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Record of Proceedings

Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting - September 24, 2025

Board of Aldermen & Boards — Wednesday, September 24, 2025

BodyCrestwood, Missouri

SessionBoard of Aldermen & Boards

DateWednesday, September 24, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:48:55

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

1:33

Okay, 7 p.m.

1:35

wrong one.

1:35

There we go.

1:36

I call this board of all remaining for September 23rd, 2025 to order if you'd please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:43

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:47

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:56

City Clerk, can you please take role?

1:58

Alderman Zavas.

2:00

Alderman Morrison.

2:01

Alderman Ballas.

2:03

Alder Person now.

2:04

Here.

2:04

Alderman Hall.

2:06

Alderman Maybe.

2:08

Alderman Seven.

2:09

Alderman Jadala.

2:11

All eight are here.

2:12

You have a quorum, Your Honor.

2:13

Very good.

2:14

Uh under presentations, communications, and appointments, we have one item, and that is a resolution honoring Fire Chief Leo Meyer upon his retirement.

2:22

Chief, if you would uh please meet me at the podium and I'd ask the entire fire department if they'd please join me.

2:49

Chief, we uh would like to present you with uh resolution number 2513.

2:54

There is so much information on here, we had to do the really small font, so I'm gonna let you hold that while I read a little bit larger uh font.

3:02

A lot to cover.

3:03

So this is a resolution recognizing and honoring Fire Chief Leo Meyer upon his retirement.

3:10

Whereas Fire Chief Leo Meyer has announced his retirement from the city of Crestwood, Department of Fire Services, concluding a distinguished career of 51 years in the fire service.

3:21

And whereas Chief Meyer began his career at age 15 as a volunteer with the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to public safety.

3:31

And whereas Chief Meyer has faithfully served the City of Crestwood since January of 2019, first as assistant fire chief and fire marshal, and then as fire chief and fire marshal beginning in January 2023.

3:45

And whereas during his tenure, Chief Meyer made a lasting impact, restructuring the departments, adding deputy chief positions to ensure a command officer is always on duty for ISO standards, and successfully establishing the city's ambulance service, placing the first ambulance in service in August of 2023, and the second in January of 2025.

4:08

And whereas Chief Meyer has demonstrated exceptional dedication to duty, ensuring the department's readiness to respond to the needs of Crestwood residents as well as those in the surrounding region and across the state of Missouri.

4:20

And whereas Chief Meyer has consistently led by example, encouraged advancement, education, and training for firefighters, and guided the department with compassion, respect, and fairness.

4:32

And whereas through his time, talent, and energy, Chief Meyer contributed significantly to the safety, progress, and welfare of the city and its citizens.

4:41

And whereas throughout his career, Chief Meyer earned the admiration and respect of Crestwood residents, business community, the Board of Alderman, City Management, and staff.

4:52

Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and the board of Alderman that the City of Crestwood, Missouri, that they do hereby congratulate Fire Chief Leo Meyer on his well-earned retirement and extend their heartfelt appreciation for his service.

5:06

And be it further resolved that the mayor and board of Alderman express their gratitude and best wishes to Fire Chief Leo A.

5:14

Meyer Jr.

5:15

for his outstanding dedication to the city of Crestwood and wish him continued good health, happiness, and fulfillment in the years ahead.

5:23

Chief, congratulations.

5:25

Thank you.

5:43

Chief, as a first responder, you've obviously touched many many lives.

5:48

But you've touched and left your mark here on Crestwood, not only as a first responder, but as a leader.

5:53

And you've by the dedication shown right here.

5:56

That's it's a hard thing for a leader to do is to have the respect of everyone he leads and still be an effective leader.

6:02

And you have done that, and you've left your mark on the city of Crestwood.

6:05

So again, I thank you.

6:06

Thank you, ma'am.

6:07

All right.

6:08

Excuse me.

6:17

Thank you.

6:18

Thank you, everyone.

6:22

That includes the reading.

