City Council - Regular Meetings

Please note, residents can share comments in-person, virtually via Zoom using the “Raise Hand” option, during the Regular Meeting, via email or U.S. mail. Written comments will not be read aloud at the meetings. All speakers will be allowed three minutes. Instructions on listening through phone or computer to the meetings are available at www.webstergrovesmo.gov/virtualmeetings. All those attending in person must comply with masking and other public health measures as ordered by the City of Webster Groves. CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA DATE: TUESDAY – JANUARY 16, 2024 6:30 P.M. LOCATION – CITY HALL IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY #4 E. LOCKWOOD AVENUE 1. BOARD & COMMISSION INTERVIEWS 2. REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA 3. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER ISSUES/MEETING UPDATES 4. TOPIC: • FY-2024 Quarterly Fiscal Update 5. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/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  CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: TUESDAY – JANUARY 16, 2024 7:30 P.M. LOCATION-CITY HALL-#4 E. LOCKWOOD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY Please note, residents can share comments in-person, 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. Instructions on listening through phone/computer to meetings available at www.webstergrovesmo.gov/virtualmeetings. All those attending in person must comply with masking and other public health measures as ordered by the City of Webster Groves. 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 FROM THE COMMUNITY AND VISITORS III. NEW BUSINESS - MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. Designation of Karen Rangel as Deputy City Clerk 2. Bill #9243 – First & Second Reading – An Ordinance Levying the Cost of Abating Certain Nuisances (Removal of Grass, Weeds, and Limbs, Etc.) as Special Tax Bills Against the Properties Hereinafter Described and Constituting Levies as Liens on the Respective Properties 3. Bill #9244 – First, Second and Third Reading – An Ordinance Providing for the Submission to the Qualified Voters of the City of Webster Groves of Amendments to the Charter of the City, all of Which Should be Submitted to the Electors at the General Municipal Election on April 02, 2024, and Proposing Amendments to the Preamble, and Sections 2.12, 5.6, 5.18(2) 7.6, 7.12, 9.2, 10.3, 13.4 and 14.9, and Repealing Ordinance #9241  V. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes – January 2, 2024 2. Resolution #2024-04 –Approval of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 3. Liquor License - Application by Elias Productions LLC, d/b/a 23 W Coffee, 23 W Lockwood Avenue, to Sell Liquor by the Drink for Consumption on the Premises Where Sold and on Sundays 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 – FEBRUARY 6, 2024  BILL #9243 ORDINANCE #9243 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING THE COST OF ABATING CERTAIN NUISANCES (REMOVAL OF GRASS, WEEDS, AND LIMBS, 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: GS Landscaping & Lawn Care LLC 5339 Chapelford Lane 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. 1  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 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 _____________, 2024. ____________________________________ MAYOR ATTEST: ___________________________________ CITY CLERK 2  BILL #9244 ORDINANCE #9244 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY, ALL OF WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORS AT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON APRIL 2, 2024, AND PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE PREAMBLE, AND SECTIONS 2.12, 5.6, 5.18(2), 7.6, 7.12, 9.2, 10.3, 13.4 AND 14.9, AND REPEALING ORDINANCE #9241 WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Webster Groves provides that the Charter may be amended by the qualified electors of the City after adoption of an ordinance by the Council proposing amendments; and WHEREAS, the Charter provides that such amendments may be separately set out in the submission, or in the alternative; and WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Webster Groves was approved by the electors on March 23, 1954; and WHEREAS, the Charter further provides that the ordinance proposing any amendments and calling an election shall be passed not less than sixty (60) days before the election; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that the passage of time requires certain technical changes and amendments to the Charter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is hereby provided that at the General Municipal Election on April 2, 2024, the following amendments to the Charter of the City of Webster Groves shall be submitted separately to the electors of the City of Webster Groves for acceptance or rejection as follows: A) Shall the Preamble of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to expand and update the core values of the Charter, and shall read as follows: In order to secure the benefits and advantages of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, adopted in the year 1945, and to establish Home Rule for the City under the provisions thereof, the people of Webster Groves hereby adopt the following Charter. By this action, we secure the benefits of Home Rule and affirm