Blog

By Carol Arnett

 Several Florissant City Council members praised Councilman Tim Jones after Jeff Caputa announced that Jones had resigned his seat effective immediately. He said that Mayor Timothy Lowery would appoint someone to the seat until the next election.

  Caputa then made a motion to fill the spot of Council Vice President, which Jones held. Caputa moved that Councilman Keith Schildroth be vice president and it was unanimously approved.

    Jones submitted a short letter explaining he was stepping down after consulting with an attorney concerning a felony conviction from 1999 on a DWI charge. Felons cannot hold elected office under state law. Jones was planning to run for a third term in April.

  At the end of the Nov. 25 meeting, several council members spoke about their admiration of Jones and many called out his hard work for his ward and the entire city. Councilman Joe Eagan spoke first. “There has been no better advocate for the city than Timmy Jones,” he said.

   Councilman Gerard Henke also thanked Jones. “I’ve never seen anyone work harder,” he said.

 “I’m going to miss him,” said Councilman Keith Schildroth. “He helped me out with some things and I won’t forget that,” he added. “I want to echo the other council members in thanking Tim Jones,” said Councilman Tommy Siam.

   Councilwoman Jackie Pagano said Jones had “done more great things for the city than he could ever do bad.” She recalled being with Jones when he stopped to help a homeless person by giving them money and putting them up in a hotel.

    “Mr. Jones and myself go back a long way,” Caputa said, saying that they worked together before they were elected to the council. “His residents are going to be hurt most because of all he did for them.” He added that Ward 2 residents could contact him until a new councilperson was appointed.

   “No one will fill his shoes like Timmy Jones,” Mayor Timothy Lowery said. He said that Jones frequently came to him and they often drove through his ward together so Jones could show him any problems.

 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS  

  The council held two public hearings. The first was a continuation of a previously postponed hearing from the last meeting because City Attorney John Hessel was absent. Hessel explained that the city must abide by state regulations when approving the establishments.

    One of the new regulations would stipulate that a large sign warning about short term loans and stating the actual interest rate paid, including the rate if the loan rolled over, would be posted in the businesses. The sign would also state that the business is not a bank, credit union, or savings and loan.

    Joe Eagan said he was against short term lending businesses, but he also worried about “big brother” watching people.

   Councilman Ben Parson said that studies have shown that there is a disproportionate amount of payday loan establishments in Florissant. There are currently less than five in the city. The city held a first reading on the bill that would approve the changes.

FLORISSANT HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON CODE CHANGES FOR TRAFFIC OFFENDERS: TRAFFIC OFFENDER ZONING CODE

  The second public hearing was about changes to the zoning code to add a state substance awareness traffic offender program, probation service, theft offense, domestic violence and substance abuse service establishment as a special use in the historic business district. Building Commissioner Phil Lum spoke to the council about the proposed changes. These are court-mandated programs that people must complete.

   The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P and Z) recommended approval of the change. The Commission also referred the item to the Landmark and Historic Commission for their recommendation. The Landmark and Historic Commission deadlocked three to three on the matter.

 Attorney David Naumann spoke to the council about the business that has requested the change, EMASS. He noted that the building the business would like to use has been vacant for six years. The same company runs a similar program in Florissant Oaks Center. He said the business would focus on alcohol-related issues. There are now plans to cover anger management or domestic violence.

    Mike Smith is the owner of the company, which he founded in 1991. Naumann said that Smith had invested approximately $220,000 in the building for the business. Naumann also said that there are currently only two providers of court appointed programs in North County, one in Hazelwood and one in Overland.

   Smith was a former state probation and parole officer before founding his company. His business will provide supervised private probation. He said that several courts refer clients to them for court-ordered probation. “Our philosophy is to treat people with dignity and respect,” he said.

   The city held a first reading on the bill that would approve the changes.

    The council took action on several bills.

  The council passed a bill that adopts the city’s budget for fiscal year 2020. The council also passed a bill authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the firm representing the city attorney for the next year. They also passed two bills authorizing the mayor to enter into user agreements for dispatch equipment and the interoperable radio system with St. Louis County.

    IN OTHER ACTION, the council:

 •Approved a request for a transfer of the special use permit for Imo’s Pizza at 1939 Washington Street from 367 Pizza Company to Florissant IMG Pizza.

  •Passed a bill that authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners to allow Officer Dan Beirmann to serve as an instructor at the St. Louis County Police Academy.