Live Blog: Outgoing Mayor Sics Cops on Former Alderman at Podium, to Silence Him

7:04pm: After City Administrator Jim Eckrich reads off his proposal to return to his former job as city Public Services Director, Alderman Wallach said he opposes portions of Eckrich's written plan. Alderman Duchild objects to portions of the plan also.

They both oppose "bullet point No. 3" which would provide three months severance pay if the public services director is dismissed.

7:15pm: Mayor Roy Robinson said Eckrich asked him whether he could return to his old job. Take it to the board for a decision, Robinson said he told Eckrich. "We had an executive meeting after the last board meeting," Robinson said.

Robinson said some of the aldermen asked that it not be announced before the April 5 election, because it might impact the election.

7:18pm: A member of the public and former Crestwood Alderman Steve Nieder, said there is a conflict of interest in the job changes as proposed.

Robinson and Nieder raise their voices over who said what when Robinson characterizes Nieder's reference to "conflict of interest" as "unethical" in beginning to explain how the Eckrich matter came about. Nieder challenges Robinson to prove he said "unethical" when he did not. They go several rounds on this.

7:20pm: Alderman Foote interrupts the shouting match and calls for a point of order, saying he wants to end the discussion on this topic, and vote.

Miguel calls for a point of order and Robinson said: "No, we already had one."

Robinson, directing his comments toward Miguel, said: "If you think you're going to make my last couple of meetings—have fun with it—I have news for you, it's not going to happen." 

The city attorney said a point of order was allowed.

7:22pm: Roll call vote gives Eckrich his old job back, 5-3, without changes to his request. Mayor-Elect Jeff Schlink, Alderman Wallach and Alderman Duchild oppose the move, ostensibly based on "Bullet Point No. 3," the three-month severance.

Eckrich says: "Thanks for your support."

According to documents given to the press, Eckrich keeps his city car, three months severance if fired and salary drop to $90,000 from $93,000. He was previously paid $89,000 when he was Director of Public Services, with a $1,000 raise since that time. The public services director left for Washington University in mid-March, officials said.

7:25pm: Next agenda item has Alderman Miguel with questions about the broad reach of a proposed investment policy for the city, brought forward by new Finance Officer Greg Kremer.

Kremer answers that the policy "is fairly standard in the industry."

Alderman Miguel asks specifically if the city needs outside advise on investing, which the policy provides for, and if the city needs other additional provisions.

Kremer answers again that it's all fairly standard, and that it provides for potential issues—for the future, in other words. Kremer also said right now "all we have is a CD of $248,000." Paying .70 percent he said.

There is $2.8 million is the city's cash reserves, Kremer said.

Citizen Nieder takes the podium and proposes residents with expertise in the financial field be involved in investments "since it is their money anyway."

The board votes 6-2 to accept the city's investment policy. Aldermen Duncan opposed it.

7:40pm: On the next agenda item, the board votes unanimously to adjust code numbers on a former domestic violence ordinance.

7:44pm: The next agenda item brings the board to consider a CID tax new development agreement—potential agreement/draft—on half-empty retail center Sappington Square, between the city and the developer/owner.

7:46pm: Alderman Miguel has opposition to the terms of it, saying it doesn't contain "concessions" from the owner, that he wants for the city.

The original contractor for Sappington Square went bankrupt, and now Pulaski Bank owns the foundering project. The CID is a special tax district for just that development, and about $20 million in tax revenue sits in limbo for lack of an agreement over who gets how much.

7:50pm: Miguel makes a motion to table the proposed agreement. The vote is 4-4. Mayor Robinson breaks the tie to move forward with the agreement draft, voting "no" on Miguel's motion.

Miguel said he wanted the new mayor to be involved on it and that's why he wants it tabled. "We shouldn't spend any money on this at this time," until the city has a CID attorney.

Alderman Wallach said he wants two amendments on the CID draft, but can't get a second on his motion of the same.

Alderman Duncan said the city is just throwing up more roadblocks to potential businesses.

7:58pm: Miguel describes the proposal as an opening offer from the developer/owner. "To go forward with this just totally baffles me," he said. "Why don't we just give the city away," he said. He wants to call another motion to table. He reiterates that he wants the new mayor to have a look at it.