the values of representative democracy, professional management, effective leadership, community engagement, regional cooperation, diversity and inclusiveness. B) Shall Section 2.12 of Article 2 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to allow publication of proposed bills by electronic posting and any other contemporary means of information sharing as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners so that Section 2.12 shall read as follows: 1  Section 2.12 Every Bill introduced shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall be published in contemporary means of information sharing and made available for public inspection at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of its consideration by this City Council, unless otherwise permitted by Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, and whenever reasonably possible, posted on the City’s internet website in advance of its introduction. A Bill shall remain on file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection until it is finally adopted or fails to pass. C) Shall Section 5.6 of Article 5 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to provide that an independent audit shall be completed not later than the last day of the sixth month after the close of the fiscal year, as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 5.6 shall read as follows: Section 5.6 An independent audit shall be made of all accounts of the City at least annually, and more frequently if deemed necessary by the Council. Such audit shall be made by a certified public accountant who has knowledge of municipal accounting and who shall be selected by the Council. The report of such audit shall be completed and submitted to the Council not later than the last day of the sixth month after the close of the fiscal year, and shall be made public in such manner as the Council may determine. D) Shall Section 5.18(2) of Article 5 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate antiquated terms as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 5.18(2) shall read as follows: Section 5.18(2) For hospitals, mental health facilities, industrial schools, jails, and other charitable, corrective, and penal institutions. E) Shall Section 7.6 of Article 7 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to identify those employees in the unclassified service as those who are exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 7.6 shall read as follows: 2  Section 7.6 The administrative service of the City is hereby divided into the classified and unclassified services, as follows: 1) the unclassified service shall include all personnel that are exempt from overtime provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and 2) the classified service shall comprise all positions not specifically included by this charter in the unclassified service. F) Shall Section 7.12 of Article 7 of the Charter of Webster Groves be amended to prohibit discrimination and clarify allowed political activity as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 7.12 shall read as follows: Section 7.12 No person in the classified service of the City, or seeking admission thereto, shall be appointed, promoted, reduced, or removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of race, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, country of origin or political affiliation. No person shall willfully or corruptly make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating, or report in regard to any test, certification, or appointment held or made under the human resources provisions of this Charter; or in any manner commit, or attempt to commit, any fraud preventing the impartial execution of such human resources provisions, or of the rules and regulations made thereunder. No appointive salaried office of employee of the City shall continue in such positions after becoming a candidate for nomination or election to any public office. No person seeking appointment to or promotion in, the classified service of the City shall either directly or indirectly give, render to pay any money, service or other valuable thing to any person for, or on account of, or in connection with any test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion. No appointive salaried office or employee of the City shall make any contribution to campaign funds of any political organization of any candidate for office of council member or mayor in the City of Webster Groves or take part in any political campaign of any such candidate or any such political organization further than in the exercise of the person’s right as a citizen to express an opinion and to cast a vote. This Section shall not be construed to prohibit any person from active participation in political campaigns at any other level of government. 