Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

to the city of meeting for March 12th. We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. Please.

Assistant clerk, would you do the roll call, please? Alderman Bright here. Alderman Lang here. Alderman Whisper here. Alderman Harrell here. Alderwoman Hules here. Alderman Mazering here. Alderwoman Jokers here. We have seven for a quorum. Thank you, ma'am. Uh the next item is the mayor's comments. I will remind you once again. Uh did you call Alderman Rogers? I did not. Alderman Rogers, you must be muted. Bruce, he gave you a thumbs up. He's

I think we have to hear him, don't we? Not now. Okay, you're here. All right. Under the mayor's comments, once again, I'll ask that everybody speak loud and directly into the microphone. Um, these meetings are recorded and I've been told that people can't hear if we don't speak into that microphone. Uh Amy, do we have any public comments? We have none. Okay. I don't see anyone in the audience that are looking or on Zoom. So, at this time, if you would oblige me, I'd like to move up the Fenton Fire Protection District uh so they can give a presentation. I need a motion. Alderman Brit. I'd make that motion, Mr. Mayor. All right. Do we have a second? Alderman Herald,

I'll second. We have a motion by Bright Shaft, a second by Harold. Do we have further discussion? All in favor?

Opposed? That motion carries. Uh so I would like to introduce Chief Kaminsky and Kate Moore who is the public relations uh individual for the Fenton Fire Protection District. Um I know that I had received a number of calls about Proposition D and F. Um, and I just want to say once again for the record for as many years as as we've all done this that the Fenton Fire Protection District is not an entity of the city. However, many of our residents still believe that because they have the Fenton name. We share the Fenton name. So, having said that, I'm going to turn it over to the chief. Thank you for coming and enlighten us.

Well, thank you, Mayor and Alderman, and thank you so much for having us this evening. and uh we just share a very wonderful name with Fenton of course. So um first off I also want to thank all of you as you know we have a wonderful relationship together. We work very closely with the city uh with our fire marshall as well as we all know that our community that we serve we like to keep it safe. We like to keep it prosperous and and just have a a wonderful place to live. Uh, with that, we appreciate the opportunity to come here and talk to you about the two propositions that we have on on the ballot this this coming um, April. So, the first one that we'll we can we'll touch on, which is the one I think most people have a lot of conversation or questions on, we will probably be Prop F. And I'm going to pull to the side and let uh, Kate Moore give a little information on that so you don't hear one individual speaking the entire time. So, Kate Good evening. So, Prop F, um, I'm I'm not sure how many people know much about it, so I'm going to kind of start from the beginning and give some basics of it. Last fall, the state of Missouri passed House Bill 594 that allowed fire districts in St. Louis County and also in St. Charles to um to collect sales tax revenue. In the past, we were not allowed to do that. And so now that this has passed, we are able to do so, at least go for it as a ballot. There are other districts around us that are in like Jefferson County that have already been doing this. So this isn't a new form of um funding for fire districts or emergency services. This is just something now that St. Louis County um as far as us that we can go to the ballot for. So with this Prop F, when we go to the ballot, what it is is it's clearly stated in there as law that we would ask for a 1 cent sales tax and

then it is required by law that we roll back by 50% or equal to 50% of our sales tax revenue to the previous year. We have to roll back our property taxes. So it's kind of give and a take um with the property taxes and then with the sales tax. I'm going to let that kind of register for a second because some people are it just takes a minute. Um, so when you go to roll back on the property tax, it's going to go based on when the assessments occur. So an example is in 2028, you'll have the assessment year. In 2029, the residents will see the roll back on their property tax. This kind of sales tax, um, one, it is not on everything. So your daily items when it comes to diapers, formula, feminine hygiene products, things like that that is not tax. Um but it is other things. It's also some of it is not services. I could spend forever going through the list of what is and is not. I think you guys are familiar with the sales tax um as well. So it's very similar. So it's also it encourages for our residents to shop inside Fenton area and so it encourages small businesses. If you spend your money here, you hopefully will see that roll back in your property taxes. Um, I know some people think, you know, it it may or may not um benefit immediately and that's that's true. It's going to take a year or so to get into the assessment, but they will see that roll back. And by law, we have to do that.

So, so before we go a little bit further, would you explain that the city of Fenton does not have a property tax, but the fire district does? Correct. That is a that is a source of revenue for the Fenton Fire Protection District. Correct. That's a good point. Yes. So, I have a question. So, on the tax base on your on the property tax versus the sales tax tax base, what what's the delta there between the two of them? What do you mean by the delta of it? So, if your personal property tax base is $100, right, for all the all the property in your district, and the sales tax base is, let's say, $200, right? So the delta would be 100, right?

Or double. Do you know what the base is? Because if you're adding 1% to the one and taking a half a percent away from the other, are you netting at the end of the at the end of that? Are you netting more out or less out? It be equal, correct? I think it's equal. So you've done the math to show that it's equal.

Here's here's one of the caveats right now and what we're struggling with is that we can't give a solid number. I've called Nikki and we've worked with the city. So you as far as sales tax is the closest thing that we can estimate to what we would see as revenue from sales tax because this is new. We we don't want to just guess the number and have an inaccurate number. So um we're basing it on a limited amount of data and so really we won't know until we can see this process go through at least a year before we can give any kind of data back. But you do have the property tax base in your correct. Yes. Alderman Hills and then Mazering.

Um, so I know that Benton Fire District covers a portion of Sunset Hills and a portion of Valley Park. Will that and I know they all have it on their ballot as well. Will you will you collect from Sunset Hills businesses, just the portion that you cover and Valley Park and the portion that you cover and Fenton?

The only areas that we're going to cover is for our proposition would be anything that Fenton Fire Protection District covers. that that is our area. Um if it's another area that has the same prop because you will see it several if you haven't noticed it uh you will that there are a lot of uh other agencies that are going for this so that you're looking across the St. county area because it is now offered to us to do this as a different way of financing or because we all know that property tax they're trying to lower property tax or and and just taxes and personal property tax. So they're trying to lower that. In order to do that they're trying to offset and create a different way to provide some funding for the districts. Um so that's when you'll see it but it's also all over the St. Louis area county. Yeah, you'll you'll notice several.

Okay. So So Sunset I'm sorry, Fenton covers part of Sunset Hills. So is Melville then which covers I guess the other part of Sunset Hills or is they're going to have the same right. So there's there's roughly 35 districts going for this in this area that includes Limme and Afton. Um so yeah so me it's where our residents are where that property tax is is where that sales tax will base. Alderman measuring.

