Unanswered Questions Highlight Crestwood Board of Aldermen Meeting

Tuesday night’s Crestwood Board of Aldermen meeting saw a packed house, undoubtedly ready to hear a proposal from the owners of Crestwood Court. However, sometime during the week, that item had been taken off the agenda once again. During the mayor’s report, Mayor Jeff Schlink did mention that Centrum is working vigorously to move forward with a proposal for the city. 

"When they do come it will not be the full plan, just the concept and let the public 'chew on that' over time once we have names attached to businesses," Schlink said.

The public comment portion of Tuesday's Crestwood Board of Aldermen meeting ended up being the liveliest part of the night. Jim Rook of Grand Ridge Lane thinks extending Prop S taxes should be put on the election ballot for the voters to decide. He urged the board to put on the ballot an extension of Prop S until 2013. 

"I've never met a city worker that wasn't friendly and they do a good job," Rook said. 

Alderman Jerry Miguel followed up on Rook's suggestion, asking if it would be appropriate for the board to look at the city's revenues and expenditures. 

"I think this is something that could begin even though we have the election coming up. It's a discussion that could begin even at the next meeting," Miguel said. "If the board is going to consider doing something relative to Prop S in August, even beginning now would be a relative short time frame."

Miguel said that putting the item as a topic on the agenda for the next meeting was merely a suggestion; he wasn't asking for a vote. 

Alderman Deborah Beezley agreed that this was a topic that she had been extremely interested in for a long amount of time. She asked if Prop S could be extended one more year without it going on a ballot and after a short discussion, Schlink said that option would be available. 

Also in Rook's public comment, he asked if the city administrator resigned, as noted in the South County Times article . The question was referred to City Attorney Robert Golterman.

"At this point and time what can be said is that the former city administrator is no longer the city administrator and Karl Krestler is the acting city administrator, and that is the only thing we can state publicly," Golterman said.

Another citizen commented about the Sunshine Law, referring to the closed session minutes in which Petree Eastman was discussed. Golterman said that the Sunshine Law has been followed to the letter. Another comment referred to the Times article once again. The article said "In February, Eastman rubbed some citizens the wrong way by allowing gay couples to participate in the Crestwood Valentine's Day Run."

"I think that's very defaming to the city that we are living in 2012 and as a citizen of the city I am very upset about this," the citizen said. "Tying that into this particular issue—we are entitled to know what this city is spending—legal or otherwise."

Golterman defended the city saying that he did not say that the facts of the Times story are correct. 

In other news, To the Pointe Studio of Dance received its awaited Conditional Use Permit to operate their dance studio at 9298 Watson Industrial Court. Holly Smith, owner, said that they signed a 3-year lease for this specific location and hope to stay there for a very long time. 

Alderman Chris Pickel commended Smith on being a Crestwood success story, having grown from 12 students to about 50-55. Beezley echoed his sentiments.

"We are very excited that you've chosen Crestwood as a location for your dance studio and we thank you for your time," Beezley said. 

In closing, Schlink reminded people to exercise their right to vote Tuesday, April 3.