Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

She's All right. Thank you. Welcome to the January 26, 2026 board of alderman meeting. I now call this meeting to order. And before we rise for the pledge of allegiance, I want to recognize I believe Patrick Stein is here today. I believe you're soon to be an Eagle Scout tonight. You're working on your communication. Mayor Badge, is that correct?

In troop 323, [snorts] welcome. And we start our meetings with the pledge of allegiance. We all stand. And I would like you to help start us on that 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. [clears throat]

And that's quite an accomplishment to become legal scouts. It takes a lot of work probably too. Um, so congrats on that. Well done. Well done. Um, I would ask the city clerk to call the role for attendance. Alderman Freriedman here. Alderman Gerber here. Alderman Harter here. Alderman Hughes here. Alderman Canella here. Alderman Murphy here. Alderman Sawyer here. And Alderman Schwar here. Mayor Remis presenting him. We do have a quum.

Thank you. Um before we get to approving them, just a few comments. Um, one is that the um, police appreciation dinner and and for retired uh, workers from here on Saturday night was as long view was very nice and it's a again not a surprise or secret. We surely have a wonderful police force led by a wonderful chief. We really do. So, that was a a great evening. Um, I also like to um, you know, I kind of like living in Missouri because we have four seasons and I'm sort of done with winter. Um but our our folks did a great job. Um I mean obviously we contract out some of the smoking but we have our own folks who do this internally and they have done a yman a yman job and as they always do. So I I want to give a shout out to those folks too. And then um finally um Jim Haven who was an alderman here for many years and also served on planning and zoning for a long time. um obviously had a long life because he was 98 when he passed. But this was po I did not know Mr. Haven and his passing was pointed out to me by Fred Men Smith who also been an old man also in BC also been very involved in and helping take care of the city and in a minute I'm going to ask him to come up and say a few words about Mr. Haven. I also wanted to thank former mayors Dalton and M for being here tonight also and that for that reason and I think um Walby and Ponds if I'm correct um thank you also for being here so Mr. Smith, [clears throat] the podium is yours, and I thank you for coming to do this tonight.

Thank you, Mayor. It's a privilege uh and I very much appreciate your invitation to speak tonight. Good evening to the members of the board. Uh I know Jim Haven very well and treasure my interactions with him. Jim was a resident of Town and Country for 57 years and he died just two weeks ago at the age of 98. He was an accomplished professional, a devoted public servant, and a consumate gentleman. I would submit that if you went to Webster's dictionary to look up the definition of gentleman, you would find Jim's picture there. Regardless of the subject and regardless of the surrounding circumstances, Jim was also always thoughtful and very patient and very genuine in his comfortable down home style. I'd like to introduce a couple of people who've joined me tonight. And first and foremost is Jim's daughter Joy Howry and her husband Harry and their daughter Elise. Well, I spent some time with Harry and and Joy just recently and um Jim was a consumate gentleman and a real asset to this city. Indeed, we're fortunate to have a dad of that caliber. Um [clears throat] I said he was an accomplished professional. So allow me to dimensionalize that by citing just a few

of the highlights of his resume. Jim graduated from Washington University with a degree in industrial engineering and later earned his MBA from that institution. [snorts] [clears throat]

He served in the US Army and had deployments in Japan and China. Following active duty, he served for 15 years in the reserves and retired with an honorable discharge as major in the US Army specializing in artillery. Following his active service, he spent 40 years at Union Electric. During those 40 years, he held executive positions including manager of industrial development, secretary and treasurer, vice president of regional operations, vice president of transmission and distribution, vice president of engineering and construction, and vice president of research and development. You might begin to wonder if Jim had trouble holding down a job during those 40 years. [clears throat] I stated that he was a devoted public servant. So, let me dimensionalize that during his life he was president and director of the St. Louisis County Industrial Development Authority for four years. President of the Missouri Junior Chamber of Commerce, chairman and vicechairman of the Board of Missouri Chamber of Commerce, member of the St. Louis County Economic Council. He was also a director and chairman of the Northwest District of the St. Louis area Council of Boy Scouts of America. part of your organization. You might recognize this because I too am an Eagle Scout. [clears throat]