Yeah, I found a little bit of information. I think uh the Valley Park Fire District put um this some information. I was like, well, for example, if we brought in a million dollars in sales tax, we would reduce the property tax by 500,000 or something. So, it sounds like there's still going to be a net gain, though. If if everything goes right, you're expecting to make more money off of this than than what you would just off property taxes. You're hoping it to be a net gain. Well, you are a net gain, but not necessarily. And I I've heard a lot of people say windfall and you're going to get so much more money. And one of the things to remember is and and I don't want to bring up 2020, but I will. But remember in those times if any if our uh visitors or our residents go and and buy and purchase things and the purchase of things change like maybe we purchase a lot of things in in 2028 but then 2029 there isn't as much purchased the sales tax goes down. It's the responsibility um and I take it very personal, the responsibility to financially be able to have that money for those downfall times and then be able to continue to utilize that money just like you would as as you would for a savings account. So, it's not necessarily uh a ton of extra money. It's for the times when it dips down that we're still level and able to provide the functions and services that we do at this present time. Is that

expense or but say you get Yeah.

Yeah. So say there's a situation like the uh recession of 2008 and sales tax people just aren't buying. So then and if say for some reason the sales tax is less than what your normal tax rate would be then you still collect the normal tax rate off property taxes. If it for some unknown reason sales taxes actually ends up being less than what the property tax would be. You're correct. So, this just helps shift the cost of emergency services for people who come in as visitors. Um, when they use our emergency services, well, we know that we have a lot of people who shop in the Fenton area. Um, a lot of our calls, if you run on the highway, I would say easily less than 50%, they are not residents. So, we're using a lot of our resources, but the residents are paying for it all. So, that's kind of what this is. I you know that property tax, income tax, all of those things are changing. I can't tell you what's going to be in five years and I'm pretty sure nobody else can guess. It's just going to depend on whose office. But something like this right now is to try to take off the pressure from the property tax of the residents and to visitors that come into the district as well when they spend money. The other thing is this does not affect senior tax freeze. So this does not affect it at all. Um it will not go above it. It is safe for them. Bright chef, please.

Oh, um, first off, thanks for being here this evening. I, uh, since last week when we heard that you were going to be here, I've gotten four phone calls, and all four of those phone calls came with an invite from me to be here this evening, and unfortunately, uh, they're not here. So, I appreciate you coming and explaining it. And I'll defer to our our, uh, video from tonight for the folks, um, to come see. Um the sentiment that I got from four phone calls um first off only one got their uh sample ballot and I have not got mine yet so I couldn't really answer any questions. Um the one that did had did get it was very confused but two of the other phone calls the sentiment was as typical when they see a a proposal for taxes.

Yeah. Immediately I got response that we just built this big beautiful center, the biggest around here, right, with conference centers, training facilities, and all this. They sold the building and made the money off of the old firehouse. Why do they need more money? So, this enlightens me that you're not getting directly into their pockets or mine. And I think the explanation will help go a long way. Uh but you're still going to have people that are not going to that absolutely say no no no more taxes. I'm I'm not giving them any more money. Um so again, just to kind of finish up, I appreciate you being here and explaining it. Um and uh I hope more people watch this and and are are better informed. And I hope I get my s sample ballot pretty quick, too. So

that's that's I'm glad you mentioned that because I was curious. Uh I've not they're not the only person that I heard that didn't get the sample ballot. Um and then on top of that ballots are confusing. I it so we're going to do our very best to communicate the ballot. Anytime you hear the word tax that does upset people especially when they're already tight budget. So we're hoping that people understand that this is going to shift the burden off of the residents and share with others that come into our community as well. So and it's also a great question about what happened to the firehouse. You know the money that we did spend. Um, so then that falls back into uh Prop D. So we're going to explain that one really quick. It's a bond, which is a lot easier for most people to understand, although I shouldn't just generalize that, but I I think you guys are more familiar with the bond. So

So is there any more questions regarding just one more? And I think the other one I want to make I think you answered it, but for anybody that's going to watch this or or maybe it'll help the others, but one of the comments was, well, if you know you're going to do that in the Fent and Fire District, I'll just go to another municipality where they don't have that one sales tax. But what I think I'm hearing you say is it's become more widespread St. Louis countywide than than not. I can't say how many districts or entities are going for it, but you says it's close to 35 of them. So, it's going to be surrounding us in quite a few places. I just wanted to get that in. Yes.

Yep. And again, it's up to the approval of the the residents and the and the taxpayers to to make that decision. These are just options on the table uh for them,

right? We understand that and we we can't advocate you know but this is a factbinding mission and we again we appreciate it. So, we'll go to to Prop D, which is the bond. And you're right. You you talk to citizens that are saying, "Oh my gosh, we gave them 25 million. What in the world? These beautiful firehouses. What is going on? We went for the pro and and let me give and I I apologize for this, but I'm going to give a little bit of a history of the Fenton Fire Protection District coming to the voters. We went to the voters in 1986. Why did we go to the voters in 1986? Because St. Louis County Ambulance District, they closed shop, which means there was no EMS provisions here in this area. So, fire departments, and I don't want to brag that I was in 8th grade, freshman, and high school at this time, but at that time, uh, some of the fire departments, including Fenton Fire Protection District, were scurrying in to try to figure out how to bring EMS into the firehouse. And in ' 86, that's when we had our that I'm aware of, of course, 8th grade of when we had the first tax that I'm that I am advocating that we were in. As time goes up from 86 in 2017, we went for a tax increase and in 18 for a bond, our first bond ever for the Fenton Fire Protection District. in 17 which was 30 something year 30 years later. Um obviously we know in this area a lot of services have changed. We lost some industry. Uh we had some downturns. Uh also a lot of the things that we were doing we needed to advance our cares. So in 2017 we went for the 39 cent tax increase which passed. In 18 we went for the bond and the bond was to restructure our

organization in buildings and capital. I don't can't in no way can I go to a uh to a resident and say I'm going to buy that house with cash. I have to take out a loan. A bond is in some degree that. So what did we do with our 25 million? We replaced two firehouses. And you're right, we did sell the one on BS. We got about 900 and something thousand for it, which did go into the re rebuilding of the other houses. So you have our three house, which was a rebuild or what's a new build, and twos, which uh is our administration, it's our training, it's our firehouse, it's our maintenance, and we have a tower. So it's really a complex and it gets utilized on a normal basis. and I think several came to visit. So, we're very proud of that because there's a lot of training that goes on. And then we did some remodels, one for house uh one and then house 4, which is still being remodeled. We're almost finished. Uh as if anybody has tried to get permits, it takes a little bit to get permits to get through. So, we're on our way. Um, and if you would like to have me provide the cost of the houses, I'm working on that now and I can have that for you without a problem. That is absolutely u something we can do along with that 25 million that we've did with houses is we also purchased equipment. One thing on a fire truck, I purchased a fire truck and I say I but it's your fire truck. I purchased a ladder truck to service the area in 2022. The cost of that ladder, which is a ladder is 109 foot, was 1.2 million. That's the fire truck. That's not equipment. That's just

