Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

What was it? Good evening and welcome to the uh April 13th today for tax day board and I call this meeting to order. I would ask everyone to rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. I would now ask the city clerk to call role. Alderman Gerber here. Alderman Carter here. Alderman Hughes here. Alderman Canella here. Alderman Sawyer here. and Alderman Schwar here. I have Alderman Freriedman and Alderman Murphy as absent. Mary miss presiding. We do have a question.

Thank you very much. Before I get to the minutes, um just make the statement upon returning from her deployment overseas last year. Officer Rosa Puit submitted a request for the city of town and country to be recognized for our support of her and the 1140th Engineer Battalion to which he was assigned during Operation Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Officer Puit's request was accepted and reviewed and we are honored to welcome Colonel Edrismacher with the United States Army Office of Employer Support Guard and Reserve to speak on behalf of the United States Army. It's my honor to and thank you for inviting us and want to do this. Um, back in 1973 when we uh did away with the draft, the National Guard and the Army Reserve and all the reserve components became a larger component of the Department of Defense. is now Department of War. We now make up over 50% of the uh entire Department of Defense. And at any given time, the National Guard alone has between 50 and 60,000 people deployed worldwide with all commitments. Now that does it does us as taxpayers a great advantage because it only takes 17th to uh the dollars to train and sustain uh people like Sergeant Crew whereas on the active duty it cost so much more and you're rotating the people constantly throughout the world. So this helps uh

the entire department of war and the entire defense of the United States. However, it does put a strain on you as the uh employers and uh those who have those individuals working for you. Even though we the uh only 1% of our population belongs to the military, that still is a big chunk. and uh you have to give up your your time their uh your time with them so they can go do their training and also their deployments in times of emergency. Now the National Guard of course has done this through all the uh national or natural disasters and that kind of stuff. But uh we also now are doing so much deploying especially in the last 20 years as you've seen we've been spread all over the world. So we really want to thank uh our employers for taking care of our people and allowing them to get their training. And uh every so often we get um someone like Chief Wilkey that actually supports and helps their people to better perform their duties not only at their own home station but also in their training and for their deployments. And uh but before I give uh Chief Wilkey his certificate, I want to give you also a statement of support. It is signed by the Secretary of War. And uh Chief, if you can sign it on this side and then put it wherever you want to put it in your uh facility. That's uh we really appreciate

what you do.

YEAH. THIS IS THE ACTUAL AWARD. It's called the uh patriot award. Patriot employer patriotic employer. And I also have a a pen that goes on your lapel somewhere along the line. But please thank you so much for taking care of our soldiers. Thank you. APPRECIATE I did want to say something really quick. Um, not just Chief, but the whole city of town and country and a whole bunch of my fellow co-workers here that are still working here and have moved on did a lot for me while I was overseas and a lot for I call them my kids, but the soldiers that fall below me. Um, just getting packages. I know Chief and his wife had sent some letters for Christmas and birthdays and stuff like that and it always somehow would fall in in the most um aggravating times. We I'd either get a Facebook message or something from somebody here that just kept pushing me and the kids along to keep doing our duties and carrying on our mission. There are a lot of times I felt like it was very dooming over there and uh it was hard to look forward to the future than than sitting there sulking in the now. and all of you guys here with your support support of town and country chief and everybody else that works here did a lot for me and the entire battalion as a whole. So thank you very much for THAT

and certainly Rosa myself and the entire board. Thank you for your service to this country. Thank you very much. We have to talk about the minutes from the March 23rd meeting. I seek a motion and second to approve. So second. Any discussion on amendment? All in favor say I have adopting those. Do we have any citizens?

No sir. Thank you. We do not have a public hearing. I'd like to announce this on her appointment. I'd like to announce my intent to la Angel to the public commission at the next meeting and those applications have been distributed to you. I now seek the board's confirmation on two appointments. First is for police, fire, and EMS commission and Rachel Stark. Seek a motion and second to approve. Second. Any discussion or amendment? All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Next for the architectural review board, Danielle Salt House. I see a motion and second to approve.