3  G) Shall Section 9.2 of Article 9 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate the requirement that the City Judge be a resident and elector of the City of Webster Groves as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 9.2 shall read as follows: Section 9.2 The Municipal Court shall be presided over a judge appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The Judge shall be a licensed member of the Bar of this State, and shall have actively practiced law for not less than three years. The Judge shall be removable for cause at any time, by a majority vote of the entire Council after a public hearing before the Council. The Judge shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by ordinance. Whenever the Municipal Judge temporarily is absent or unable to act, the Council shall appoint an eligible person to act during such absence or disability. Whenever the office of the Municipal Judge becomes vacant for any reason, the Council shall appoint an eligible person for the unexpired term. H) Shall Section 10.3 of Article 10 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement Fund since police and fire pensions now participate in the Missouri Local Government Employee’s Retirement System (LAGERS), as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 10.3 would be eliminated in its entirety? I) Shall Section 13.4 of Article 13 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended so that the Charter’s requirement of ballot language for candidates is compliant and consistent with the Missouri Revised Statutes and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 13.4 shall read as follows: Section 13.4 The names of candidates for mayor and council shall be printed on the ballot without party designation in compliance and consistent with the Missouri Revised State Statutes and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commission. (J) Shall Section 14.9 of Article 14 of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to require ballot language for initiative, and referendum, to be consistent with the Missouri Revised Statutes, as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 9244 on file with the City of Webster Groves and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners, so that Section 14.9 shall read as follows: 4  Section 14.9 Ordinances submitted to the electors, in accordance with the initiative and referendum provisions of this Charter, shall be submitted by ballot title, which shall be prepared by the City Attorney. The ballot title may be different from the legal title of any such initiated or referred ordinance, and shall be a clear concise statement, without argument or prejudice disruptive to the substance of such ordinance. The ballot language used in voting upon any such ordinance, shall be prepared consistent with the Missouri Revised Statutes and the requirements of the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners. SECTION 2. Each proposition accepted by the electorate at the General Municipal Election on April 2, 2024, shall be enacted and the Charter shall be amended to conform with each proposition that is so accepted. SECTION 3. The ballot to be used at the election shall be substantially in the following form with such variations as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County: OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION CHARTER AMENDMENT ELECTION CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI Tuesday, the 2nd day of April 2024 Shall the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended, as proposed by Ordinance No. 9244, enacted by the Council of the City of Webster Groves, on the 16th day of January 2024, as follows: Amendment No. 1 _______ YES Shall the Preamble of the Charter _______ NO of the City of Webster Groves be amended to expand and update the core values of the Charter? TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. 5 Amendment No. 2 _______ YES Shall Section 2.12 of the Charter of _______ NO The City of Webster Groves be amended to allow publication of TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE proposed bills by electronic posting VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN THE and any other contemporary means BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO of information sharing? VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 3 ________ YES Shall Section 5.6 of the Charter of ________ NO The City of Webster Groves be amended to provide that an TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE independent audit be completed VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN THE not later than the last day of the BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO sixth month after the close of the VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE fiscal year? VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 4 _______ YES Shall Section 5.18(2) of the _______ NO Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate antiquated terms? TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 5 _______ YES Shall Section 7.6 of Article 7 of the _______ NO The Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to identify those TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, Employees in unclassified service VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN as those who are exempt under the THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” Fair Labor Standards Act? AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. 