the firehouse or fire truck. I am purchasing one in 2027. That same fire truck is now going to cost me 1.6. I'm grateful for the the senators in the state of Missouri that are working very hard to try to figure out how to lower those costs of those trucks. But you don't want an SUV coming to put out a fire. You want your fire truck. And unfortunately, the cost of those are what they are. Fire trucks, not ladders, are costing almost a million at this time. We keep our services for our fire trucks. So, when we talk about Prop D, and I'm really sorry if I'm kind of all over the place, but with Prop D, with the fire trucks we have and all the emergency equipment that we use, they go on a cycle, a long-term cycle. This $18 million is not refurbishing all the firehouses anymore. We've done that. But what we do need to do is make sure we have a long-term goal to keep those services in check and that we have reliable equipment. we have equipment that isn't uh run down and that it's up todate and safe. Um with that that ends up being a 10-year cycle for fire trucks. Our ambulances run about a 7-year fire truck or uh 7-year. So our ambulances run about 33 300,000. I know these numbers are crazy. I I agree with you. Um a monitor, a heart monitor, we just got them uh a couple years ago. They're running about $54,000 for a heart monitor. What I can say is we've had three cardiac saves. I bet you if you ask any one of those, they don't mind the $54,000 that was spent to save their life as well as AEDs. So when we look at all the

expenses, all of those things are part of that Prop D because the voters and our citizens were very gracious to give us the 25 million. This Proposition D because we're paying it off and being very responsible with it. We can go back, not ask for 25, but ask for 18, a lower amount. We can also then not change your tax rate whatsoever on this bond and continue to provide you those services that you so deserve and that are very life safety that are very important to us. That's kind of how that would go. and and actually um those strategic plans are available as well to talk about how our our plans are to change a lot of equipment out and keeping it maintained. Um unfortunately a firetruck after 10 years it starts to run down. We run them very hard. We run them uh very efficiently. We maintain them. Uh we keep them going but they run a lot of hours. They pump a lot. Uh, our ambulances run a lot of calls. I don't know how many times you see them on 141. Um, but those are capital projects that are costing over a million. We we can wait. Um, but then our trucks get older. They're 15 years old. Um, then they become very unreliable and we want to make sure we have the services provided to you. Any other questions regarding the bond?

Anybody? Absolutely. Have a couple. Um, yeah. So, first of all, I kind of always scoff at the notion that bonds aren't a tax increase. They they show up on your tax bill. The citizens are paying for them. Yeah. It does not actually change the rate. Does change the rate. Correct. But you still have to I mean because so basically the bonds are sold to people that buy them. They get paid interest for buying them. And so the citizens are paying the bond off plus the interest that are paid to the people that bought the bond. So, you know, it's not Yeah. doesn't affect the actual rate that's multiplied out on your property tax, but it does it does cost the citizens. You know, you're correct on the uh it does cost, but with the renewal of this bond, it doesn't change your rate. It keeps it the same. So,

so it wouldn't increase the rate. So, I mean, but the bond that we have now were 20-year bonds and we're only eight years into them. So, we're still paying those off for 12 years, right? We've paid them off faster. I've done two defeasants to pay these bonds off faster. So, does you're saying the ones from eight years ago are paid off? They're not paid off, but they're getting paid off faster. So, they're lower than the 20 million. So, does that make sense? No. Yeah. But I mean, so you got any idea how many years are left on them or how? Not on me here. No. No. So, and then um what was I had one other question. Um Oh, what was it? Um,

it'll come back to me if anyone else has got anything. It's okay. Bright. Yeah. I I have a million questions about hoses and fire trucks and all, but I'm with you. Go there tonight. I'd bore everybody, but I I have one question. A lot of what we do here in Fenton um our staff uh seeks available grants for improvements, update, whatever. I just curious, does the Benton Fire Protection District or any of the districts around here have access to state or federal grants to help in this process?

We do. Um, part of being doing the grants is, you know, that you have to show the need and you have to show uh how you can can get those those grants. Some of the grants are can be easier to get and some of those are the smaller ones. We can get one through the water company. Uh you can get some of the smaller grants for lifting equipment. Uh getting a grant for a fire truck or our our SCBAs, which is our breathing equipment behind our back. When you see us go into a fire, those are a little more difficult for us to get. I'm just thinking about things like you mentioned earlier, an AED or, you know, something like that. Heart monitor.

That's my favorite topic is the AED part. Um so we are working with local businesses. As a matter of fact, I just had a meeting with a local business last week where um we had an incident at a pickle ball uh club recently where they used the AED and their AED actually saved the patient's life. Um we had to also step in later and our monitors helped. But that AED then was completely out of service. So for us that was a high-risisk area and it was important to us that we try to get another AED in there because the likelihood of someone having a heart attack and this happening again is really high because they've already had several other incidents there. We don't have a spare AED and so it was our to me it was our responsibility to make sure that we could help out those businesses. So that's what we're trying to go to as well and see if the businesses can get ads um bulk purchased. So there is definitely ways of doing it. It's just that when we're already a full-time department, um it's much harder to get some of the other grants, but some of the medical ones we can work on as those are a little bit easier than the fire side.

Thank you. I I remembered my I remembered it now. So, you you mentioned kind of a brief history of the district and and the tax increase in ' 86 and then

nothing before that and then the bond in what, eight years ago or whatever. Um, and it was the first bond that they had ever so and and Rockwood's done the same thing. And it's like these all these districts operated off the general fund until recently. Everyone, you know, was able you were able to buy your equipment years ago off the general fund. You did capital improvements off the general fund. And I just wonder why is it changed that now that any like, you know, Rockwood can't build a school off general funds. You can't buy a fire truck off general funds anymore. Everyone needs a bond to to do any kind of capital improvements. Why is that? Now,

I can't speak for all the other schools or how they run. I can only tell you for us, it's the ability to have the efficiency to purchase those pieces of equipment sooner and keep them more uh ready in service. So, you could say, well, could Fenton Fire Protection District purchase a fire truck? We could f picture p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p purchase that firet truck, but that 10 year or that 12 year that we may be able to hold on to that fire truck maybe more of 15, 16, 17. Maybe the fire truck last 18 years before we purchase another one. Again, a fire truck without a ladder on it is costing us a million dollar. That's a million dollars coming out of also getting AEDs or uh emergency other emergency equipment. Um I don't I if that ladder trucks are 1.6 the next ladder truck and and believe me I I am shaking my hand signing the paper going what? Oh, I

and that's but to keep the services um to the level that they should be and that you deserve. That's what's expected because in the past you did hold on to equipment longer. It seems like I remember seeing the same trucks for a longer period of time. And if we held on to the equipment longer, they were out of service longer. They were a lot more maintenance. The nice thing true with the trucks being newer is that for the first few years they're under warranty. So you're allowed to go back and say, "I need that fixed." And then it's uh it's more responsible with that um being paid that way because they give you a laner while it's Do they give you a loaner while it's being serviced?

