Public Works Board Meeting - March 13, 2026

The Crestwood Public Works Board met on March 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, public comments on a proposed surveillance camera ordinance, updates on city projects, and discussions on a resident-drafted camera ordinance and public works policies.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the November 19, 2025, Public Works Board meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marilyn Fower (9306 Clean City) spoke about the camera ordinance. She described two years of targeted surveillance from two neighbor cameras pointing at her front, side, and back yards. She expressed strong support for a targeted surveillance camera ordinance that would require removal of cameras that capture neighboring property beyond incidental capture, with no grandfather clause. She provided paper copies of a draft ordinance (dated 3.26) and urged the board to forward a similar ordinance to the Board of Aldermen.

Discussion Items

• Director's Report (Mr. Faust): Provided updates: City Administrator Simpson departed for Creve Coeur; Police Chief Williams is acting CA; Fire Chief Harrell hired Jan 2. Public works staffing stable. Cassie Mossgos returned as part-time project manager. RV parking ordinance failed at Board of Aldermen in December. Watson Road project (MoDOT) will keep one lane open during bridge work. Community center to open in 12 months; Joseph Sampson House foundation being poured. New generator for government center, capital asset report, safety vestibules, citywide sign package, Sanders property buyout demos, $1M concrete slabs (April–August). Liquor traffic counting report due end of March or early April. Party Road to Gravois Creek construction going to bid. Crestwood sidewalk TAP grant decision in fall. Note: Federal sidewalk projects now in 3–4 year blocks, extending to 2030.
• Aldermanic Report (Alderman Morrison): Echoed CA departure. Noted RV parking ordinance failed after an amendment during Board of Aldermen discussion. Encouraged board to review that discussion to understand why similar work may not succeed. She offered to provide future updates on ordinance outcomes.
• Unfinished Business: Sewer Lateral Update was carried forward without discussion. Chairman Liddy expressed concerns about fund sustainability, noting 35 requests already in March with $40,000–45,000 scheduled spend against a $100,000–120,000 annual pot. Suggested considering a cap (e.g., $2,500 per property) or paying only for clean-outs.
• New Business – Security Camera Ordinance: Mr. Faust explained the background: an alderman-drafted ordinance (amending 1628) was sent to Public Safety Board (July 2025) but they deemed it a civil matter, not criminal, and referred it to PWB. A resident-drafted ordinance (March 26 version) was also presented. Board discussed enforceability, intent, and privacy expectations. Member opinions varied: some favored a narrow ordinance focusing on rear yards (as per an alderman’s redline); others noted difficulty proving intent and practical enforcement. The resident re-emphasized that her cameras clearly target her yard. The board agreed they were not ready to decide. Motion made (and seconded) to move discussion to a future meeting and send the current verbiage back to the sponsoring alderman for redefinition. Motion passed unanimously.
• New Business – Public Works Policies: Mr. Faust opened discussion on policies for street lighting and sidewalks. Highlighted aging policies (e.g., lighting policy from 2002). Board put $30,000/year toward lighting; costs vary ($2,500–$3,000 for easy adds, $9,000–10,000 for new poles). Sidewalk policy focuses on high-traffic areas near schools and parks. Board will continue discussion in May; members invited to email ideas.

Key Outcomes

• Camera Ordinance: Motion carried to defer further discussion to a future meeting and ask the sponsoring alderman to refine the language. No timeline set.
• Policy Discussions: The board will continue reviewing public works policies (lighting, sidewalks) at the May 20, 2026 meeting. Members may submit ideas via email.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for May 20, 2026.