6:26

At least the fun part.

6:28

Yeah.

6:29

Fun part.

6:40

Yeah, yeah.

6:41

All right.

6:45

Okay, moving on.

6:46

Uh under public hearings.

6:48

Uh we have public hearings tonight, which is an ordinance establishing the annual rates of tax levies for the year of 2025.

6:55

Is it 2025 or 2026?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural████████████████████████████████32%

Parks and Recreation███████████████████████23%

Signage Regulation█████████████████17%

Community Engagement█████████9%

Public Engagement███████7%

Transportation Safety██████6%

Sign Ordinance████4%

Fiscal Sustainability██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting - September 24, 2025

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen met on September 24, 2025 (noted: agenda and transcript indicate September 23, 2025, but the provided date is used per instructions) at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting covered a resolution honoring the retiring Fire Chief, a public hearing on 2025 tax rates, public comments on park issues, multiple ordinance readings (playground replacement, sign code amendments, traffic calming policy), approval of a consent agenda, and a discussion on naming the new community center.

Presentations, Communications and Appointments

Resolution Honoring Fire Chief Leo Meyer: The Mayor presented a resolution recognizing Chief Meyer's 51 years in fire service, including his leadership in establishing the city's ambulance service. The resolution was approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Hearings

2025 Tax Levy Ordinance: A public hearing was held to set the annual property and personal property tax rates for 2025. The rates are determined by St. Louis County based on city assessments. No public comments were offered. The board unanimously passed the ordinance on first and second readings (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Sharon Scott (9617 Yorkshire Estates Dr.): Asked if Crestwood is still a Tree City (no immediate answer); commented on the appearance of the native plant area at Crestwood Park and suggested more trees be planted along the creek, citing Blackburn Park in Webster as an example.
Dan Rolfing (1201 Capri Dr.): Expressed concern about the closure of the Spellman Park playground, calling it an overreaction. He urged quick replacement and noted that children are playing on the closed equipment anyway. He requested better communication and faster action.
Sharon Scott (return): Asked why there are no signs directing people to the police department.

Discussion Items

Bill 25-37 – Toddler Playground Replacement at Spellman Park: Second reading. Discussion focused on budget, timing, and integration with future replacement of the larger playground. Director Ramirez explained that the toddler playground replacement ($25,000) is funded from budget savings from the sand volleyball project, and that the larger playground could be designed and funded for 2026, with installation possible in early 2026 if budgeted. Aldermen Maybee and Morrison expressed concerns about piecemeal approach and coordination with resurfacing. The ordinance was approved on second reading (6-2, with Maybee and Morrison voting no).
Ordinance Amending Sign Code (Temporary Signs): The Mayor proposed multiple amendments to clarify definitions (commercial sign, flag, temporary sign) and to add prohibitions on inflatable devices (air dancers). After extensive debate, the board approved a series of amendments including: relocating text in the commercial sign definition, expanding the flag definition to include other materials, striking durability language from temporary sign definition, adding “customarily” to flag display, inserting “non-commercial” to exempt holiday decorations from attention-getting device restrictions, and adding a ban on inflatable/mechanically animated devices (tied vote 4-4, broken by Mayor in favor). The amended ordinance was then passed on first and second readings (8-0).
Ordinance Amending Traffic Calming Policy: The board considered a staff recommendation to remove the “or board of aldermen” amendment that would allow the board to decide the survey scope for traffic calming projects. Mayor argued the current policy is clear and board involvement could create inconsistency. Aldermen Morrison and Maybee supported keeping the board’s authority due to accountability to residents. After discussion, the ordinance was passed (7-1, with Alderperson Now voting no) on both readings.
Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously, including minutes, temporary liquor licenses for Our Lady of Providence and Parks and Rec, conditional use permits for Stevie Menley massage, Turkish American assembly, and Proper Cannabis dispensary, agreement with SSM Cardinal Glennon for STARS program, cost share with MO Dept of Conservation, and acceptance of public improvements for McBride Crestwood Crossing.
New Business – Community Center Naming: The board reviewed public suggestions and staff recommendations. Most aldermen favored “The Cliffs” as the name for the new community center at Whitecliff Park. Alderman Hall and others cited its distinctiveness and branding potential. The board directed staff to proceed with that name and bring back design renderings for the building signage.

