City Council - Regular Meetings

To view the full text of ordinances, resolutions, and minutes, please click their titles. The Work Session and Regular Meeting will be available to the public via teleconference ONLY. Instructions on listening through your phone or computer to the teleconference are available at webstergroves.org/teleconference. Please note, residents can share comments virtually via Zoom using the “Raise Hand” option, via email or U.S. mail. Written comments will not be read aloud at the meetings. All speakers will be allowed three minutes. [Please note, due to the ongoing pandemic, masks will be required at all City buildings by all regardless of vaccination status.] CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA DATE: WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2022 6:30 P.M. LOCATION – CITY HALL (AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA TELECONFERENCE ONLY) #4 E. LOCKWOOD AVENUE 1. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS 2. REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA 3. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER ISSUES/MEETING UPDATES 4. TOPICS: • Police Community Engagement Board • Traffic Advisory Commission 5. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 6. EXECUTIVE (CLOSED SESSION) RE: 1. ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (1)] 2. REAL ESTATE [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (2)] 3. PERSONNEL [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (3)] 4. NEGOTIATED CONTRACT [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (12)] 7. ADJOURNMENT To view the full text of ordinances, resolutions, and minutes, please click their titles. CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 16, 2022 7:30 P.M. LOCATION–CITY HALL-#4 E. LOCKWOOD (AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA TELECONFERENCE ONLY) The Work Session and Regular Meeting will be available to the public via teleconference ONLY. Instructions on listening through your phone or computer to the teleconference are available at webstergroves.org/teleconference. Please note, residents can share comments virtually via Zoom using the “Raise Hand” option, via email or U.S. mail. Written comments will not be read aloud at the meetings. All speakers will be allowed three minutes. [Please note, due to the ongoing pandemic, masks will be required at all City buildings by all regardless of vaccination status.] Welcome to the regular meeting of the City Council. We welcome questions, ideas and comments from persons in attendance. Members of the audience may, however, comment only when recognized by the Mayor or Mayor ProTem if the Mayor is absent. We ask that comments be limited to three minutes in order to complete the agenda within a reasonable time. Comments concerning items not on the agenda should be made during the Remarks of Visitors section of the agenda, near the beginning of the meeting. I. ROLL CALL II. REMARKS OF VISITORS III. NEW BUSINESS - MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Bill #9179 – Third Reading - An Ordinance Levying the Cost of Abating Certain Nuisances (Cut/Trim, Remove Trash and Debris, Dump Fees, Etc.) as Special Tax Bills Against the Properties Hereinafter Described and Constituting Levies as Liens on the Respective Properties V. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes – February 1, 2022 2. Liquor License (Temporary) – Application by Mary Queen of Peace Church, 676 W. Lockwood Ave., to Sell Beer and Wine by the Drink for Consumption on the Premises Where Sold at Their Spring Festival on April 30, 2022 (Rain Date: May 1, 2022)  To view the full text of ordinances, resolutions, and minutes, please click their titles. 3. Liquor License – Application by Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 8073 Watson Road, to Sell Liquor by the Drink for Consumption on the Premises Where Sold, and on Sundays (New Owner) 4. Liquor License (Temporary) – Application by the Lions Club to Sell Beer at Community Days, July 1-4, 2022, at Eden Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave. 5. Liquor License – Application by Amy’s Cake Pop Shop, 7967 Big Bend Blvd., to Sell Liquor Not to Be Consumed on the Premises Where Sold (2nd Location) VI. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS VII. EXECUTIVE (CLOSED SESSION) RE: 1. ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (1)] 2. REAL ESTATE [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (2)] 3. PERSONNEL [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (3)] 4. NEGOTIATED CONTRACT [MO. STATUTE 610.021 (12)] VIII. ADJOURNMENT Individuals who require an accommodation (sign language, interpreter, listening devices, etc.) to participate in the meeting should contact the City Clerk at 314-963- 5318 (fax number 314-963-7561) or Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) at least two working days prior to the meeting. NEXT REGULAR MEETING DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022  BILL #9179 ORDINANCE #9179 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING THE COST OF ABATING CERTAIN NUISANCES (CUT/TRIM, REMOVE TRASH AND DEBRIS, DUMP FEES, ETC.) AS SPECIAL TAX BILLS AGAINST THE PROPERTIES HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED AND CONSTITUTING LEVIES AS LIENS ON THE RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES WHEREAS, the City Manager, in compliance with Chapter 31 (the Comprehensive Nuisance Ordinance) and/or Chapter 30 (Existing Structures Code) of the Code of the City of Webster Groves, did properly cause the abatement of certain violations and nuisances by removing the growth of grass/weeds, dead trees, debris, and other dangerous conditions, by and through contracts with: Allen Outdoor Solutions, Inc. 7219 Weil St. Louis, MO 63119 JW’s Landscaping & Lawn Care, Inc. 87 Sandau St. Louis, MO 63119 on the premises described herein; and WHEREAS, Chapters 30 and 31 of the Code of Webster Groves require the City Council to assess against each lot concerned a special assessment equivalent to the expense incurred in removing such nuisances for the benefit of each lot concerned and the safety and general welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, after due notice to each individual property owner, the City Manager has certified such expense to the City Council, showing the lot and block numbers and dates on which the removal and/or abatement of the violations and/or nuisances occurred and the names and addresses of each respective owner, if known. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: There is hereby assessed against each of the following described lots a special assessment in the amount shown opposite each lot, which is the sum equivalent to the expense incurred by the City of Webster Groves in removing and abating each of the violations and nuisances, and the City Clerk is directed to issue a special tax bill in the amount of the expenses for each respective lot benefitted. Section 2: The aforesaid special tax bills shall be due and payable thirty (30) days after their issuance by the City Clerk, shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from and after thirty (30) days after issuance, and shall be a lien against each respective lot against which they are issued until paid. Section 3: The City Manager is hereby authorized to enforce the collection of each lien and charge recording and releasing fees, as provided by law, and the City may also forward all necessary information and documents to the Collector of Revenue of St. Louis County, Missouri, so as to have each special tax bill added 1 to the real property tax rolls as provided by law. Section 4: This ordinance shall not be printed in the Code of Webster Groves. Section 5: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval as provided by law. Passed and approved this ____ day of _____________, 2022. _________________________________________ MAYOR ATTEST: ___________________________________ CITY CLERK 2  CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES February 1, 2022 The City Council met this date in a regular session, in the City Council Chambers, which was available to the public via teleconference, at 8:08 p.m. Present at Roll Call: Mayor Gerry Welch Councilmember Laura Arnold Councilmember Pam Bliss Councilmember David Franklin Councilmember Emerson Smith Karen D. Alexander (via teleconference) Councilmember Sarah Richardson (via teleconference) A quorum was present. Also present: Dr. Marie Peoples, City Manager Mr. Neil Bruntrager, City Attorney Ms. Katie Nakazono, City Clerk RECOGNITION The Mayor and City Council proclaimed February as Black history month. Roslyn Croft of the North Webster Neighborhood Coalition accepted the proclamation, stating, as president of the North Webster Neighborhood Coalition, it is a privilege and an honor to accept this proclamation for Black history month, The City of Webster Groves, and primarily the North Webster community is rich with Black history. It's a great time to reflect on that rich history, and the historic heroes -- like Douglass high and elementary schools, Bennie Gordon, Doris Rogers, Henrietta Ambrose, Ed Robinson, Louis Davis, and so many others like Lee Moss and our own Kathryn DeHart who work so hard to keep the history alive. Thank you to our city leadership for this proclamation in recognition of Black history month, and the Black history within our city, thank you so much. REMARKS OF VISITORS Dave Buck read a statement [See Exhibit A]. Police Captain Stephen Spear stated, thank you Mayor. For those who don't know me my name is Captain Stephen Spear. I'm the commander of the division of field operations for your police department. First of all, thank you for the opportunity tonight to speak. I've been employed by the City of Webster Groves since February 2, 1993, and my job and my responsibility is to ensure that the police department and staff provide the best service possible to its residents, business owners, and visitors for the city. I've asked to speak tonight in regards to some proposed changes to the city's personnel policies that are being considered, specifically, the reduction of current limits on accrued sick and vacation time, as well as the elimination of retirement benefits to a large portion of your city staff. Benefits that were promised to that staff at the time of their hiring. Part of the responsibility that comes with my job is participating in assembling our annual budget request and during our recent budget kickoff for the upcoming fiscal year the outlook does appear to be dire. February 1, 2022 It's not unexpected that during those financial challenging times such cuts will have to be made. What's being proposed tonight will directly impact the employees of the city. It will impact staffing, hiring, and retirement. For those who are unaware, in the past three weeks three of my staff submitted their notices of separation. Those three officers represent approximately 69 years of law enforcement experience, along with specialized skills that cannot be replaced in short order. All three are leaving or have left in response to the proposed changes that you're considering tonight. My fear is that if the city and the council move forward with this proposal the loss of competent staffing will continue. The loss of exceptional staff is disappointing, but compensating for the loss is challenging. It’s almost impossible in today's employment market with fewer and fewer people wanting to join the civil employment field. For law enforcement it's the most challenging I've ever seen. If we move forward with these cuts my fear is not only will these numbers continue to drop but we'll be forced to consider the standards by which we measure applicants. I have two responsibilities at the core of my job. One is to provide the best level of service I can to the city and its residents, businesses, and visitors. To make sure that my officers provide you the best possible service they can. The second is to ensure that my staff's needs are met and I fear that I will be unable to meet either of those responsibilities if we don't reconsider. Here's what I’d like to ask - can we just take a pause? Ask for 30 days? Thirty days to allow your greatest resource that you've identified yourself as