RECORD OF PROCEEDING
Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, December 5, 2023
Mayor McNamara led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A roll call for the meeting was taken with the following result:
PRESENT- Ward ABSENT
Mayor Sue McNamara
Alderman Andrew Low – Ward 1
Alderman Jeff Schweig – Ward 1
Alderman Honora Schiller – Ward 2
Alderman Brock MacDonald – Ward 2
Alderman Lin Midyett (via Zoom) – Ward 3
Alderman Gregg Bogosian – Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
Alderman Low made the Motion to amend the Agenda to remove Items 7 and 10(a) because this first
must go to Planning and Zoning, seconded by Alderman Schweig. A voice vote was taken to amend the
Agenda with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. Alderman Low made a motion to
accept the Agenda as amended, seconded by Alderman Midyett. A voice vote was taken to accept the
Agenda as amended with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Alderman Midyett made a motion to waive the reading of the Minutes, seconded by Alderman Low. A
voice vote was taken to waive the reading of the Minutes with an affirmative result and the motion was
declared passed. A motion was made by Alderman Schiller to amend the Minutes to indicate that she was
absent November 7 and Alderman Bogosian was in attendance. The motion was seconded by Alderman
Bogosian. A voice vote was taken to amend the Minutes with an affirmative result and the motion was
declared passed. A motion was made by Alderman Schweig to accept the Minutes of the November 7
meeting, as amended, seconded by Alderman MacDonald. A voice vote was taken to accept the Minutes
as amended with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS
The Republic Services Inc. representative, Joell Aguirre, was present to give an industry update. She
reported that because China no longer accepts recycling materials from us, it is important to maintain the
level of contamination at less than 15% and she was happy to report that Clarkson Valley is under that
threshold and congratulated Clarkson Valley and urged that we keep this up. She also reported that
Republic Services is heading towards electronic vehicles and said because this area has the newer vehicles
that emit lower levels of greenhouse gases, we will be at least five years out before getting onboard with
that. She said once we do begin getting electronic vehicles, the landfill located in Urbana IL will go through
a process to capture gas to power those electronic vehicles.
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the November Police Report.
Building Commissioner Introduced
Brad Holmes was introduced to the Board Members. He retired from Creve Coeur after working there for
25 years. He also worked for 6 years for the City of Ballwin. He encouraged everyone to call him with any
questions. Everyone welcomed and thanked him for attending tonight’s meeting.
Mayor’s Report
Court Report: The amount collected from fines for the month of November was $2,892.77.
Aldermanic Candidate Filing Begins Now for April 2, 2024, General Municipal Election: Mayor McNamara
reported that filing began this morning and will end December 26. The three Aldermen up for re-election
are Schweig, MacDonald and Midyett, two of which signed up this morning.
January Meeting Date Changed: Due to the holiday, Mayor McNamara stated the January meeting date
changed from January 2 to a week later – January 9.
Attending Other Municipal Meetings: Mayor McNamara said that she has been to several meetings and
finds them extremely beneficial and asked the Aldermen to consider attending with her. She mentioned
that they were all sent a copy of spreadsheet listing the local municipalities meeting nights. She also
mentioned the necessity of holding a working session at least once a month, stating that she is finding out
that is what other cities do to speed up their meetings. This month, she would like to discuss the City’s
fee structures and the investment income during one of these working sessions.
MSD Stormwater Upgrade – Westhampton Subdivision: She reported there will be a webinar introducing
the engineers responsible for the upgrade of storm sewer lines in Westhampton with a question-and-answer session following.
This will be held December 13 and all aldermen and trustees were notified and invited to attend.
LAMO Meeting: She stated that Clarkson Valley hosted the November LAMO Meeting which was held at
Forest Hills Country Club. There were approximately a dozen attendees, and she always learns a lot from
these meetings.
Holding at Least Two “Meetings with the Mayor” – offering Coffee and Wine: Mayor McNamara spoke
with Alderman Bogosian today about the possibility of holding at least two meetings with our residents;
one offering coffee, and for those who can’t make a daytime meeting, offering soda, water, and a cash
bar in the evening. She is considering holding these either the end of January or the first of February.
