City Council - Regular Meeting

We're live. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the March 23rd, 2026 meeting of the University City Council to order. Madame Clerk, would you please call the role? Council member Teamman present. Council member McMahon here. Council member Briner present. Council member Fuller here. Council member Smotherson. I see council member Clay has arrived. Mayor Crow here. Glad see glad to see you this evening. Uh before you you have the agenda. Uh are there any changes uh to the agenda? Honorable Mayor Cro, I'd like to request the removal of item L2 at this time.

Thank you very much. The uh acting city manager asked to remove L2 from the agenda this evening. I know we have some folks that are requesting to speak. You're still welcome to come up by all means and speak on on it. That'd be just fine. Is there any any um council member Brener, you have your light on? Oh, there's been a a request to amend the agenda. Uh all those in all those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying I. All those opposed? Now you have before you amended agenda. Is there a motion to approve? Motion made by council member McMahon. Second by council member Fuller. Is there discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I I

opposed. The eyes have you have before you the proclamation for Arbor Day. I think all the members have signed it. Just letting everyone know. Uh you have we have no minutes to approve, no appointments. Uh we had two swearings in uh Karen Palmer and Emily Johansson. We'll now come to our first section of citizen participation. For those of you in the audience, if you'd like to speak on an item, either just on any item or on an agenda item, there are signup sheets right by the door, please fill it out and bring it and put it in the bin in front of the city clerk. When you come to the microphone, uh please give your name and address and each person who speaks has five minutes. This particular section has a total of 15 minutes. If we don't get to everybody in the order that you put your request in, then we will do you at the second part of cit citizen participation later in the uh evening. Our first request to speak is Patrick Fox. I didn't have to. She made the change. What? What do I need to do to correct?

A motion and a second on the amendment of the agenda. I apologize. I've been schooled and I apologize. Motion made by council member Team and seconded by council member Briner. We good on that one? Thank you very much. I apologize for that. Mr. Fox.

Hello. My name is Patrick Fox. I live at 1309 Purdue. I wanted to take an opportunity as a third world resident to share my frustration with a plan for the use of tiff funds discussed at the last city council meeting. Some of the options that were proposed while on the surface sound good if implemented would further divide and create an inequity if implemented. I'll start with my comments with anecdotal information and lay out some of the facts. The 10th season of HBO's comedy series enthusiasm had a story arc in which the main character played by Larry David had a terrible experience at a coffee shop and decided to open up a competing coffee shop next door. The premise was that it was called a spite store. I, as a University City resident, might be a spiteful shopper when it comes to those businesses collecting TIFF revenue. And here's why. Some of the options being considered to support third homeowners include limitations or restrictions based upon household income. This is odd, because at no point did the Third Wing and Revitalization Task Force ever formally vote that income of homeowners be considered in what they recommended. What came before this council seems to be yet another series of city employees interpreting and modifying a public body's recommendation. In fact, from the individual who spoke at the last meeting, one option was removed entirely from the packet being presented. How peculiar. When comparing those proposals to existing initiatives the city has, it's hard to make a connection. The facade program that uses EDRST funds doesn't factor income of the property owner at all in its awards. It, like the tiff, generates revenue from sales tax. Why this proposed program would do things differently does not make sense. In fact, some property under the facade program has been awarded multiple times, and some projects that use those funds also are mixed properties with partial residential rental property, essentially giving awards to landlords of residential apartments. I purposely deferred some projects on my home in the third ward because I believe that as a third W resident, I would have the same opportunity as anyone else in the third ward. If there are restrictions that reduce or eliminate my eligibility, I will have no choice but to become that spiteful shopper and encourage others to be spiteful shoppers and visit Costco in Manchester and Target in Brentwood,

which I personally hate, but they are point of sale sales tax cities. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next request to speak is Sean Baldwin. And if you'll push the button on the bottom of the microphone window.

Hello, my name is Sean Baldwin and I live at 744 Syracuse Avenue, apartment 1N. I'm here to speak on behalf of a group of concerned citizens, several of whom are here tonight. Right now, US residents are facing an unprecedented attack from the federal government. The Trump administration has made it clear they want to deport 100% of people without legal status by any means necessary. We are seeing this happen in cities across America, not just to people without legal status, but permanent residents and citizens, too. Despite this administration's misinformation campaign, the abductions by ICE, CBP, and other agencies are not about public safety. Just ask the families of Brian Garzone Rio and Leo Crusila, whose loved ones died in ICE custody here in Missouri. This is not about the law either. We've seen ICE and other federal agents completely ignore people's constitutional rights, breaking into homes and cars without a judicial warrant and attacking people who are legally observing. As alarming as this direct assault has been, these harms aren't just coming from federal law enforcement, and they're not only happening in cities like Minnesota or LA. This violent operation would not be possible without the cooperation and support of local jails and police departments. Here in the St. Louis region, 82% of all ICE detention start with re routine interactions with local police. Traffic stops in St. Anon and Oalon, Missouri led to Joseé Morales called Ran and Victor Lopez Delara being detained. And those are just two of the most well-known examples.

