ST. MARY – The St. Mary Board of Aldermen met Friday in regular and closed sessions.
The minutes of the meeting were released Monday.
THE CITY OF ST. MARY, MISSOURI
Board of Aldermen Meeting
Friday, April 11, 2025
6:00 p.m.
- Be it Remembered: A regular meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Adam Bequette on Friday, April 11th, 2025 beginning at 6:00 PM at City Hall located at 782 3rd Street, St. Mary, Missouri 63673.
- Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
- Roll Call: Aldermen answering the roll call were Alderman Rose Rosenzweig, Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, Alderman Brian Helm and Alderman Kathy Bergmann (absent).
- Agenda: A motion was made by Alderman Dr. Zen Duda to approve the agenda. Alderman Rose Rosenzweig seconded the motion. Alderman Brian Helm, and Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, Alderman Rose Rosenzweig voted yea on a voice vote. Motion carried.
- Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Alderman Dr. Zen Duda to approve the Consent Agenda which consists of the following: Minutes from Previous Meeting, Treasurers Report, Collectors Report and Bills Paid and City Manager to pay previously appropriated expenses as they come due as allowed by the budget. Alderman Brian Helm seconded the motion. Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, Alderman Brian Helm, and Alderman Rose Rosenzweig voted yea on a voice vote. Motion carried.
- Public Hearing:
Cody Keifer
*Requesting water to be turned at 927 6th Street
*Requesting change of address to 937 6th Street – 911 address
*Previous owner’s estate (Rollin Picou) has a past due balance of $419.46
*City Clerk to determine if meter deposit was made by previous owner, if deposit was made, the amount of the deposit will be subtracted from the amount due, Mr. Keifer agreed to pay the difference.
*Occupancy permit is required prior to the water being turned on.
Cassandra Packineau
*Disputes water/sewer bill at 838 Spruce Street
-unaware of the need for an occupancy permit prior to renter/sister moving in to her property
-lack of communication between property owner and city employees regarding the leak on her property
-excessive length of time to repair the leak due to bad weather
*Mayor Adam Bequette requested Frankie Ullman, under oath and on record, water/sewer employee, to report his findings regarding the leak and repair.
-grinder was replaced
-there was a delay in repairs due to inclement weather
-Frankie Ullman reported there was still a leak in the home after the grinder was replaced and informed the current resident of the leak and was told there would be an excessive bill if the water were left on
-current resident requested the water be left on despite the potential for an excessive bill due to having children in the home. Water was left on.
Cassandra Packineau continued
-leak was found under the property owner’s driveway, contactor repaired
-Frankie Ullman reports grinder panel needs to replaced and has been ordered, however the grinder is currently receiving proper power
-Property owner reports sewage is currently coming out of the ground around the grinder
-the cause of the sewer leak is the vent is clogged on the owner’s side; Frankie Ullman is not aware of the vent being repaired.
-Alderman Duda recommends legal be involved to determine responsibility due to the number of issues presented to the board.
-Alderman Helm acknowledges city employees did not follow city policy regarding this property.
-Mayor Adam Bequette recommends adjust the sewer portion of the property owner and the current resident’s water/sewer bills due to protocol not being followed.
– Property and current resident agree to these terms, payment plans have been established for both property owner and current resident.
-Property owner was also reminded of city taxes that are delinquent
Motion to by Alderman Duda, seconded by Alderman Rose Rosenzweig, to enter a complaint from a citizen regarding the lack of knowledge regarding who city employees are.
-Eric Doty formally announced as a new city employee – General maintenance
-Joseph Langley to remain PRN maintenance
- Public Forum
*Connie Pritchard – 461 Cedar – thanked the Mayor and Board of Alderman for helping her get her stolen property returned. She would like to donate lots 10-13 to the city after she receives the deed.
- Unfinished business
* Overdue city taxes
-water to be shut off for current city residents with unpaid taxes
– Mayor Adam Bequette will meet with city attorney for the remaining to be turned over to collections
- New Business
*Motion to accept election results, motion made by Alderman Duda, seconded by Alderman Rosensweig
*Swearing in of Alderman Duda
*Mayor Pro Tem – recommendation of Alderman Duda made by Alderman Helm, motion to except recommendation made by Alderman Helm, motion seconded by Alderman Rosensweig.
