member Patel. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, thank you to everyone for being here today and also um, thank you to Mark for your comments and what you and your team do every day and not just a specific day as well as all first responders. And I just wish everybody a merry Christmas. Have a safe holiday. Thank you, Council Member Yowanu.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just want to give a big shout out to staff, first responders, council, mayor, and all of us who work so hard together to make it the year that it has been. And I look forward to going into 2026 with all of you. I also want to um tell Mr. Jansen, I'm sorry he left to tell him thank you for his service and welcome to the Birton family. Perhaps chief, if you can extend that for me. And um wonderful job uh to the parks and wreck for the treelighting celebration. I got to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the first time. That was quite exciting. Got my picture taken. And uh I understand we had an exceptional turnout at the candlelight tour of the Pay Gentry House. So that was great to hear. And thank you for all who attended. And however it is that you celebrate this time of the year, I just want to wish all of you a celebration that is joy, filled with peace, with love. May it be safe, and I wish everyone a fabulous 2026.

Thank you, Council Member Satil. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I attended Friday. Uh, we had the Christmas party for all of our employees right here in our chamber right here. And uh the mayor mentioned to me, you know, I was like, "You're the only council member here." So it's like I guess I'm the one that has to say something about it. But uh it was a really nice party, had really good food. In fact, it was like uh like the barbecue, you know, that they had was like, "Hey, I had a second sandwich." But uh they also had an ugly sweater contest and the our our 30-year recipient, Bill Dempseky, won the ugly con ugly sweater contest here.

And so he was proud that it had a drunken goat on the front of his sweater. But, uh, I then saw him again Saturday night and he was wear, you know, I was like, "Okay, I'll wear that again." You know, um, I know that, uh, I was this morning I was at the Bridton Rec Center. Uh, they're preparing again to do uh, taxes for the senior citizens throughout Bridton and adjoining communities. Uh, I did it last year and I'm planning on doing it again where we donate time to help do their taxes. Doesn't cost anything for the citizens, but they they do have to sign up early. it runs out of time slots pretty quick. So, I want to make sure people that that want to and I ran across quite a few uh Bridton residents last year when I helped out um this when I came home from there uh midday today, I want to compliment the Bridton and Maryland Heights police. My next door neighbor uh his sister brought home two kids that jumped in the car at the Circle K and they were runaways from Maryland Heights and uh he didn't know what to do. So he called the Bridton police and instantly they called Marilyn Heights because they ran ran away from a house where their father was I guess abusive or something down there. They lived on Delord. So they took the kids. The kids were trying to get to their their mom that lives up in Troy, Missouri. And it was smart that they had and get the two police departments working together. So there was four or five police cars from Bridton and four or five from the city of Maryland Heights. This is right around 12:30 today. But I thought that was really nice. Try to get them back coordinated. I don't know what exactly happened on after that, but uh I want to thank the the British police for showing uh sincerity. I know officer Swopee was there. It's kind of nice, you know. You know, I think that the two boys, you know, was excited to see a ma a female officer kind of helping them, guiding in their direction. Most of the time when when they're that young, all they're running across is male officers or maybe they're in trouble for something. So, it was nice that that you there was a female officer there, I think, as well. So, with that said, I want to wish everybody else a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you very much. Nice day.

Thank you, Council Member Wishy.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first of all, thanks everybody that showed up tonight. Thanks all the people that are watching on YouTube uh tomorrow or whenever. Uh, thanks everybody that works for Bridton. Um, whether it be the, uh, administrative staff, the park staff, the police, the streets, um, Penville Fire Department, everybody up here. Um, uh, you all make the city great to live in. Um, and I was talking to uh, well, I guess I should also say I was able to come up to the party. I was a little bit later than planned to the party, but uh, thank you for providing lunch. That was really nice. I know uh, Kathy was up there as well with me. Um, and uh, Pakula and I were sorry uh, were talking earlier about a fun tradition we could start here. So, um, was the night before Christmas when all I'm just playing. Back to you, mayor. Thank you very much. All right.

Thank you. All right. Staff. Um I I'll start with Robert Gun, public works director. I have nothing, sir. Pardon me? I have nothing. Okay. Uh Council Member Satell has a question. Yes. Thank you. U citizen of Bridton. Yeah. Judy Myers asked me was at the rec center. Uh, I think the question also came to Brendan, but uh, she said that they somebody dumped three truckloads of gravel by the park at Spanish Village. Is it the street department as a water company or what's going on out there? I was just wondering maybe one of the departments know Brendan said it was at the park when I was asking him when I was leaving this afternoon. But maybe you can say I'll ask around tomorrow and see.