being your staff, to explore real fiscally responsible alternatives. If the situation is so dire that we must consider such drastic actions, 30 days shouldn't be an unreasonable amount of time to try and develop other options. It's going for 30 days. If at the end of that time you cannot develop alternative solutions, you'll still have the proposed personnel policy changes that you’re considering tonight. More importantly you'll have staff who felt that they were given a chance to participate in solving this crisis. Thank you. Susan Petersen, legal counsel stated, good evening, I'm Susan Petersen. I am actually legal counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police and I am here to read a statement prepared by the police officers here in Webster Groves. “To the city of Webster Groves. The compensation and classification study will have serious cause and concerns for the city of Webster Groves as well as the employees. The citizens within the city of Webster Groves deserve to know what each category represents in the study, how the proposed changes will affect employees and the services provided. If current policies change it will greatly affect provided services citywide due to being understaffed. The study has reflected newer hired employees as well as tenured employees who will have greater opportunities elsewhere unless current incentives remain policy. Current policies in place have attracted and retained exceptional employees. In reference to the study, wages and benefits are critical to keeping and retaining employees. Changing policies will result in the city of Webster Groves having to utilize significant resources to hire and train new employees while working understaffed. Some benefits have or will change after being assured they would remain intact per previous policies. Many officers have devoted a lifetime of service to the city of Webster Groves because of the promised benefits previously written in the policy. Many city employees and officers are now leaving to be employed with other cities offering more competitive packages. We have dedicated our lives through training and education to give the city the best available police officers for this community. Many officers plan to use benefits currently in the policy to support them in retirement until Medicare starts. Benefits currently offered support officers in retirement because we do not receive social security compared to other many surrounding agencies. Changing current policy and benefits may cause retirement to become unobtainable for some employees, depending on current benefits which may no longer be available to them. Moving 2 February 1, 2022 forward we will continue to provide excellent professional service to our residents. We are trusting that the city of Webster Groves administrators will protect current employees, as we have continued to protect the city. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important subject.” I’d also just like to further add a few comments. I had actually sent a letter I think to all the councilmembers including the city attorney, the mayor, and the city administrator asking for Webster Groves to voluntarily recognize the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15 as the exclusive bargaining unit for the police officers of Webster Groves. We feel that this topic which we're referring to, specifically the resolution relating to the benefits of vacation and sick leave is a collective bargaining issue. I think the Council's actually noted in their agenda that they do recognize this. (time) NEW BUSINESS – MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER Mayor Welch stated that the next City Council meeting will not be on Tuesday, February 15, but actually on Wednesday, February 16. NEW BUSINESS BILL #9179 – FIRST AND SECOND READING Councilmember Smith introduced, BILL #9179 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING THE COST OF ABATING CERTAIN NUISANCES (CUT/TRIM, REMOVE TRASH AND DEBRIS, DUMP FEES, ETC.) AS SPECIAL TAX BILLS AGAINST THE PROPERTIES HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED AND CONSTITUTING LEVIES AS LIENS ON THE RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, and at the Councilmember’s request, the Bill was read twice, first and second times by title only, and placed on the agenda for future consideration of the Council. PRESENTATION – EMPLOYEE POLICIES AND TOTAL COMPENSATION Dr. Marie Peoples and Eric Peterson gave a presentation on the recommendations from the Compensation and Classification study and Budget Capacity (See Exhibit B in the City Clerk’s Office). Prior to her presentation she thanked the Council for their participation in this. As City Manager, I am able to enact these changes on my own, but they are such cultural changes and Council wanted to engage in communication. Dr. Peoples and Mr. Peterson discussed a five-year plan, general fund forecast, general fund balance history, Fiscal Year 2023 budget instructions, and three-year plan to close the deficit. Councilmember Arnold asked how the Compensation and Classification study was factored into the three-year deficit reduction plan. Mr. Peterson stated that if you raise salaries, other reductions will need to be made elsewhere. 