ST. MARY – The minutes of the Thursday, July 10, meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen have been released.
THE CITY OF ST. MARY, MISSOURI
Board of Alderman Meeting
Thursday, July 10, 2026
6:30 PM
- Be it Remembered: A regular meeting of the St. Mary Board of Aldermen called to order by the Honorable Mayor Adam Bequette on Thursday, July 10, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM at City Hall located at 782 3rd Street, St. Mary, Missouri 63673.
- Pledge of Allegiance: The Meeting opened with The Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call:
Aldermen answering the roll call were Alderman Rose Rosenzweig, Alderman Dr. Zen Duda, Alderman Melvin Frelix All present.
Alderman Brian Helms was absent. Quorum present.
Alderman Helms showed up at 6:30pm.
- Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve agenda as printed by Alderman Duda, second Alderman Frelix, all in favor, Alderman Duda (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix(aye) motion carried.
- Consent Agenda: Motion to approve agenda as printed by Alderman Duda, second Alderman Frelix, all in favor, 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
- Public Forum:
Joanne Donze:
- Junk cars 17539 Circle Dr
- Contacted Chamber on how to enforce
- Using Ordinances 484 and 915
- Circuit Judge
- Clerk
- State
- OSCA approval
Unfinished Business:
- Work session Thursday 23rd 6pm Alderman Duda out of town
Budget meeting Thursday 23rd 6PM
City Clerk position
Headhunter Proman
3 candidates
Fee to find due 30 days after hire
MRWA rep gave advise on hiring
Board interview
Alderman Helms and Alderman Rosenzweig questions that everyone can ask so everyone is on the same page
Prescreen 3
All interviews in one day staggered
Alderman Frelix motion to follow ordinance and go through with hiring process. 2nd by Alderman Duda. Alderman Helms (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye) motion passed
City Park
Equipment found on Purple Wave
Purchased for $1320.00 valued at $25,000.00
French Colonial Revitalization Project initive and improvements
Alderman Helms suggested to find locations
Down Hwy 61
Small 12×10 vertical structure showing history
Proclamation to amend name to St Mary Fenech Creole Heritage District Site and designation of areas
Alderman Duda motion to adopt Alderman Helms 2nd, Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix (aye), Motion carried.
New Business:
Official Results of Internal audit of water rates for large consumption user’s vs residential users account users and setting a bulk water rate schedule to into language schedule by amendment adding into language of Bill 981.
MWRA Circuit Writer Mary West stated that Ordinance 1015 canceled the Ordinance 981.
Bonds in jeopardy due to water loss from yard meters
Frankie stated that meters need to have a minimum on water meters
Bond set on amount of meters
No free service to anyone
Both utilities need to be shut off at main when service is cancelled to prevent undetectable leaks on vacant properties
Ordinance to fix the yard meter issue
1,000 minimum then cost at every 1000 gallons after
Alderman Helms argued that the only thing that the water bond was based on was the number of meters being billed not the water usage or water loss
Motion to stay on topic
Alderman Frelix motioned to table Alderman Duda 2nd, Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Helms (aye) motion carried.
SEMA Reimbursement funds $148.132.20 creation of separate account.
Alderman Duda motion to create separate account 2nd by Alderman Frelix, Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Rosenzweig (aye) motion carried
Hustler X-one rear discharge mower repair or replace
$2200.00 to replace or $1800.00 to repair in house
2019 Hustler bought from Fleig.
Repairs from Fleig
$2000.00 trade-in offer
$3500.00-$2000.00 trade-in total $1500.00 +$300.00 for 18-month Warranty
Alderman Duda made a motion to the trade-in the mower at the cost of approximately $1500.00 in lieu of repairs as long as the cost is kept as close to $1500.00 as possible. Alderman Helms 2nd. Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Frelix (aye) motion passed.
Motion for 5-minute recess by Alderman Duda, 2nd by Alderman Rosenzweig, Alderman Frelix (aye) motion passed
Alderman Helms motion to readjourn 2nd by Alderman Duda, Alderman Frelix (aye) Alderman Rosenzweig (aye) motion passed
Review and Approval of water line movement and authorization for request.
Letter presented that was sent to developer and chamber
Authorization for the city of St. Mary to review permit costs and fees to align with local averages with other fourth-class cities.
Motion was made to talk about this in a work meeting by Alderman Frelix motion was 2nd by Alderman Duda Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Helms (aye) motion passed.
Authorization to request bid proposals for repairing projects or material for around the city. Motion by Alderman Duda to create templates for bids 2nd By Alderman Frelix Alderman Helms (aye), Alderman Rosenzweig (aye) motion carried
Departmental
Emergency Management-nothing to report
Police Dept.-Nothing to report
Suggest it is beneficial to leave funds for now
Administration Dept. – Was reported earlier in unfinished business City Clerk Position
Working with treasurer to get budget clarified
Street dept.
Gravel on 3rd/patch
Jokerst Inc Behind
Possibly looking into a different vendor if unable to start in a timely manner due to overextending
Water/wastewater
Water is good
Tower was running low due to pool filling back to normal as of today
Will be flushing hydrants soon
Wastewater new electric motor in blower
Will need replacement motor in other blower soon due to over compensation (other blower not functioning at capacity)
Tests are excellent
Sludge down ½ foot
Meeting to break ground on new plant
Park/Cemetery/Animal Control Dept.
Found and purchased 2 pieces of equipment for $1320.00.
$23,680.00 below market value
Map out area
Repurpose framing from old park
Should be able to purchase more equipment for $10,000.00 to $15,000.00
Renegotiate quote with little tikes
Secondary area to equip with swings and slide
Target by end of month
Survey in next 2 weeks
Pavillion
Call County for Dogs at Large
- Citizens Participation
- None
Meeting Adjournment:
- Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Duda seconded by Alderman Rosenzweig. Alderman Duda (aye), Alderman Frelix (aye), and Alderman Rosenzweig (aye), Alderman Helms (aye) meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.
_____________________ ____________________________
Mayor Adam Bequette Lesley Doty, Deputy City Clerk