Photos of Aldermen – Posted in City Hall: She reported that Alderman Low had previously posed the
possibility of having a series of pictures taken of the Aldermen and to have them posted in the office,
which she thinks is a good idea. This is for the residents to be able to identify with their representatives.
She would further like to see these posted in Stroll Magazine once a month with a bio of who you are,
where you came from, what your background is, etc.
Kudos to St. Louis County Highway Department: Mayor McNamara thanked the people at St. Louis County
Highway Department, reporting that at the suggestion and request of the Forest Hills Ridge trustee, they
extended the turn lane on Kehrs Mill Road at the intersection on the west side of Clarkson Road. They
accomplished this within a day and a half, and the lane extension has helped.
Closed Session: She reported that we will be holding a closed session at the conclusion of this Regular
Meeting.
Aldermanic Reports
Removal of the Pond at Forest Hills Country Club: Alderman Bogosian reported that he has been watching
the progress of the Army Corps of Engineers project to restore the creek near Hole 17 of Forest Hills. This
involves the dam, spillway, storm basin, etc. and the project is to bring back the natural stream bed and
eliminate the man-made dam. This completion date is anticipated to be in the spring.
Recodification Review: Alderman Schiller had two questions relating to changes made to our code due to
statutory law changes. In both cases, the City Attorney stated that the State statutes supersede our code
but regarding the 72-hour posting of agenda, we could make it a policy when staffing allows.
Meeting with Marquette H.S. Art Teacher to Discuss Logo: Alderman MacDonald reported that he and
Mayor McNamara met with the art teacher to discuss the possibility of some of her students entering
their idea(s) for updating the Clarkson Valley logo, since the current logo was created by a Clarkson Valley
high school student in 1988 concluded by saying that the students had some very good ideas and created
inspiring works using Adobe Illustrator. Mayor McNamara interjected that they showed impressive talent.
This will be further discussed later in the meeting.
Sewer Odor in Kehrs Mill Estates: Alderman Low said he is working along with Alderman Schweig and the
multiple residents of Kehrs Mill Estates with consistent sewer odors to the exterior of their homes. They
were able to get an MSD engineer involved, who assigned a crew to flush all the lines and reseal all the
covers. We will see if this remedy holds for another six months when people tend to be outside but for
right now, the complaints have stopped coming in.
Tech Committee Report for City’s IT: Alderman Low reported that he contacted five companies and still is
waiting to hear from several more, which is a good start. He met with one of the companies Monday and
they are in the process of working up a proposal. The second part of this is the web hosting, which ends
December 31.
Attended Westhampton Annual Meeting: Alderman Midyett said he attended this meeting and wanted
to find why the subdivision is not signing the Police Enforcement Agreement. Mayor McNamara said we
were planning to hold a meeting with those last few subdivisions that haven’t signed but it probably will
not be until after January. This meeting would be with those trustees and our City Attorney.
Cyber Insurance Update: Alderman Midyett reported virtually, saying he was able to obtain two bids for
cyber insurance, one from Beasley Insurance, which quoted $1m coverage for $1200, or $2m coverage
for $1,590. Tokyo Fire and Marine quoted $1m coverage for $1,780. He said there is a process of
paperwork which he said could most likely be filled out by both Alderman Low and the City Administrator.
He further stated that he requested a third bid from the insurance broker, but due to our City’s size, we
might not be able to get a third bid. City Attorney, Patrick Butler, said that a third bid is not statutorily
required, although it’s always a good idea when possible.
Alderman Midyett stated he is out of town and might have to leave this meeting early as it will be
necessary for him to attend another meeting.