They don't give us a loner. No, they don't. We have to That's why we have two spare trucks so that we don't need a loner, but we're still utilizing those equipment and they all get rotated. So, yeah. I wish they would give us a loner. Then they could have it all they want, right? Um I want to brag one thing. when we talk about firet trucks and and to give um kudos to our our men and women. This is not me doing that. This these are the guys that are running the calls and they're saving the lives from those from the pickle ball to the uh um guys on the fire truck. So, if you give me one moment and I'm pretty impressed and proud of our guys. They're actually on duty today at 3:30 in the morning on Sunday morning. We had a house fire here in the Fenton Fire Protection District area. They called 911 at 3:30. Our men and women who were in a dead sleep got up, got dressed, got in the truck that proficiently runs, got all the equipment they needed, and within 7 minutes from their dispatch, they were at the front door with a high with with a hose entering the building. 7 minutes from their moment of call. I have to thank our citizens for allowing to have the equipment for the for all the training for the the purchasing and and the rebuilding of our houses. 7 minutes they were in that building to be there to take out that fire. That is impressive. That's not on me. That's our men and women and the dedication they have to keeping all of us safe. So I and and that's part of the equipment and the training and the needs that we're asking for with these these props.

Well, we certainly thank you and your folks for that as well as our fire and and our first other first responders, our police department and all. And I know there's one out there, you know, protecting us tonight. Do we have any more question? Alderman Ro uh Rogers, do you have any questions? I can you hear me now? We can hear you. Okay, great. I did have one question that popped to mind. Um, what how much cash and investments does the Fenton Fire District have on hand at the moment?

Did I lose you? Look, without without pulling a number out of and making it incorrect. A wild guess maybe. Yeah. Can Can we email to give you that answer? I don't want to give a wild number out of it being incorrect. Well, I don't want to mislead anybody with that.

So, uh, okay. Well, that's fine. And I just had a curiosity because uh a few years ago I did look in pretty deep when that bond was out and um I noticed at that point it looked to me that um the fire district did have was in really good financial condition um and they did have a lot of money on hand as well as uh uh it looked to me like they were trying to fund uh pensions but um you know I'm just curious. That's it. Yeah, that's a good question. I think she wrote it down, so we'll get back to you on that for sure. But I don't want to wildly put a number out there and then walk away and tonight laying in bed going, "Oh my god, what did I say? I don't know what I don't want, right? We don't want misinformation. I appreciate it."

Absolutely. Um, happen to ask any questions, please direct them to our office or to one of us. You have the business card and feel free to share our phone number or email. That way we can help answer some of the questions. Okay, Chief Kaminsky, Kate, thank you very much for your time. We certainly appreciate it. Oh, thank you very much. All right. All right. Let's uh go back to the top of the agenda. We'll begin with finance. Alderman Whisbrock.

Uh hi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh I think everybody's had a chance to review they've had before this evening. Does anybody have any questions? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. That's all I've got tonight. All right. We're going to move then to Speedy Gonzalez, Alderman Herald with Planning and Zoning. Thanks for the new nickname, Speedy Gonzalez.

You like that better. All recommendations for the from the planning and zoning commission will be forwarded to the next board meeting for a public hearing and consideration unless otherwise noted. Uh announcements from planning and zoning commission. The April meeting for the planning and zoning commission will be held on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 due to the elections April 7th. Um the next case at the at the request of the petitioner the planning and zoning commission continued case 2026 SP01 a petition by Mr. Leonard Walter of St. Louis Marble for site plan review of a new office warehouse building at 1565 Finn Park property zone BP3 business park district and I don't see Mr. Walner here. Um, all jokers,

I I know that that I'm not part of the planning and zoning, but just something that I keep running around in my head when I'm looking at these um special use stuff. One of my concerns is, you know, this whole grand scheme of life, we're really only renting. And I don't if he's been here for 25 years and how many more years will he be here? The next person that purchases this property is then stuck with this thing. So I just kind of want to add put it on record or make sure that it that is my concern is that you know I own my house but typically I'm really eventually I'm going to leave and somebody else is going to take on all the stuff. So that's my concern about these items.

And can I add as a member of the planning and zoning commission, I think that was made very clear to the petitioner that you know um you know once once you know you're in there and you you've reduced the setbacks or you've gotten your special use permit, what happens to the next person? Does that building become nonconforming? You know, because an SUP doesn't go with the property. Um, and that's our big concern here and we tried to explain that as best we could. So, okay. Uh, planning and zoning commission recommended the following denial of case 2026 SUP02, a petition by Mr. Leonard Walter of St. Marble Company for a special use permit to reduce the minimum required parking for an office warehouse with the property is addressed as 1565 Finn Park Drive in his own BP3 business park district. And we have no other items for discussion.

All right. And Alderman Jokers, I think that's case in point. Okay. All right. We're going to move then to our parks and recreation committee tree advisory board. Alderman uh Hules, please. Thank you, sir. The March 2nd parks and recreation committee tree advisory board meeting was cancelled. The parks and recreation committee tree advisory board recommended the following. Other parks and recreation items. Consideration of request from Great Rivers Greenway to utilize the city's rightway for access to Anger Park during construction of the trail realignment project. We have a memo from Nikki. Nikki, would you like to add anything? Speak in loud.

Sorry. Um, as indicated in the memo that was provided, Great Rivers Greenway, as you're aware of the Younger Park reconnection, the trail reconnection. Um, part of that is that they will no longer be providing or proposing a connection to Cassen's Drive. What they're requesting is either an agreement or a license with the city in order to utilize the existing path as it stands to access Park from Cassin's Drive. um when they're during construction when it's complete then they'll move remove that portion of the path that's in that area take it back to grade and seat it um I've spoken with the public works director he does not have a concern with the type of trucks that we've had um questions with them about the type of trucks that would be utilizing the area he doesn't have any concerns with that considering that that street is used mostly by semi-tractor trailers on a daily basis um so what staff would be recommending is that we consider um having the attorney draft Maybe a license that we would provide them for this utilization. Of course, in return is that they would remove that path area, take it back to grade, seed it, um, and just ask them to provide us an exhibit to put within the, uh, license,

and the trucks won't cause a problem for the businesses that are coming in and out. I mean, our parking, the people that are working, they'll have have to have a place to park. So, so yeah, good point. Because that street's no parking and that street's not real wide back there. And if you start parking uh they're just going to use it for access. They're not going to be parking with on the street. We not allow park on the street. No, this is just so that they can have access. They're just going to drive right in and park in the park. Right.