But beyond his professional accomplishment, let's focus in on what Jim did in service to this city. He was a member of the board of adjustment for six years ending in 1919, 1999, excuse me. board of alderman for six years ending in 2005. And during his six years as an alderman, he served on the parks and trails commission. He served on the planning and zoning commission, the parks and trails commission, as well as conservation and historic preservation. He was named citizen of the year [clears throat] in 2004 by the Town and Country and Fontineac Chamber of Commerce. And he was recognized by proclamation by Mayor Dalton in April of 2005. [clears throat] But I think it's important and most notably to say that it's accurate to site that Long View Park is there today because of Jim Haven. his insight to conceptualize that park, his courage to withstand the push back from claims that it was irresponsible spending on the part of the city's resources and his steadfast resolve to deliver on what is today the crown jewel of public space in our community. That's clear testimony to the legacy that Jim has left for us to enjoy and to treasure. His commitment to open green space is legendary. And I think it's significant that mayor, as you

recognize, we have two former mayors here tonight, Mayor Man and Mayor Dalton, both of whom had the privilege of knowing Jim and working with him. I humbly say that in my mind Jim was a giant and he was a gracious giant, a man of resolve and a champion for this city. The people that join me tonight had the pleasure of serving with him and I speak for all of us when I say thanks Jim for all that you did for this city. Mayor, thank you for the privilege. very well spoken. I couldn't help but think when you talked about push back about irresponsible spending for long view that mayors Dalton and manage probably got some of that over town square since when I was elected I got pushed back and was already a [laughter] compliment. Anyway, thank you very much and you you should be very proud of your dad as I know you are. May I just say my brother is also here his son Grant Haven

and Susan and John with him. Thank you. Thank you very much. He loved town country. That is that is obvious. For sure. That's for sure. We should get on to uh verifying the minutes from the January 12th, 2026 regular meeting. seek a motion and second to approve. Second. Any discussion or amendment? All in favor say I. Carries unanimously. Next, the minutes from the January 20th, 2026 special work session. Seek a motion and second to approve. To approve second.

Any discussion or amendment? All in favor say I. I. Ashley, I assume no one to allow a speaker card. No, sir. Thank you. We have no public hearings, no appointments. At [clears throat] this point, I would recognize the board's opportunity to provide reports. Alderman Hughes. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah.

The next meeting of the architecture review board is scheduled for Monday, February the 2nd at 5:30 p.m. The following items will be discussed. A new single family home at 12304 Wildlife Trail near Deer Hollow subdivision. A new single family home at 13112 Thorn Hill. An addition at 1974 Carlin Drive. An addition at 555 South Mason Road. A 10,448 square foot addition at Greenville and an amendment to the public notice requirements for the architecture review board applications. As I always say, all welcome.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh on the 20th we had our first public works meeting. I want to um discuss some sidewalks, storm water and uh facilities. I also want to thank alderman Murphy Sawyer and Ger joining me there was well attended. Bob was there [cough] Mr. Ray was there. So I appreciate everybody being there for uh my first meeting. Um, I want to second or piggy back off the mayor's remarks and uh talk about Tim Randic and Town Thousand. They they did a great job clearing streets. Same with Teill. So wish they can take over more streets [laughter] probably better off, but we can't do that. So [clears throat] that's it. Thank you, Alderman Canelo.

Thank you, mayor. The planning and zoning commission met on January 21st and reviewed the following three items and amended an amended site development plan for Marie Deilla. A public hearing was not held as that amendment was not considered significant. The commission recommended 7 to1 to approve the plan. There was second uh second item was a boundary adjustment plan adjusting the property line between 1285 and 1297 Drive Ridge Road. The commission recommended 8 to zero to approve this adjustment. The first two items I've mentioned will be will have a first reading at the board of all meeting on February 9th. And then a third item, a conditional use permit for a street facing rooftop solar array at 12545 Ammersham Court. The commission recommended a 7 to1 approval for this permit. It will have a public hearing and a first reading by the board of aldermen at our Monday, February 23rd meeting and all are welcome to attend that.

Thank you very much.