Maybe it's a water main break and they're going to fix something or maybe it's MSD. I don't know what it is, but is it in the street? Loads of gravel on on something there that there's usually permit pull. Where's the piles of rock at? Right by the park. Okay. Like on the street or probably the street? I'm not exactly sure. She was just asking me today at the rec center, so it's not my ward, but she I told her I asked about it tonight. Spanish village.

Okay. Police Chief Mark Madi. So, we did have our shop with a cop event at Target. It was the first one that we've had. I think it's been over about 20 25 years since we've had a event like that. So, we had eight children that we identified that were in need. Um, three of them came from a house fire that they lost everything over in Maryland Heights. Um, so, uh, I know the officers had a great time with it, but they did collect donations to provide each one of the kids $145 to purchase, you know, toys or whatever they wanted to get with the money. Um, so we had a really, really good time with it. And, um, just wanted to shout out just quickly on the donations. Leonardo DRS uh, had made a donation. Target had made the donation. Um, thank you, Mayor Hine. He made a donation to each one of the children. And then, uh, Karen's Cares Foundation, uh, made a donation. So, next year, we were approached by maybe Marilyn Heights going in with us and doing it, making it even a bigger event to hopefully be able to touch a few more kids uh, that are in need. So, thank you for everybody that participated and we enjoyed it um, quite a bit. I I did uh mention before we the Polar Plunge, we do have a team again for 2026. Um they just launched a website. I'll send that out to the council members Friday, but it's scheduled for February 28th. It's a Saturday at 100 p.m. at Creef Core Lake. So, we're looking forward to having a team participate in that again um this uh next year. Uh let's see here. Um, just wanted to echo council member Hood's comments about

Patville Fire. They did, you know, we we we have worked closely with them. We appreciate their expertise in helping train our officers with the um uh first aid. We did give breaching tools so that if we, god forbid, had uh some to get into a structure, now we have them in the vehicles. uh they had state-of-the-art training that they gave us on that so that the officers are all trained on that uh so that we can get in if there's some uh incident going on. But I just wanted to echo his comments about Patville Fire and uh they are a great partner. We have five fire districts that service Bridgton, five or six maybe. Um anyway, but they're the biggest footprint in our city and uh you know, we work really really well with them and uh we wish them all a very merry Christmas and happy new year as well. A couple things with them too, you may not know. We work you know closely with them with uh the landfill um with coordination with that. Uh we've been doing that for years. Um, and we also work closely with them, especially with the Paul Hospital being in the city and the homeless population and those that we're dealing with with mental illness. Um, we're always touching base and it's nice to have partners like that helping us out. So, thank you for that. Uh, just wanted to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and happy new year. I hope all of you have a very safe holiday and we're looking forward to next year. So, thank you. Thank you, Chief Council. Any questions?

Council member Luther. Yes. I And I don't know if this goes to you or not. I'm just on the website. I was on the website oh, a few days ago and noticed that the animal licenses are available on Llama online. So, when I went on there, it was encouraging people to get their animal licenses, but I was under the impression for 2026, you had to wait until January 1 or later for 2026. You couldn't do you couldn't go in December to get it for the following year. And I don't know if anyone has clarification on that or not. And I'm on the site now. I'm not sure. I think they could get them now. We for the for 2026. For 2026. Yes. Okay. Thank you. I I wasn't that wasn't clear. Thank you. For 2026.

Thank you. Uh city clerk, can I recognize you and and go ahead? The chief didn't hear what you said. I'm sorry. So, uh, animal license has to be in by December 31st.

All right. Brendan Kaine, parks and recck director. Uh, the feed the masses food drive ended uh at the end of November. Um, the city of Bridton collected 6,48 food items, which is a Bridton record since we started to participate in this uh event, more than double what we took in 2024. So, I wanted to thank all the residents and community members that that donated and made that such a fun competition for us where we compete with the other parks and recck departments in the St. Louis area. We finished in third place uh behind Arnold. Again, they win it every year and 200 items behind Marilyn Heights. So, very very close

a close call. Also uh partnered with the Marine Corps and uh with the Toys for Tots program and did collect 201. Wanted to mention Barry Hill uh is going to stay open for a couple of extra days with the nice weather coming up this weekend. Uh they were going to close Friday, but they're going to go through the weekend since we lost so many days in December with the snow. So, uh they will stay open and we did surpass 30,000 rounds of play, which is a new record uh dating back to at least 2013. So, they had a great year. Thank you, council. Any questions? And Mr. Kane, I see none. city administrator, Mr. Bookout.

