[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6034412,"mediaKeyId","5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc","parentId",5212026,"title","Longtime Kirkwood city attorney John M. Hessel honored at final council meeting after 48 years of service","audioSeconds",523,"startMs",4380000,"endMs",4903000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc&start=4380&end=4903","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc/thumbnail_4380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6034412/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Longtime-Kirkwood-city-attorney-John-M-Hessel-honored-at-final-council-meeting-after-48-years-of-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034412-e86f32283e851555b076c4f207400551/orig.mp4?Expires=1775182762&Signature=oLP~3pCHAIC3GmQT-9~4GysZtL7PwW9XfWa5pZtaAD~Up0vf8Cnv7Al4pAFHlNhDLedz1n6opSaewXcpE5sjjPSM9FILyDQlCSZOhnifuPYKz~AcbolnRy3YFSmVbLolG2mn9Cr9x7qc80QOxiP0kuv0Z-D5xNPconJjph8H4Qp6xF~lIm7ddEcLREVhVArQG1UsKSQ21sr8ZznuYU3jbfnBjR8pfzW~Wp05a~95em~b34AQkpeDoACvGOSqCDDz4stijcI-I4Am36gA3ttCc5n-Q2lvlBqvew3-VW2R9hC6g-oQ~jX74Zs9AOgHJ0DknuhNGBT9jGXw-QXd~8G7nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MO / Kirkwood City","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","John M. Hessel, Kirkwood’s longtime city attorney, attended his final City of Kirkwood council meeting on March 20, 2025 and was honored by council members, city staff and residents for nearly five decades of service.

Deputy Mayor Mark Zimmer and multiple council members recounted Hessel’s career, which began after his graduation from Saint Louis University School of Law when he became an assistant city attorney in 1977. Hessel has served as Kirkwood city attorney since 1986 and has worked with several mayors and councils over the years. Speakers praised his legal counsel, institutional knowledge and service to the city; the deputy mayor noted Hessel’s role during the February 7, 2008 attack in the council chambers and quoted survivors who credited him with actions that helped save lives.

Survivor and former city clerk Betty Montagno urged the council to rename the memorial walkway to the “John M. Hessel Memorial Walkway” in recognition of Hessel’s actions and service. Hessel acknowledged the request but said he believed recognition for the police officers and the department involved in the 2008 incident would be appropriate. In remarks to the council Hessel said, “This really is my last meeting,” and thanked council members, city staff and past colleagues for their support over many years.

The council presented tributes and brief speeches. Council member Jack Sedick delivered a personal tribute that compared Hessel’s long career to a public figure’s sustained local prominence; other council members praised Hessel’s steady counsel and expressed appreciation for his mentorship to staff. Hessel thanked the city staff, singled out the city clerks and his close working relationship with the chief administrative officer, and noted the importance of the entire Police Department’s actions in 2008. He said he looked forward to retirement and time with family while offering to help the city informally if asked.

No formal action to rename city property was taken on March 20; requests for memorialization will follow whatever process the council and city staff determine appropriate. The city clerk reminded the council of upcoming public hearings and that additional administrative follow-up will be scheduled as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kirkwood City Council Meeting March 21, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Longtime City Attorney John M. Hessel attended his final Kirkwood City Council meeting on March 20, where council members and residents paid tribute to his nearly 48 years of public service.","taxTitle","Kirkwood City, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",71703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6034418,"Council advances revised classification and pay plan after debate over timing and KPAC staffing",825,2597000,3422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc&start=2597&end=3422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc/thumbnail_2597000.jpg","/articles/6034418/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Council-advances-revised-classification-and-pay-plan-after-debate-over-timing-and-KPAC-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034418-088b31303dd458e19d6963ff9e9c39aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775182762&Signature=GTsfAdd7kekGUW0x5qFnPOWb3cYwAXsTGAUfmG5O66PMaKwpAGCa2fOmmd9o-dwUF6lyefzoZuXnAkqdkc0l78GClNCWoAx4VXP3Iu4N-lhQRwDBLA6v8qyq2ZAXNXamGmUZyvTxg1H~P130S5vtOyhG0k00bCzvUdfpxRa~pHZTznSF4vcuI-qChA6nTtAGC0Fg1OcyK0mMz2~1TFCV8CvPlW-3-bOdW4uSmWXzSr7rInrl7YFMGrJidm-kI3RsnRxZAz~k1d5YgX7vmA3eLkGuGRD8ePa0OnKCLxKpG2Mt3pjw0Qidcvj~BfpBxaDZlMTgRGjUnCtF~qQnLJB5eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kirkwood City Council advanced a revised classification and pay plan (Bill 11072) to second reading after a contentious first-reading debate on March 20.