Uh our January 20th uh PFB meeting was cancelled. We didn't have a quorum. However, we went ahead with the awards which we scheduled that evening. So, I'd like to mention that because they have family members attending. So on that evening, the chief gave out life-saving awards to officers Edison, Basau, and Dorton. And Chief's awards of excellence were given to officer Jones, Sergeant Sapienza, and Yaku. And we did reschedu and just had our meeting this evening, earlier this evening for the PF. And we had three action items. One was request to purchase a radar trailer. Second was purchasing purchasing vehicles for this year, all on budgeted items and a request to purchase artificial intelligence software. All of those were approved unanimously and we're going to see all of those on February 9th at our meeting. Uh seats are nearly full for the spring session of the citizens police academy and we are participating in the polar plunge to support Special Olympics. We always have a very strong turnout [laughter] at [clears throat] Creepor Lake on February 28th. Hopefully the weather's better than out now. Uh now if anybody wants to attend the police academy, there's a few slots left. They need to contact Katie Survi, our chief or Lori or Ashley and we can get you signed up. And if you'd like to sponsor on the Polar Plunge, just go to the website. I think there's a spot there you can sponsor our team. And then finally, at the annual winter employee appreciation dinner last Saturday, Officer Josh Hamill was awarded employee of the year. And I'd like to ask the chief just to come up and say just a few words as to what that award is actually means.

Thank you, Mr. Board. Uh I I just wanted to give a little bit of clarity on this award and then it differs from our other awards. Most of our other awards are originated uh through a supervisor for a specific act that an officer did and it's vetted through the command staff and the awards given. This award differs because it starts from the bottom up. Uh officers vote at large for the person that they want to be employee of the year. Uh then they narrow that down to three and the supervisors out of those three make the choice of the person best fitting uh of that award for employee of the year. And so to to be chosen by your peers for an award, I think there's no higher honor. I just wanted to provide some context to the significance of that award. Congratulations to Officer Hamill and we they couldn't have chosen a better person. Thank you.

Sorry, before I get to you, just two quick things. One, I didn't see you sneak in, Lyn Rice. She's also a former alderman. And I wanted to thank you for coming here also. And and secondly, I believe when at least one of those officers who got the life saving award actually pulled someone out of a car that was on actively on fire if that if that's correct. So actually that last quarter um that was given that was given out already. We did that earlier. That was officer in fact officer Hamill and he received the highest honor we can give a medal of valor. Yeah. Wasn't that It's quite a remarkable thing to run 205.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ways and Means Commission uh meeting that was originally scheduled for this Wednesday, January 28th has been postponed and rescheduled for March 25th at 8:30 a.m. here at the municipal center. Uh Ways and Means Commission meetings are always open to the public. that are held here uh in the community room and everyone is welcome to attend. Thank you Murphy.

Thank you chairman. Uh always good to see uh the ameritus council over there former mayors and all that. Uh skip range who helped me start my whole career serving uh town and country. Always great to see you as well sir. Um parks and trails commission uh report. Uh we do have a meeting planned for February 2nd. The agenda is now posted online. Uh we'll be recapping 2025 activities and discussing 2026 uh programs including an update and a review of the whole sidewalk issues as well. So uh as always people are welcome to attend and again the agenda is posted online. Thank you.

Just briefly mayor uh in addition to Tim and Tom who do a fantastic job work all weekend plowing the streets. want to recognize Jim uh Tomberg and Dan Coppen with our parks department who also come out and shovel the walks and plow the uh parking lots. So brave in the cold and we appreciate everything that all of them do. Absolutely.

All right, moving on to unfinished business. Next is bill number 26-01 sponsored by Alderman Street. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill for the second time? Bill number 2601 is an ordinance approving a conditional use and authorizing a conditional use permit for an accessory structure, a driveway gate located at 1377 South Mason Road in the city of Town of Country. Thank you. See a motion and second to approve. So move second. Thank you. I would ask M. Ryan to the podium to provide a brief background.

Uh yes, Mayor. So just following up from the last meeting and again this is for a installation of a driveway gate. Um this CUP application was required after it was discovered that a fence permit was issued u with the gate that hadn't been properly reviewed. staff has worked with the applicant diligently to go through the process the board adjustments because it is uh 26 feet and not 30 feet uh from the property line and planning zoning commission and now this board uh there's been no opposition or public comments on this item. Thank you. Any discussion?

I would ask the city clerk for a roll call vote. Alderman Gerber. Hi. Alderman Freriedman. Hi. Alderman Schwearer. Hi. Alderman Carter. Hi. Alderman Sawyer. Hi. Alderman Murphy. Hi. Alderman Canella. Hi. And Alderman Hughes. Hi. The bill passes unanimously and becomes ordinance number 4729.

