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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Crestwood Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting - July 22, 2025

Board of Aldermen & Boards — Wednesday, July 23, 2025

BodyCrestwood, Missouri

SessionBoard of Aldermen & Boards

DateWednesday, July 23, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:32:07

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:16

All right, seven o'clock.

0:18

I call this uh July 22nd, Board of All Remeting Order.

0:21

If you'd please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:23

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:30

One nation under debt indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:36

City clerk, can you please take roll?

0:39

Alderman Morrison.

0:41

Alderman Ballis.

0:42

Here.

0:44

Here.

0:46

Alderman Hall.

0:47

Excused.

0:49

And Alderman, maybe?

0:50

Alderman seven.

0:51

Here.

0:54

Seven are here.

0:54

You have a four in your honor.

0:56

Very good.

0:56

And our presentations, communications, and appointment, uh, the oath of office for Officer Travis Huddleson will be deferred.

1:03

Um so we will move right on to the audit presentation.

1:07

Um please uh come on up, introduce yourself and let us know how the city's doing financially.

1:13

All right.

1:14

Um, my name's Alan Schulte.

1:16

Um I work for UHY Advisors LLP now.

1:22

Um previously we were about to deal on company, and we had done a we do a ton of city and other governmental uh entities in the area, and we were about to deal when we bid on the audit, but we became UHY by the time it we came around to do in the audit.

1:40

Um I was actually here probably about a decade ago uh delivering the audit, so uh it's nice to be back.

1:48

Um so I'll kind of just jump into it.

1:50

Uh financial statement-wise, uh the city received an unmodified or clean opinion on the financial statements, so that means everything is presented in accordance with GAAP.

2:01

Um I've seen um what we call an emphasis of matter paragraph.

2:09

Uh we made a a prior period adjustment to record the TIFF debt on the government-wide financial statements for the city.

2:17

So um what happens with the TIFF debt is it's not really the the city's general resources are not used to repay the TIFF, right?

2:29

It's it's a dedicated tax, but since the city collects the tax, it we record the debt on the financial statements.

2:39

Okay, and you're you're really only liable to the extent of taxes, those specific taxes that you collect.

2:46

Um the first part of the financial statement is called a uh management discussion and analysis.

2:53

So on pages six and seven, uh there's a couple tables.

2:57

Uh one of the real downsides of governmental financial statements is there's really not uh comparison from last year to this year.

3:05

Um but in the MDNA, we call it there is a little bit of a comparison at kind of a high level.

3:11

Uh if you look at page six, table one, um you can see there's an increase in current assets of about 43 million dollars.

3:20

So most of that is the is the bonds that you all issued that you haven't spent yet.

3:25

So that's why that number is really large.

3:28

And then over the next couple years, you'll see that number drop substantially.

3:32

Um then also you can see there's an increase in long-term liabilities of 46 million dollars.

3:39

So that's the other side of the debt and the TIFF bonds.

3:44

So as a result of putting those TIFF bonds on the financial statements, it kind of pushes your unrestricted net position negative.

3:54

Okay.

3:55

Um, but if you take that into account, and um also the net pension asset of about five million dollars, you're really to the plus of about 13 million dollars in reality.

4:09

Okay, even though it shows about a negative two million dollars.

4:13

Does that all kind of make sense?

4:14

That was a wild ride.

4:17

Um, and then if you look at table two, um so that's kind of the income statement presentation.

4:27

So, and again, this is government-wide, so this is fixed assets are included, debts included, you have depreciation instead of the purchase of fixed assets.

4:38

So, you know, when you guys talk about things on a monthly basis and you look at the fund financial statements, you buy a new fire truck or something like that, it's an expenditure.

4:48

But in this presentation, it becomes an asset, and then it's depreciated over its life.

4:53

So, and then principal payments on debt are also um an expenditure in the funds, but just a reduction in the liability in this presentation.

5:04

So things are moving a little differently in this part of the financial statement.

5:13

So you can see revenues increased by about $4.4 million.

5:18

Part of that was charges for service increased, about $400,000 because you began to charge for ambulance services.

5:26

So that was an increase in that.

5:28

Sales taxes were up about a million dollars, mostly because of the new TIFF tax.

