Development News for Festus, Missouri

City Council Delays Resident Survey for Professional Formatting and Strategic Planning

The council discussed the development of a resident survey, intending to gather community feedback. They reviewed the 2021 survey template and discussed a proposed 2026 survey drafted by council members Dan, Carl, Al, and possibly others. Concerns were raised by Councilman Belleville about the survey being a 'rough draft' and the need for professional formatting by a new city administrator before it is finalized and distributed. He suggested tabling the survey until the administrator is in place. The council agreed that delaying the survey's distribution until July, after the new administrator starts, would allow for professional formatting and efficient data collection. The previous survey in 2021 identified a splash pad as a key community desire. The goal is to ensure resident feedback is addressed with a plan of action.

City Council Reviews Engagement with Armstrong Tisdale Amidst Recall Petition Discussions

The council discussed authorizing an engagement letter with Armstrong Tisdale for services related to the city. This item, identified as bill number 4878, was on the council meeting agenda. Matt Ray from Armstrong Tisdale was present to answer questions. Discussions focused on the scope of services, particularly differentiating between legal advice for the CRG development agreement and potential legal advice for recall petitions. Council members expressed a preference for separating billing and potentially using separate counsel for each matter, although the firm could bifurcate its time. Questions were raised about the background and experience of the proposed counsel in contract and constitutional law, and their experience with large contracts. Concerns were also raised about the city potentially paying for legal counsel for recall petitions when the city attorney might be able to handle it, suggesting an amendment to focus the engagement solely on the CRG agreement.

City Council Considers Amending Rules of Decorum, Streamlining Public Comment and Enforcement

The council discussed and proposed amendments to the city's rules of decorum for council meetings. The primary changes aim to streamline the sign-up process for public speaking, clarify the scope of topics that can be discussed, and adjust enforcement procedures. Key proposed changes include consolidating the speaker sign-up deadline to 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting, removing the earlier Wednesday deadline, and broadening the definition of 'disorderly conduct' to include obscene or disruptive gestures and threatening or abusive language. The proposed amendments also shift the final determination of rule enforcement from the mayor to the sergeant-at-arms (chief of police) and update firearm regulations to align with state law. Discussions also touched upon the need for a more interactive public comment period, allowing for brief responses or commitments to follow up, and concerns were raised about the potential ambiguity and overreach of some proposed rules, particularly regarding breathalyzer testing and drug influence for meeting attendees. The council decided to review a redline version of the proposed changes and potentially table further action until a new city administrator is in place.

City Council Prepares for Budget Season, Seeks Comprehensive Understanding of Financials

The council discussed the upcoming budget process, acknowledging that initial department meetings are being scheduled and capital and operating expenses for the next fiscal year will become clearer in June and July, with a finalized budget typically presented by early September. Michelle, the finance director, has been a resource, providing an overview slideshow and detailed financial information. The council expressed a desire for a group budget work session to be more efficient with Michelle's time and to ensure all council members, particularly new ones, have a solid understanding of the city's financial position and the next year's budget. Specific questions were raised about how water main replacement costs, both those handled by city crews and those requiring external contractors like Burns and Mac for design, would be reflected in the capital outlay budget. Michelle offered to meet individually with council members to explain the budget process and financial workings.