August Board of Aldermen Meeting — Key Updates
The Board of Aldermen met on August 20. Below is a summary of key updates and discussions from the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kel Ward announced the resignation of City Attorney Sam Alton, effective August 1st. “Through emergency appointment power” the Mayor appointed Felica Ezell- Gillespie, who was present, as interim counsel for the City. The appointment was not included in the official agenda for the meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Community Development Block Grant- Awarded Funds Update
Sophia Ballard from St. Louis County presented information regarding the $60,000 (CDBG) award. She noted that projects must include an ADA component due to the city's low-to-moderate income percentage. 50% is required to qualify and Bellerive Acres currently sits at 13% based on current STL County Census Data. She also suggested that storm water mitigation, or external home improvement projects might qualify for separate disaster relief funds, or other programs available by application.
iWorQ Permitting and Code-Enforcement System
The Board heard and considered a proposal from iWorQ Systems. iWorQ is an online municipal software system designed to support code enforcement, permitting, and online payment processing. The system would allow City staff to manage permit applications and code enforcement cases electronically, track related records and activity, and provide residents with an online portal for certain City services. The proposed system also includes online credit and debit card payment processing through Payroc, allowing payments to be recorded and tracked within the iWorQ platform.
During the meeting, Benjamin Freeman of iWorQ demonstrated several features of the system, including the ability to upload photos and documents, complete forms electronically, send and receive messages with residents, and maintain a code enforcement history for individual properties that can be accessed by City staff.
The system is priced at $4,000 per year for an initial three-year term, for a base cost of $12,000 over three years. The standard $3,400 setup fee is waived under the proposal being signed by August 21st.
During the discussion, questions were raised about several provisions in the proposed agreement.
An Alderperson questioned the provision stating that the contract would be governed by Utah law. The iWorQ representative responded that the provision could be removed from the agreement. There was a question about the contract language allowing for possible annual price increases of up to 5% in future years. The representative stated that, in his experience with the company, iWorQ had not increased a customer's pricing in this manner. Finally, they questioned the provision stating that the remaining contract balance could become immediately due if services were terminated during the initial three-year term. The representative also stated that iWorQ had never exercised that provision against a customer.
These responses reflected the representative's description of iWorQ's practices; however, the provisions discussed continued to be included in the written agreement presented to the Board.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police: Major Larson was not present, and no report from Normandy Police Department was given.
Financial: A representative from KEB was not present, and no financial report was given.
Maintenance: Mike Johnson was not present and no maintenance report was given.
City Attorney: City Attorney Vacancy and Interim Counsel
The Board’s August meeting began with Felica Ezell- Gillespie’s appointment as interim council for the city.
The position of City Attorney became vacant effective August 1. In Mr. Alton’s resignation, he indicated that he would continue representing the City in pending litigation.
Missouri §79.230 provide that the Mayor and Board may employ special counsel by ordinance, including during a vacancy in the City Attorney’s office. Bellerive Acres Code §115.020 also separately provides that the Mayor appoints the City Attorney with the advice and consent of the Board.
No ordinance employing interim counsel was introduced or adopted at the meeting, and no permanent appointment to the office of City Attorney was presented to the Board for approval.
Code Enforcement
Officer Deon Ross was present at this meeting and is currently operating in the neighborhood and issuing citations. He reported that 14 violations were issued, all non-compliant. He reported there were two online code violation complaints through the Citizen Comment Form.
This led to continued discussion from Board members about the iWorQ software. The system had been recommended to the City by Code Enforcement Officer Deon Ross, who has experience using iWorQ in another municipality. Mr. Ross explained the manner in which it streamlines his daily workload- particularly in reducing hours and paperwork. Almost all neighboring municipalities, including St. Louis County use the software.
Alderperson Hopkins spoke in support of the city adopting the system, discussing the administrative benefits of the software. He emphasized that using a modern digital system could help the City present a more professional and organized approach to code enforcement. He suggested that improved record keeping, communication, and consistency could make enforcement more effective and may encourage greater compliance from residents.