6 Amendment No. 6 _______ YES Shall Section 7.12 of the Charter of the _______ NO City of Webster Groves be amended to prohibit discrimination and clarify TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, allowed political activity? THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 7 ______ YES Shall Section 9.2 of Article 9 of the ______ NO Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate the requirement TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, that the City Judge be a resident and THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” elector of the City of Webster Groves? IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 8 ______ YES Shall Section 10.3 of Article 10 of the ______ NO Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to eliminate the Board of TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, Trustees of the Police and Firemen’s THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” Retirement Fund since police and fire IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD pensions now participate in the “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE Missouri Local Government AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL Employee’s Retirement System PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE (LAGERS)? THE WORD “NO”. Amendment No. 9 ______ YES Shall Section 13.4 of the Charter of the ______ NO City of Webster Groves be amended so that the Charter’s requirement of TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, ballot language for candidates is THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” compliant and consistent with the IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD Missouri Revised Statutes and the St. “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE Louis County Board of Election AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL Commissioners? PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO”. 7 Amendment No. 10 ______ YES Shall Section 14.9 of Article 14 ______ NO of the Charter of the City of Webster Groves be amended to TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT, require ballot language for initiative, THE VOTER SHOULD PLACE AN “X” and referendum, to be IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD consistent with the Missouri Revised “YES” AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE Statutes and the requirements of the AMENDMENT, THE VOTER SHALL St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners? PLACE AN “X” IN THE BOX BESIDE THE WORD “NO” SECTION 4. As required by the Revised Statutes of Missouri, as amended, the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County, Missouri, shall conduct the election provided for above, and the Judges and Clerks who shall serve at each polling place established for the holding of such election shall be those appointed by the Board of Election Commissioners. SECTION 5. The election shall be held at such polling places as are designated by the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County, Missouri. SECTION 6. The polls of the election will be opened at six o’clock A.M. and will remain open until the hour of seven o’clock P.M. on April 2, 2024. SECTION 7. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to publish notice of the election by advertisement in a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Webster Groves, Missouri and such notice shall be published three (3) times during the last three (3) weeks of the month of March preceding the election. SECTION 8. The Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County, Missouri, shall certify the returns of the election to the City Clerk, who shall report the results to the City Council. SECTION 9. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this ordinance to the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County, Missouri for its information and guidance. SECTION 10. Ordinance #9241 shall be repealed. SECTION 11. This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage as provided by law. SECTION 12. This ordinance shall not be printed in the Code of Webster Groves. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS ______ DAY OF _______________, 2024. _____________________________ MAYOR ATTEST: __________________________ CITY CLERK 8 1-2-2024 CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES January 2, 2024 The City Council met this date in a regular session, in the City Council Chambers, which was available to the public in person, and virtually, at 7:37 p.m. Present at Roll Call: Mayor Laura Arnold Councilmember Pam Bliss Councilmember David Franklin Councilmember Emerson Smith Councilmember Karen D. Alexander Councilmember Sarah Richardson Councilmember Emily Hixson Shepherd A quorum was present. Also present: Dr. Marie Peoples, City Manager Neil Bruntrager, City Attorney Ms. Katie Nakazono, City Clerk REMARKS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND VISITORS • Dave Buck, 124 S. Elm. (See Exhibit A) • Julie LeFevre Nakatani, 24 Algonquin, addressed support for an indoor pool. NEW BUSINESS - MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER No New Business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS BILL #9241 – Third Reading On motion of Councilmember Hixson Shepherd, seconded by Councilmember Richardson, BILL #9241 - ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY, ALL OF WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORS AT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON APRIL 2, 2024, AND PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE PREAMBLE, AND SECTIONS 2.12, 5.6, 5.18(2), 7.6, 7.12, 9.2, 10.3, 13.4 AND 14.9, having been introduced and read twice on December 19, 2023, was taken up its title read a third time and placed upon its passage to become Ordinance 9241. Mayor Arnold called for the vote on Bill #9241. MEMBERS VOTING: AYES: BLISS, FRANKLIN, SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON, HIXSON SHEPHERD, ARNOLD NOES: NONE Mayor Arnold stated that Bill #9241 was approved. 