Council member Jackson moved to continue the ordinance to the April 3 meeting; the motion required a majority of those present but ultimately failed. Chief Administrative Officer Russ Hawes and staff urged the council to act promptly, saying delaying adoption would create an operational gap in the parks/recreation and KPAC functions because an employee has already accepted reassignment effective April 1. Hawes said implementing the change now preserves continuity and that the city would otherwise need to post, interview and hire — a process that could take months.

Council members who opposed immediate approval raised concerns about notice and the timing of the request late in the fiscal-year process. Council member Schaeffer said she wanted additional time and clearer documentation, and one council member said they would abstain from the vote because they preferred a fuller work session discussion. The CAO and staff said the change reduces costs compared with the alternative and estimated roughly $21,000 in annual savings from the internal reclassification and reassignment.

After discussion the motion to continue failed and the ordinance passed first reading; it will return for a second reading where the council may amend the plan before final adoption. Staff said if the ordinance is adopted the necessary budget amendments will be made and Human Resources and Parks & Recreation will handle the staffing changes. The council asked staff for detailed follow-up at the next meeting and signaled interest in an in-person work session to review the proposal further before second reading.","Bill 11072, a revised City of Kirkwood classification and pay plan, passed first reading on March 20 after council debate. A motion to continue the item failed and council members questioned the process, staffing transitions and short notice; staff said earlier approval was needed to avoid operational gaps and would save approximately $21,000.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6034422,"Public hearing held on vacation of 25-foot right of way at 1521 Friar Lane; matter set for April 3 first reading",841,61000,902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc&start=61&end=902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6034422/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Public-hearing-held-on-vacation-of-25-foot-right-of-way-at-1521-Friar-Lane-matter-set-for-April-3-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034422-c3cb0821b347b9b5d1f9079f7cf6a3c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775182762&Signature=U97CdZYCkI6OTL80Tb0hf1gOSHSUhr4Sbq~xJQlKlfFXM7-2oGQiDJqGXXKaKwAOW0zALwOEZLVcsNYTXpii8VFoUtxbnqp2SrKb56qvZrqGpiBzwgJlsqwYvvECpRJ24CdI1W3JUkOMpAk0hLsc3uVgEbQYeAEfdUvI6Iq6N2NotnPMinSmbZG30yaLDTx5LM0ljK0WU6uEhzYe9qKUZ7svW~rqa3tvfS64aC1WmNrq01asf2XdEc57MS7ONnmxY3cq8oUXQhi5F~7FiGjrgDdehJmCYaEaP6KZTVtfCb6OqGG3YxGsAvLuk1hSt4VO8QcWr4v-wYrLY2SARcqvvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Mayor Mark Zimmer and the Kirkwood City Council recessed to a public hearing on March 20 to consider a petition to vacate a 25-foot-wide portion of right of way (Paper Street) located at the rear of Lot 7 of Robin Hood, affecting Woodbine Avenue adjacent to 1521 Friar Lane.

City Engineer Richard Holsinger presented the petition and attachments, saying the vacation request applies only to the portion of Woodbine Avenue at 1521 Friar Lane and that an existing 10-foot easement for an 8-inch sanitary sewer maintained by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) crosses the area and will remain. Holsinger said utility providers had returned letters of approval for the vacation. Holsinger entered materials into the record, including affidavits of publication and a list of property owners notified.

Property-owner Mark Campafner, who said he and his wife own the parcel across the right of way and plan to build a one-story retirement house, addressed the council. Campafner said the motivation for the request is preservation of trees and the creek view on the rear of the lot, explaining the work he and his wife have done over 25 years to remove invasive species and restore understory: “Our motivation for this vacation of the right of way is to preserve the trees,” he said.

Council members asked questions about who would receive title if the easement is vacated, whether consolidation of parcels would be needed, and whether adjoining parcels previously acquired the paper street. Staff explained the city typically vacates unused paper streets without determining which private owners will take ownership afterward; if the city owns a street parcel it would transfer by deed, but most of the city’s paper streets are recorded easements that revert to adjoining property owners once vacated. The MSD sanitary sewer easement was emphasized as remaining in place.

Deputy Mayor Zimmer closed the public hearing after no members of the public filled out speaking cards to comment further. The council directed that the bill to vacate the right of way be placed on the April 3 meeting agenda for first reading. If adopted, a certified copy of the recorded ordinance will be submitted to the petitioner for recording with the Saint Louis County Recorder of Deeds at the petitioner’s expense and a copy of the recorded ordinance returned to the public services department.