While University City does not have a 287g agreement with ICE, we are surrounded by more and more communities who have signed such agreements. And these include Hillsdale, Breen Ridge Hills, Country Club Hills, and Woods and Terrace. The threat of ice is closing in on all sides. Along with people losing their lives, quality of life life is also disappearing. People have begun to shelter in place in their homes. Parents choosing to keep their children home from school. families struggling to pay bills when the bread winner gets detained and can't support them anymore. This is also violence causing real damage to our communities. We support the sentiments passed in resolution resolution 20261 which speaks to the critical role that local government plays in combating white supremacy and the discrimination behind these immigration policies that harm our community. But we must ask what's next? What is this city council doing to face this quiet crisis head on and support our neighbors who are most at risk? What commitments will you make so every resident feels safe enough to leave their home and our community remains united? The answers to these questions matter and we ask your answers come in the form of decis indecisive action. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next request to speak is Todd Dean.

Right. There you go.

There we go. Hi. U My name is Todd Dean. I live at 7301 Dorset Avenue. I would like to thank Mayor Crowe and the city council members for listening and responding to resident comments related to the flock safety camera expansion in University City and removing it from the agenda for this evening. I'm speaking today on behalf of a group of concerned residents who have recently started following this issue closely. We appreciate your willingness to pause and consider the implications of this expansion. I want to briefly highlight some of the main points our group members shared in emails to the city council for folks in attendance tonight to hear. First, flock cameras collect license plate and other data and share it across a national database, which means data collected here in University City could be accessed by agencies throughout the US, including those with 287G cooperation agreements with ICE. This creates potential risk for our residents regardless of our local policies. We're troubled by the lack of evidence showing that these cameras actually reduce crime, by the potential for misuse or abuse of this location tracking technology and by the serious security vulnerabilities these cameras have. Despite collecting enormous amounts of sensitive data, uh we are also concerned about transparency issues with how these technologies are used and governed in our city. We understand that many businesses may still feel the need for some form of surveillance. We are actively researching this issue and speaking with citizen groups in other communities who are addressing similar challenges, including those who worked to remove flock cameras in the Dutchtown Community Improvement District. We're committed to work with city council to develop

thoughtful alternatives that balance safety with privacy and civil liberties. Ultimately, we ask that University City invest in community programs that res that resource and uplift citizens and strengthen trust and relationships among residents as an alternative to increasing to increase policing and surveillance. If an alternative technology is identified, we strongly urge the city to establish clear policies, ensure public oversight, and maintain complete transparency about her how surveillance data is collected, accessed, and used. We want to continue working together with the council to develop solutions that truly enhance community safety while protecting the rights and privacy of all residents. We look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration on this important issue. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Our next request to speak is Tom Sullivan. Tom Sullivan, 751 Syracuse. There are still numerous dumpsters on the east end of the city that need new covers. This presents a health hazard as it attracts rats and allows leakage from garbage garbage when it rains. There are still utility wires hanging down in places. If city inspectors drove through the alleys once in a while, they might be surprised at what they find. There still needs attention to missing covers at the base of street light poles. If a youngster would happen to put his hand in one, they could be electrocuted. Kingsland Avenue needs a lot of attention. It should be a showplace street, but instead it's a mess from one end to the other. Just recently, the temporary detour around the loop construction highlighted a traffic problem. For those making a ride on Delmare from Kingsland, there's a signal box by the traffic lights with a sign next to it that says right turn signal. It doesn't work, so traffic gets backed up when motors sit and wait for a signal that never comes. I mentioned this years ago. Right by the traffic signal is a Rainman sculpture that currently has no rain. The basin the sculpture the sculpture sits in has deteriorated as has the area around it. The bricks need tuck pointing. The benches are in bad shape and there's a planter that has not had nothing planted in it for years. The former Cisero used to be on the corner in the loop's most prominent building. It is now into the eighth year. The space has been vacant. The entrance to the big number four parking lot and the kings on the king on the Kingsland side of the lot are still a mess. There used to be nice trees and shrubs on the side, but no more. This is a bad look for the city. It's puzzling that the median on Kingsland is still mostly devoid of shrubs or flowers. Toward the north end, there is one remaining tree of the four puny ones that were planted there years ago. It