76% of the general fund is personnel services. Preliminary meetings with staff start next week. We will be having conversations about savings across the general fund. 3 February 1, 2022 Councilmember Franklin clarified that the amount of reduction (in the three-year plan) is over three years, not that amount each year. Mr. Peterson stated that is correct. We cannot do everything we have done in the same structure we have done it in. Councilmember Franklin asked if they were bringing ideas on reductions to each department. Mr. Peterson stated that they were. We are looking at changing business operations, what can we do to achieve the reductions. Conversations about how we work and how our people work. Councilmember Franklin asked for an example of how, for instance, the Police Department could cut $250,000 a year. Mr. Peterson stated that it is a variety of operations. I don’t want to speak for that department. Personnel is the largest of their expenses – in all departments 76% of the general fund goes to personnel. Personnel is ultimately intertwined with those reductions, barring major revenue increases. We simply have a large budget that is unsustainable to that revenue. We have got to figure out how to right that ship. Councilmember Franklin asked, effectively, we have a decision to make if we as a city want to decrease the work force or increase taxes in some way in order to satisfy our budget. Mr. Peterson stated that he would say that is fair. I think there are a lot of options there, but certainly personnel is going to have to be at the heart of some of the conversations. I think as we look long term, is the community supportive of revenue increases that can help close that balance. Sooner or later the community is going to say you can’t take that service away from us. So are you willing to pay for that service? Those options should be on the table, and we take our direction from the community. Dr. Peoples stated that she agrees with Mr. Peterson. This is incredibly ambitious and we want it to be ambitious. We heard from Council that you want us to run a lean budget, we want to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. This could also be a five-year plan. These targets could be reduced. We can all hope revenues will bounce back. But we did not want to build in artificial numbers that we are not seeing trending. As we are working on bringing more services online there is some cost savings there. At my last job we looked at service hours. We found hours that people were not using City services and closed down mid-week and perhaps offered a couple of Saturday times to do permitting and other things. That allows you to allocate staff as you need it and take buildings offline and will be more accessible to people. I am not suggesting that we are at that point or we are going that far. But we have to get innovative in what we are doing. Councilmember Franklin asked if they envision the reserves to supplement the deficits within this three or five-year plan. Dr. Peoples stated that is really a Council question. Mayor Welch stated that the reserves will be gone in three years. Dr. Peoples stated that is all part of the budget discussions this year. Councilmember Franklin stated that he just wants to emphasize that this trend of expenditures outpacing revenues has been long developed. This isn’t like you came in and suddenly we’re spending way more money correct? Dr. Peoples stated that was correct, thank you Mr. Franklin. When we look at the revenue or general fund transfers, revenues just simply have not increased much. We have been stagnant in revenues for years. We have talked about this as being a COVID effect, but COVID really didn’t 4 February 1, 2022 start hitting our revenues until the last quarter of FY 20. So even before that we were borrowing against the reserves. I don’t want to put out there that the expenditures have just been crazy because they haven’t been, but when your revenues are growing so small and you have natural inflation, it isn’t keeping pace. Then COVID hit and it exasperated where we’re at, especially with the fines, fees, parks and rec, etc. What COVID did was just speed up where we were going to end up. Whether it is two years or five years we were going to hit this. Councilmember Franklin stated that the reason he brings it up is that there has been public comment that your administration has exceeded or expanded expenditures, yet there is no documented evidence that has actually occurred. Dr. Peoples stated that she appreciates him sharing that. This has been really important to me to share not only with the staff, but the community, which is why we’ve had all the documents for the budget online. That’s why staff was able to meet personally with the comp and class people who were here to ask questions. The fact is we have been living off of means we don’t have, and these problems did not just generate within one year. But we have a great opportunity to reverse it. Dr. Peoples reviewed the Compensation and Classification Study Recommendations including salary range changes, changes to vacation leave policy, and changes to sick leave policy. Councilmember Arnold asked if anyone goes down in salary based on the new classifications. Dr. Peoples stated that they do not. Councilmember Franklin clarified that the reason why this is important to limit the carryovers is because of payout at the time of separation, and we have a ton of unfunded liabilities currently as a result of the current policy that is in place. Dr. Peoples stated that is exactly right, thank you. So this will help us manage that unfunded liability. It also still honors the employees. We are not clawing back any vacation. It really also gets to work life balance. Councilmember Alexander asked about the carryovers. Dr. Peoples clarified the carryovers and the grace period to May 20 for employees who have hours over the new carryover amount. Councilmember Arnold asked if they know how many employees that might be. Dr. Peoples stated that they do, but she does not have those numbers. Those employees will be notified of how many they have, and work with their supervisors to get the time off. Dr. Peoples stated that every year we do have employees who lose vacation hours. Hopefully, having these policies in place, people will take their vacation. Councilmember Bliss asked if employees have access to their hours. Dr. Peoples stated that they do. 5 February 1, 2022 Dr. Peoples reviewed the proposed Sick Leave Policy. She stated that she understands the sentiments and disappointments for employees. We ran many scenarios to see how we could be most fair to employees and look at our unfunded liabilities. Coupling those two things was not easy. Councilmember Franklin stated that he just wants to emphasize that these are the unfunded liabilities that we are so concerned about and trying to reconcile how do we move forward as we demonstrate to the community that we have an expenditure and revenue problem. This is just one component to other tough issues. Councilmember Bliss