Second. Any discussion or amendment? All in favor say I. I'm sure she'll be great addition to your And for parks and trails commission both Laur and Hard Tamoka I see the motion and second to approve. So move second. Any discussion or amendment? All in favor say I. No one's opposed. So those are all approved. Thank you. At this point I do recognize the board's opportunity to provide reports. All in order.

Okay. For the PF commission, first off, I would like to mention the uh first responders can team who were uh who showed up at the event on Arlington Oaks a few weeks ago. And what they are, they're an organiz volunteer an organization 100% funded by donations and they provide beverages, food, and I think fans that day was a kind of a hot day. no charge to anybody. It's And then again, it's they're funded 100% by donations. And if you would like to donate to them, please contact the police department and they'll give you the information on how you can get that taken care of. Uh secondly, we have our quarterly PF meeting a week from tomorrow, April 21st at 4:30 in the community room at which time we will give everyone who shows up. Of course, everybody's invited and nobody's going to show. I know that. That's okay. Uh but if there are any guests, you're going to get demonstrations and on the capabilities of our new radar trailer message board. Uh as well as one of our newly built police patrol vehicles. So we've been voting for these things. So hey, show up, take a look. Uh we also have one action item, but that at present time, and if you show up, you'll find out what it was. And that's all I got. Thank you, Alderman Consult. Thank you, mayor. The planning and zoning commission will meet this coming Wednesday, April 15th, at 7 pm and has the following things to be reviewed. A conditional use permit for a swimming pool at 13751 Belfrest Court, the acceptance of the streets for the estates at Town and Country Crossing subdivision for public maintenance, and the amendment of zoning code requirements related to public or

permanent open space. All welcome. Thank you. All been used.

Thank you, mayor. The architecture review board met on April 6th and the following items were approved. A new house at 12334 Wildlife Trail, a new house at 13309 Buckland Hall. In addition, prior to the start of the meeting, the board received a presentation from a ninth grader at Principia High School and Kaj, if I'm pronounced it correctly, I hope so. Neg about his and his classmates efforts to promote the use of solar energy to in furtherance of the St. Louis County comprehensive plan. He did a great job. The next meeting of the architecture review board will be held on Monday, May the 4th at 5:30m here at the municipal center. We will consider a new home at 12327 Wildlife Trail, a an addition at 39 Mirfield Drive, an addition at 1112 Sheffield Manor Court, a new house at 29 Belly Country Club grounds, and finally an addition at 849 Salt Mill, it's the City Maintenance Annex. And as I say every time, all are welcome. Thank you.

Hughes, did that ninth grader have an opinion on solar panels in front or back? We we didn't get a chance to ask. Okay, good. Uh there's a public works meeting uh scheduled for next Monday the 20th at 6:30 depending on the quum. We have it. Yeah, we're good. Oh, okay. There we go. And again, when is that? Next. Next Monday the 20th. That's 6:30. Okay. Here at city hall. Okay. Short. Uh, yes, Mayor. Alderman Murphy. I said I also report report that parks and trails commission will meet Monday, April 20 20th at 6:30 p.m. at Long View.

Uh, one of their topics is discussion of the pedestrian pathway plan uh and updates to that. And then also he asked that we report that the first concert will be this Friday from 6:00 to 8 at Town Square. Uh the band Hub and the Heavy Hearts will perform blues and Southern Soul. Uh food trucks, drinks, and sponsor booths will be on site. Then I had one other item uh just to let the board know and anybody else. The uh bid specs for the maintenance annex are out on the street. deadline is April 30th. We'll review those contractor proposals and be bringing uh contracts forward to the board of alderman.

Do we have any idea how much a response there's been so far? We have not had any response. They mailed out about 60. Okay. Uh and would hope to get between four and six good proposals preid tomorrow. Pre-bid meeting tomorrow. Thanks, Tom. Okay. Great. Thank you. Um, I now would recognize the board's opportunity to ask questions on the February payable report.

