Board of Alderman Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 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 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman Mike Utt Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Kevin Roach Alderman Mark Stallmann (via videoconference) Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Mark Weaver Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman David Siegel City Administrator Eric Sterman City Attorney Robert Jones The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. MINUTES The minutes from the April 8, 2024 Board of Aldermen meeting were submitted for approval. A motion to approved as submitted was made by Alderman Frank Fleming and seconded by Alderman Michael Finley. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. ADJOURN City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 1  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 PRESENTATIONS Aldermen Michael Finley, Pamela Haug, Frank Fleming and David Siegel were sworn into office for a two year term. ROLL CALL Present Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman Mike Utt Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Pamela Haug Alderman Mark Stallmann (via video conference) Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Mark Weaver Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman David Siegel City Administrator Eric Sterman City Attorney Robert Jones CITIZEN COMMENTS________________________________________________________ Julie Schlegel, 314 Hoover Avenue, St. Louis, spoke to the Board over concerns about the former police chief that happened at his previous employer. Kevin Wood, 235 New Ballwin Road, spoke to the Board in support of keeping Officer Mike Reynolds as School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School and ending term limits for specialized positions for Ballwin Police Officers. Rebecca House, 815 Pine Village Ct, spoke to the Board in support of keeping Officer Mike Reynolds as School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School and ending term limits for specialized positions for Ballwin Police Officers. Ashley Force, 1015 Rose Hill Lane, Ellisville, spoke to the Board in support of keeping Officer Mike Reynolds as School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School and ending term limits for specialized positions for Ballwin Police Officers. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 2  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 Taylor Rosehill, 235 New Ballwin Road, spoke to the Board in support of keeping Officer Mike Reynolds as School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School and ending term limits for specialized positions for Ballwin Police Officers. Candace Hall, 1060 Oakwood Farms Lane, spoke to the Board in support of keeping Officer Mike Reynolds as School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School and ending term limits for specialized positions for Ballwin Police Officers. Alderman David Siegel addressed the audience and noted the Board spoke about this issue at the last Board meeting. He also noted he understands the desire for stability, but the rotation of positions is in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police Union and the City of Ballwin and there is nothing the City can do to change it without approval from the Union. He noted the Board had discussed a longer probation period for training between the former School Resource Officer and a new one in the future. City Attorney Bob Jones noted the City of Ballwin cannot change anything within the Police Department’s CBA without the union having to renegotiate. He also noted the CBA is good through 2026. Mayor Tim Pogue noted there are other assignments that are covered by the rotation including traffic enforcement, detectives, community affairs and more. He also noted there does not seem to be support within the Police Department for changing this rotation. Alderman Pamela Haug questioned whether this term limit for SRO’s was only at Selvidge Middle School. Interim Police Chief John Bergfeld noted the City of Chesterfield has term limits and St. Louis County is looking into adding term limits for their SRO’s. Mark Harder, St. Louis County Councilman gave the Board an update on the New Ballwin Road project from Twigwood to Big Bend and noted it had been approved construction would potentially start this year. He also noted there was a Kia event at the Chesterfield Mall this coming Sunday, April 28th, to update anti-theft software on some Kia models. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 3  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 CONSENT ITEMS____________________________________________________________ Public Works – Salt Purchase Staff recommends awarding the contract for 200 tons of salt for late 2024 delivery and an additional 100 tons for early 2025 delivery to the City of Chesterfield Coop/Compass Minerals. A motion was made by Alderman Frank Fleming and seconded by Alderman Ross Bullington to accept staff’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. MAYOR’S REPORT__________________________________________________________ Mayor Tim Pogue nominated Cassidy Campbell from Ward 2 for the Parks & Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee. Alderman Mark Stallmann made a motion to accept the nomination, with Alderman Michael Finley seconding the motion. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Mayor Pogue nominated Scott Brinker from Ward 4 for the Planning & Zoning Commission. Alderman David Siegel made a motion to accept the nomination, with Alderman Ross Bullington seconding the motion. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Mayor Pogue nominated Ava Cisse from Ward 3 for the Board of Adjustment. Alderman Frank Fleming made a motion to accept the nomination, with Alderman Mark Weaver seconding the motion. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Mayor Pogue also discussed canceling the second meeting for the month starting in May and running through August due to the summer schedule and Memorial Day. Alderman Mike Utt made a motion with Alderman Michael Finley seconding that motion. