STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen met in regular and work sessions Thursday.
Aldermen Donovan and Prince were absent.
Chip Marzuco presented information for the annual Spring for Down Syndrome Benefit to be held Saturday, June 14. Marzuco stated the “Spring for Down Syndrome” will be held the first full weekend in June, which removes a possible conflict with the French Heritage Festival. Marzuco was asked about the number of vehicles in the UTV event. He said “two years ago it was 620-something UTVs and last year it was 573 or something like that…and along with 60-something Jeeps.” The rally will run on mainly paved roads in the county. Events will take place at the Ste. Geneviev eCounty Fairgrounds and other locations.
City Administrator Happy Welch presented his report.
The Assistant Police Chief presented the police department report.
An official from Alliance Water, presented its report.
There no public comments.
The Consent agenda was approved.
It included:
A request to close Merchant Street west of Fourth to Memorial Cemetery and Fifth Street at Market Street from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025 for a Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve event.
Resolution No. 2025-23 approving the intent to negotiate equipment and building use if the Ste. Genevieve Fire District is approved by voters in April.
Resolution No. 2025-24 approving the intent to negotiate the sale of five acres along Progress Parkway to the Independence Center.
Resolution No. 2025-25 authorizing the mayor to execute a property maintenance agreement with Mary Jo Holland to maintain flood buyout property.
Old Business:
Bill No.4662: authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement for engineering services with Taylor Engineering for the Crestlawn Cemetery expansion was approved 6-0-2.
New Business (All measures were given first round approval)
Bill No. 4664: authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between the city of Ste. Genevieve and the Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band.
Bill No. 4665: approving a budget amendment.
Bill No. 4666: authorizing the mayor to execute a construction inspection services contract with Cochran Engineering for the Ninth Street Improvement Project.
Bill No. 4667: authorizing the mayor to enter into an $837,853.31 agreement with SIC Concrete for the citywide conceate replacement project.
Bill No. 4668: authorizing the mayor to enter into a $3,195,814.99 agreement with Vern Bauman Contracting Company for the City Wide Asphalt Relacement Project.
Other Business
Adjournment.
The regular meeting was followed by a work session.
The first item on the agenda for Thursday’s Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen work session was a proposal from newly-hired Police Chief Daniel Halek to partner with Enterprise Fleet Management to purchase, upfit, and finance new vehicle purchases, specifically the police department.
Ryan Owens was present to review the benefits of work with Enterprise through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program and the savings it can provide. He said Enterprise is providing the service to Perryville and Park Hills in this area.
A memo on the topic from City Administrator Happy Welch stated “We have been on a two-vehicle every year purchase schedule for the police department until this year, working with First State Community Bank on a lease/purchase. We held off this year so we’re looking to catch up in FY 2026. We have encountered problems with the vehicles we didn’t trade out this year.”
Welch said “to me this is a no-brainer” because it will save considerable staff time.
Also on the agenda for the work session was a request from a city resident to do something to slow down morning school traffic that flows by his house on 5th Street.
The resident had suggested speed bumps.
City Administrator Welch said he contacted a friend in Columbia, Mo. to see how they determined the need for various traffic calming actions.
The agenda packet contained information on speed humps.
Next the aldermen held a discussion of annexations. The packet contained much information on this as well.
A discussion of bringing public works back under the city hall umbrella was held. Presently the city contracts with Alliance Water Resouirces for public works.
Alderman Pat Fahey discussed recognizing persons who make a significant contribution to the community with a “Mayoral Merit Award.” The aldermen agreed it would be a good idea and suggested the first award may be presented in May.
Both sessions were shown live on SteGenTV Channel 990 on the Spectrum Cable System in Ste. Genevieve and streamed live on the SteGenTV You Tube Channel. It is now available at https://youtu.be/MUlSdaT9HqE