1 1-2-2024 CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Bliss, to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Arnold called for the vote on the Consent Agenda. MEMBERS VOTING: AYES: FRANKLIN, SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON, HIXSON SHEPHERD, ARNOLD, BLISS NOES: NONE Mayor Arnold stated that the Consent Agenda was approved. The following Consent Agenda was approved: • Approval of Minutes – December 19, 2023 • Resolution #2024-01 – A Resolution Providing for the Holding of a Regular Biennial Election on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for Three Members of the Council (For 4-Year Terms), in Accordance with Rules Promulgated and Adopted as Provided by State Statute, and by the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County • Resolution #2024-02 – Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for the Sealing of the Deck of the Old Webster Parking Garage • Resolution #2024-03 – Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for the Construction of a Service Center Vestibule APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS • Jeanne Kloeckner was appointed to the Green Space Advisory Commission. • Angela Thompson was appointed to the Architectural Review Board (Alternate Member). EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION Councilmember Bliss made a motion, which was seconded by Councilmember Richardson to go into Executive Closed Session per Attorney-Client Privileged Communications with [MO. Statute 610.021([17)]. Mayor Arnold called for the vote to go into Executive (Closed) Session. AYES: SMITH, ALEXANDER, RICHARDSON, HIXSON SHEPHERD, ARNOLD, BLISS, FRANKLIN NOES: NONE Mayor Arnold stated that the Council would go into Executive (Closed) Session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. on motion of the Mayor, duly seconded. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 2024. Mayor City Clerk 2  Exhibit A Nakazono, Katie From: Dave Buck <dave@buckstl.com> Sent: Monday, January 1, 2024 9:15 PM To: citycouncil; Laura W. Arnold; Pam Bliss; Alexander, Karen; Richardson, Sarah; Emily Hixson Shepherd; David Franklin; Emerson Smith; Peoples, Marie; Peterson, Eric; njbatty@aol.com; Nakazono, Katie; Starkey, Jenny Cc: Davis, Scott; Ben E; tracydowning4@gmail.com; davidgaddison@gmail.com; spencer.evyn@wgmail.org; broshears.dan@wgmail.org; Jerry Collins; Matt Irvin; John Simpson; Jason Adams; Pam Frazier; Jo Doll; Christine Keller; Kita Quinn; scheer.tara@wgmail.org; Grace Lee; Alexander Kahn; Allen Todd; Jaime Mowers; Kevin Murphy; Randy Drilingas; Don Corrigan; Melissa Wilkinson; wgecho@wgmail.org; websterjournal@gmail.com; Arnold Stricker; Mark Langston; Ree Hamlin; rebeccanow@sbcglobal.net; Sarah Riss; joel@greenstreetstl.com; aimeemuldrow@yahoo.com; Tricia Nieman; Becky Hauser; Maren Mellem; Julie LeFevre; Gerry Welch; Kathy Hart; Toni Hunt; Sebastian Bellomo; Jeanne Kirkton; Bill Newhouse; Karen Beck; preservewebster@gmail.com; John Greaves; joannavdt@gmail.com; gkrautmann; ocho@sbcglobal.net; tesswass@aol.com; Steve Wasserman; dkimball@umsl.edu; Miki McKee Koelsch Subject: Our Final, Serious & Urgent Community Request That City Council PLEASE Reconsider & Include the Indoor Pool Option as Part of Prop W on the April Ballot Caution: This is an External Message ‐ Please be cautious when opening links or attachments To WG City Council, City Manager, Asst. City Manager, City A orney, City Clerk & Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement, I did not wish to interrupt your holiday break, so I apologize for sending it so close to your City Council mee ng tomorrow. But if you are the responsive government I think you are, you will read and take it seriously before Tuesday’s mee ng. I am just coming out of COVID despite receiving all four boosters, and if I am s ll tes ng posi ve Tuesday a ernoon, I will not be a ending and sharing remarks publicly at tomorrow’s mee ng. What follows is longer than a 3‐minute remark which is why I please urge you to read my email in its en rety to get the full story. I did some homework over the holidays and, thus, I urge you more than ever to reconsider your previous decision and, instead, please include 1 the indoor pool op on as part of Prop W (from the Des na on WG ini a ve) on the April ballot. Here’s what we all know: 1. Aqua c Centers & indoor pools are not moneymakers but provide an invaluable service, a myriad of aqua c ac vi es, and its associated benefits of happiness, health, recrea on, fitness and fun to a community, including a home pool advantage to its local school swim teams and swim clubs, etc. 2. Of the 27 Des na on WG poten al projects included in your community engagement survey, the Aqua c Center is by far the #1 vote ge er. Unfortunately, the indoor pool op on WAS NOT on this list of 27 projects so, to date, the community has NOT had the opportunity to quan fiably and officially weigh in on the indoor pool op on. However, qualita vely and as you shared, “many members and community voices have given support to an indoor pool op on.” 3. City Council’s mental stumbling block is in how to fund the projected addi onal $250,000 in annual opera ng expenses for an indoor pool. However, over 70% of resident respondents state that they would support a small tax increase and/or a increase in membership fees to fund the Aqua c Center. For Webster’s 9,500 tax paying households, this amount equals an es mated and very affordable $30 per year ‐ or $2.50 per month ‐ increase. 