Crestwood: New Mayor, No Fisticuffs

One of the highlights of this evening's Board of Aldermen meeting at Crestwood City Hall was the transfer of power—the office of city mayor—from one elected resident to the next, from Roy Robinson to Jeff Schlink. (see 7:36pm below.)

Schlink was elected April 5 with 1,838 votes to Robinson's 980.

Mayor Schlink's wife and daughter joined him at the podium for Tuesday's swearing-in by City Clerk Tina Flowers; the mayor's father, mother and sister were in the audience.

"He was a leader from the beginning," his father, Fred Schlink said afterward, reminiscing. The mayor is 42 years old, and the elder brother of two sisters.

Schlink will be tasked with recommending a replacement for his now-vacant alderman seat. Schlink will also be interviewing candidates for a new city administrator, after Jim Eckrich was granted his former job back as director of public services in Crestwood. City administrator is the top staff post in Crestwood city government. Previously, the post paid about $100,000 annually.

Mayor Schlink, with his family, was the last to depart from the city hall gathering Tuesday, about 8:30pm. What's next?

"I'll be here tomorrow," Mayor Schlink said, eager to get on with the business of being mayor. 

Here's a link to the earlier, raucous meeting and here's the blog of the most recent, April 26, meeting:
7:03pm: Report on finances from city finance officer Greg Kremer. Crestwood had a reduction of $123,000 in sales tax revenue for this quarter, compared to the last year's same quarter. Alderman Miguel asked why the fire department only used 20 percent of its budget so far. Kremer suggested it is only the first quarter.

Alderman Miguel, wearing a pink sportcoat, asked why property tax receipts were up, in the report from Kremer. City administrator Jim Eckrich said the city raised the property taxes, to make up revenue for the rate being too low the previous year.

Alderman Miguel said about $900,000 has been transferred from the city's capital fund to pay for the city's new aquatic/pool center. He said therefore, this same $900,000 was unavailable for city street repairs and other capital projects. Kremer said that was accurate.

"I just wanted the public to know that," Miguel said. 

Kremer said the city took in $2.9 million but spent $3.1 million.

The city still owes on the new aquatic center another payment of $1.34 million a year from now. Eckrich said $800,000 of that is in escrow. Another $1 million is due in October for debt interest on the aquatic center, according to Kremer. The city made a $1.34 million payment on it in March.

7:12pm: Alderman Miguel thanked Eckrich for what he said was coming up with a plan to pay off the aquatic center.

7:14pm: There was no comment on the city's investment policy. No action was taken. At the previous meeting, Kremer proposed a policy, and some board members had questions about it. 

7:15pm: The Board of Aldermen approved accepting two CID annual reports, Crestwood Point and Crestwood Market. (Editor's note: A CID is a community improvement district that typically adds extra sales tax on consumer purchases, and then a board made up of district members decides how to use the additional tax revenue—typically as a tool to leverage more funds, to spend on district upgrades. Another way to think about it might be like a residential neighborhood association and its dues, with a board of directors deciding on how to spend the dues.

7:15pm: Toll road permit unanimously approved for Fire Department to collect donations May 7 and 8 for charity at Sappington and Watson roads in a "Fill the Helmet" campaign to send children to Missouri Children's Burn Camp.

7:16pm: City considers whether to spend about $14,000 for a pavilion, in partnership with the Sunset Hills Rotary Club. It would replace a deck that was damaged and removed in Whitecliff Park near the pool. Rotary agreed to spend up to $15,000 on it.

7:19pm: Unanimous approval of the pavilion project by the board. The pavilion won't have electric power. Alderman Foote thanks the Rotary.

"It will help all our citizens out," Foote said. Mayor Roy Robinson said he was "very appreciative," since his wife is involved with Rotary. A Rotary member present said the pavilion project was a celebration of Rotary's 50th year in Sunset Hills.

7:21pm: Alderman Duncan reported a committee she's on saw the plan for two signs for a bank in town.

7:23pm: Alderwoman Beezley said Crestwood police nabbed some jewel thieves and recovered all the goods.

7:24pm: Roy Robinson said it was his last meeting as mayor. He served two three-year terms as mayor. He was an alderman before that.

"There are people who said I didn't do anything . . .that's just not the case. . . I want to thank everybody for everything," Robinson said, appearing to choke up a bit. He mentioned how it had been a rough few years for Crestwood, economically.

He spoke of the incoming mayor, Alderman Schlink, and the work he believed was ahead.

"Jeff is a fine man, and I hope he has a great amount of success. If he's successful, we're all successful," Robinson said.

An audience of about 50 people applauded Robinson, and then they stood up and continued applauding. City staff and the Board of Aldermen stood up as well, applauding. Robinson stayed seated and nodded his appreciation.

7:29pm: The meeting continued. Alderman Miguel spoke about a state proposal to change a law that requires cities to pool tax money and distribute it to member cities via a complex formula. He said Fenton was taking the lead on a move to eliminate the tax pooling contributions. Crestwood apparently contributes about $400,000 a year.

"Now, $400,000 would go a long way toward balancing our budget," Miguel said. "We need to get more legislatively involved in this bill." 

7:31pm: Robinson said the city sent a letter to the Municipal League and two state senators. "We are against giving away our money," Robinson said. "It's asinine, that we have to give away our hard-earned funds."

7:34pm: Alderman Foote said he finds the tax pool "absolutely unfair" and that agitation over it has been going on for about three years.

7:34pm: Alderman Miguel said there is a task force being formed about the tax pooling. "We need to go all out with this," he said. No further action was taken.

7:35pm: City Clerk Tina Flowers announces the results of the April 5 election. Certified results will be put in the city's permanent record, she said.

7:36pm: Oath of office. City Clerk Flowers swears in Jeff Schlink as Mayor. Robinson left the dais during the oath. 

Schlink takes the mayor's seat on the dais. Robinson returns to the dais from the back of the room, taking Schlink's former seat.

Schlink reads an entire resolution about Robinson's achievements during six years as mayor.

Schlink presents Robinson with a plaque recognizing his service to the city. They pose briefly for pictures. Robinson extends his hand to the new mayor, they shake.

"Thanks Jeff," Robinson said.

The board unanimously voted Alderwoman Duncan as chairwoman of the Board of Aldermen.

7:43: Meeting adjourned.

Afterward: Punch and cookies were served in the lobby, and the people pleasantly milled about.

Former Mayor Robinson said he would finally have the opportunity to visit his sister in Tennessee.

"I only missed two meetings in six years," Robinson said of his time as mayor. "And I had good reasons. I was in the hospital. I had open heart surgery."