West Newsmagazine 11-18-20

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November 18, 2020
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 21
WILDWOOD BUDGET, from page 10
Cross pointed out that the primary
source of revenue for the capital improvement
fund is the half-cent capital improvement
sales tax that generates $2.2 million
per year. Federal and state grants make
up the other significant source of revenue.
Grants are only projected to bring in about
$650,000, Cross said, down from $1.9 million
the city received in 2020.
Council member Lauren Edens (Ward 2)
suggested that short-term solutions could
be implemented to prevent danger to infrastructure
or major loss of land.
“Everything cannot just wait another
year,” she said.
Joe Vujnich, director of planning, agreed
that interim steps could stave off major
problems down the line.
“That’s saving money in the future,” he
said. “We could use the money to address
issues plaguing watersheds.”
The council ultimately voted to add
$125,000 back into the budget for the task
force. Council members Tracey Nyhan
(Ward 3), Don Bartoni (Ward 2), Teresa
Clark (Ward 1), Debra Smith McCutchen
(Ward 5), Bertolino and Dodwell voted
against it. Garritano abstained.
Vujnich suggested that the $200,000 designated
as matching funds for Bluffview
Park for trail development could be reallocated.
Since the municipal park grant of
$550,000 has not yet been awarded, the
city could ask that the Municipal Park
Grant Commission wait until next year to
COUNTY, from previous
Locally, Washington University in St.
Louis is advising undergraduate students
not to travel home for Thanksgiving if they
want to remain on campus through the end
of the semester.
Wash. U students must notify the university
of their holiday plans by Nov. 20.
While on-campus learning is scheduled to
resume after the break, students who travel
outside of the St. Louis region will not be
allowed to return.
“Undergraduate students who indicate
they are traveling outside the region, as
well as those who do not complete the
commitment form mentioned above, will
have their campus swipe access turned off
until the start of the spring semester,” Martin’s
statement said.
Restrictions continue to divide along
political lines
Even before Page’s announcement,
familiar battle lines were being drawn
between local Republicans and Democrats.
When asked earlier in the week about
the possibility of new restrictions on businesses
and gathers, council member Mark
review the application, he said.
The council approved a motion to move
$125,000 from the Bluffview Park project
to the Watershed Erosion Task Force.
Another request from the public works
committee was to add a full-time staff
member to the Public Works Department at
a salary of $75,000 per year. Rick Brown,
director of public works, said the position
would be an arborist or forester for landscaping
and tree removal. Currently, the
street superintendent and civil engineer
have been handling those duties, he said.
Dodwell said she didn’t think a new position
should be added when city staff were
only getting a 1.3% cost-of-living increase
and no merit raises.
Cross said he plans to review all the job
positions and see how the city might be able
to leverage any open positions that could
serve in a couple of roles. The council agreed
to wait until Cross presents that information
before adding any new positions.
The last request for the budget was to
give city staff merit raises up to 2%.
Remy said he estimates the cost to the
city would be $37,000 and that it could
be funded mid-year and paid retroactively.
However, City Attorney John Young said
that the Missouri Constitution prohibits
retroactive raises. Cross pointed out
that the cost would actually be closer to
$50,000 for the merit raises. The council
did not vote on that item either.
The council did agree to schedule a strategic
session to discuss overall priorities of
the city.
Harder [R-District 7] said he knew how his
constituents would feel and that any new
restrictions would be “unpopular.”
Fellow council member Tim Fitch [R-
District 3] has drafted a bill that will once
again look to restrain Page’s abilities to
issue restrictions on businesses and social
gatherings. The proposed legislation would
allow the County Council the ability to
end any restrictions issued by Page or the
county health department with the passage
of a resolution.
Fitch contends the measure is needed for
a healthy system of checks and balances
and said, “… (it) gives the county council
the same oversight the state legislature has
over state orders.”
Early attempts by council Republicans
to reign in the county executive’s authority
were defeated when Page vetoed the
measures.
The county’s new guidelines will go into
effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The new restriction will be in place for
four weeks, at which point there will be a
reevaluation period.
“This virus is not done with us,” Page
said. “And it’s not going to be done with us
until we change what we do as individuals.”
Porch & Patio
Winter Decor
Gifts
Lavender
Chocolates
House Plants
Poinsettias
Christmas
Cactus
Plus…….
Custom
Wreaths:
Fresh Cut, Dried or Silk
Bows
Winter Planters:
Fresh Cut or Silk
Live & Fresh Cut
Christmas Trees
Garland/Roping
OPEN
Mon-Sat: 8am to 5pm
Sun: 10am to 4pm
636/458-9202
Gift Cards
Perfect!
We are collecting
for
Circle of Concern’s
Food pantry.
We are very grateful
for any canned food
donations.
Located at the corner of Clayton Road & Hwy 109
Across from Lafayette High School
1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood, MO 63038
passiglia@passiglia.com