asked if there is the capability of putting these estimated payouts in the budget. Dr. Peoples stated, yes, and we will moving forward regardless of the decision tonight. Dr. Peoples stated that her recommendation is to fully implement the study recommendations, effective May 21 for all non-unionized employees. The decisions on pay scales don’t have to be made tonight. We will have some vacancy savings as we close out this budget year. Councilmember Arnold asked why May 1 and not coinciding with the fiscal year. Mr. Peterson stated that there is nothing magical about the July 1 and January 1 dates we have had in the past. January and May was recommended by Comp and Class. It gives us time as policymakers to make those decisions. Councilmember Bliss asked if it is possible to use ARP funds. Staff stated we don’t believe it can be used and if it can it is pretty time limited. Mr. Peterson clarified that the ARP funds are the $4.6 million that the city is receiving from the American Rescue Plan. Councilmember Bliss asked if they were asking the GFOA members for an opinion. Mr. Peterson stated that they are asking if they have encountered this as well as their lobbying team. Councilmember Franklin stated, first I think you indicated earlier in your presentation that if you wanted to you could make these policy changes without the approval of Council. Dr. Peoples stated that was correct. Councilmember Franklin stated that he thinks it is very important that you have come to Council to present these policy changes for a multitude of reasons. First, you didn’t yourself independently create this situation or this deficit. It has been accruing and all of us bear responsibility. I think for the employees that work in this organization I think it's important to recognize that this is the City Manager's recommendation in order to solve a financial issue that has been developing for some time and that if Council were to approve this -- this is Council's decision to enact these changes, bearing in mind the financial condition that we have and the loyalty of the employees that we have. I appreciate your bringing this before Council. This is also an opportunity if any Councilmembers or anyone else has a recommendation to solve or bring a policy recommendation that is different than what you have offered here. Councilmember Arnold clarified the sick leave policy. 6 February 1, 2022 Mayor Welch read a statement regarding morale among city employees and opposing the policy changes. (See Exhibit C in the City Clerk’s office). Councilmembers Franklin and Alexander objected strongly to the mayor’s statement. RESOLUTION #2022-09 AMENDING PERSONNEL POLICY 3.04 RELATED TO VACATION LEAVE A motion was made by Councilmember Franklin, seconded by Councilmember Smith, to approve Resolution #2022-09. Mayor Welch called for the vote on Resolution #2022-09. MEMBERS VOTING: AYES: ARNOLD, BLISS, FRANKLIN, SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON NOES: WELCH Mayor Welch stated that Resolution #2022-09 was approved. RESOLUTION #2022-10 AMENDING PERSONNEL POLICY 4.03 RELATED TO SICK LEAVE A motion was made by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Arnold, to approve Resolution #2022-10. Councilmember Arnold stated that while she agrees that moving forward our sick leave policies have to conform with the market, I am going to vote against this because of the employees who operated in good faith under a system that they didn’t create, and I believe we do owe them what they have accumulated. Councilmember Alexander asked if she was wanting Council to look at an alternative means or additional time to review. Councilmember Arnold stated that she would like to find out if we can pay that out, and a definitive statement on ARP funds. I understand this is a hard choice and we can disagree. But personally, I would like to find a way to fund that. I think we need to be honest about that. Mayor Welch called for the vote on Resolution #2022-10. MEMBERS VOTING: AYES: FRANKLIN, SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON NOES: BLISS, WELCH, ARNOLD Mayor Welch stated that Resolution #2022-10 was approved. Councilmember Arnold stated that while she may disagree on this particular policy, she does appreciate the willingness of Dr. Peoples to bring this to us. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Arnold, seconded by Councilmember Bliss, to approve the Consent Agenda. 7 February 1, 2022 Mayor Welch called for the vote on the Consent Agenda. MEMBERS VOTING: AYES: FRANKLIN, SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON, WELCH, ARNOLD, BLISS NOES: NONE Mayor Welch stated that the Consent Agenda was approved. The following consent agenda was approved: • Approval of Minutes – January 18, 2022 • Resolution #2022-07 – Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase One Utility Cart for the Parks Department • Resolution #2022-08 – Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a Replacement Ball Field Groomer for the Park Maintenance Division • Liquor License – Application for Energy Marketing (Energy Express), 7741 Big Bend Blvd., to Upgrade Their Liquor License to Sell All Types of Intoxicating Liquor at a Convenience Store with Gasoline (Including Sundays) • Liquor License – Application for Gas Mart 29, 7996 Big Bend Blvd., to Upgrade Their Liquor License to Sell All Types of Intoxicating Liquor at a Convenience Store with Gasoline (Including Sundays) • Liquor License – Application for Webster Groves BP, 8665 Big Bend Blvd., to Upgrade Their Liquor License to Sell All Types of Intoxicating Liquor at a Convenience Store with Gasoline (Including Sundays) • Liquor License – Application for Webster Service & Wash, LLC, 3157 S. Brentwood Blvd., to Upgrade Their Liquor License to Sell All Types of Intoxicating Liquor at a Convenience Store with Gasoline (Including Sundays) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS • Doug Stanley was reinstated to the Historic Preservation Commission. • Carol Duenke was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. • Jan Shapiro was reappointed to the Arts Commission. • Tim Delanty was reappointed to the Business Development Commission as well as the Old Webster Special Business District Commission. • Alison Kinderfather was reappointed to the Crossroads Special Business District Commission. • Michelina Hansel was reappointed to the Old Webster Special Business District Commission. • Stacie Swederska was reappointed to the Old Webster Special Business District Commission. EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION No Executive (Closed) Session followed the meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. on motion of the Mayor, duly seconded. 