4. Addi onally, there are other proven crea ve ways to fund these annual opera ng expenses, such as ad sponsorships, naming rights, brick pavers, etc. Just consider the success the Webster Groves School District Founda on is having with its $2 million capital 2  campaign ON TOP of the Prop S $45 million no tax bond issue overwhelmingly passed by our community in August, 2022, that included the highly analogous Moss Field renova on. 5. Parks & Recrea on’s own es mate is that the indoor pool would draw at a endance of 53,200 over the 9 months it was open, represen ng an average DAILY a endance of almost 200, making it one of the most highly a ended of all Parks & Recrea on ac vi es. 6. What you may not know is the sustainability, financial viability, and longevity of several municipal indoor pools given the year they were opened, many in ci es smaller than Webster Groves, such as Center of Clayton in 2002; Lodge Des Peres in 2004; The Pointe in Ballwin Commons in 1996; The Heights in Richmond Heights in 2004; St. Peter’s Rec Plex in 1994; Maryland Heights Centre in 2017; Mid‐ County YMCA serving Brentwood in 1931; and the Kirkwood YMCA in 1957. These ci es are not stupid or reckless with their finances. They have made their indoor pools work for the good of their communi es. So can Webster Groves. 7. The community NEED and DEMAND for this indoor pool op on is significant and growing. Webster University has the ONLY indoor pool in our city and rumors of its future closing are increasing. Correspondingly, the demand for indoor swim pools and swim lessons by families with young kids is increasing. Witness the number of indoor swim private businesses opening nearby. Given the above suppor ng evidence, here is what your community is now firmly reques ng: that you please reconsider and include the indoor pool op on on Prop W for the April ballot as follows: 3  ‐ The final deadline for ballot language to the St. Louis County Board of Elec ons is Tuesday, January 23, at 5 pm. This is exactly three weeks from your mee ng tomorrow on January 2. ‐ City Council can take two weeks to think about it, make the decision to include the indoor pool op on in their January 16 work session, which then leaves one full week to dra new language for the City’s final ballot by January 23. ‐ But instead of bundling all of the Prop W projects together in one $22.1 million no tax increase bond issue package, we strongly request separa ng the different projects out and let the community vote YES or NO on each of them individually, just as voters get to vote on individual candidates and each individual City Charter proposed amendment. The Prop W projects should be handled just the same. Two final points: ‐ The community has not yet been given the chance to officially weigh in on the indoor pool op on. Please put this ma er in the hands of our residents. Let them decide. Again, it was NOT on the list of the 27 projects in the community survey. Plus, there were only 603 surveys returned. In a municipal elec on, you will receive the benefit of thousands of votes up or down. ‐ Des na on WG urged residents to “DREAM BIG” as a “once in a life me” opportunity. Thirty years ago, our City leaders DREAMED BIG when they approved the construc on of the first‐ever aqua c center / water park in the St. Louis Region. Now, 30 years later, we have the once in a life me opportunity to DREAM BIG once again to create a YEAR‐ROUND AQUATIC CENTER for the health and 4  happiness of our community, now in a full‐service Rec Center that offers a year‐round fitness center, fitness classes, ice hockey and mul ‐purpose gym, and now swimming!!! If Council decides to kick this can down the road, it will never get done, in my opinion, based on the 23‐year history of our city over the years I have lived here. Bo om‐Line: Let the Residents – who you report to ‐ decide the fate of the indoor pool. Please put this decision in their able and trusted hands as the people who will benefit most from the indoor pool. Thank YOU. PEACE. Respec ully submi ed on behalf of Webster’s residents, by resident, Dave Buck 124 S. Elm Ave. 314‐952‐0910 dave@buckstl.com 5  RESOLUTION 2024-04 AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024. WHEREAS, the City Council discussed and approved four capital projects, the Safe Streets for All grant, the Elm Multi-Purpose Trail grant, the Elm at Kirkham Culvert grant, and City Hall Roof replacement, at its meeting on January 2, 2024. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Webster Groves, Missouri, that the Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, is hereby amended to appropriate reductions and/or increases of revenues and/or expenditures in the amounts and funds as listed below: REVENUE or INREASE DECREASE FUND EXPEDITURES AMOUNT AMOUNT Street Improvement Fund Revenue $874,773 Stormwater Fund Revenue $201,916 Capital Improvement Fund Expenditures $370,023 Capital Improvement Fund Revenue $370,023 $659,847 American Rescue Plan Fund Revenue $370,023 Grant Fund Revenue $1,736,536 Passed and approved on this _______ day of ________, 2024. __________________________________ MAYOR ATTEST: ______________________________________ CITY CLERK