Alderperson Graham expressed concern over the cost of the system and questioned the Board’s ability to use the system in a way to encourage compliance with current violations. He mentioned that there are only two staff members that would use the system (Code Enforcement Officer and City Clerk). Alderman Graham specifically questioned the limited time-frame for reviewing a multi-year agreement before the scheduled vote. Some board members had received the agreement approximately 48 hours before the meeting. The proposal conditioned a $1,000 annual-subscription discount and waiver of the $3,400 setup fee on the agreement being signed and returned by August 21, the day following the Board meeting.
Alderperson Knapp questioned the Board’s procurement process and suggested other software be compared and considered.
The City’s purchasing procedures are established in Bellerive Acres Code §100.250. For purchases or contracts involving consideration over $5,000, the ordinance generally requires solicitation of at least three written bids, subject to specified exceptions and alternative procurement procedures. bids or exceptions were not presented at this meeting during consideration of the contract.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BACA: The committee reported that the event calendar has been distributed via email list and flyers. Preparations have begun for the Evening at the Acres event in September - hosted by the Ashley’s at #76- and the Fall Picnic in October. There is an upcoming event Sunday, August 30th, Music at the Island. Residents are invited to bring refreshments and enjoy live music at Floyd Johnson Island.
Street Commission: No report was presented.
Ordinance Review Committee
Alderman Knapp is hosting the Ordinance Review Committee meeting August 24th at #18 at 6:30pm.
He has opened the meeting to any interested residents. The Committee usually discusses the proposed revisions and comes to an agreement on a recommendation to make to the Board.
SEE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS HERE
BOARD OF ALDERMAN REPORTS
Alderman Knapp gave no report.
Alderman Hopkins gave no report.
Alderman Graham expressed to the residents that he supports discussing anything that can be publicly discussed. He also raised questions regarding the procedure for filling the City Attorney vacancy and provided members of the Board with copies of the applicable provisions of the Bellerive Acres Municipal Code and Missouri law (Bellerive Acres Code §115.060, §115.070, §115.020, and Missouri §79.230 ).
Alderperson Paunicka expressed frustration regarding a lack of transparency and communication from the administration regarding meeting agendas and city business.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board considered approval of the proposed iWorQ Systems service agreement. Some board members repeated concerns regarding the lack of competitive bidding and the total cost. The board approved the purchase of the system for $4,000 annually, with a three-year commitment with Alderpersons Knapp and Graham voting no and Alderpersons Hopkins and Paunicka voting yes. Mayor Ward cast the tie breaking vote of yes.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Community Welfare: The Mayor highlighted neighbors coming together to support a long-time resident battling cancer. He also thanked the fire department and neighbors for their assistance in clearing fallen tree limbs that blocked street access following a storm on July 4th.
Code Enforcement & Public Safety: To address concerns about identifying city officials, the Mayor reported that magnetic signs for the code enforcement officer's vehicle and new business cards were being processed. Additionally, he announced plans for "Private Property" and "No Solicitation" signage at the city's front entrance.
Regional Collaboration: The Mayor discussed a significant upcoming price increase for St. Louis County dispatch services, which will impact all municipalities served by the Normandy Police Department. He also mentioned attending task force meetings for the Normandy School District.
City Projects & Communications: Efforts are underway to update the city directory, which was last revised in 2021, and to purge outdated resident information from the webmaster's list. He also expressed a desire to bring back a city newsletter.
Public Outreach & Events: The Mayor mentioned that the second public hearing for the $60,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) would likely be held in September. He also shared that the Universal Circus would recognize the city during "North County Nights" on September 5th at the Galleria Mall.
External Developments: The Mayor reported on development plans along Hanley Road and mentioned that the Chancellor’s residence at number nine had been put on the market as a business decision by the university.