8:01pm: Sappington Square owner Pulaski Bank's attorney Kevin King takes the podium and said this is not an opening offer. He alludes to litigation over the matter and keeping it out of court. "This was not a cavalier offer. So don't suggest, and try to suggest to the board that this is some sort of a game. This is simply not the case. Period. I am not playing a game." His comments are directed at Alderman Miguel.

"A good way to get retail users in that space is the CID," King said, referring to Sappington Square. "You have misconstrued the issue, again," he said to Miguel. "We have beat this issue absolutely to death."

King again alludes to litigation, if a development agreement is not approved between the city and the owner/Pulaski Bank.

The CID tax is being collected by the several stores in Sappington Square but there is no agreement over how those funds are disbursed, since the original agreement was with the original owner/developer, who went backrupt.

King suggests the parties need to get some money returned to the owner/developer, King's client, in a fair manner.

8:09pm: Alderman Miguel responds to the statements by Pulaski attorney. "I have to question how serious these proposals are." Miguel said he doesn't believe an additional tax on buyers is an incentive for retailers to open a store in Sappington Square. He thinks it's a deterrent. He also said that since Pulaski took over ownership, there has only been the addition of one retailer, a yogurt vendor.

8:13pm: Alderman Duncan accuses Miguel of "always" being "negative" and "criticizes. "Why don't you step up and be part of the negotiating team. I don't know if you've been here the last three years but. . . when it comes to retail . . . it stinks!" Duncan said, apparently referring to the city's lack of sales tax revenue and/or the economy in general.

8:15pm: Alderman Foote said the city has been driving its development with sales tax since 1994. "Go and tax the shopper. We have serious problems in the city. We're floating this city on a revenue stream that is just about exhausted." He said the residents need to decide, but didn't say on what.

8:18pm: Mayor Robinson said he was not going to call on Alderman Miguel again but instead called on Alderman Wallach who wanted to try to make another amendment to the CID draft. Wallach can't get a second. Robinson calls on Miguel.

Miguel said he would offer to join negotiations on the Sappington CID development agreement with Pulaski Bank, in response to Duncan's question.

Alderman Beezley wants to make a motion for the attorney to draft an agreement on the CID development, based on what Eckrich has brought before the aldermen tonight after meeting with Pulaski Bank.

8:21pm: Citizen Nieder takes the floor for public comment. He said there is a $20 million pot of money at stake in this CID agreement with the bank.

Robinson interrupts to say Nieder "is finished." Neider says: No, I'm not." This goes back and forth between the two several times, voices rising. Then Robinson asks police to remove Nieder from the podium, or the room. Crestwood's police chief and another police officer in the chambers take Nieder from the podium, to his seat with no real struggle.

Another man from the audience, Donald Clark, stands and shouts to Robinson: "Sell us out Roy," and leaves the chambers. From his chair, Nieder says: "You've become very belligerent, Roy," directed at the mayor.

8:28pm: Pulaski Bank's attorney, King, takes the podium and disputes Alderman Wallach's proposed amendments that include tax funds between $5 million and $10 million, as it relates to Sappington Square.

8:31pm: Robinson tells Alderman Miguel that he's said enough when Miguel signals he wants to speak, and will not call on him. "We're going to have a vote and then you can talk all you want," Robinson said.

They vote 4-4 to move ahead to draft an agreement to disperse the CID tax revenue. Robinson breaks the tie in saying: "It passes," meaning his vote is "yes" on Beezley's motion to move ahead with it.

8:34pm: Robinson congratulates Mayor-Elect Schlink on his election. "I hope they treat him a little better. When I started, it was a bullfight every time I came in."

8:35pm: Meeting adjourned. 

Shortly afterward, City Administrator—now Director of Public Services Eckrich said this about his reason for changing jobs: "I think it's best for everybody, and that's all I'm going to say."

Outside, on the steps of City Hall after the meeting, City Clerk Tina Flowers seemed angry over the Board of Aldermen's vote about Eckrich's job change.

Flowers hollered out several times to others mingling about: "I can't believe this happened. If you don't like your job, you can just slide back into your old one, same salary and everything. I can't believe this happened." First, she directed her words toward the police chief, then to Alderman Miguel. She got into her parked car and drove away.

Eckrich, as city administrator, is Flowers' boss.