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT__________________________________________________ City Administrator Eric Sterman informed the Board the Parks & Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee had met prior to the meeting. Recommended converting the second court at Holloway Park to a pickleball court, and repairing the courts at Vlasis Park and repairing the courts at New Ballwin Park will be budgeted in 2025. City Administrator Sterman also noted the demolition of Vlasis Park is well underway and sitework should begin soon. Alderman Mark Weaver asked about when the former Police Station will be demolished. City Administrator Sterman noted it is on schedule for remediation next week, and then the City will apply for demolition permits from St. Louis County for demolition soon after. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 4  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT_________________________________________________ None. STAFF REPORTS____________________________________________________________ Administration – 401 Mayfair Drive Fence Staff recommends approval of petition with the condition that the property owner agrees to several requirements. Discussion:City Planner Lynn Sprick noted the City had received an application for a fence in the front yard of 401 Mayfair Drive, noting there was a dwelling that was 27 feet from the property line that was torn down. The new residence is 40 feet from the property line. Mayor Tim Pogue questioned whether there was a sight distance issue with the new fence, and City Planner Sprick noted there was not. Alderman David Siegel questioned whether the fence will be behind or in front of the trees. The property owner, Gary Luaders, noted the fence would be behind the trees on Clayton Road. Alderman Siegel questioned if there were provisions the homeowner would have to follow regarding this fence. City Attorney Bob Jones noted City ordinances require upkeep and repairs of this fence and revocation of the fence permit if not followed. He also noted this requirement would transfer to the new owner, should the owners sell the property. A motion was made by Alderman Mark Stallmann and seconded by Alderman David Siegel to accept staff’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Police Department – Body & Dash Camera System Purchase Staff recommends Axon be awarded the contract for our vehicle / body camera program. The Axon cameras performed better during our field-testing and we are able to spread out the cost of the purchase over a five-year period. This project is within budget. Discussion: Interim Police Chief John Bergfeld noted the Department is looking to upgrade the vehicle and body camera system. The car cameras were purchased in 2015 while the body cameras were purchased in 2020. Those body cameras typically only last 3-5 years. The department went out for proposals and performed a wear test of cameras from both companies that bid. He noted the iPRO did not last the officers full 12 hour shift, while the Axon cameras did. He also noted Axon’s bid was $3,000 less. This project is under budget. A motion was made by Alderman David Siegel and seconded by Alderman Ross Bullington to accept staff’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 5  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 Police Department – Taser Purchase Staff recommends approval to upgrade the department’s EMDs to the Taser 10. Discussion: Interim Police Chief John Bergfeld discussed the Department’s desire to upgrade to new Tasers. The current Tasers owned by the Department are now out of warranty and there are some items Taser will not fix because the parts are not available. He also noted these new Tasers are bright yellow, more accurate and more powerful. The new ones are slightly over budget, but Interim Police Chief Bergfeld recommended allocating savings from the body & dash camera budget into the Taser budget to cover the cost. Alderman David Siegel noted he appreciates staff worrying about the budget, but he is concerned about the liability for officers if the Tasers are not working. He noted the Department should make an effort to not go out of warranty on any other products in the future. Alderman Mike Utt questioned whether the old Tasers could be sold. Interim Police Chief John Bergfeld noted no one would purchase them because they’re old outdated models. A motion was made by Alderman Frank Fleming and seconded by Alderman Mike Utt to accept staff’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. ALDERMANIC COMMENTS__________________________________________________ Alderman Mike Utt gave a shout out to the Public Works Department for handling a tree branch that had struck a garbage truck on his street. He noted the Department came out and worked quickly and had the branch removed within minutes. Alderman Michael Finley thanked teachers, staff and parents for voicing their concerns over the School Resource Officer at Selvidge Middle School. Alderman David Siegel thanked residents for their support on his re-election, and thanked the Board for their support throughout the past two years. Alderman Mark Stallmann congratulated Aldermen Siegel, Finley and Fleming for their re-election, and said a special congratulations to Alderman Pamela Haug for her election. Alderman Frank Fleming also thanked voters for their support for his re-election. Alderman Michael Finley also thanked voters for their support on his re-election and noted he was looking forward to a great 2024-2025. Alderman Mike Utt also thanked Selvidge parents for coming out to the Board meeting. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 6  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes APRIL 22, 2024 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 ADJOURNMENT____________________________________________________________ A motion was made by Alderman Frank Fleming and seconded by Alderman Michael Finley to adjourn. The motion was passed by unanimous affirmative voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ______________________________ TIM POGUE, MAYOR ATTEST: ____________________________________ MEGAN FREEMAN, CITY CLERK City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 7