So, in my opinion, reading through this, I think this is kind of a win-win for us. this is we we didn't want them connecting and then they're willing to with our authorization to use our access and then when it's done put it back to natural address and all that um the ballards at that point I would almost say don't put them back because that raises like oh there's ballards here there's something beyond that just let it go natural but my one point to Dan and to our group here is uh there's a lot of mud there's a lot of dirt back there and they're going to be traveling our road. So, we need to put it in whatever our our letter to them that road will stay clean. I mean, you know, on an hourly basis, daily basis, whatever. Cuz otherwise, it's going to get tracked out and it's going to be a mess. So,

anybody else? If not, this requires a motion. I'd make that motion at this time. Okay, we need all them jokers. I'll second that. Motion by second by jokers. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. We have a consideration of a quote for ball field lighting at Fenton Sports Complex. We have a memo from Dan Howard, our public works director. And got any thoughts on this far? I

mean, as expected, it did go up from the 2023 quote that they had given us um by $100,000. Um I mean, the numbers are what they are. I think this would be a huge benefit for us considering it is getting harder and harder every year to find a proper ballast for replacement of those those lights. Um I mean it's a lot of money fully aware of that but I think with the energy efficiency the automated controls I think it benefit the city. Anybody calculate uh the cost of the lighting compared to the vapor? He's got it on. It's significantly less.

I mean kilowatts. Yeah. But I dollar-wise. Oh. And when we when the city purchased the sports complex, I know there was some lighting issues and some of it was taken care of, but are these the original from the purchase of the sports complex or have these been replaced since the per the No, these are the original. Okay. Because I know in the original when the complex there was some lighting issues, but the parking lot and lighting and the lighting kind of got pushed off. Okay. City actually helped them get the poles that you see and they came from I forgot what college we had heard about it and put them on to it. So because we were actually looking at picking them them poles up. Whisper.

So I do have one question. We're going to fix where it's easier to turn on when we rent a field cuz I know now there's a couple different switches down there at the sports complex where there's you have to turn on multiple ones to get a field lit cuz the way that I guess they were wired years ago.

It was a multi-use complex. It had soccer fields and and baseball. Uh this won't correct. Okay. We'll have 10 settings basically for 10 fields. you might have to have two settings on in order to light up one field because they're not going to change what is being they're going to use existing poles. And so lighting effects and illuminaries from or the photometrics are going to be based on what those poles are going to put out, but you still would have to have multiple sections on in order to light up one field pos. But it's going to be like pickle ball where you push the or basketball where you push the button, the lights come on and then they stay on. No,

no. We we would we would have the ability to set which fields are being rented and how long they're rented for and be able to shut them off once the uh rental's over with. It'd be all excuse me all automated. Okay. So you could do it remotely like you do now with I do straight from my phone. Yeah. Like the at Fenton Park. This would be a midyear budget amendment as well. The the other thing uh did you have a question? The the other thing too is um can we have them take a look? You know, we had talked about putting some fixtures shining on them soccer fields in our the other side. Can you have them look at that? I would like that if the board has an interest. Yes. Yes.

Okay. We need a motion. Anybody else? Um at this at this needs a motion. I'll make that motion at this time. Alderman Mazerang. I'll second. Motion by second by Mazerang. We have further discussion and I take it you've uh talked with the finance Nikki. No problem there. Okay. Uh all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

Next we have discussion regarding remodel improvements to existing park restrooms and structures and the construction of a new restroom in Fenton City Park. Nikki, would you like to take this one? Um, I know there's been a desire to get these restrooms probably completed sooner than later. The one major hang-up was regarding the flooring. Um, having more lengthy conversations with the contractor specifically with um, dynamic uh, coatings is that their cure time they actually said could be 12 hours, 12 to 24 hours. Um, I don't know that we would want to be on those that quick. I mean, if they're saying that it can be, and I I did question, what about the humidity? What about the different that these are not in an area that's climate controlled with air conditioning, heating, and they said it's fine, that there won't be an issue with that.

Um, I did have them amend the quotes to include the coding.

Um, it came out to be, I think in most situations, an extra $100 per unit. Um, in some it was an extra $200 per unit. Um, very minimal comparative. um uh the overall scheme. Um I guess the night the question tonight is is if the board would like to move forward and we could start doing a lot of this work spring into the summer, we would know that we would have times that our restrooms the units would be shut down. Um staff's suggestion is that we would bring in portaotties for those locations during those weeks. We are going to do our very best. Um we we have to be cogn we have to you know keep in mind the fact that we have events. Um, we also have scheduled rentals that we would have to work around, but we will try to get all of the work done in a scheduled Monday through Friday or Monday actually through Thursday work week um in each unit.

So, what about you're you're talking about portaotties. I mean, I realize probably that you there I don't know if there's any big events going on, but if if there were a bigger event and a bathroom were out, they do have the like the trailers or the portable ones. Yeah, I'm more focused on places like Budweis west side that we would bring those in. We we will not function. We will not be doing this work at some time where we're going to have a food truck event or tournament or tournaments or Yes. I we have to be and the contractors have all been put on notice. There will be no weekend work because they have we have to have the units open or available. Um even at Fenton Sports Complex if we have to bring in um you know units for that during the week because we have evening rentals. But we want to avoid any events on the weekends.

Are you looking for a motion on anything tonight?

I am. Um with one major I mean really what I'm asking to do is there's kind of action items if you want me to go through each one. Um it's just that we yeah we are with the flooring we are suggesting although they were not the lowest bidder that dynamic protective coating um based on some conversations that we had also working with them about the material that we can use within Fenton City Park and Fenton Sports Complex that will be um not only resistance but they said it'll be much harder surface and something with aluminum oxide it gets into chemistry. Do not make me try to repeat it. I wouldn't be able to. Um but with the metal cleats with the kids. Yes. Because the many of these kids and now especially with game time utilizing fields one, two, and three. And my understanding is sometimes adults still wear them. No. Okay. Dan says no. Um see I play a lot of softball. Um is that you know that was a concern working with them. They have been very responsive. We've called him multiple times and he's taken every single call and and and fielded every question that I've I've had come to mind. Um, I've been and I did put in there that the other bidder when we asked why they didn't provide a bid for the um alternate was that they said they just wanted to see what it was like to work with the city before they would provide an additional bid.

Okay. So, you need a motion to go with dynamic for the dynamic flooring. The question is at this time, do we want to wait for the concession stands to a later date? Because I I think now is not a good time to do the concession stands. That's something we would definitely want to do in the off season. Yes. So, a motion to go with dynamic flooring for the restrooms but not the um concession stand. Alman Whizbrock, I would second that. Motion by Hugh, second by Whisbrock. Do we have any further discussion? Alderman Bright Chef. Just one quick question, Nikki, if I may. Um does we all know they're going to have steel cleat cuts. Um, did they mention anything about warranty on the product because of that because of the use of steel cleats?