5:35

Property taxes were up about $2 million because of the Prop A tax that will pay down the geo bonds.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████████████36%

Public Safety███████████████████19%

Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████17%

Procedural███████████████15%

Public Works███████7%

Environmental Protection███3%

Homelessness██2%

Public Engagement█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Crestwood Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting - July 22, 2025

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting included an audit presentation, public comments on environmental and park issues, approval of the consent agenda, and a failed first reading of an ordinance to allow golf carts in Whitecliff Park. The meeting adjourned to a closed session. Note: The system-provided date (2025-07-23) conflicts with the agenda and transcript, which both indicate July 22, 2025.

Consent Calendar

Minutes: Approved the June 24, 2025 Board of Aldermen regular meeting minutes.
Resolution – Conditional Use Permit: Approved findings of fact and conclusions of law for Stevie Menley to operate a massage establishment at 10019 Watson Road.
Resolution – Grant Application: Approved a grant application to the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County for the Sanders Park project.
Ordinance – Sanders Demolition Contingency: Amended Ordinance No. 5561 to increase approved amounts for contingencies and additional work for the Sanders Residential Demolition and Site Restoration Project, due to asbestos abatement needs (costs not specified in transcript).

Public Comments & Testimony

Tim Moffitt (Ward 1): Reported that the Department of Natural Resources had cleaned up illegal oil spills in Mulberry Creek three times in seven weeks. He expressed concern that the community center was unaware and that children were playing in the water. He asked whom to contact in the city about future spills. Police Chief indicated the culprit was identified.
Daniel Pattingill (Ward 1): Opposed the proposed ordinance allowing golf carts in Whitecliff Park. He argued it would create a perception that all golf carts are allowed, disturb wildlife, pose safety risks due to silent vehicles, and increase liability. He also noted open construction ditches along the path.
John Bielick (Ward 1): Supported the golf cart ordinance. He stated he drives his insured golf cart (under 25 mph) to the park with his children multiple times per week and only uses parking spaces, not trails. He verified legality with police.
Tim Moffitt (second comment): Reiterated opposition, stating that unregulated electric vehicles already cause issues, including knocking pedestrians off paths, overturned golf carts (twice in three months), and tear up ground. He argued that enforcement is impractical and that allowing golf carts would exacerbate problems.

Discussion Items

Audit Presentation

Presenter: Alan Schulte, UHY Advisors LLP (formerly Boutell & Co.)
Financial Statement Opinion: Unmodified (clean) opinion in accordance with GAAP.
Prior Period Adjustment: Recorded TIF debt on government-wide financial statements (not repaid from general resources).
Management Discussion & Analysis: Current assets increased ~$43M due to unspent bond proceeds; long-term liabilities increased ~$46M due to TIF bonds. Unrestricted net position appears negative (~$2M) but is effectively positive ~$13M when considering TIF debt and net pension asset.
Revenues: Total revenues increased $4.4M, including $400K from new ambulance service charges, $1M increase in sales taxes (largely new TIF tax), $2M increase in property taxes (Prop A for GO bonds), and $500K increase in PILOTs from TIF.
Expenses: Total expenses increased $4M, driven by OPEB liability increase and interest on TIF/GO bonds (accrual basis).
General Fund: Fund balance increased $1.7M (up from $1.1M last year), partly due to ambulance fees. Reserve ratio: 250 days of expenditures (up from 200 days).
Pension: Net pension asset of $5.5M (fiduciary assets $41M vs. liability $35.8M). City contributes ~5% of salaries; Logan ERS projects 7% return.
OPEB: Pay-as-you-go retiree health insurance liability of ~$3M, spread over 25-30 years; current annual expense ~$50,000.
Single Audit: Not required due to predominantly ARPA funding; no compliance issues found.
Management Letter: Noted that some employees had accrued vacation/sick leave exceeding policy limits; liability was not overpaid but should be corrected.
Governance Letter: Internal controls adequate; year-end journal entries needed due to TIF transactions and transition between auditors. No weaknesses found in fraud prevention.
Question: Alderman requested a future memo on how staff plans to address the compensated absences issue.

Golf Cart Ordinance (Item Removed from Consent Agenda)

Proposal: Ordinance amending Section 14-142 to allow golf carts on pathways within Whitecliff Park only in conjunction with a permitted event. Requirements: driver’s license, minimum age 18, insurance, fee (if established by Board).
Background: Director Ramirez stated the park board unanimously recommended the change after receiving 2-3 requests per year. Purpose: reduce safety risk from full-size vehicles driving back and forth to the quarry pavilion.
Debate:
- Supporters (Aldermen Zavist, Maybee, Jadalla): Argued golf carts are safer and less disruptive than cars; alternative is continued vehicle use. Support limited to permitted events; prefer electric for quiet operation.
- Opponents (Aldermen Now, Ballis, Seven, Morrison): Concerned about opening the door to wider use, enforcement challenges, liability, and impact on the park’s natural/pristine character. Noted existing illegal vehicle use and difficulty of policing.
- Mayor/City Administrator: Noted that without the ordinance, vehicles are still permitted for drop-offs; if the board wants to restrict vehicles further, separate action would be needed.
- Citizen comments (see above) provided both support and opposition.
Outcome: Motion for first reading failed 3-5 (Aldermen Zavist, Jadalla, Maybee voted yes; Morrison, Now, Ballis, Seven voted no).

