Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting – January 15, 2025 (Agenda Date Jan. 14)

This summary covers the Crestwood Board of Aldermen meeting held on January 15, 2025, though the official agenda listed January 14, 2025. The meeting included the Mayor’s 2024 Year-End Review, legislative actions on an ordinance for conditional use permit procedures, a conditional use permit for Lighthouse Christian Fellowship (which was postponed indefinitely), approval of several consent agenda items, and an amended emergency management ordinance.

Presentations, Communications and Appointments

• 2024 Year-End Review (State of the City): Mayor presented an extensive review of accomplishments and priorities. Key highlights included:
  • Balanced budget, well-managed finances, Triple-A bond rating (one of only five cities in Missouri).
  • Completed major code revision, fraud risk assessment, cloud-based finance software, online permitting system, and consolidation of fire/police boards into a Public Safety Board.
  • Vision & Growth: Watson Road median plantings, sidewalk design from Rayburn to Spellman Park, White Cliff Bridge construction start, stormwater policy completion, RV parking regulation improvements, and removal of video lottery terminals.
  • Quality of Life: Quarry restroom/parking lot design, new contracts with Playhouse Productions and Sappington Foundation, Prop A education leading to ~60% voter approval, park lighting/playground updates, aquatic center improvements (new roof, slide resurfacing, leak repairs).
  • Premier Public Safety: Police reaccreditation, additional Flock cameras, school resource officer deployment, traffic calming policy, new fire truck and ambulance, and firefighter training simulation.
  • Engaged Community: Numerous service events (electronics recycling, shred event, drug takeback, honeysuckle hack, trash bash), community events (Easter Party, Splash Tacular, Movies in the Park, etc.), and website updates. Plans for 2025 include a communications manager, new park registration software, Crestwood-themed banners along Watson and Sappington, and an EMC sign.
  • A list of new or expanding businesses in Crestwood was noted; success breeds success.
• Alderman Reports:
  • Alderman Hall reported on Sappington House Foundation activities (groundbreaking for Joseph Sappington Log Cabin, fundraising events, trivia night, craft festival, Raising the Roof dinner). He detailed connections between the St. Louis Press Club and the property.
  • Alderman Kennedy noted no Planning & Zoning meeting and commended staff for snow removal.
  • Alderman Zayas praised street plowing but raised concerns about uncleared sidewalks along Sappington and Watson.
  • Alderman Mabry highlighted public works performance in snow removal and criticized the $10,300 archaeology change order for the sidewalk project as "lighting taxpayer dollars on fire."

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda initially included six items. Alderman Mabry requested removal of one item (emergency management ordinance) for discussion. The remaining items were approved on a single roll-call vote (5-0):

• Approval of December 10, 2024 Board of Aldermen meeting minutes and records of closed sessions on December 16 and 19, 2024.
• Ordinance approving annual renewal of law enforcement services agreement with REJIS Commission (no fiscal amount specified in transcript).
• Ordinance authorizing purchase and outfitting of one Freightliner 108 SD truck for a total price not to exceed $211,031, and declaring a 2011 International 7400 truck as surplus.
• Ordinance authorizing purchase of one New Holland C314 skid steer for a total sum not to exceed $39,433.
• Ordinance authorizing a change order for additional archaeological work related to sidewalk design from Spellman Park to Sappington Road Project in a total sum not to exceed $10,300.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

Unfinished Business: Ordinance Amending Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Procedures

• Action: Ordinance amending Section 26-11 of the Municipal Code regarding conditional use permits (text amendment) was given first and second readings and passed unanimously (5-0). The purpose was to clarify approval procedures, including the addition of Section 26-11(G)(16). No discussion occurred.

New Business: Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Conditional Use Permit

• Background: In November 2024, the Board granted a CUP for Lighthouse Christian Fellowship at 9147 Watson Road with a condition requiring the applicant to enter into a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement. The applicant later objected, stating they were leasing (not purchasing) and had no intention to buy. They requested language change from “shall enter into” to “shall discuss” a PILOT if they ever purchase the property.
• Discussion:
  • Applicant Bob Wells (Pastor) explained the lease is for three years with no purchase intent; he mistakenly thought the condition applied only if they purchased.
  • Alderman Mabry expressed support for the condition, arguing the use is not ideal for the mall mid-block area (per comprehensive plan) and the PILOT amount would be small (<$1,000 Crestwood share). He opposed watering down the condition.
  • Alderman Kennedy asked about a damaged guardrail at the property; applicant stated lease not yet signed and no discussion with landlord.
• Outcome: Motion to postpone the ordinance indefinitely (Alderman Mabry, seconded by Alderman Hall) passed 4-1 (Alderman Zavis voted no). The CUP ordinance therefore did not proceed. The applicant was thanked but left without a permit.

Items Removed from Consent Agenda: Emergency Management Ordinance

• Ordinance: Amending Sections 2-64 and 2-65 of the Municipal Code regarding emergency management and declarations of emergency.
• Amendments Proposed by Alderman Mabry:
  1. Correct zip code from 63026 to 63126 — adopted by unanimous consent.
  2. In Section 2-64(H), restore old language “any officer of the city” as backup in absence of city administrator — adopted (voice vote, no opposition).
  3. In Section 2-65(A), add “in accordance with Section 2-33” to allow board to rescind mayor’s emergency proclamation on two-thirds vote — adopted (voice vote, no opposition).
• Clarification: Alderman Seven asked if the acting mayor could declare emergency; City Attorney confirmed general provisions cover that.
• Final Vote: The ordinance as amended passed unanimously on first and second readings (5-0 each).

Key Outcomes

• Triple-A bond rating achieved – one of five cities in Missouri.
• Prop A approved with approximately 60% voter support.
• Ordinance amending CUP procedures (Section 26-11) – passed 5-0 on both readings.
• Lighthouse Christian Fellowship CUP – motion to postpone indefinitely passed 4-1; ordinance did not pass.
• Consent agenda items (excluding emergency management ordinance) – approved 5-0 on both readings.
• Emergency management ordinance (with amendments) – approved 5-0 on both readings.
• Future issues: Strategic goals session scheduled for February 1, 2025 at 9 a.m.
• Discrepancy noted: The meeting agenda listed January 14, 2025, but the provided timestamp indicated January 15, 2025; the summary uses the timestamp date but acknowledges the agenda date.