appears to be dying. The county may be responsible for the medium, but doubt they will want to improve the appearance. There are still four lights out at Olive and Kingsland. They have been out for eight months or longer. This is one of the busiest intersections in the city. There's another street light out nearby on Chamberlain, right across from Shelley Walsh Park, which has no lighting. There needs better striping on Kingsland and places north of Olive. The renovated police station will be dedicated this week, and you will all likely wear your arms out, patting each other on the back. What it really demonstrate is the incompetence of city management in recent years and the steep price that taxpayers have to pay along with the city's misplaced priorities. The cost of moving the police to the temporary trailer park, which was entirely avoidable, is probably in the many millions of dollars, much more even than the $1 million is costing for the quote free dirt. At the same time, many needs in the city have gone unmet. Thank you for listening to my comments.

Thank you. Our last request to speak is Mr. Glickert. Steve Lickard 7750 Blackberry. Mr. Crow, I was uh sent a copy of the your campaign literature in the uh an email from a friend of mine. Uh many of the claims mentioned are uh dubious at best. uh as was quite shocked and insulted by the claims on how this pertains to my situation uh which has been a long and arduous task of getting you and the former city manager to actually deliver on paying for the zoning enforcement. Uh that's a budgeted service that has been uh successfully delivered for decades by previous administrations but has taken a serious dive under your leadership and damage uh the damage as a result uh has been catastrophic. You claim to be a common sense problem solver. Uh where has that been for the last eight years? Um is that a recent uh recently acquired talent? At no time in the last year uh eight years have you offered that talent. In fact, in the last eight years, you've offered nothing. Completely silent on all 40 visits that I've been here on this subject. No comments. Also, no response or replies to the countless emails that I've sent. No suggestions, no recommendations, no solutions, absolutely no contribution. In fact, if uh you weren't a problem solver at all, you were actually a significant part of the problem. You also claim to be focused on core city services to keep all neighborhoods safe, clean, and strong.

You nor the city manager ever focused on zoning enforcement. By the way, zoning enforcement happens to be a core city service. And you surely haven't kept the neighborhoods uh clean, that's for sure. You also claimed to be a professional and responsive. 12 times I asked um you and the city manager a question. It was a simple question. I asked why you aren't you utilizing a specific code. I asked it four times right here in this very chamber while submitting a copy of the code into the minutes. I referenced the code numerous times in countless emails. I've asked the same question eight more times in those emails. You never replied. Your city manager neglected to answer until finally on the 12th attempt two years later. Is that professional or responsive? Two years in a row I submitted my concerns via the link provided by the city for the state of the city address. Both times my concerns were never entertained. I'm sure you'll say that there were time constraints or had an overwhelming response and couldn't get to all the questions. That's fine. You knew the you knew who the question was from. Your city manager could have followed up the next day or so, but again, there was nothing. You also state that you're delivering results for the entire community while looking out for our neighbors. Does that look like you're delivering results the entire for the entire community? Is this how you look out for our neighbors? forcing them to look at and live adjacent to deplorable properties. Does this look safe or clean? I have plenty plenty more of these. A ton of them. In closing, Mr. Crowe,

I can't believe that you of all people had the audacity to criticize Circle K and Seafood City for being a bad business partner and a bad neighbor. You need to look in the mirror, Mr. Crow. Both you and the city manager or former city manager, the two of you combined, significantly damaged an entire neighborhood. You're considerably worse than Circle K and Seafood City. And if you had if you'd ever go over there for once and witness these conditions, you'd see who the worst partner is. Everything I've shared here tonight is true. You and that city manager have behaved atrociously and your performance is been uh been terrible. This has escalated and raised the temperature uh of my anger. Meanwhile, your negligence and non-feasence on the core city service has seriously devastated our community. And for any one of the people in the audience tonight who would like to see the pictures of the mayor and this former city manager's wonderful work, I will gladly share them with you. They're the real deal and the images show the truth. That concludes our citizen comments for the evening. We'll now move forward to council comments. Are there any council comments at this juncture of the agenda? Hearing none, we'll move forward. There is no public hearing. You have before you a consent agenda, which is items K one, two, three, and four. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Motion made by council member Brener. Is there a second? Seconded by council member Teeman. Is there discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

Opposed. The eyes have it. on the city manager report. Are there any updates this evening? No updates.

