Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting covered presentations on membership fee schedules for The Cliffs at Whitecliff Park and the Aquatic Center, a public comment on the Whitecliff Park nature playscape, reports from city staff and aldermen, and a strategic plan discussion on connectivity and lighting policies. Several consent agenda items were approved, and three items were removed for separate discussion: the Aquatic Center fee resolution, The Cliffs membership and daily fee schedule, and the citywide fee schedule ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the June 23rd Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting Minutes, and records of Special Meetings on June 25th, 26th, and July 8th.
• A resolution to approve a grant application to the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County for the Whitecliff Park Playground.
• An ordinance authorizing the purchase of equipment from Kompan and ABC Creative for a new nature playscape at Whitecliff Park through TIPS and OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing.
• An ordinance approving a supplemental agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for sidewalk design and construction through the Transportation Improvement Program.
• An ordinance authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Enterprise Sewer and Drain for additional compensation not to exceed $40,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident (unidentified, but stated address) expressed concern about the proposed nature playscape at Whitecliff Park, noting that the planned 50’x60’ artificial turf area conflicted with the city’s conservation goals and stewardship standards. They proposed replacing the turf with a native plant garden for pollinators and butterflies. Mayor responded that the plan is still evolving and that some of the requested elements will be included in the next version.

Discussion Items

• Presentation on Membership Fee Schedule for The Cliffs at Whitecliff Park: Director Ramirez presented a year-long review comparing costs with nearby community centers (Sunset Hills, Webster Groves, etc.) and private clubs. Proposed fees for The Cliffs-only membership: resident monthly $30, annual $330; non-resident monthly $39, annual $429; resident family (up to 4) monthly $49, annual $539; non-resident family monthly $65, annual $715. Platinum membership (includes aquatic center, fitness classes, child care) proposed at resident annual $445, non-resident $650; family resident $850, non-resident $1,190. Daily drop-in fees were proposed at $5 resident/$8 non-resident. Multiple aldermen supported increases to daily fees to better align with competitors (e.g., Sunset Hills $7/$10). Alderman Sevens noted that the park board recommended standardizing discounts (e.g., annual memberships effectively give one month free). The board discussed adding a family add-on for additional members beyond four ($60/year, resident and non-resident same).
• Strategic Plan – Connectivity and Lighting Policy Discussion: Mayor led a discussion on developing a connectivity and lighting policy to define priority corridors for sidewalks and streetlights. A map showed existing sidewalks and proposed priority corridors (in red) connecting parks, schools, and churches. Aldermen suggested additions: extending Pardee Road sidewalk to Grant’s Farm Trails, filling gaps on Red Oak, Glenwood, Sanders, and connecting Grant’s Trail to Whitecliff Park. Alderman May advised caution to avoid overly ambitious corridors that may never be built; Alderman Morrison distinguished between pathway lighting and roadway lighting, urging staff to study best practices from other cities. Mayor confirmed staff will refine the map and bring back a formal policy later in the fall.

Key Outcomes

• The Cliffs Membership & Daily Fee Schedule (Resolution): Alderman May moved to set daily rates at $6 for residents and $10 for non-residents (amending the original proposal of $5/$8). The motion carried unanimously (8-0). The resolution as amended was then approved by roll call (8-0).
• Aquatic Center Fee Increase (Resolution): After discussion about the impact of a $45 increase on families, the resolution approving the fee schedule was passed unanimously (8-0).
• Citywide Fee Schedule Ordinance (as amended): Alderman May successfully moved to keep the reinspection surcharge at $75 (instead of reducing it to $50). The motion carried (8-0). The ordinance as amended was then read twice and passed on each reading by an 8-0 vote.
• Other Consent Agenda Items: All consent agenda items were approved by a single roll call vote (8-0) after no further items were removed.
• Future Action: Staff will update the connectivity map with aldermanic suggestions and present a formal sidewalk and lighting policy later in 2026.

Note: The agenda lists the meeting date as July 28, 2026, but the user-provided meeting date is July 29, 2026. The summary uses the date given in the instruction.