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Bt Pauline Masson –
Newly elected alderman Tyler Hoven was not present at the May 6 board of aldermen meeting (BOA) meeting as incumbents who were re-elected, Debbie Kelley and Rafael Madrigal – and newly elected police chief James Klingler – were sworn in.
City attorney Bob Jones said Mr. Hoven could come in to city hall, take the oath of office any time and sign the printed oath establishing himself as an aldermen.
Aldermen Assignments
Scott Lesh, incumbent acting president of the BOA was re-elected to that position in a 3-2 vote, with Debbie Kelley, Karla Stewart and Mr. Lesh casting the yes votes. James Cleeve, who was also nominated to that position received two votes, himself and Rafael Madrigal.
Aldermen selected to city committees for the next year were named: Mr. Lesh will serve on the Planning and Zoning and Commission; Mr. Cleeve will represent the BOA on the Park Board and the Jeffrey White Memorial Skate Park committee; Karla Stewart will serve on the Historical Society Committee; Mr. Madrigal will serve on the Industrial Development Committee and the Tourism Committee.
The two city committees remain the same as the past year. Mr. Cleeve, Mr. Madrigal and Ms Kelley will make up the Administrative Committee. Mr. Lesh, Ms Stewart and Mr. Hoven will comprise the Operations Committee.
Tourism Committee Residency Requirement
Mayor Heather Filley presented a draft of a letter to the state legislators requesting a change in the residency requirement for Missouri municipal tourism commission members.The board had called for a letter requesting the change at the April 1, meeting after Pacific Chamber of Commerce executive director Debbie Baker asked the city officials to draft a letter signed by all elected officials supporting the Chamber’s call for the residency requirement change.
City attorney Bob Jones said officials could not sign a letter supporting the Chamber of Commerce petition because most were member of the Chamber.
The letter Mayor Filley presented Tuesday evening eliminated any mention of the Chamber of Commerce and spoke of the city’s need for more inclusive residency requirements.
The city limits of Pacific encompass both Franklin and St. Louis counties.The zip codes associated with Pacific mailing addresses span Franklin, St. Louis, and Jefferson counties.
“As is common in many small cities, we often face challenges in recruiting volunteers for boards and committees. Recently, we had to request the resignation of a tourism commission member who served as chair due to her residence in Jefferson County, despite having a Pacific mailing address,”the letter said. “We respectfully request an amendment to the statute language.”
Aldermen stumbled on the exact wording of the clause describing preferred area where commission members could reside. Mayor Filley said she would research and refine the sentence and bring a new draft of a letter to the May 20 meeting.
Cargo Containers on Commercial Property
In October 2024, the BOA approved an ordinance outlawing cargo containers on residential and commercial property and began notifying residents and companies that the containers had to be removed from the property.
Quan Jennings with U.S. Silica said the ordinance would be onerous to U.S. Silica and asked for an ordinance that would allow the containers to be shielded from public vies.
He returned to the May 6 meeting to report that U. S. Silica had almost completed constructing buffers to hide cargo containers on the firm’s East Osage property. When completed the container buffers will be best looking structures on the U.S. Silica site Mr. Jennings said. He also noted that U.S.Silica was a big time community participant that does many things for the community.
Alderman Madrigal called for an amendment to remove containers that were no longer visible and not eye sores from the ordinance. Mr. Jones said the issue would have to go to the planning and zoning commission before aldermen act.
Cemetery Sexton
Following published complaints from citizens that the city cemetery was being neglected, Mayor Heather Filley says it’s time for the city to hire a sexton. She said she plans to publish a request for proposal (RFP) inviting candidates to apply for the job.
The city has been without a sexton since August 2024 when Sexton Alan Bruns was terminated due to a mix-up in grave opening. City public works crews were assigned to open and close graves. Mayor Filley said the city needs a sexton and needs to relieve the public works department of the task of digging graves.
Questions from Alderman Karla Stewart about the outcome of storm debris stashed throughout the city cemetery triggered the discussion. She asked whether storm debris written about on public posts, had been removed.
Public Works Director Robert Brueggemann said the debris had been removed, and noted that he had not been aware that it was there.
“I don’t typically drive through the cemetery every day,” he said. “So I wasn’t aware that the debris was there.”
When the city had a sexton to oversee the cAC Mr. Brueggemann said he was always let us know what needed to be done.
“We need a sexton,” Mr.Brueggemann said.
Mr. Brueggemann also noted that work on the city swimming pool is nearing completion and the pool is on tract to open on the regular opening day.
Special Intro from Police Chief
In an unprecedented act in recent years, newly elected Police Chief James Klingler provided a special intro, giving a detailed report of the activities in his department for the month of April.
Year to date, the department responded to approximately 1500 calls for service, approximately 1100 of the calls were received via 911. Police committed 126 traffic enforcements to high flow areas for approximately 42 man hours devoted to traffic.
Officer Jason Dunn was recognized as the police departments officer of the month.
For the first time in over ten years, the police radio room is fully staffed. The chief currently has three young men in the hiring process for open patrol officer positions. He is working on backgrounds with them.
The police camera project is on schedule. On Saturday May 3, the “Hitting the Streets” homeless outreach program held an event in Pacific. Organizers asked chief Klingler to express their appreciation for the event. They said they got more cooperation in the city of Pacific than any of the other cities that they act in.
And last, but not least the chief announced an upcoming firearms training for himself and his officers, which they complete to maintain their certification and skills. He invited aldermen to come and observe.
“I can’t let you shoot,” he said.”But you can come out and watch.”
What They Didn’t Talk About
The BOA was silent on some issues that affect the public. There was no report on the snail-pace search for a city administrator or the much promised improvement project at North First and Osage streets.
There was no mention of Mr. Brueggemann’s request for a pay matrix to help him attract workers for his department which – as he reported – was two men short.
Some of the lack of public announcements can be attributed to lack of interest on the part of the public.
The web page meter reported that 87 individuals observed the meeting.
