St. Mary Board of Aldermen meeting minutes released

ST. MARY – The minutes of the June 12 meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen meeting have been released.

THE CITY OF ST. MARY, MISSOURI

Board of Alderman Meeting

Thursday, June 12, 2025

6:00 PM

1. Be it Remembered: A regular meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Adam Bequette on Thursday, June, 2025 beginning at 6:00 PM at City Hall located at 782 3rd Street, St. Mary, Missouri 63673.
2. Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
3. Roll Call: Aldermen answering the roll call were Alderman Rose Rosenzweig, Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, and Alderman Kathy Bergmann .
4. Approval of Agenda: Request to modify agenda

• Remove FSCB presentation, representative was unable to attend, rescheduled for July Board Meeting
• Add resolution to approve the change of SUBS administrator from April Grindstaff to Jessica Gunter
• Motion made by Alderman Duda to substitute FSCB presentation for resolution to change SUBS administrator, motion seconded by Alderman Bergmann. Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried

5. Consent Agenda: motion to approve by Alderman Duda, second by Alderman Rosenzweig.  Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.

 Minutes from previous meeting: Motion by Alderman Duda to accept the minutes from the previous meeting second by Alderman Bergmann.  Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.

• Treasurer’s Report
• Collectors Report
• Bills for Payment
• Review of purchase of batwing deck for the tractor for safer more efficient mowing. Quote from Davis Farm Supply provided to the board. Motion made by Alderman Duda to accept the offer from Davis Farm Supply for the purchase of the 15 foot batwing rotary cart, motion seconded by Alderman Bergmann. Roll call vote, Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.
• City Clerk to pay previously appropriate expenses as they come due as allied by budget.

6. Public Forum

• Resolution to change SUBS administrator from April Grindstaff to Jessica Gunter, motion made by Alderman Duda to approve resolution, seconded by Alderman Rosenzweig. Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergman (aye), Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.
• City Clerk touched on the subject of FSCB presentation at the July meeting
• Direct Deposit for employees
• Consolidating accounts
• Credit Cards
• Fleet Fuel Cards

7. Unfinished Business

• Review of community response to the DNR and SEMORPC income surveys, currently, the city has received 75 DNR surveys and 31 SEMO RPC surveys.
• Year to date water and sewer financials – outstanding balances from 2024 are being brought current.

8. New Business

• Resolution No. 1011 Authorizes the Mayor to apply to receive drinking water grants through the Department of Natural Resources.  Motion made by Alderman Duda, seconded by Alderman Rosenzweig, roll call vote:  Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.
• Frankie Ullman is currently working on putting our water lines, meters, hydrants and valves on Diamond maps to ensure more efficient locations of potential issues.
• Update on Mayor Bequette’s meeting with the new fire district, discussed donating the building, land and fire apparatus to the fire district, also discussed if the Fire Department were to relocate the building and property would be returned to the city.
• City asset tracking through our current cell company – T-Mobile. Alderman Duda suggested getting more information and the cost to the city.
• City Audit is complete, a copy of the Audit was provided to the Board for review and to prepare for upcoming work sessions for Fiscal Year 25-26. Audit is available to the public at City Hall.
• Anything that may come before the Board
• Alderman Duda stated a resident brought pot holes within the city limits. Per Mayor Bequette when FEMA visited to assess storm damage potholes were discussed

9. Department Reports:

Emergency Management – Mayor Adam Bequette – meeting with FEMA regarding storm damage, also a claim with MOPERM has been filed for the storm damage at the city park, currently waiting for the insurance adjuster to finish the claim.  Mayor Bequette is also addressing the damage and repairs the sewer plant is in need of.  Jody Odem reports he has been in contact with a meteorologist in St. Louis regarding storm alerts for the city, a meeting is to be set up with 911 to address storm warning protocol.  Jody Odem also donated four 2-way radios to assist with communication during storm alerts.

• Police Department – Alderman Zen Duda
• Chief Urban reports 50 calls mostly traffic stops, trespassing, 3 motor vehicle accidents, and a domestic.
• Chief Urban submitted a 2 week resignation. Motion made by Alderman Duda to accept Chief Urban’s resignation, second by Alderman Bergmann.  Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), motion carried.
• Fire Department – Alderman Bergmann
• Chief Ullman reports 12 calls, 8 medic, 1 mutual aid to Ste. Genevieve and 2 motor vehicle accidents
• Also reports Ste. Genevieve Rural Fire Department continues to work on the specifics of the department transfer.
• Currently working on recruiting
• June 17th, 2025 at 6:00 pm is the next Fire District Meeting in Zell
• Street Department – Alderman Duda
• Pothole repair needed as discussed previously in the meeting
• Rock has been distributed at the water tower
• Water/Wastewater Department – Mayor Adam Bequette
• Due to excessive rain caused damage to the rotors
• Lift station pump overwhelmed by excessive rain water
• Excessive DO readings, calibration done and numbers improved
• Preparing to flush towers, chlorine content is within normal limits however decreasing from one tower to the next caused by biofilm due to warm temperatures.
• Water tower near the gas station does not need to be in service used for fire protection only
• Park/Cemetery – Alderman Rosenzweig
• Mowing looking good
• FEMA investigation after storm damage, waiting on response
• Mayor Bequette contacted by residents regarding the use of the park for activities
• Illegal dumping by residents or contractors will have consequences.
• Speeding on third street has been excessive, signs advising children at play. Speed humps recommended.

9. Meeting Adjournment: Motion to adjourn and move into closed session made by Alderman Duda seconded by Alderman Bergman.  Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Bergmann (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), meeting adjourned at 8:07pm.