Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting – May 27, 2025

The Board of Aldermen of Crestwood, Missouri, held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting included the swearing-in of two firefighter/paramedics, a public hearing on reallocating CDBG funds, public comment, reports from aldermen and the mayor, approval of a consent agenda comprising numerous routine items, and a discussion on a streetlight installation ordinance. Note: The meeting date in the source agenda and transcript is May 27, 2025, while the prompt metadata specifies May 28, 2025 at 15:00 UTC. This summary uses the date from the official agenda.

Presentations & Appointments

• Oaths of Office: Firefighter/Paramedics Jacob Currier and Jared Webster were sworn in. Chief noted Jared Webster has a firefighting family background and Jacob Currier recently graduated from the fire academy.
• Annual Sewer Lateral Report: Director Swingle reported that the sewer lateral repair program typically receives about 80 applications per year, with around 40 repairs completed. Average repair cost is approximately $3,000. In FY2024 (last year), only $71,000 of the budgeted amount was spent, a unique low. For the current fiscal year, $42,000 of the $120,000 budget has been spent, pacing normally.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion after two readings. The items included:

• Approval of the April 22, 2025 Board of Aldermen regular meeting minutes and record of adjournment to closed session.
• Acknowledgement of FY24 annual reports from Crestwood Point CID, Crestwood Square CID, and Crestwood Crossing Residential CID.
• Resolution appointing Stephen Davis as Municipal Judge and John Frisella as Provisional Municipal Judge.
• Ordinance authorizing an agreement with Kaizen Laboratories Inc. for cloud-based recreation management and point-of-sale software.
• Ordinance authorizing an agreement with InspectionReportsOnline.net for third-party fire and life safety system inspection, testing, and maintenance reporting.
• Ordinance approving an agreement with Veterans Elite Development and Construction, LLC for the Sanders residential demolition and site restoration project.
• Ordinance approving an agreement with Seals Enterprises, Inc. for the Sappington House Cottage window replacement project.
• Ordinance approving the purchase of deicing salt from the St. Louis Metro APWA Salt Cooperative at a not-to-exceed amount of $29,000.
• Ordinance designating two Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicles as surplus, authorizing the sale of one at auction and trading the other to Defender Product Solutions.
• Ordinance renewing health and dental insurance for the city for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
• Ordinance repealing Ordinance 5546 and amending Section 14-184 of the municipal code relating to yield intersections, authorizing removal of a yield sign on Glencrest Drive at Buxton Drive.

Public Hearings

• Reallocation of CDBG FY24/25 Funds: The city clerk explained that funds originally allocated for picnic tables in FY23 were initially deemed ineligible, but after further guidance, the purchase of four ADA-compliant picnic tables from FY24/25 funds is now permissible. Alderman Zavis asked about cost; tables are approximately $16,000–$18,000 each (covered, nicer than standard tables). The public hearing was closed, and the board voted unanimously to allocate the FY24/25 CDBG funds to purchase four ADA picnic tables for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Fitzgerald (Kirkwood resident): Requested that the Crestwood City Council pass a resolution supporting federal workers and scientists affected by mass firings and grant terminations by the Trump administration. He cited the St. Louis County Council’s similar resolution as a template. He also asked Crestwood to coordinate with neighboring communities, businesses, and nonprofits to host resource fairs for affected workers. Fitzgerald expressed strong opposition to the cuts, stating they benefit billionaires through tax cuts, and emphasized the impact on VA workers, Alzheimer’s researchers, Social Security staff, air traffic controllers, and park rangers. He identified himself as a military veteran. Alderman Zavis later expressed interest in helping organize such an event.

Discussion Items

• Streetlight Installation (Item Removed from Consent Agenda): Alderman Zavis removed the ordinance authorizing purchase and installation of six streetlights from Ameren Missouri for $22,772.75 to discuss the lack of progress on streetlights in Ward 1 and other areas. Director Swingle explained that the six lights were chosen as “low-hanging fruit” because they are near existing overhead power lines, making installation straightforward and cost-effective. Full neighborhood lighting would cost several million dollars due to easement and conduit needs. The city has not installed any streetlights in recent years due to cost. Alderman Hall asked about solar-powered lights; Swingle noted Ameren does not maintain those, and the city would bear future battery replacement costs. The ordinance was passed unanimously (7-0) after both readings.

Reports & Updates

• Board Reports: Alderman Ballis reported on the Public Works Board meeting, where discussion included using reserve funds from prior years to install cleanouts on sewer laterals (policy to be developed). Alderman Hall reported on the Beautify Crestwood Club planting 750 plants at the Government Center (May 5–10) with many volunteers, including master gardeners from outside the community. Hall also announced the Sappington House Foundation’s “Raising the Roof” fundraiser on May 31. Alderman Kennedy (reported by Hall) noted the Planning Commission approved a major site plan for Long Elementary School (parking, landscaping, gym/emergency shelter) contingent on St. Louis County approval of a new traffic signal. Alderman Seven reported on numerous community events: playground ribbon cutting, paper shredding (Fenton’s shred truck caught fire, sending residents to Crestwood), Father Dickson Cemetery trivia night raising $3,500, and an upcoming telescope viewing event at Crestwood Park. He also mentioned a resident’s concern about utility damage to flowers on Garber and thanked Parks for the fishing event at the quarry.
• Mayor’s Report: The mayor noted ribbon cuttings for the Whitecliff Bridge, Crestwood playground, Andy’s Frozen Custard, and the groundbreaking for the new community center funded by Prop A. He reported that the Charter Review Commission has completed initial reviews of sections 1–7 and has preliminary support for: changing elected officials’ terms from three to four years (keeping three-term limit, with a one-election gap before return), creating a four-year election cycle; allowing the board president to temporarily assume mayoral duties during extended absences; modernizing posting and scheduling rules; simplifying consent agenda readings; and allowing a two-year budget. Work is on track for completion by October. The mayor also announced the return of the city mascot “Cliff” (a polar bear) for social media.
• Alderman Zavis: Noted a constituent’s request for limits on rental properties; he explained the difficulty of such a policy but relayed the request to the board.
• Alderman Morrison: Thanked staff for the groundbreaking ceremony and noted positive social media response.

Key Outcomes

• CDBG Allocation: Unanimously approved use of FY24/25 CDBG funds for four ADA-compliant picnic tables (price not to exceed approximately $18,000 each).
• Consent Agenda: All 11 items approved unanimously (7-0).
• Streetlight Ordinance: Approved unanimously (7-0) in two readings, authorizing up to $22,772.75 for six streetlights from Ameren Missouri.
• Community Request: No formal action taken on the request for a resolution supporting federal workers; Alderman Zavis expressed willingness to help organize a resource event.
• Sewer Lateral Policy: Director Swingle to develop a revised policy for cleanout installation and present to the Public Works Board.
• Charter Review: Commission reviewing sections 1–7 with draft recommendations sent to city attorney; completion expected by October 2025.