Thank you, Mayor Bob. I noticed there were a number of items on the payables report related to the SLIT shoe reimbursement. Probably about 15 of them, each one for roughly $50. I called you about that, asked you about it. You explained to me that's part of an insurance uh health benefit that is made available to the employees, but it does get reimbured, does it not? Absolutely. So, these are all expenses that will ultimately get wiped. Correct. Yep.

Beautiful. Thank you. Also, I noticed that there was a uh there was a fairly sizable charge for repairing the solar panels, almost $700 worth, and we had recently heard from Nate, but they felt that removing the solar panels to repair the roof, it would no longer be worth it to put them back on. The cost for doing so would not be worthwhile. So, why spend $700 to repair them today when they're going to be pitched in about a year? And actually the um Mr. Ray is going to look into that. We believe the actual C five of the panels were not producing. So uh it's worth our while to continue to be able to generate the energy from these panels while they're up there. The recommendation is once you take them off, it's not worth putting new ones up. And you certainly wouldn't put the old ones back on there because they're end of life. obviously in need of repair is why we wouldn't put those back up and the cost of new ones is not generating the kind of offset to make it worthwhile.

Yes. And and in fact, you gave me the numbers that would help to shed some light on that, right? And it's generating roughly a $2,328 savings you said on average per year. It all depends on the weather and how much air conditioning and so forth is used. But anyway, $2,300 or so dollars with about $5 to $700 worth of maintenance every year. So, the net effect is you're getting about $1,600 to $1,800 worth of savings on electricity in this building. And then when you research the annual cost for electricity in this building at 45,000, it looks like we're getting about a half a percent or less, right, of value from them today.

Yeah. which helps to understand why you wouldn't work hard to put them back on. Right. Correct. Thank you. I'm all for solar energy, but Right. Right. That doesn't seem like it's doing much. The numbers have to work. Thank you. You know, if we didn't turn the air conditioner on, that percentage might increase. Wouldn't lights. We have one item under unfinished business, bill number 26-12, sponsored by Alderman Murphy. Without objection, will the city clerk read bill number 2605 for the second time?

Bill number 2612 is an ordinance authorizing a supplemental agreement with SWT Design for additional services associated with the preservation park pickle ball and bike playground project construction documents and construction administration and amending the 2026 budget by increasing a parks and storm water fund expenditure account and appropriating funds to cover the increase. Thank you. I seek a motion and a second to approve. move. Second. Any discussion on amendment? Aldering Gerber.

Yes. Um I noticed that the reason for this increase is MSD again has changed its opinion on something we're doing. And as I I've only been here a short time, but it seems this is the second or third time that NSD has done this for us. Um what can we do about that? I mean, it seems like we're just taking it every time. Is there anything we can do to get them to commit to something earlier than just to come and have because we've already voted on everything. They already have a fixed number in our minds and all of a sudden keep getting hit with an extra. So is there anything we can do about that?

Yeah, I did speak with a civil engineer today that said this is not uh isolated at town and country that they find this in other uh municipalities and other projects both on the private and public side. just it's the the process MSD goes through in their review. Uh and you know sometimes items change so it's not unique to us. That wasn't exactly my question. I'm thinking you got

I'm happy to ask that. Uh the best advice that we've been given, other cities as Bob mentioned are dealing with this is to take our prop our estimated our anticipated costs for MSD and at least double them on projects. They won't they don't do a preliminary review before you have a project to submit. So, it's hard to have an upfront estimate. Our engineers and designers give us an upfront estimate. However, based on the most recent experiences, we're learning that they have been far more expensive than we anticipated.

I'm going to be good to ask our city attorney. Um my experience limited um arguing with them is not very I they're worse than bod. You're right.

Yes, sir. They have a track record of being second-guessing themselves, but they also have a track record of winning every argument they create. I mean, frankly, I I I shouldn't be so angry with them because they're very faithful because everything that happens is an act of God. It's not their fault. I mean, it's it's just the truth of it. It just is. I've seen so many times on TV were floods or sewers, basement flooded, and the MSD spokesman's out there saying, "Hey, what us?" It's just an act of God. You know, and that's the truth. I've never seen them. If you find an article in the post that says, "Yeah, MSD said, "Yeah, we screwed up here. We'll take care of it." Let me know. But good point. But it just it's it's kind of fighting a bill. Mayor, quick question. Sure. Can someone explain for maybe the public? Are they a governmental agency or are they considered a utility?