Other Reports

Alderman Maybee (Planning & Zoning): Sign code amendments deferred to August; Sam’s Club gas station expansion extension approved (new deadline January 2026).
Alderman Seven: Announced community events (Father Dixon Cemetery cleanup, Snickers and Roll fundraiser, Christmas in Crestwood planning, golf outing).
Alderman Morrison (Public Works Board): Discussed RV/street parking, sewer lateral program, and CIP review.
Alderman Ballis: Noted CIP list has shrunk to a single page.
Alderman Now: Praised banners on Sappington/Watson; thanked public commenters for raising concerns about park serenity.
Mayor: Reported on community center construction progress (foundation, water line installation at Whitecliff), charter review commission status, and 10th consecutive GFOA Distinguished Budget Award (one of only 12 cities in Missouri).

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0) via roll call.
Golf Cart Ordinance: First reading failed (3-5). No further action taken; vehicles remain permitted for drop-offs at Whitecliff Park events under current rules.
Future Issue: Alderman Maybee raised concern about a homeless person residing at the bus stop near Watson Road and Sappington Cemetery. Community resource officer has made contact and offered resources; legal limitations noted.
Closed Session: Board adjourned to closed session (6-1 vote, one abstention) to discuss legal and real estate matters per RSMo 610.021(1) and (2).

Meeting Transcript

All right, seven o'clock. I call this uh July 22nd, Board of All Remeting Order. If you'd please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under debt indivisible with liberty and justice for all. City clerk, can you please take roll? Alderman Morrison. Alderman Ballis. Here. Here. Alderman Hall. Excused. And Alderman, maybe? Alderman seven. Here. Seven are here. You have a four in your honor. Very good. And our presentations, communications, and appointment, uh, the oath of office for Officer Travis Huddleson will be deferred. Um so we will move right on to the audit presentation. Um please uh come on up, introduce yourself and let us know how the city's doing financially. All right. Um, my name's Alan Schulte. Um I work for UHY Advisors LLP now. Um previously we were about to deal on company, and we had done a we do a ton of city and other governmental uh entities in the area, and we were about to deal when we bid on the audit, but we became UHY by the time it we came around to do in the audit. Um I was actually here probably about a decade ago uh delivering the audit, so uh it's nice to be back. Um so I'll kind of just jump into it. Uh financial statement-wise, uh the city received an unmodified or clean opinion on the financial statements, so that means everything is presented in accordance with GAAP. Um I've seen um what we call an emphasis of matter paragraph. Uh we made a a prior period adjustment to record the TIFF debt on the government-wide financial statements for the city. So um what happens with the TIFF debt is it's not really the the city's general resources are not used to repay the TIFF, right? It's it's a dedicated tax, but since the city collects the tax, it we record the debt on the financial statements. Okay, and you're you're really only liable to the extent of taxes, those specific taxes that you collect. Um the first part of the financial statement is called a uh management discussion and analysis. So on pages six and seven, uh there's a couple tables. Uh one of the real downsides of governmental financial statements is there's really not uh comparison from last year to this year. Um but in the MDNA, we call it there is a little bit of a comparison at kind of a high level. Uh if you look at page six, table one, um you can see there's an increase in current assets of about 43 million dollars. So most of that is the is the bonds that you all issued that you haven't spent yet. So that's why that number is really large. And then over the next couple years, you'll see that number drop substantially. Um then also you can see there's an increase in long-term liabilities of 46 million dollars. So that's the other side of the debt and the TIFF bonds. So as a result of putting those TIFF bonds on the financial statements, it kind of pushes your unrestricted net position negative. Okay. Um, but if you take that into account, and um also the net pension asset of about five million dollars, you're really to the plus of about 13 million dollars in reality. Okay, even though it shows about a negative two million dollars. Does that all kind of make sense? That was a wild ride. Um, and then if you look at table two, um so that's kind of the income statement presentation.

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