Board of Alderman Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 THE MINUTES ARE PREPARED IN SUMMARY TO REFLECT THE OVERALL DISCUSSIONS, NOT VERBATIM QUOTES. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pogue at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman Mike Utt Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Kevin M. Roach Alderman Mark Stallmann Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Jim Leahy Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman Raymond Kerlagon City Administrator Eric Sterman City Attorney Robert Jones The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. MINUTES The Minutes from the April 11, 2022, Board of Aldermen meeting were submitted for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Finley to approve the minutes from the April 11, 2022 Board of Aldermen meeting as submitted. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 1  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 Mayor Pogue shared that today brings an end to an era of great public servants to the City of Ballwin. Ray and Kathy Kerlagon together, have served the City for over 13 years. Ray was first sworn in April 2006 and served until May 2008. Kathy was appointed to the Board by Mayor Pogue in September 2011 when a vacancy occurred and served until April 2016. Ray again ran and was elected to serve in April 2016 and has been on the Board since. They have both served the community actively through their church, with the citizen police academy and Ray with the FBI academy. The community will definitely miss them. Mayor Pogue presented a plaque to Ray honoring Ray’s and Kathy’s service to Ballwin. Alderman Finley shared that during his first term on the Board, he had to have surgery. Ray and Kathy, who were not on the Board at the time, came to the hospital to visit him. He thanked Ray for his kindness. Alderman Bullington shared that he and his wife have had the good fortune to know Ray and Kathy for many years, as Kathy’s father lived next door to him. He thanked Ray for everything he’s done, but especially for his friendship, which means the world. Alderman Fleming shared that he has appreciated Ray’s calm and wisdom, but most of all, his kindness and thanked him for everything he has done for the City to make it a better place to live. Alderman Stallmann shared that when he was first appointed to the Board, Ray and Kathy came to him and asked what they could do to help. He shared it has been a pleasure and honor to work with them. Ray thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the City. He shared that he wished Kathy could be able to be here to thank everyone as well. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 2  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 PRESENTATION_____________________________________________________________ SWEARING IN OF ELECTED OFFICIALS Alderman Michael Finley – oath administered by City Attorney Robert Jones Alderman Kevin Roach – oath administered by Honorable Judge Virginia Nye Alderman Frank Fleming – oath administered by Honorable Judge Virginia Nye Alderman David Siegel – oath administered by Honorable Judge Virginia Nye Officials were sworn in for a two-year term expiring April 2024. Call to order at 7:16. There is a second roll call with newly elected officials. Present: Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman Mike Utt Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Kevin M. Roach Alderman Mark Stallmann Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Jim Leahy Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman David Siegel City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 3  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 CONSENT ITEMS____________________________________________________________ Administration – Health Insurance Staff recommends accepting the 9% medical insurance premium increase from SLAIT. Discussion: Alderman Roach asked if there was any background information on the increase. City Administrator Sterman explained that we are part of SLAIT and that health claims have increased across the board. He also explained that while the increase is costly, premiums would have gone up much more if we were on our own. Alderman Stallmann thanked former City Administrator Bob Kuntz who got the City started with SLAIT. Alderman Roach stated this is different from workman’s comp, so there is less we can do to reduce claims. City Administrator Sterman shared that we don’t know who claims what, but the City does have wellness programs in place which are funded by SLAIT, so we encourage wellness for our employees. Alderman Roach asked what we should expect for the 2023 budget; Mr. Sterman stated that SLAIT looks at a period of 30 months, but it would be hard to speculate what increases could be. Alderman Roach also asked if there was any concern that SLAIT would expect anything different from us; Mr. Sterman explained that Ballwin has been a member for many years and as long as we adhere to rules set forth by SLAIT and remain in good standing, there shouldn’t be any concerns. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Bullington to accept staff’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. MAYOR’S REPORT__________________________________________________________ Mayor Pogue nominated Alderman Frank Fleming as Board President. A motion was made by Alderman Finley and seconded by Alderman Stallmann to accept the nomination. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Mayor Pogue stated he will be reviewing committee assignments and asked the Aldermen to email him, ranking their committee choices. He also asked if anyone had interest in being on Planning & Zoning to please include that in their email. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 4  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT___________________________________________________ As has been discussed, one of the Board’s objectives has been to pursue annexation and grow the City’s boundaries. As a follow up, we have been in communication with two subdivisions to the South, at Ries Rd. and Big Bend. One subdivision has submitted their petition and the other is working on theirs. Our next step with the petitions is to submit them to the St. Louis County Boundary Commission along with an ordinance indicating our interest in annexing as well as a report showing we are capable of providing services to the subdivisions. This process thus far has been led by the subdivisions. If the Board is interested, a motion for legislation to be drafted would be needed and the legislation would be brought forth at one of the May meetings. Alderman Stallman stated he believes this is an excellent idea and we should encourage and facilitate the process. Alderman Fleming stated we should do our due diligence with cost analysis, etc. A motion was made by Alderman Stallmann and seconded by Alderman Bullington to direct the City Attorney to draft appropriate legislation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT_________________________________________________ Nothing to report ALDERMANIC COMMENTS_________________________________________________ Alderman Finley talked about his career as an attorney and touched on some low points during his career. He shared that City Attorney Robert Jones has always been an inspiration to him to keep going. For those who didn’t know, Mr. Jones is a former Ballwin mayor and municipal judge. Alderman Finley invited Mr. Jones to do the Oath of Office for him this evening because he has been such an inspiration and that he and his colleagues appreciate Mr. Jones. He also thanked Adelia Collier and her father for coming to the meeting. Miss Collier held the Bible for Alderman Finley as he took his Oath of Office. Miss Collier attends West Hills Christian Church and Incarnate Word School and has an interest in history and government. Alderman Stallmann asked Park Director Chris Conway to commend his staff for their outstanding professionalism during a water rescue that he and his son had witnessed. Alderman Fleming thanked his wife and son for letting him take the time once again to do this. He appreciates that they give up family time so he is able to do so. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 5  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Finley to adjourn. The motion was passed by unanimous affirmative voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. ______________________________ TIM POGUE, MAYOR ATTEST: ____________________________________ POLLY MOORE, CITY CLERK City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 6