They're a private utility. A private utility. Private utility. MSD is a political subdivision created by the state of Missouri and uh operates, levies its own taxes, has a governing structure. Its members are appointed by I believe the mayor and the county executive if I'm not mistaken and they operate as a separate political subdivision and government agency. They are not subject to u the regulatory authority of the Missouri public service commission as as our private utilities.

Thank you.

Okay. Um, obviously MSD kind of has us over a barrel. Uh, we have to do this or the project can't go forward. If the project doesn't go forward, we lose the grant. We lose the grant. We're probably not going to get any more grants. So, our hands are kind of tied on that one. Um, one thing I was pointing out and I spoke with both Ann and Joanne in the budget 2026 budget, uh, it showed a total of 579455. Uh, and then on the bill it shows it's about $120,000 increase total. I found out that there was some incumbrances that we spent or we had budgeted in 2025. Oh, go ahead, Jan, please. I grabbed my papers out of my office. So, if you don't mind, I'll explain to you why those differences exist. Okay.

So, we had in the 5year CIP 579,455 for 2026 for preservation park or the pickle ball um and bike playground. However, what we didn't put in the fiveyear CIP, but we had in the budget separate was $80,000 for the preservation MSD BMP. So, we already had in the 2026 budget that amount because we became aware of what we thought it was going to be, but unfortunately now we realize it's still not enough. And so, that's why we're asking for $36,000 more dollars.

Okay, that makes sense. And then when you look at it too though, overall our net cost on this whole project is $234,455. And for that we're getting four pickle ball courts. We're getting a brand new playground. We're getting bike trail. Uh so it's not really a bad investment. It's not bad at all. I'm pretty sure Green Country spent 700,000 for two quarts, right? And they're not even used. Yeah. All right. Any other discussion? If not, I'd ask the city clerk for a roll call. Alderman Sawyer. Hi. Alderman Schwar. Hi. Alderman Gerber. Hi. Alderman Hughes.

Hi. Alderman Harter. Hi. And Alderman Canella. Hi. The bill passes unanimously. Becomes ordinance number 4740. Next. Moving on to new business. Most of these I think will be sponsored by the board as a whole. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill for the first time? Bill number 2613 is an ordinance accepting the bid and authorizing an agreement with Sweden's stealing services for the 2026 crack stealing program.

Thank you. This bill number 2613 is continued to the meeting of Monday, April 27th, 2026 with a second consideration. Next is bill number 26-14. Also, I believe sponsored by the board as a whole. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill for the first time? Bill number 2614 is an ordinance authorizing the city administrator to execute an agreement with various St. Louis County municipalities relative to public works mutual aid assistance in emergency situations.

Thank you. This bill number 2614 is also continued to be approved in Monday, April 2, 2026 for the second reading and consideration. Next, bill number 26-15. Perhaps sponsored by a woman Sawyer. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill for the first time? Bill number 2615 is an ordinance authorizing the city administrator to engage UNMB bank for the provision of primary banking services on behalf of the city of Town Country for a period of not less than 5 years.

Thank you. Bill number 2615 is continued also to the meeting of Monday, April 27th, 2026. Second reading consideration. Next, bill number 26-16 sponsored by the board as a whole. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill for the first time? Bill number 2616 is an ordinance authorizing the city administrator to execute a letter agreement with her and Chiffron for engineering and surveying services associated with the Drace Park and Long View Farm Park sidewalk replacement project.

Thank you. Bill number 26:15 is continued to the meeting Monday, April 27, 2026. Second reading consideration. Next, an approval of a liquor license to be issued to Wallace Petroleum for package liquor and Sunday package liquor license for the remainder of the license year ending June 30th, 2026. I seek a motion and second to approve. So move second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Thank you. I um do not have any other business, but would open up to the alderman if there's anything they would like to bring to our attention. And I would seek a motion and second to adjurnn. So move second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Thank you for your attention and attendance.