Yeah, I know I've been giving everybody an update weekly on the uh uh electronic uh packet software that that we've budgeted for. I've been working with the city clerk and we've had a number of uh demonstrations. I know Bridget has contacted some of the other municipalities that have used some of those uh the software packages and we are going to be making a recommendation and have it on the uh the council agenda in January for uh one of those uh software packages. Uh we really liked it. It's really the most coste effective we believe. Uh I think they'd provide great training. Anyway, we'll have that all to the council. Um, I also want to wish everybody a merry and uh happy and safe new year. That's all I have. Mayor, thank you.

Thank you, council. Any questions of Mr. Bookout? I see none. All right, that leaves the mayor's report. Um, please bear with me here. I got a little bit to talk about. Um besides uh passing 42 ordinances, seven resolutions, four proclamations, and eight bids, um the city has continued to pick up the pieces and grow after the loss of city clerk Karen Robinson. We were hit by a tornado. Good news, a successful Fourth of July parade and the fireworks once again after being cancelled twice last year due to weather. The city hosted Senator Josh Holly and the EPA director Lee Zelden in March. We had the April elections and we finally passed the uh residency requirement for the municipal judge that the judge no longer has to be a resident of Bridton. This will help us in our future. beautifification hosted two plant giveaways and to in addition to food drives, the police department had two success successful DEA drug takeback days along with paper recycling and also electronics recycling at the last one. Many new businesses have opened and there are more to come. We completed our comprehensive plan. The personnel staffing and wage study is currently underway. We hired a new executive assistant, Crystal Hilton, and of course, a new city clerk, Bridget Waters, and two inspectors, one being a new position for 2025. We've had several retirements. The chief continues recruiting new candidates to

become Bridton Police Officers. administration has had several community collaborative partnership meetings with the Patentville Fire Protection District, Patentville School District, Depal Hospital, and Robertson Fire Protection District, and our very own Bridton Police Department administration and council and myself met for the annual Patentville School District update. There were 12 successful senior lunchons at the rec center. Many of us attended the St. Loss area police chiefs association memorial prayer breakfast. This year the city hosted a RA meeting at the rec center that sta stands for the radiation exposure compensation act. Many council members and staff attended the annual Missouri municipal league conference and attended educational seminars. Llama, our new merchant and business license and building permit software has been implemented. Paycom, our new payroll and HR software has been implemented. The newly renovated Gentry Park playground was dedicated to our previous mayor, Terry Briggs. Quarterly city and community clergy collaborative lunchons were held. Kowanas held their annual barbecue for our seniors. The first Bridton community Thanksgiving dinner was held in conjunction with many of the Bridton and area churches and clergy. Many council subcommittee meetings were held and progress was made. Our boards and commissions continue to offer guidance to many of us on council and the mayor in making decisions. Third annual Christmas tree lighting. Correct. It was the third one. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it. The chili cookoff grew bigger with more participants.

Uh, the golf course, like Brendan said, reached 30,000 rounds of golf, which hasn't been done since 2013. CRA training was given by the police department for our city council. That stands for civilian response active shooter event training. Many, many events at the rec center, the outdoor pool and BMAC. Our fourth tenant I want to announce over at the Kmart repurposed building will be shoe show. All right.

Much like a carnival shoe store. Anything. Kevin and I talked today. We want to go ahead and set the budget meetings for next year. We've decided on Thursday, October the 15th and Tuesday, October the 20th. These will be held at 6 PM as normal. October or November? October. Okay. Okay. So, you know in advance when they are. 15th. And what was the other one? I want the 15th. Thursday the 15th and Tuesday October 20th. Thank you.

I want to announce the many programs that the police department is involved with, starting with reinstituting Shop with the Cop. What a great event that was last evening. in conjunction with Special Olympics, the polar plunge, cop on a rooftop, torch run, and of course we have breakfast with badges. We have coffee with the cop. We have toys um for tots. We have Warner's warm-up. A lot of charitable things going on here with employees and residents here in the city. I want to thank all the employees for your hard work in 2025. And like I always say, please work hard, but have fun doing it. I'm going to ask Council Member Luther to help me finish this statement. We still have a lot of work to do

and everybody has to do their part. Thank you. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all. It's nice seeing you here this evening. It's an honor to serve as your mayor. Motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. Motions made by council member Hood, seconded by council member Satell. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? We're adjourned. Thank you. Nothing.