With the use of steel cleats, I can ask if that would make if that makes a difference, but um I wouldn't think it would because that's why we're going with this this different material, but but yeah, we can is the type of use. But yes, we can definitely um touch base with Vince regarding that. Um and I will have that information for you by the board meeting. Okay. Um interior painting. Oh, we have to wait a minute. Uh all in favor? I opposed. Motion carries.

Um with the interior painting, we currently have a contract with Vorhees. Um for the exterior painting, we would be asking for a change order to include now the interior painting. And that's for all facilities including Fenton the restroom at Fenton Sports Complex for all to be um repainted on the inter on the interior. Um, the total cost for that is an additional $13,666. Anybody have any questions? Are we going to paint it before we do the floor? They request that we do it after. Typically, don't. Are they going to turn the floor up? They are. Okay. Well, then

Yeah, because they're going to do the cove where they're going to come up the side. And he says that they the way they have to tape it that would it could cause damage to the um the new paint. I just hopefully we cover they cover the floor or whatever. I just speckled anyway. The epoxy works and you get messy. Yeah. Don't want to take that chance. And and we have been told that by more than one contractor that they actually can scuff up the walls a little bit. It's possible with the types of them equipment that they're using. I dropped a quart of paint on there and it comes right up.

Anybody else have any questions? If not, I'll make a motion that we go with the change order for the 13,000 and some change with forgies for the paint of the restrooms. Alderman Lang. Second. Motion by Hill, second by Lang. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Another one, Nikki. The next is interior electric. We're currently using our city's on call as needed contractor Bates Electric for the exterior and we're just asking to extend that into the interior. Um that is an additional co an estimated additional cost of $21,200.

That is to make sure each and every restroom will have the motion sensors. They're going to look at all of the vents, the fans, if any of those need to be replaced. Um replace any lights they've identified. Um um what is Oh, and this is for new hand dryers, stainless steel hand dryers in each of the units also. Anybody have any questions?

Do do you do these need to be finals? Um I mean the interior, I guess we could do that. The change order as a final. We can, but I mean the the flooring is going to have to be by ordinance. So, so I mean we can just do it all at at at one time. I can let the contractors know that we're talking two weeks at this point because the flooring we won't be able to do that until by ordinance. Go ahead. Just a quick so would it help you at all if you just did the final that week and let some of them know and start instead of making them all wait? Sure. With the because of the tight time frame just so that

we can start getting scheduled and coordinated. Well, it's we need Yeah, I'll resend my first. Second it. Second. You resend your first. All right. Okay. I'll make a final motion to go with the change order for Vorhees for the 13,000 whatever with change for the um interior restroom paint. Alman Lang, I second again. All right. Alderman Rogers, you pick up on all that. Yep, I got it. Thank you. All right. Uh, any further discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Nikki would uh

and the interior electric. The electric. So, now we got to go with the electric. Do you need a final on that, please? Okay. I'll make a final motion that we go with Bates Electric to do the interior and exterior work at the restrooms remodeling. Under our existing under our existing contract. There you go. Alderman Mazar. I'll make a final second. Uh motion by Hu, second by Mazang. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

Um with the interior plumbing. Again, this is just extending from the um using existing contractors. We use both Merllo and Shamrock. Um we are requesting to move forward with Shabrock under our current contract as the primary provider. However, we would like to have the ability to use Merllo as a backup if need be. um if we need to have two separate units going at the same time or something to that. We just want the availability to still utilize Merllo if needed. You need this to be a final. Okay. I'd like to make a final motion that we go with Shamrock with the understanding as part of our existing contract with the understanding that we can use Merlo also part of our existing contract as a backup.

Okay. Um Alman Harrell, Alman Bryce, let's we'll mix it up. All right. Second by Alman Herrell. Motion by Hugh, second by Harold. We have further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

And the final item is the accessory fixtures um and the install. What this what staff is proposing is that we will purchase the um the fixtures through our our our cooperative bids, our state bids that we're able to get through Global Industries at our cost. We are working with Elite. We currently have a contract with Elite um to do property maintenance. However, I I do want to look into that a little further to make sure that we don't need to amend their contract to include this. But with multiple conversations with them, they have stated they can absolutely perform this work. This wouldn't be an issue because this has been a concern for us is that once all of this is done, getting in and getting all of these new fixtures placed. Um so, what we're asking at this time is that we would the city would purchase the fixtures under our pricing and then have elite um install it. But we can get that bid back to you. that will be the final item. So, we're hoping to have something to you by early April.

So, you just want a regular motion on that? Yes. So, we'll just continue to work with them. The one item I do need a selection on though is the changing the baby changing station is that I've given you two prices. One is for the standard material and the other is just to have the stainless steel backing. That is the only difference if there is any desire one way or the other. And sorry, if you go, you've done the research. What is it telling you? I think personally for the parks I would stay with the standard. Would the stainless be more durable or The only difference is the backing. It's the look of it.

When it's closed, are you Oh, okay. So, when it's open, is there like a a stainless backing and what's so I mean, I just wonder like for sanitary reason. No, from from what we found is the only difference is the shell casing. So, I've heard back where the stainless in the bathrooms like that on the backing, it's gets splashed with water and then it's tough to get those water spots off and it looks dirty because the water dries on or kids splash it or whatever else. I I don't know that the it's worth the Yeah, they're they're more as well.

Yeah, the the expense for this the stain. It's the difference between $311 per unit and $575 per unit and that's at our cost. Did you need a final in this one? I mean I think it's just the consensus is that you guys are okay with as it was presented. Okay. Um so the motion is is to allow elite under our existing contract if they can to install the fixtures once they are in and um them to install them into the restrooms. Correct. And uh to go with the um non-stainless baby changing station. Alman Bright Shaft.

I would second, but I also have a point to make during discussion, please. Oh, ready. Okay. So, um in my Dan, most of these bathrooms are block walls, right? BMU.

Okay. In in my experience, and it's happened hundreds of times, um you put a grab bar on a wall and they hang it on drywall and then it falls off the wall. People pull it off the wall. So, um it might be good to forward think a little bit, make sure that we have a really good substrate there to attach these fixtures to. Um and if it's drywall, we probably should take the time to put some wood backing in there. And that would mean all right our our folks that we're just talking about to maybe look into those situations so that when the time comes and we're all done with finishes, paint, epoxy, all that stuff that they mount this thing on a wall and it's not going to stay.

Yeah, we we've already been discussing that because we do have especially uh sports complex, it's all drywall and the grab bars, they don't match up with the studs. So, we're looking at options. Um, okay.

