St. Mary Board of Aldermen meeting minutes released

/ News, Ste. Genevieve News

ST. MARY – The minutes of the May 28 meeting of the St. Mary Board of Alderman have been released.

THE CITY OF ST. MARY, MISSOURI

Board of Alderman Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2026

6:30 PM

  1. Be it Remembered: A regular meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen called to order by the Honorable Mayor Adam Bequette on Thursday, May 28, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM at City Hall located at 782 3rd Street, St. Mary, Missouri 63673.
  2. Pledge of Allegiance: The Meeting opened with The Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Roll Call: Aldermen answering the roll call were Alderman Rose Rosenzweig, Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, Alderman Melvin Frelix, and Alderman Brian Helms.   Quorum present.
  4. Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve agenda as printed by Alderman Duda, second Alderman Helms, all in favor, Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Duda (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix(aye) motion carried.
  5. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve agenda as printed by Alderman Helms, second Alderman Frelix, all in favor, Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Duda (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix (nay) motion carried!
  • Minutes from previous meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Collectors Report
  • Bills for Payment
  • City Clerk to pay previously appropriate expenses as they come due as allied by budget.
  • No Public Forum
  1. Public Forum:

Janice Cole:               

  • Trailer on Cemetery Road
  • County Moving out of Right of Way
  • City Still handling legalities

Pastor Ed Carter:        

  • Would like something done about stray dogs tearing up his yard and garden.
  • Has Contacted the county to get something done, No response
  • City will look into and see what can be done

Unfinished Business:

  • City Clerk position ad to be ran with required qualifications  
  • Park Project: Kendra from Little Tykes Commercial met with Aldermans Helms, Duda, and Mayor Bequette. A bid was placed for a new park play area of $62,000. It was suggested we acquire more bids and also, that a smaller, secondary park be established utilizing the park equipment from the old park. Both locations will need to be accessible to all residents of every ability.
  • Alderman Duda, Alderman Duda recommends Alderman Helms, Alderman Frelix Seconds Alderman Duda for the position. Roll call Vote Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Duda (Nay) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), and Alderman Frelix (Aye) motion carried. Alderman Zenon Duda is the Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term.
  • Banking Authorization for Elected and Appointed Officials- Alderman Rose Rosenzweig suggested that there be multiple signatories added to guarantee that there be someone available for the role of Authorized Signatory. Aldermans Helms and Felix volunteered, Alderman Duda seconds all in favor Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Duda (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), and Alderman Frelix (Aye) motion carried. Alderman Brian Helms and Melvin Frelix to be added as Signatory. 
  • Cemetery Bid Proposals and Selection for Removal of Deceased and Hazardous Trees. – a Bid of $800.00 was entered at our previous meeting to cut down limbs by Holland outdoors, Holland outdoors is insured Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), and Alderman Frelix (Aye) motion carried. The bid was accepted with the option to circle back and drop the tree(s) in question for safety and to keep property damage down, as the limbs have been breaking off during high winds. A new Bid was entered st this meeting to cut down several trees for $8500.00. It was suggested that we get a bid to drop only the tree(s) that is currently causing problems, and circle back when we need tree work in the future.

New Business:

  • Department Assignments
  • Park/Cemetery: Alderman Rosenzweig
  • Police/Street: Alderman Duda and Mayor Bequette
  • Administration: Alderman Frelix and Alderman Helms
  • Emergency Management: Mayor Bequette
  • Water/Waste Water: Mayor Bequette
  • Revitalization Committee

Contact MML to find out requirements for Meetings

  • Banking Resolution:

Motion made to add as signatory Alderman Frelix and Alderman Helms Roll Call vote Alderman Duds-                     Aye, Alderman Rosenzweig- aye, Alderman Frelix-aye, Alderman Helms-aye. Motion passed. Alderman            Frelix and Alderman Helms to be added as signatories.

  • Purple Wave:
  • List out all items to be entered into Purple Wave by Friday June 5, 2026
  • Profits used to repair and replace where needed
  • Motion made by Alderman Helms to approve entry into Purple Wave Second by Alderman Duda. Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix (aye), Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Duda (aye) Motion Passed
  • Work Session:
  • Date and Time needs to be set for a work session to work on 22027 fiscal budgets
  • Contact Mary from MML to assist
  • After 4th of July weekend suggested depending on availability
  • The Dr. Zen Duda Tree Revitalization Preservation Act:
  • Renamed The French Colonial Creole District
  • Plan trees to make the city look nicer
  • Helps with
  1. Soil impurities
  2. Air Pollution
  • Noise pollution
  1. Boost oxygen for health benefits
  • Enforcement/ Condemning Health and Safety Property/City to imply Lien in lieu of labor costs on maintenance of said blight property up to and including Court judgments/orders of demolition
  • Look in attorney to take care of blight property
  • Check into legalities of clean up

 

Departmental Reports:

  1. Emergency Management-Adam Bequette EMD
    • Still working with FEMA
    • Will update weekly.
  1. Police Department- Dr. Zen Duda
  • Nothing due to no current department
  1. Administration Dept- Brian Helms
  • Still in hiring process.
  • Placing a new Ad with requirements
  • Possible hiring agency
  1. Street Department- Dr. Zen Duda
  • 4th street cold patch more like a hump
  • Jokerst INC delayed due to over booking projects
  1. Water / Wastewater Department- Adam Bequette EMD
  • 8th Street hydrant flows water to bottom of hill needs capped before street repair or will cause sink holes.
  • Sewer needs new blower motor will call for quotes
  • Hauled 13 loads of sludge
  • Water leak at 351 Elm St. 95,000 gallons, leak was fixed
  • Replaced angle stop at 133 Cemetery rd., Inline valve needs replaced at hydrant
  • 838 Spruce had Meter setter replaced (outside)
  • Yard meter installed at 706 7th
  • Old hydrant 8th and Tri-County Feed dug out and capped off per DNR
  • 481 Spruce Grinder replaced
  • 651 Pine floats replaced
  • 8th Street Maco grinder was full of grease
  1. Park / Cemetery / Animal Control Department- Rose Rosenzweig
  • Possibility of locking up cemetery again
  • Head stone damage
  • People in cemetery at night jumping fences
  • People are going into old park on sidexsides leaving tracks
  • Looking into new cattle gates to lock up park
  1. Citizens Participation
  • None

Meeting Adjournment: 

  • Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Duda seconded by Alderman Frelix. Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Frelix (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Helms (aye) meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.

 

_____________________                                                              ____________________________                                                                               

Mayor Adam Bequette                                                                        Lesley Doty,  City Clerk