Key Outcomes

Fire Chief Leo Meyer retirement resolution approved unanimously.
2025 Tax levy ordinance passed (8-0) on both readings.
Spellman Park toddler playground replacement approved (6-2).
Sign code ordinance amended with multiple changes and passed (8-0).
Traffic calming policy amendment passed (7-1).
Consent agenda approved unanimously.
New community center name “The Cliffs” adopted by consensus; staff to finalize design.
Staff to communicate that the larger Spellman playground replacement is planned for 2026, pending budget approval, and encourage public input at the October Parks Board meeting.
Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, 7 p.m. wrong one. There we go. I call this board of all remaining for September 23rd, 2025 to 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 God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. City Clerk, can you please take role? Alderman Zavas. Alderman Morrison. Alderman Ballas. Alder Person now. Here. Alderman Hall. Alderman Maybe. Alderman Seven. Alderman Jadala. All eight are here. You have a quorum, Your Honor. Very good. Uh under presentations, communications, and appointments, we have one item, and that is a resolution honoring Fire Chief Leo Meyer upon his retirement. Chief, if you would uh please meet me at the podium and I'd ask the entire fire department if they'd please join me. Chief, we uh would like to present you with uh resolution number 2513. There is so much information on here, we had to do the really small font, so I'm gonna let you hold that while I read a little bit larger uh font. A lot to cover. So this is a resolution recognizing and honoring Fire Chief Leo Meyer upon his retirement. Whereas Fire Chief Leo Meyer has announced his retirement from the city of Crestwood, Department of Fire Services, concluding a distinguished career of 51 years in the fire service. And whereas Chief Meyer began his career at age 15 as a volunteer with the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to public safety. And whereas Chief Meyer has faithfully served the City of Crestwood since January of 2019, first as assistant fire chief and fire marshal, and then as fire chief and fire marshal beginning in January 2023. And whereas during his tenure, Chief Meyer made a lasting impact, restructuring the departments, adding deputy chief positions to ensure a command officer is always on duty for ISO standards, and successfully establishing the city's ambulance service, placing the first ambulance in service in August of 2023, and the second in January of 2025. And whereas Chief Meyer has demonstrated exceptional dedication to duty, ensuring the department's readiness to respond to the needs of Crestwood residents as well as those in the surrounding region and across the state of Missouri. And whereas Chief Meyer has consistently led by example, encouraged advancement, education, and training for firefighters, and guided the department with compassion, respect, and fairness. And whereas through his time, talent, and energy, Chief Meyer contributed significantly to the safety, progress, and welfare of the city and its citizens. And whereas throughout his career, Chief Meyer earned the admiration and respect of Crestwood residents, business community, the Board of Alderman, City Management, and staff. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and the board of Alderman that the City of Crestwood, Missouri, that they do hereby congratulate Fire Chief Leo Meyer on his well-earned retirement and extend their heartfelt appreciation for his service. And be it further resolved that the mayor and board of Alderman express their gratitude and best wishes to Fire Chief Leo A. Meyer Jr. for his outstanding dedication to the city of Crestwood and wish him continued good health, happiness, and fulfillment in the years ahead. Chief, congratulations. Thank you. Chief, as a first responder, you've obviously touched many many lives. But you've touched and left your mark here on Crestwood, not only as a first responder, but as a leader. And you've by the dedication shown right here. That's it's a hard thing for a leader to do is to have the respect of everyone he leads and still be an effective leader. And you have done that, and you've left your mark on the city of Crestwood. So again, I thank you. Thank you, ma'am. All right. Excuse me. Thank you. Thank you, everyone.

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