- Resolution No. 1005 Resolution for Banking Authorization
*Bank authorizations done by Mayor Adam Bequette to add new City Clerk Jessica Gunter and remove signers no longer employed by the city.
– new credit cards to be issued
–purchase orders to be attached to checks written also to include credit card purchases
–approval of purchases given by check signers
–bids/shopping for large purchases
- BILL NO. 1006 – Resolution to authorize the Mayor on the behalf of the city to enter/renew mutual aid agreement with adjoining counties and municipalities
Alderman Dr. Zen Duda made a motion for a first reading of bill 1005 by heading only. Alderman Rose Rosenzweig seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Dr. Zen Duda (aye) and Alderman Rose Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Brian Helm (aye). Mayor Adam Bequette read bill 1005 for a first reading by heading only.
Alderman Dr. Zen Duda made a motion for a second reading of bill 1005, Alderman Rose Rosenzweig seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Dr. Zen Duda (aye) and Alderman Rose Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Brian Helm (aye). Mayor Adam Bequette read bill 1005 for a second reading by heading only.
Alderman Dr. Zen Duda made a motion for passage of bill 1005. Alderman Rose Rosenzweig seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Dr. Zen Duda (aye), Alderman Rose Rosenzweig (aye) and Alderman Brian Helm (aye). Motion passed. Bill adopted.
Thank you to the Perryville Police Department, Mayor Ripley and the Perryville Board of Alderman for the donation of a police car to the City of St. Mary
- Department Reports:
- Emergency Management – Director Mayor Adam Bequette
–clarification on Ste. Genevieve County storm alert system
–possible implantation of siren located at the Antique Mall when Ste. Genevieve County does not sound alarm for the City of St. Mary during adverse weather
–Police and fire department to give warning to residents during inclement weather
– new city policies regarding severe weather alerts may need to be discussed.
- Police Department – Police Chief Tyler Urban
-total of 75 calls in March
-animals at large are being taken to the county, fines are paid and animals released to the owner, city currently has repeat offenders, Mayor Adam Bequette suggests possibly contacting the shelter in Cape Girardeau
- Fire Department – Fire Chief Frankie Ullman, Alderman Kathy Bergmann absent
-6 calls for March
-Board of Alderman has requested an official statement regarding the Rural Fire Department Bond, request was made to add to the agenda next month. Fire Chief Frankie Ullman has nothing to report regarding this issue.
- Street Department – Alderman Dr. Zen Duda stated that gravel to delivered to the water tower, per Eric
Doty, city employee, gravel has been delivered, needing to be spread.
- Water / Wastewater Department –Frankie Ullman reports
-Third and Spruce culvert needs to be located due to spring water making it appear as a leak
-Alderman Duda reports gully developing at 4th and Sycamore, water covering the road, Frankie Ullman reported culvert was collapsed.
– Eric Doty and Joseph Langley cleaned out culverts on 3rd street and 5th street
-Mayor Bequette requesting FEMA reimbursement for flood and storm damage
- Park / Cemetery – Mayor Bequette reports
-tree limbs at the cemetery have been cleaned up
-mowed and trimming done
-caretaker dwelling door to be replaced
-snack shack at the park has been taken down due to be structurally unsafe
- Administrative/Economic Development – Alderman Brian Helm reports
-hiring of new City Clerk Jessica Gunter
-Alderman Helm, Alderman Bergmann, and Alderman Rosenzweig have formed an organization to plan family-oriented events for the city. The organization is just in the beginning stages, they are hopeful have an event planned by the fall. The organization would like to incorporate local businesses, churches, and residents into the organization.
- Citizens Participation – none
- Regular Session Adjournment: There being no further business before the board, a motion was made by Alderman Dr. Zen Duda to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Alderman Rose Rosensweig seconded the motion. All the aldermen voted yea on a voice vote. Meeting adjourned.
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CITY CLERK – JESSICA GUNTER MAYOR – ADAM BEQUETTE