8 February 1, 2022 PASSED AND APPROVED this _______day of ____________________ 2022. ________________________ Mayor ______________ City Clerk 9  Exhibit A Conrad, Jennifer From: Dave Buck <dave@buckstl.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 10:49 PM To: Welch, Gerry; Laura W. Arnold; Pam Bliss; Alexander, Karen; Richardson, Sarah; Emerson Smith; David Franklin; Peoples, Marie; Peterson, Eric; njbatty@aol.com; Perry, Mara; Starkey, Jenny; Nakazono, Katie; Conrad, Jennifer; Davis, Scott; Rehg, Todd; Curtis, Dale; Ellis, Brett Cc: croftrj@sbcglobal.net; Toni Hunt; Parks, Rosa; leehair@sbcglobal.net; Dave Turner; tcturner2002 @yahoo.com; cynthiathe1@att.net; Jerome; Kelvin Cunningham; Amy Cunningham; Bishop-Elect Deon K. Johnson ; Eric Hayes; Stephanie Leonard; revab2@yahoo.com; fbcwg@sbcglobal.net; wgbc@wgbaptist.com; Derek Bastian; Mark Hinkle; Stanley Browne; Embroider the Occasion; jim@cjmuggs.com; Jaime Mowers; Drilingas; San Jose Webster Groves; Warner Properties; Ron Clipp; jmrath@sbcglobal.net; gary schoenberger; Mary Martin Art Studio; Yucandu Art Studio; John Barr; Rebecca Now; nikkilemley@gmail.com; OldWebsterTrade@aol.com; Farrell Carfield; Elyssa Sullivan; Sebastian Bellomo; Kevin Brackens Subject: Dave Buck "Remarks of Visitors", City Council Mtg, 2/1/22 Caution: This is an External Message ‐ Please be cautious when opening links or attachments The first step in solving any problem is to face the brutal facts and admit you have one. In my humble opinion, this shares TWO of the biggest problems facing Webster Groves that neither City Council or the candidates for election are even talking about. Problem #1 Webster Groves is 90% white and 8% non‐white and blacks make up half of that. Which means that our black community currently only makes up 4% of Webster Groves' total population and this number has been declining for years. Blacks have a proud history in our city since 1866, or 156 years, but Webster is losing them or, better yet, gentrification is forcing them out. If our city does not take swift, effective action to stop the bleeding and also attract new black families, Webster will have no black population in 5‐10 years and we will be an all‐white Webster, which would be a very sad day for all of us. Problem #2 The second most important City Council goal for years, after "Ensure Financial Security", is "Foster a Strong Business Community". The word "community" is the combination of two words ‐ commune + unity ‐ which literally means "To SHARE together as ONE." In talking to business owners in both Old Orchard and Old Webster Business Districts about supporting the return of our "Webster On Wheels" bike riding event, I have also been getting an unsolicited ear‐full on their view of the state of the Webster Groves business community. In short, the problem is the 3 taxing districts. As such, each district operates independently, like a functional silo. They are disconnected, with no unity, no collaboration, no sharing and no joint, unifying business strategy they are all a part of and all work together to move forward for the good of the whole. 1 Hearing this, as a 20‐year resident, no wonder our overall business community has had its struggles. Our three current districts are not only separate, they are not equal. But it could be so different and so much more successful because there is power and strength in numbers and "for all boats rising together as ONE." Whoever is in charge ‐ City Council, the City Manager, the Business Development Commission, Chamber of Commerce or the coalition of business owner themselves ‐ this is a FIXABLE problem, if we can just break down the barriers between districts, put our collective heads together and move forward as ONE. Thanks. PEACE. 2  Exhibit B Compensation & Classification Study Recommendations and Budget Capacity February 1, 2022 Webster Groves City Council AGENDA TODAY Five-Year Plan Overview & Capacity for Increases Compensation and Classification Study Recommendations Policy Change Recommendations Implementation and Financial Impact  BUDGET CAPACITY FOR COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS FIVE-YEAR PLAN HIGHLIGHTS STRUCTURAL DEFICIT +1.10% +4.29% FY18 FY22 FY18 FY22 REVENUE EXPENDITURES GENERAL FUND SPENDING IS NOT SUSTAINABLE TO REVENUES www.webstergroves.org/626/Five-Year-Fiscal-Plan  FIVE-YEAR GENERAL FUND FORECAST 25 Expenditures 20 Revenue w Transfers MILLIONS 15 Revenue 10 5 0 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 GENERAL FUND BALANCE HISTORY & LIMITS 9 0 1 ,775 4,91 0,00 Fund Balance 8 1 ,05 ,43 15,000,000 37,3 $95 1 $2 $1 $ ,000 Transfer to GF 4 1,84 $ 10,000,000 Fund Balance Policy MILLIONS Resolution 2009-44 50% of the General Fund 5,000,000 Expenditures held in Fund Balance for reserve use. 0 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 $9.74 Million  GENERAL FUND STATUS IN FY2023 Estimated Revenue Expenditures (no transfers) (no increase from FY22) $15.273 Million $19.477 Million General Fund Deficit $-4.204 Million Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Instructions No increases in staff count. No overall increase in General Fund expenditures.  BUILDING A 3-YEAR PLAN TO CLOSE THE DEFICIT % of General Department Amount % of Reduction Fund Budget Executive and Legislative $50,000 1.6% Finance and Administration $600,000 19.35% 19.69% Police $750,000 24.19% Fire $750,000 24.19% 53% Public Works $300,000 9.67% 9.6% Parks and Recreation $500,000 16.12% 13.04% Planning and Development $150,000 4.83% 4.6% THREE YEAR PLAN TO CLOSE DEFICIT 20 Revenue w Transfers Expenditures 15 Revenue MILLIONS 10 5 0 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27  Compensation and Classification Study Recommendations Current State 43 Unique Salary Ranges for 59 Job Classifications 34% of positions at or above the Market Maximum. 