No final vote on the vacation was taken on March 20; the council only held the public hearing and scheduled first reading.","Property owner requested vacation of a 25-foot-wide portion of a paper street (Woodbine Avenue) at 1521 Friar Lane; public services staff reported utility easements remain and several utilities have provided approval letters. The public hearing closed and the council scheduled first reading for April 3.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6034426,"Kirkwood council adopts fiscal 2025–26 budget and approves several ordinances and contracts",816,1584000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc&start=1584&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212026-af7380972a43ef88918226d11f644afc/thumbnail_1584000.jpg","/articles/6034426/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Kirkwood-council-adopts-fiscal-202526-budget-and-approves-several-ordinances-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034426-199cdf4bbfe78bd9435819d8f044f943/orig.mp4?Expires=1775182762&Signature=lsJou3K0K3gaQzSQi~wFmGN5UkTo6IQMX77STbwU69v~MmnfwzlhOe~PHEFMtfj5LILUOnEA8TjVuQeXKVRlAOKpFunVA8d20Gqb8q4W1hRus5rSXihhG8ggIdHFgEJxCYdF1i7yCa~tB0zFOvzsec9oY-FrnmPUckXgYgNPgvU0cIMF0KPFEbkJwbHik1OEmmuSuMblg~cbGR7j1~hUO~T80e0OwFUVyzdClERrA67LNW3GfK~jwq1BYEb-xn83FC3vlBms5dFWAteMYI6ATnlxLgi1Bv7oWYLRV57ieBiSn8rJvKNarchrUt8Apacgns1MPOKDg3jrz8Wh-O0Pxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kirkwood City Council members adopted the City of Kirkwood operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2025–26 and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions on March 20, 2025.

The council passed an ordinance adopting the city operating budget and capital program that appropriates $130,101,910 for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2025, with capital projects totaling $31,022,110; the ordinance also appropriates $800,300 for interfund loan payments and reappropriates $1,959,460 for previously approved projects that will remain incomplete as of March 31, 2025. Council discussion ahead of the vote included concerns about flat revenues, rising expenses, water-rate increases included in the budget, and public-safety staffing and overtime levels. Council member Jack Sedick said, “I am gonna support this even though I have some hesitancy in there,” citing the need for continued oversight; others urged earlier access to financial actuals and called the budget a starting point for further work.

The council also approved the Special Business District budget for the same fiscal year and adopted an amendment to the city code (Chapter 14, Article 8, Section 14396, Schedule F) that lowers speed limits on specified streets and adds a marked crosswalk between PJ’s and Duffy’s on Kirkwood Road.

On new business the council advanced Bill 11072 — a revised City of Kirkwood classification and pay plan — after a heated first-reading debate. A motion to continue consideration until April 3 failed; the ordinance passed first reading and will return for second reading where the council may amend it. The classification-and-pay-plan discussion focused on an internal reclassification tied to parks/KPAC staffing; staff said implementing the change sooner preserves operational continuity and yields approximately $21,000 in annual savings compared with the alternative of hiring externally.

Resolutions approved included appointments to the Manchester Lindbergh Southeast Community Improvement District board, acceptance of a $17,389.42 bid from Enterprise Consulting Group for Check Point software support, and award of an as-needed general-contracting services contract to Mittendorf and Royce Construction, Inc., for an initial 12-month term with renewal options.

Roll-call votes were taken for ordinances and resolutions; where full named tallies were not read into the record the meeting minutes record the item as passing or as having advanced to the next reading. Several items were described by staff as routine or budgeted; council members used the roll-call and debate time to press for clearer financial reporting and closer monitoring of overtime and staffing levels.

Votes at a glance
- Bill 11069a — Ordinance adopting operating and capital budgets for FY 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 (appropriations total $130,101,910; capital $31,022,110; $800,300 for interfund loans; $1,959,460 reappropriated): final reading — approved.
- Bill 11070 — Ordinance approving Special Business District budget for FY 04/01/2025–03/31/2026: final reading — approved.
- Bill 11071 — Ordinance amending Chapter 14 schedule F (speed limits / crosswalk): final reading — approved.
- Bill 11072 — Ordinance adopting a revised classification and pay plan: first reading — passed first reading (motion to continue failed); second reading scheduled.
- Resolution 15-20-25 — Appointments to Manchester Lindbergh Southeast CID board: approved.
- Resolution 16-20-25 — Acceptance of Enterprise Consulting Group bid for Check Point software support ($17,389.42): approved.
- Resolution 17-20-25 — Award of general contracting services contract to Mittendorf and Royce Construction, Inc. (on-call, up to $15,000 task limit): approved.

Decisions recorded by the clerk will be reflected in the official minutes and in ordinance and resolution documents to be filed with city records.","At its March 20 meeting the City of Kirkwood adopted its 2025–26 operating and capital budget, approved updates to speed limits and crosswalks, approved the special business district budget, accepted a technology support bid and a general-contractor on-call contract, and advanced a classification and pay-plan ordinance to second reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Longtime Kirkwood city attorney John M. Hessel honored at final council meeting after 48 years of service

Council advances revised classification and pay plan after debate over timing and KPAC staffing

Public hearing held on vacation of 25-foot right of way at 1521 Friar Lane; matter set for April 3 first reading

Kirkwood council adopts fiscal 2025–26 budget and approves several ordinances and contracts