Thank you very much for this evening. We have no unfinished business. We have no new resolutions. We have uh introduction of bill excuse me introduction of the bill. Is there a uh who wants who would like to introduce introduced by Mr. Fuller? Madam clerk, may we have the first reading? Bill 9580, an ordinance amending section 600.090 of the University City Municipal Code relating to classification of intoxicating liquor licenses, fees, terms, and regulations so as to allow the issuance of an intoxicating liquor license to certain performing arts schools.

Thank you very much. We have before uh another bill which I don't have the number in front of me. Is there some would someone like to introduce council member Briner? Madame clerk, could you please read it? First reading. Bill 9581, an ordinance amending chapter 215 article 14 of the University City Municipal Code relating to miscellaneous offenses by enacting therein a new section to be known as section 215.2360 2360. Entertainment devices offering monetary prizes prohibited. Thank you very much.

Under council reports and business, do any members of council have a report. Council member Briner.

Thank you. Um I am I I passed out the uh forestry commission report from 2025. um they would like me to read one slide to you. Um the major major issues identified for the year. Um that forestry staff consists of two persons in the field. Often this is not sufficient to support needed maintenance, let alone improvement of our KPIs, key performance indicators. B. Forestry equipment is old and needs updating. C. There are 795 planting sites where trees have been removed and have not been replaced. There are 462 planting sites in 2023. There were 462 planting sites in 2023. So this is an increase. There are 519 state county trees within UC city that are not managed except for removal and storm damage cleanup. Outreach to the community regarding the they didn't write this right. I'm sorry. Outreach to the community um has begun and we intend to increase it in the upcoming year. And um a comment that current storm cleanup policy for major storms detracts from for forestry's daily mission. Um, they would also like to have feedback from the council on how often you want a report given by the actual commission. We don't have to, you know, like we can decide that later, but like in general for commissions that don't necessarily have direct like planning commission has direct votes that impact us. This these commissions don't. So they want to know like how often you want them to come forward to make a formal presentation. Um so that is my report with that along with um announcing that on April 3rd from 8:30 to 10:30 uh they will be celebrating Arbor Day um the forestry commission

will be joining with the high school environmental club and ecoact to plant some trees along Wilson Avenue and anybody can go. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other members have any reports? Hearing none. Madam clerk, do we have any other requests to speak at this time? There are none.

Thank you very much. Are there any council comments this evening? Council member Teeman. Thank you, honorable mayor. Um, first of all, I want to thank the citizens that have um come forward to speak about this flocks matter. as as you know, I was the person that asked that this be um held. And what I want to make clear to people is through comments that were made by citizens and other people, the amount of doubt about this is almost overwhelming. And I was able to uncover this doubt with almost a cursory uh search I was able to find out that among the places that have rescended their contract with um flocks is Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Flagstaff, Cambridge, Eugene, Oregon, Santa Cruz, Flagstaff, and H Hillsboro in North Carolina. I was able to talk to about a half a dozen uh alderman and council types that I've run into uh today by by pure chance and there's considerable doubt among our some of our neighbors about this. I was also able to talk to two mayors and in at least one case their city rescended their contract with Fox. I'm open to any and all suggestions and that's what I want to make clear and and that's what I that's that's the way in which I wish to proceed. You know, please understand that I'm not against safety measures. I'm not against the notion that we can use cameras in places where there is absolutely no expectation of privacy to use term of art from our our our legal brothers and sisters. I question the contract.

I question flaws. Nor am I saying that my questions cannot be answered satisfactorily. And nor am I saying perhaps perhaps I'm wrong about all of this. But until we know more, this is something which we need to dialogue a lot about because in just a short amount of time, I've heard from a half a dozen of my constituents, our constituents. I've heard I got an email from the mayor of Evston uh about this uh nor is this and and I hope people don't think this is some fly by night thing that you know the mayor of Evston is also running for congress this year. I mean these are you know um substantial folks. Um anyway I simply want to say that that I think we need to dialogue much more about this given the amount of doubt that I was able to uncover within 48 hours. Thank you for taking time for my words.

Any other comments for members of council? Hearing none, I would welcome a motion to go into close session according to Missouri Revised Statute 610.021, legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential privilege communications between a public governmental body or its representatives or attorneys. Is there such a motion? Motion made by council member Te and is there a second? Seconded by council member McMahon. Ma. Madam clerk, would you please call the role? Council member Teeman. Yes. Council member McMahon. I. Council member Briner. I. Council member Fuller. Hi. Council member Smotherson. Council member Clay. Hi. Mayor Crow. I. Thank you very much for joining us this evening.