25% of positions within an acceptable distance from the Market Average. 41% of positions are under the Market Average. City is above average in overall tenure, which is positive. However, those aged 50 and over represent 38% of all employees and the City should expect ongoing steady turnover due to retirements. Compensation and Classification Study Recommendations COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY Set compensation at Market Average. Align 59 Job Classifications to 17 Pay Grades. D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, Z  Compensation and Classification Study Recommendations IMPLEMENTATION Move all non-unionized staff into new ranges; only adjust those under range to new minimums. $141,189.15 Adjust all other non-unionized staff within new ranges with 3% COLA adjustment. $177,671.73 Collectively Bargain with unionized staff for increase. Policy Change Recommendations 1. Vacation Leave Policy - Policy 3.04 2. Sick Leave Policy - Policy 4.03 Vacation and Sick Leave Policy Changes do not affect Firefighter/Paramedics and Fire Captains; any changes to these policies must be collectively bargained. Vacation Leave Policy - Policy 3.04 OVERVIEW Requires Vacation Usage every year for work/life balance. Lowers Carryover Amount to market per Study. All hours accrued in excess of the maximum are retained for employee use. Vacation Accrual pauses when maximum amount is reached; transition period to May 20 of this year to allow usage of the vacation while maintaining ability to earn more. Vacation Leave Policy - Policy 3.04 MANDATORY VACATION POLICY One (1) workweek of continuous vacation leave must be used annually after two (2) years of employment. This leave must be taken from the vacation leave accrual of the employee. Exceptions to this policy may only be granted by the City Manager, upon recommendation from the department director.  Vacation Accruals - Policy 3.04 BI-WEEKLY ANNUAL ACCRUAL LIMIT & NEW CURRENT CARRYOVER YEARS OF SERVICE ACCRUAL (hours) CARRYOVER AMOUNT AMOUNT Less than 5 Years 3.6924 96 Hours (12 days) 144 Hours 5 - 9 Years 4.6154 120 Hours (15 Days) 180 Hours 10 - 14 Years 5.5385 144 Hours (18 Days) 216 Hours 15 - 19 Years 6.4616 168 Hours (21 Days) 252 Hours 20+ Years 7.3847 192 Hours (24 Days) 288 Hours Sick Leave Policy - Policy 4.03 OVERVIEW Lowers Accrual to market per Study; accrual amount of 720 hours is 12 weeks (in-line with FMLA leave). All hours accrued in excess of the maximum are retained for employee use. Payout of Sick Leave at Separation continues for those that are or reach age 50 or more and 10 years of service or more in Calendar Year 2022. Employees that fall outside of that category will no longer be eligible for payouts.  Sick Leave Accruals - Policy 4.03 Accrual CURRENT NEW EMPLOYEE TYPE Per Maximum Accrual Maximum Accrual Month Full-Time Employees 8 1200 720 Firefighters, Fire Captains, and Battalion Chiefs 12 1800 1800 75% Part-Time Benefitted 6 900 540 50% Part-Time Benefitted 4 600 360 Sick Leave Payouts- Policy 4.03 Policy had been previously changed to end payouts to all employed hired after January 1, 2022. NEW POLICY Only full-time and benefitted part-time employees that will have obtained at least fifty (50) years of age and at least ten (10) years of service with the City in calendar year 2022 are eligible for payment of sick leave upon separation. Eligible employees would be paid under the current policy formula for any hours in their sick leave bank.  FIVE-YEAR TRENDS: SEPARATION PAYOUTS FY18 $279,273.36 19 Employees 15 FY19 $153,431.83 Employees $904,695.83 FY20 $77,015.66 14 Employees Total 22 FY21 $225,498.62 Employees 17 FY22 YTD $169,026.36 Employees 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 COMPENSATION & CLASSIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS IN BUDGET CONTEXT IMPLEMENTATION COSTS POLICY CHANGE SAVINGS (future) $318,860.87 (straight salaries) $571,535.94 $400,000 (estimate including benefits) ESTIMATED PAYOUT LIABILITIES TO FUND IN FY2023 $867,631.00 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Compensation Implementation Fully Implement Study Recommendations effective, May 21 for all non-unionized employees MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS What Does This Mean? All non-unionized positions assigned to new grade All non-unionized employees brought up to new minimum All non-unionized employees within new range given a 3% COLA adjustment Cost for 3 pay periods remaining in FY2022 - $46,153.85 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS How is it funded in FY22? Effect on FY2023 Budget Estimated savings of Funding for the increase included in base budget. $150,000 from To not increase overall budget, $318,860.87 plus FY2022 budget (new benefits costs (estimated $400,000 total) will need estimates available to be cut from other areas of the budget to hold the early March) line. Move compensation change dates to new date(s) of January 1 and/or May 1. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ON CONTROLLING SPENDING FOR GENERAL FUND DEFICIT Targeted Hiring Freeze Potential Staffing Reduction Plan Potential Reduction in Services MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Why Move Forward with Policy Changes and Comp & Class During Deficit Year? Last budget year Council funded a COLA increase but not the performance pay with the understanding Comp & Class would help make data driven decisions. 41% of positions are under the Market Average. Employees aged 50 and over represent 38% of all employees and the City should expect ongoing steady turnover due to retirements. Must be competitive as we recruit key positions, especially skilled labor. Attracting high-quality employees demands at least the market rate in our competitive market. