Public Works Board Meeting – July 17, 2025

The Crestwood Public Works Board met on July 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The board deferred approval of previous meeting minutes, heard public comment, received reports from the interim director and aldermanic representative, and discussed the sewer lateral policy, RV parking regulations, and the capital improvements program (CIP) list. No formal votes were taken.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes was deferred to the next meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janice Butler (9219 Sheringbroke Lane) addressed the board regarding the city's RV parking ordinance. She owns a Class B motorhome (a conversion van) and described it as a 20-foot-long, 10-foot-high vehicle that fits in a standard parking space. She stated that the vehicle is registered as an RV, which subjects it to restrictive parking rules (72-hour limit for loading/unloading in driveways). She requested that the ordinance be amended to allow Class B RVs to be parked in driveways for everyday use, possibly with a special permit. She argued the vehicle is similar in size to a passenger van and is used for travel and errands. She expressed that neighbors support her, but one neighbor has complained. She also asked for an exception for Class B vehicles from the general RV restrictions.

Director’s Report

• The interim Public Works Director (deputy city administrator) reported that Director Swingle left for the private sector. He introduced himself and noted that Shirley, the usual administrative assistant, was hospitalized with pneumonia.
• Staffing: Announced a new building maintenance technician, Doug Holmes. The city is seeking street maintenance workers.
• Project updates: Street slab and sidewalk replacements are underway (approximately 140 slabs being replaced). Six new street lights have been confirmed with Ameren, but not yet scheduled. The community center groundbreaking has occurred, with foundation pouring expected in 2-3 weeks. New asset management software (Brightly) is being rolled out. Other projects (Spelman sidewalk, Crowley Creek OMCI, Joseph Sabton House, stormwater projects) are in progress.
• He thanked the board for past work on sewer lateral policy, CIP lists, sidewalks, traffic calming, RVs, boats, trailers, food trucks, and stormwater policy.

Aldermanic Report

• Alderman Representative (likely Ballas or Morrison) reported on the Spelman Creek flooding issue. The city, in cooperation with MSD, has purchased four homes for demolition and will return the land to parkland, preventing future building. They are working on slow development at the racetrack site and Crestview Plaza (old Balby Mall). The Forest View apartments have numerous code violations; the city is considering receivership. The Joseph Sabington House log cabin foundation is set. Traffic calming on Crestoke has received mixed feedback; the program is moving forward with striping at Ferndale. The city adopted a resolution for the regional hazard mitigation plan to qualify for FEMA funding.

Discussion Items

Sewer Lateral Policy

• The interim director initiated a discussion about paying for cleanout installations on sewer laterals even when there is no break. Currently, the city only covers repairs for breaks; cleanouts are the homeowner's responsibility unless installed during a repair. The policy discussion included:
  • The city budgets $110,000 per year for sewer lateral repairs, averaging $2,700 per repair, covering about 40 homes per year. There is a $400,000 fund balance.
  • A cleanout can be added for a few hundred dollars when a repair is already occurring.
  • Cleanouts allow better maintenance (hydro-jetting, larger cutters) to prevent root clogs, which are common in the city’s aging clay pipes (50+ years old).
  • Options discussed: paying for cleanouts on a case-by-case basis, splitting cost 50/50 with homeowners, or maintaining current policy.
  • Board members expressed support for including cleanouts when feasible, noting it benefits homeowners and the city long-term. Some suggested educating homeowners about maintenance. No decision was made; discussion will continue at a future meeting.

RV Parking (Item 14-167)

• The board considered a referral from the Board of Aldermen to update parking codes for Class B light-duty RVs (e.g., conversion vans like the Sprinter). The specific request had two parts:
  1. Allow Class B RVs (under 12,000 lbs, van-sized) to be parked in driveways in front of the building line, as they are similar in size to everyday vans.
  2. Allow occupancy of such vehicles for up to three weeks, three times per year (for guests or personal use).
• Discussion highlighted that the vehicle in question (Janice Butler's) is registered as an RV but looks like a standard van. Board members debated:
  • Some argued that if the vehicle meets size/weight requirements for a standard vehicle, it should be allowed regardless of its interior RV features.
  • Others expressed concerns about setting a precedent, potential for rental use, and enforcement difficulties.
  • The three-week occupancy provision raised safety and policing concerns. The interim director noted the code is unclear on sleeping in vehicles on residential property and will consult the city attorney.
  • No consensus was reached; the board will continue discussion at a future meeting after further research.

Capital Improvements Program (CIP) List Introduction

• The interim director distributed the current CIP list with scores from previous years. The list includes projects from the parks master plan and others. The board will formally vote on the CIP list for the budget in September.
• Staff confirmed sidewalk selection priorities for grant applications: Crest Oak (1st), Sun Ray (2nd), Sturdy (3rd), with Sanders and Lodge Pole below. These will be presented to the Board of Aldermen next month.
• A commissioner suggested that streetlights be considered when installing new sidewalks, citing safety concerns on Sturdy.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on any agenda item.
• Approval of minutes was deferred to the next meeting.
• The sewer lateral policy discussion will continue at a future meeting; the interim director will bring proposed changes.
• The RV parking discussion will continue after the interim director researches code sections and consults the city attorney.
• The CIP list will be formally voted on in September; sidewalk priorities were confirmed for grant application.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2025 (as mentioned for CIP list grading).
• The annual Crestwood Summer Soirée is on July 25; RSVP by July 18.

Note: The agenda lists the meeting as July 16, 2025, but the provided instruction specifies the meeting date as July 17, 2025. This summary uses the date from the instruction.