Crestwood Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen met on Thursday, October 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. The meeting was called to order with a quorum present, and included public comments, aldermanic reports, approval of a consent agenda, passage of a resolution for the April 2027 election, and a discussion on the sewer lateral tax program. Mayor Shipley was absent due to a family bereavement; Mayor Pro Tem presided.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of September 22, 2026 Board of Aldermen regular meeting minutes – Approved unanimously.
• Acknowledgement of Special Districts 2027 Fiscal Year budgets – Included Watson Plaza CID, Crestwood Pointe CID, Crestwood Square CID, Crestwood Crossing CID, and Crestwood Crossing Residential CID. All acknowledged.
• Temporary liquor license to VOYCE (nonprofit) – Approved for an event at Woodards on October 16, 2026.
• Ordinance amending candidate filing dates – Amended Section 8-5 of the Municipal Code regarding election filing periods.
• Ordinance approving six private fire hydrants at 8800 Watson Road – Approved.
• Ordinance approving agreement with Municipal Partners for Inclusive Recreation (MPIR) and the City of Ellisville – Relates to employment and housing of the MPIR Executive Director; authorized City Administrator to execute.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker 1 (unidentified resident, 4017 Greensline, Crestwood) – Commented on the sewer lateral program, stating the average payout is around $2,500–$2,600, but also mentioned residents pay $20 per year (though later reference to $28 fee). He noted it would take 89.2 years for a single resident to recoup the average claim. He expressed concerns about e-bikes racing in the city, observing five riders performing dangerous maneuvers on Barron Road over the weekend.
• Daniel Padgill (9447 Logical Lane, Ward 1) – Expressed appreciation for the city's consideration of the Lawrence Group for the White Cliff Trails and Cheryl Ann Bridge project. He strongly urged the board to seek input from residents living near the proposed bridge, noting that the existing plans are based on a 29-year-old master plan. He questioned the necessity and cost of the bridge, especially given floodplain challenges, and suggested alternative uses of funds. He also reported a port-a-potty left by MSD at the Cheryl Ann park entrance for over a week and requested its removal.
• Tim Moffat (9447 Logical Lane) – Thanked the police department for improved patrol presence and response times over the past three to four months. He expressed opposition to the proactive police effort of checking private property for unlocked car doors and windows, calling it an invasion of privacy. He reported a persistent speeding problem on Black Poll, his dog being attacked by an unleashed dog, and frustration that leash laws are not enforced. He asked whether Crestwood has a data center policy and whether it is considering drone delivery services, citing privacy concerns. He noted that nearby Kirkwood is dealing with a Walmart drone delivery proposal.

Reports from Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and City Administrator

• Alderman Zavist – Clarified that drone delivery in airspace is federally regulated; cities can permit takeoff/landing sites. Noted no current requests in Crestwood. Reported on well-attended paint and electronics recycling events and encouraged participation.
• Alderman Morrison – Thanked volunteers for recycling events. Attended a Cool Cities STL tree infrastructure workshop and plans to email recommendations. Heard multiple resident complaints about leash laws and hopes to redouble enforcement. Noted public works' quick response with signage at a recent traffic/leash incident.
• Alderman Now – Missed recycling events due to a new job. Suggested coordinating a pharmaceutical drop-off, noting DEA National Prescription Take Back Day on October 24, 2026 at the police department. Worked with neighbors on overgrown foliage issues; proposed using volunteer honeysuckle removal efforts for homeowners.
• Mayor Pro Tem (acting mayor) – Acknowledged October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; reported 8 domestic violence instances in Crestwood in 2026 (year to date), with 2 arrests. Attended Sappington House Foundation meeting and various events. Mentioned Lindbergh Schools elected officials update, noting the district spends $11,000 per student (lower than 25 other districts) and faces state funding cuts and regulatory bills. Attended Cool Cities STL and is interested in tree protection ordinances; cited mental health benefits of tree canopy. Noted Crestwood will participate in a native garden plant tour in June 2027.
• Alderman Maybe – Addressed e-bike concerns as top complaint. On the White Cliff Trails project, clarified that the proposed bridge was reaffirmed in the 2023 park master plan and included in Proposition A bond passed by super-majority in 2024; exact design and materials will be determined with public input through the Lawrence Group. Regarding drones, noted Kirkwood is wrestling with a Walmart drone proposal; concerns about weight (2.5–2.6 lb) falls. Requested staff ensure that MoDOT repairs a retaining wall at Sappington Cemetery after their bridge work.
• Alderman Seven – Missed several events but is glad the former Crestwood Appliance building (built 1958) is being saved by Anzac Developments. Attended Sappington House events and the Chamber of Commerce golf outing (team kept trophy). Announced upcoming traffic calming project on Red Oak in Ward 4. Congratulated Alderwoman Jadala on the birth of her son Meki Marlon Salah Heldon Jadala (October 1, 2026).
• City Administrator – Reported on Ferndale Park Woodland Restoration and Rain Garden Project: received $10,000 MSD grant, $5,000 Missouri Conservation cost-share, and 18 trees/shrubs from Forest Relief of Missouri. Eight volunteers (including Mayor Shipley and staff) planted on October 10. Sappington Cabin progress: first floor walls are up, chimney stonework underway, power pole installed. Anzac Developments ribbon cutting at 8800 Watson. Upcoming events: Turkish Food and Culture Festival (October 17), Suncrest Fest (October 24) with expanded children's area, car show on Eddie and Park. Also noted Mayor Shipley's father passed away last week.

Discussion Items

• Resolution Calling for Election on April 6, 2027 – Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Sewer Lateral Tax Discussion – Alderman Maybe led a discussion on the sewer lateral program's financial sustainability. The current $28 annual fee (unchanged since 1999) covers repairs up to $10,000 (then 50/50 thereafter). The fund has run deficits of $80,000 in 2025 and a projected $40,000 in 2026 due to inflation. Options presented:
  • Reduce coverage from $10,000 to $2,500 (not favored by most speakers).
  • Shift 20% administrative salary allocation back to general fund (short-term fix, likely temporary).
  • Raise the flat fee to $50 (state maximum, yields ~$80,000 surplus; $22/year increase per household, but not inflation-proof).
  • **Replace $28 fee with a property tax increase of 6.3 cents (approximately $0.063 per $100 assessed value). This would result in taxes varying by home value: e.g., $150k home pays $17.96 (-$10 from current fee), $450k home pays $53.87 (+$26), $550k pays $65.84 (+$37). This would index to inflation naturally. Alderman Maybe favored the property tax replacement. Alderman Seven supported moving the 20% salary to general fund and preferred the property tax approach for fairness and inflation-proofing. Alderman Zavist supported exploring graduated increase (e.g., $5/year steps) or splitting coverage difference. Board agreed to continue discussion at the next meeting, with a target to place a ballot measure on the April 2027 ballot.

Key Outcomes

• **Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
• Resolution calling for April 6, 2027 election passed unanimously.
• Sewer lateral tax discussion – No vote taken; will be continued at the next regular meeting.
• **No other new bills introduced.
• Meeting adjourned following a motion and unanimous vote.