Those, um, many of these, I will tell you many of these with the grab bars, we are going to utilize the existing if possible if they can be cleaned. We do plan to reutilize those so they don't have to be removed and replaced. We are looking at those. We budgeted I I put in the memo. We budgeted as though we would have to replace it financially. Um, but we are going to try first to stay in clean and most of them except for Fenton Sports Complex are CMU and Westside is the only other one that's not, which by the way, we have been informed that the material within Westside Park can be painted. So, we have scheduled for that to be painted. Terry, do you know if that stainless steel can be uh steel wool and make it come back or No, no, I wouldn't. We'll

probably sure it's not a dull finish. just going to come as a kind of a shiny finish. If you start doing that, you're going to be like a kid in there with a You mean on the grab bars and all that stuff?

Oh, no. Those are usually uh have a um a texture to them. Um you know, for for grabbing purposes, not just something slick what I've seen. So, but in the past too, you know, to make sure that you're solid behind there so that when you put them up, they stay up. So they and so the this thought process on that is if possible we will have them cleaned. If they need to be replaced they will be replaced. Um one final item though I would like to go back to I apologize with the plumbing. Um the bid that is provided to you assumes that they are going to remove and replace each and every fixture. Is that still to keep them uniform throughout the city? If if that's the desire of the board, I mean now is the time to do it. Um, however, they can and and and they've stated that they can absolutely reutilize the existing fixtures as long as they're in good condition.

What would tell us what fixtures? Specifically, the toilets and the sinks. Right. So, didn't we So, my question is if we can reuse some of those fixtures, Dan, I I'm looking at Dan, right? Um, get come on up. Uh, so didn't we replace some of the fixtures like at the what's the one there in front of sports complex? The bathroom. Those are new. Yeah. So we didn't we buy new ones back after 17, right? Yes. Everything was new after 15 flood. So if we can reuse some of those fixtures again. I think we should, but in some cases where the toilets are really lower than the the kid ones where then those need to move on.

Those are definitely I apologize. Those are definitely getting replaced. I'm just making an example, right? But but if if in some of the bathrooms we've put new fixtures in in the last however many years recently after the flood, for example, I think we should reuse the fixture. Any other comments on that? I mean, I agree with it. I agree. As long as they're all the same within that same bathroom. Within the same bathroom. Agreed. Agreed. So it because I guess my question was, do you want them uniform throughout the entire city? I don't think it needs to be uniform throughout. I agree. Just in the bathroom. Yeah. In that bath. No, but just, you know, one bathroom has four different fixtures because they've all been changed at different times. That wouldn't look

That's what Benue Benue But so what I have one more so we're as we go through all this with the plumbing, we're making the fixtures so they uh what's it called? Where they have to they're sprung low where they only stay on for so long. Yeah, it will all be the plan is to rem replace all of the fixtures throughout the city except for the ones at the sports complex with brand new metered and they will all be the same brand. They will all be the same that will be uniform throughout the city. I think we still have a motion and a second on the elite properties. I don't think we voted yet. Okay. Do we have a motion in a second? We do.

I think Alderman Brightchef. Alderman Brightchef. So, all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. I apologize. No, it's fine. Was that it, Nikki? I think so. Okay. Okay. Uh, next item is discussion regarding the city's playgrounds.

And, uh, this will be a com combination of myself and Dan. Um, as the the board um is aware that we did um hire ideal um, sorry, ideal name is me right here. uh play in surface to come in and have to do a certified inspection of our playgrounds. We had we did receive the reports late Monday. Um I have placed copies of the reports in front of you. Feel free to take it home, look through them. Many of the items are very minor. Um what we're finding is most of the units are good. Um they are good for another 5 10 plus years as long as we continue to maintain them. Um there are some minor items that need to be addressed. some of which we do need to contact the installers to make sure to see if there may still be under warranty where we've got some paint issues. Um other things you will see on the list and within these reports are very helpful of their priorities of high low, you know, priority. Um the major items that or the items that were are still going to need discussion that we haven't gotten back yet is going to be regarding the surfacing on some of these playgrounds. The good news is, like I said, it looks like many of the structures are in pretty good shape. Um, some minor repairs, hopefully hopefully maybe some still under warranty. Um, but it may come back that we have um some concerns with the surfacing that was installed. Um, specifically, it is a the rubberized mulch that was used um in some of these areas, but that'll have to be for a further discussion. Um, I mean, if you have any questions regarding this, we can always redis this, but I I think you'll go through this and find that the the report's pretty uh pretty easy to understand and follow. And and again, staff is going to be working diligently to get each and every one of those items addressed. Um, the only the one that we do need to have a little further conversation about though is the one in the rear, the swing set in the

rear of the park. Um it was a combination of what was found with the structure itself which my understanding is that structure is 20 plus 25 years or so old um is wasn't just the structure itself it was the surfacing and the surfacing and that is in the report that you have in front of you is not adequate in its width for the types of swings that it had. Um, we do have in the capital plan this year the idea of the replacement of the that parks or both the playground and the swing set. The question that I have is that are you wanting to right now just fasttrack and start looking at just getting the the swing sets replaced or do you want to go out for full bid to do all items at the same time? And the reason I'm asking this is because I have a feeling the alderman will be receiving a lot of phone calls come this summer when those swing suits are not available. The other option we could we could look at is going back to the vendors that came in and gave us bids in the past for Budwe and just ask for them to give us one or two designs of what they would suggest for the back of the park. Um and and not go out for formal bid. But if you would rather us go out for formal bid, we can get that bid out immediately. Well, is that the one also is that the same one that showed the baby swing didn't have the restraint on?

Correct. So, quite frankly, if people call, it's just like, well, safety comes first, so that's why we had to shut it down. So, absolutely. Too bad, so sad. There's lots of other swings. Oh, it is. It is. All right. find some other things. But there will be a new one soon. Yeah, but you're this is about safety, not about and there's a ton of other things your kids can do other than swing. So, um and in my preference is just why why peacemail it? Just get it done all in one lump song. And Brian's going to be upset if there's no swings.

Yeah, there's no damn it. There's no swings. Uh no, I I I think so. I think first we need to make it safe, right? safety is a priority. Um, so we they identified something to us and we took action and took it out of service uh as we should. But I think that we should kind of uh step on the brakes here just a little bit because I don't want to see us peacemeal the playground back there because you might put some swing set in, right? And then we come back later and want to put the rest of the playground in. So you're performing dirt work or surface work in part of it. And so you've got to bring in all the equipment, do all that, and then you're going to stop and then you're going to say, "Hey, we you might have to take out part of what you just put in and do more surface or prep work when we should really look at the entire area back there." You know, we looked at other areas to put all-inclusive or our activities or uh functions in for people with that have all abilities, right? So that would be a perfect place. It's pretty flat. There's no huge grade change. That parking lot is fairly flat back there. And so I think we ought to step on the brakes here just a little bit and assess the whole area of what that area needs um and prepare or do the whole thing at one time. I just I hate to see us peacemeal it when we're going to constantly do it. We're like, well, we should have waited and did this. Yes, there's no swings. I've already got a couple people that said there's no swings. They're gone. Right. So they want to know when they're going to be put back up and I'm like, no, they're not. But but it's for safety, right? And and so I I I do think that, you know, step on the brakes and based upon what we have, you know, this might be a 27 project, right? With everything that we've got going on.