City Attorney Report:
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, reported all was good in the City and he had no report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Security Locking System on City Hall Door: Mayor McNamara said we are still looking at a security locking
system and said the City Administrator is meeting with four companies this week to discuss the locking
device (systems) and we’ll have to see what kind of pricing and systems they are offering. She’s also been
in touch with the building manager to see if we can utilize a portion of their system. Alderman Bogosian
stated that he recently visited Webster Groves City Hall, which requires being buzzed into the building
stating they have made themselves very secure. Mayor McNamara gave the dates and times of these
meetings and offered that everyone is welcome to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 23-17 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY
APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION OF PLEASANT VALLEY FOREST (“PLEASANT VALLEY FOREST”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-17 was made by Alderman MacDonald and seconded by
Alderman Midyett. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was
no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A roll call vote was taken to approve ARPA funding
to Pleasant Valley Forest with the following result: Bogosian, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig.
There were no nays. Abstention: Low. The motion to approve Resolution No. 23-17 was declared passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-18 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY
APPROVING THE PAYMENT OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION OF DUNHILL FARM (“DUNHILL FARM”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-18 was made by Alderman MacDonald and seconded by
Alderman Schweig. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was
no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A roll call vote was taken to approve ARPA
payment to Dunhill Farm with the following result: Bogosian, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig.
There were no nays. Abstention: Low. The motion to approve Resolution No. 23-18 was declared passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-19 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY
APPROVING THE PAYMENT OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION OF PLEASANT VALLEY FOREST (“PLEASANT VALLEY FOREST”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-19 was made by Alderman Schiller and seconded by
Alderman Schweig. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was
no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A roll call vote was taken to approve ARPA
payment to Pleasant Valley Forest with the following result: Bogosian, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and
Schweig. There were no nays. Abstention: Low. The motion to approve Resolution No. 23-19 was declared
passed.
Discuss Purchase of an iPad for Building Commissioner: After discussion took place centering on the need
for this iPad, it was determined the City should purchase an iPad Pro with 12.9” screen and 256 GB, Apple
Care plan, and a tough case to withstand being in the field and we would additionally contract for a data
plan for a one-time cost $1,650 plus the cost of a data plan. The motion to approve that expenditure was
made by Alderman Bogosian, seconded by Alderman Schiller. There was another motion to amend this
motion to state that the purchase will be taken from the ARPA funds, made by Alderman Bogosian,
seconded by Alderman Schiller. A voice vote was taken to approve the motion to amend with a unanimous
affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. A voice vote was taken to approve the amended
motion to purchase of an iPad as stated and from ARPA funds with a unanimous affirmative result and
the motion was declared passed.
Logo Discussion: Mayor McNamara handed out copies of differing logos created by four different people
with different design elements, e.g., horizontal or badge style. In addition to the logo, Mayor McNamara
said she would like the Aldermen to have business cards created for them and new Welcome Signs. The
Board Members went through the packet of logo ideas, one at a time, making their likes/dislikes known.
After the holidays, Mayor McNamara and Alderman MacDonald will make another appointment to meet
with the art teacher to further discuss, but they will let her know the Board’s likes and dislikes. Alderman
Midyett left the meeting during this discussion.
Audit: Alderman Low made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $148,401.91 seconded by
Alderman Schweig. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and
the motion was declared passed.
Alderman Low made a motion to close the Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen under the Revised
Statutes of Missouri, Section 610.021 which authorizes a public governmental body to close a meeting
order to discuss topics relating to certain matters, in this instance Section 610.021 paragraph 3 pertaining
to the discussion of personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Schweig. Ayes:
Bogosian, Low, Macdonald, Schiller, and Schweig. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara
declared the motion as having passed.
A motion was made by Alderperson Low to reconvene the Regular Meeting, seconded by Alderperson
Schiller. A roll call vote was taken with the following result. Aye: Bogosian, Low, MacDonald, Schiller, and
Schweig. Nay: None. The motion was declared passed and the Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen
reconvened at 8:49-p.m.
Alderman Low made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman MacDonald. A voice vote
was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The Regular Meeting
of the Board of Aldermen adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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Sue McNamara, Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Administrator/City Clerk