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Policy Changes Approve Resolutions 2022-09 and 2022-10 to implement policy changes and achieve $571,535.94 in future savings  FISCAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES TOTAL HOURS TOTAL SICK TOTAL HOURS TOTAL SICK Assumptions: All sick time accruals are actual hours as of January 25, 2022 except SICK HOURS TOTAL ACCRUED # OF # OF FOR PAYOUT PAYOUT FOR PAYOUT PAYOUT for those General Employees, less than 50 years of age and less than 10 years of ACCRUED VALUE EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES (CURRENT) (CURRENT) (PROPOSED) (PROPOSED) service. For that cohort, sick hour accrual affecting current payout is assumed to be the average number of hours for those employess less than 50 with more than 10 years of service (747.588588 hours). Payout for General and Fire Union Employees 79,127.44 $ 2,764,941.57 149 77,883.15 $ 1,383,951.35 71 51,979.33 $ 812,415.40 with less than 10 years of service is calculated for this demonstration at 25% of the SICK TIME sick accrued hours. BREAKOUT BY POLICY CATEGORY Type GENERAL EMPLOYEES LOCAL 2665 (FIRE UNION) MEMBERS Group A B C D E F FA FB FC FD FE FF Age 50+ 50+ 50+ 49- 49- 49- 50+ 50+ 50+ 49- 49- 49- Years of Service 20+ 10-19 10- 20+ 10-19 10- 20+ 10-19 10- 20+ 10-19 10- # of FTE 24.00 8.00 17.00 8.00 8.00 48.00 5.00 1.00 0.00 4.00 8.00 18.00 Accrued Hours 25,285.33 7,529.93 3,372.22 7,751.19 5,980.71 35,884.25 3,214.57 529.84 0.00 3,690.80 8,441.76 3,287.10 Total Payout $ 492,473.62 $ 61,989.90 $ 24,519.69 $ 156,010.92 $ 107,003.16 $ 284,002.18 $ 50,201.72 $ 3,821.49 $ - $ 57,657.16 $ 124,936.46 $ 21,335.06 TOTAL TOTAL VACATION TOTAL COMPENSATORY ADMINISTRATIVE COMP TIME HOURS #OF TOTAL VALUE OF VACATION TIME #OF EMPLOYEES ACCRUED ACCRUED HOURS ACCRUED ACCRUED ACCRUED EMPLOYEES COMPENSATED ABSENCES VALUE VALUE ACCRUED VALUE TIME LEAVE 2,554.34 94 $ 86,980.55 720 18 $ 36,925.84 20,222.37 $ 699,732.06 $ 4,167,362.60 ANNUAL HOURS TOTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOTAL VALUE OF PAYOUTS TOTAL VALUE OF PAYOUTS PERSONAL HOLIDAY PAY # OF PAID HOLIDAYS (ANNUAL) ACCRUED EMPLOYEES ACCRUED UNDER CURRENT POLICY UNDER PROPOSED POLICY CURRENT AND PROPOSED HOURS ANNUALLY VALUE POLICY HOLIDAYS 6,160.00 $ 540,960.36 DAYS 1,192.00 149 $ 37,822.22 $ 2,170,663.96 $ 1,599,128.01 $ 571,535.94 ESTIMATED PAYOUTS TO FUND Hours and pay rates reflective of January 25, 2022 FY2023 SICK LEAVE PAYOUTS UNDER SICK LEAVE PAYOUTS IN LEGEND CURRENT POLICY IN GREEN PROPOSED POLICY IN YELLOW $867,631.00  Exhibit C Remarks, 02/01/2022 Gerry Welch What is happening to our City now is wrong, destructive, and cannot continue. It is my responsibility as mayor to speak out. Suddenly we have gone from a City coveted for excellence in finance, service and efficiency to one in great peril. Over the past year we have lost so many experienced, professional staff. We now have one experienced person in finance in a City with a $23 million budget and millions in investments to be overseen, all new people in HR, and an escalating exodus of police and firefighter/paramedics, and others. In the past ten months we have lost at least 26 staff members. Staff morale is now the worst I have seen in any organization and with these new policies it is falling to levels that imperil the services we provide for this community. Our staff is talented, experienced and highly regarded in this region. They are a desirable addition to another City. On the other side, who will want to come here to work? The policy enacted last Saturday was an egregious assault on our staff as it took away a benefit that employees expected, worked for, and counted on when they separated from the City. Our police and fire do not receive Social Security, police salaries have been below market, but counted on the sick leave payout to compensate them. Taking money from our employees is wrong, will likely result in a further loss of well-trained police officers and paramedics and other staff, and has the potential for lawsuits that could cost the City more money. I challenge Councilmembers to look in the face of a police officer who has served this city well for over 20 years and counted on this sick pay benefit in retirement. Tell them you support this loss. Over the past year, there has been repeated blame for ‘budget woes’ on the previous administration that until the pandemic balanced the budget each year. The implication of the current administration is that past stewards and past Council members and the mayor were inept. We are to believe that this ineptness escaped years of clean audits, budget reviews, professional staff, awards, bankers, and Council scrutiny while attaining one of the highest bond ratings for a municipal bond issue. Maybe we should examine the spending spree of the past year. We have hired new administrators with high salaries and benefits – a highly paid assistant City Manager, a new HR manager and an assistant; a Communications Director with a $183,000 budget, and out of state persons with relocation assistance. We have spent money on 4 costly grievances and 4 costly arbitrations brought by the Fire Department which never filed a grievance before this past year. We hired many consultants - search consultant for fire chief; DEI consultant; forensic analysis consultant; a consultant to rebrand the City; a Compensation and Classification consultant; funding for the American Balancing Act. We have invested in so much new technology – from equipment such as all of the television sets in the Chamber, and new laptops and a switch to 365 Office at a cost of over $100,000, and more. We have moved staff around with the cost of hiring movers, new painting, buying temporary new walls, and purchasing much new furniture. Quite frankly I don’t know how we have gone from balanced budgets to the projection of a $4 million deficit. I don’t understand the numbers. The narrative that is being provided for the public and for Council and the staff is wrong. We could and should challenge the numbers that are backfilling this narrative. I am incredibly worried about the future of our City and am heart-broken for those who have given so much to make this a great place to live and for the destruction I am witnessing. We must deal with this downward spiral.