But won't Budwe have some swings? Budwe will have some swings. Yeah. There was discussion when the swings came up at Bud Wild though that um the ones with the double like if you have a small child and a parent or the ones for would go in the big park instead of them going up here and taking up more space at Budwell. So there was the discussion that when those swings at the time we thought might be replaced that they would be replaced with something a little bit different. So, there is that. Um, are aren't the swings at this particular park we're talking about um kind of separate from the rest of the playground, though? Mhm. They're not really They are not.

I mean, I get your point, Brian, about equipment and this and that, but they're almost like two separate entities. Well, they're not. Yeah, but the it so the the the playground that was there years ago before the current one was uh a little bit larger, more encompassing. It was a little closer to the swings. And if we do an area back there, you know, what are other options? That area is fairly flat. There's not going to be a ton of work, but I I think that we ought to look at the whole thing back there, right? Yeah. I mean, that that playground set that back is back there is fairly lacking.

I kind of think that that a standalone swing set doesn't sound too bad. And here's why. Because that floods back there. So you take the swing sets off or whatever, let the floods come. You know, if you buy one like that's there that's pretty thick metal steel. You know, do you have to necessarily have a playground around the swing set? Let's just put one that got a a number of swing sets and because that does flood back there that that gets a lot of water.

Um, one question and this is in the report that I if you look at the one for the rear um I did ask the inspector to look at this and take into consideration and that is uh I believe the Miracle brand and he said that that swing set could or not the swing set the existing structure that's in the back. If the city would want to move that to a new location it's absolutely doable. It's it's still in a type of condition that it wouldn't be kind of throwing good money after bad if you would want to consider to move that to a different place. The small yes this the playground itself. So that is in the because I wanted him to take a look at that and about how much life it may have left in it and I think he said again it would have at least at least 5 10 plus years as long as we continue to maintain it. So, I guess at this time then my question then would revert to um do you want a little more time to kind of consider this before we even go out to bid and have a f we'll put it on another agenda for for further discussion about what the desires are for that area?

I think so. Okay. Can we just continue this? Is that okay?

Alderman Rogers, you uh you want to weigh in on a jungle gym? Uh, most of them won't hold me up anymore, so I can't really weigh too much on that. Um, no, I I do like the idea of I kind of agree with Alderman Whisrock as far as um kind of thinking it through a little bit before we just jump in and do something. Um, you know, we might wind up just doing the one thing, but uh I think that'd be better done after some thought and uh see if we might want to um you know, do something more uh at least have a bigger plan on the whole thing. So, um so I I agree with continuing. So,

anybody else? Is that it, Nikki? Okay. And then the last thing I wanted to say is that I don't know if anybody's had a chance to get out into the parks, but between the forestry cutting machine and the um two tree services that we have, they've really done a lot of work and and there's a lot of staff members that have been um coordinating with the vendors and the contractors and it just looks really good. And I'm just really proud of this board and the the um putting the time and effort into keeping our parks and getting our parks back to way the way they should, the way they were before. And I just want to thank you guys for that. That's all I have.

I would agree. I we went to Westside last weekend, hiked the trails, and uh Mrs. First Lady Alderman Lang made a comment on how good it looked and how different it looked driving into Westside with all that down. All right. Are you done? I am. I don't want you to have to have rotator cuff surgery or anything, but uh All right. So, we're going to move then to Alderman Jokers with health and safety. I have nothing. We're going to move then to miscellaneous uh consideration of new signage for City Lakes Public Works facilities. Who wants you want to start?

I do want to start. I think that we should Well, this is my opinion. Um, I don't know if you've seen the signs, but the one by Ron's house and now I notice Budweis today, they have got some sort of white something on them. Um, and I just think before we, my opinion, before we go spend thousands of dollars on more signs from this company that we figure out what's going on with the ones we have first.

Yeah, I tend to agree with that. And to take it a step further, you know, I think we have a sign at Westside as you enter the park identifying it. To put another sign up like we these examples would be a little overkill. And if the MDC is has signs available that look better than the ones that we have right now, let them put them up for free. Is that a free thing? I think let them put that up. We we've already identified Westside Park and I the upper Fabic and lower Fabic. We we know the ponds are there. We have the entrance sign that says Fenton at the stone that looks real nice. I I say go back with MDC and just keep make them keep replacing them when they look bad. But I agree with holding off like Alderman Hule said.

Yes. Well, the MDC is going to have to have a sign there anyway with uh regulations and that type of thing, right? So, that's kind of up to them to upkeep those signs, but I kind of agree with the fact that we have a sign at the entrance and we don't have to spell out the names of trails and and lakes and all that. So, curious, uh, do we have to add the in cooperation with Missouri Conservation Department? Well, I think if they provide the signs, we probably do

the No, no, no. They provide the the brown. If they replace it, they'll just replace the brown signs as we have now. If that's if that's And that was the question tonight. If the board just wants them to come out and put new those up, we will contact them and tell them to bring new signs. I think and do that. All right. What else do we have? Uh, you need a motion for that is to have MDC replace the existing signs. Yep. Alman Harrell, I will make that motion. Okay. Do we have Alderman Lang? I'll second. Motion by Harold, second by Lang. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. The other uh we have a that was that a final?

Yes. Let's make that a final. Thank you. Um and then finally the consideration of a resolution supporting and encouraging the control of the invasive species uh on state public uh rights of way. He you've had a chance to read it. I know Alderman Hules is chomping it to be bit to be the sponsor of that. So um Erin, if you would please. Well well we this will Oh yeah. Sorry. I'll make a motion to forward it to the board reading. All right. Alderman Jokers. I'll second it. All right. We have a motion by Hill, second by Jokers. We have further discussion. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Okay.

Executive session. I'd like to make a motion to close the meeting pursuant to section 610.2011, legal actions, cause of action or litigation. One. One. Alman Mazar. I'll second motion by Hules, second by Mazerang. We have further discussion. Hold on. Yes. One. Then we're covered. All in favor? I'm sorry. Roll call, please. Alderwoman Hills. I. Alderman Mazerang. Hi. Alderwoman Jokers. Hi. Alderman Bright Shaft. I. Alderman Lang. Hi. Alderman Whisper. I. Alderman Harrell. Hi.

All right. We'll be back. That's confusing. Yes, please.

Hold motion. She got it.

One. Five. No, they never had it in them to begin with. They just should have stopped. Ridiculous.

Well, they just came back. said the order wrong.