Thank you. Next. Bill number 26-02 sponsors by Miss Hughes and Schwer. Without objection, would the city clerk read the bill the second time? Bill number 2602 is an ordinance accepting the bid and authorizing an agreement with T- Hill Construction for the Westmore Place Stormwater Project and authorizing a reimbursement agreement with conditions between the city of Town and Country and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. Thank you. I see a motion and second to approve. Second. Any discussion? Alderman Harter.

Okay. I have a question. Um it may be an accounting question. I don't know. So, the bid was uh ended up $47,342 under the proposed budget. And then [clears throat] with our reimbursement from MSC, how fast do they reimburse? Well, [laughter] yeah. Same year. Oh, I would I would anticipate within the calendar year with and our fiscal year, which are the same, that we should receive reimbursement. So then that would end up a total of 162,438 below budget on that item. Correct. Okay. Yep.

Believe me, they will reimburse for humbly because I said many times they're a very religious organization. Anything that goes wrong is an act of God and not their fault. Just uh if it's not too late in the week, I was told this is war two. Can we change this to and sponsored by them. Um, that's fine. Yeah, sure. I don't want to take credit for something that Yeah. It's not my price since it was public. Any further discussion? Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor. I have a quick question about the involvement of MSD on this particular project. Would obviously they're going to spend $115,000 to do this work. Would they have been doing this work anyway or was this particular project something that inspired them to fix something because we were already into it? I believe this project inspired them to do something. Todd, would you agree? Yeah. Okay. So, they wouldn't ordinarily have take tackled this just we're disturbing the piece. We're doing it as part of our project they're going to reimburse.

Okay. And how many residents are involved in or would be impacted by this particular storm water project? [clears throat] I'd say roughly two or three. It's not a large number of residents. Yeah, it was originally and it was a million-dollar project. We were able to reduce the scope and reduce the cost. So, those most impacted. Okay. Very good. Thank you. I'd ask city clerk for roll call vote. Alderman Hughes. Hi. Alderman Murphy. Hi. Alderman Twear. Hi. Alderman Canal. Hi. Alderman Freeman. Um, Alderman Sawyer, hi. Alderman Gerber, hi. And Alderman Harter. Hi.

The bill passes unanimously. Becomes ordinance number 4730. Thank you. Next. Bill number 26-03 supported by the sponsored by the board as a whole without objection. Would the city clerk read the bill for the second time? Bill number 2603 is an ordinance authorizing an engineering services agreement with Horner at Shiffron, Inc. for engineering services related to the boat road resurfacing and pedestrian improvements project. Thank you. I seek a motion and second to approve. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? [clears throat] Another possible accounting issue. First of all, I noticed it was $4.20 under the budget. All right,

which is rather astute budgeting. Uh but I want to know is this part that 2449.95 is that part of the 65% reimburse project? Correct. Okay. So really our cost is 85750 if you say so if you trust my math. I didn't do that. Okay. Uh and how good is the reimbursement on MODA? So this will be Todd. What's your experience with reimburse? It's usually monthly. Oh, you submit reimbursement monthly and then they reimburse. So, as we do this, we get the month. That's great. Correct. Okay. Ask the city clerk for a roll call vote.

Alderman Hughes. Hi. Alderman Sawyer. Hi. Alderman Harter. Hi. Alderman Canella. Hi. Alderman Gerber. Hi. Alderman Schwear. Hi. Alderman Murphy. Hi. And Alderman Friedman. Hi. That vote passes unanimously and becomes ordinance number 4731. Thank you. Under new business, we just have one item resolution number R02-2026. A resolution authorizing the application for a transportation alternative block grant for the Conway road pedestrian improvement project. Take a motion and second to approve. So move. Second. Thank you. Any discussion or amendment?

Alderman Murphy. Um, yeah, obviously this is something near and dear to a lot of folks in the war for area speaking for Alderman Sawyer and myself. A special note of appreciation out to that community for participating. My understanding is we had 23 letters from households and five letters from organizations around the area in support of this. So um that kind of endorsement and um communication uh as part of the grant process will help it I believe. So thank you. All in favor say I.

I [laughter] motion carries. Um I do not have any other items to bring up but I will open it to the alderman if they have any other issues that is not on the agenda they wish to discuss. Hearing none. I seek a motion and second to adjurnn. Second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Thank you for your attention and time.