[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6034415,"mediaKeyId","5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309","parentId",5212088,"title","Kirkwood organizer outlines Black History Month program: concert, cemetery talk and bus tour","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",93000,"endMs",338000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309&start=93&end=338","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309/thumbnail_93000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6034415/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Kirkwood-organizer-outlines-Black-History-Month-program-concert-cemetery-talk-and-bus-tour","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034415-87a916055c15754b6c0bae7310c648a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189095&Signature=mOaJu4oLRwNuZwToJaxWXpmuQ8~h8AT3vbwgpVcYrKrdHrAT6E~gzvFV8Es0IXgau0I6wmLvSVmII1Yw2z6BBsGl9pmsopAljkw~HGdJTuk2Sp8hxRFYJpe0RRlB9~HXbOUqJBt0NTo6gRcjsm6sH3I7X-gMRJfBcPbuy0clyQSjl61Dd~llL-UlDGLEn5dgIA72mp6aTaR~ILW9Sgy3plCkLjFYfBN81ACyXg28kMbpEyoMlNRg7wzS9UNpzWRDIOso8vcGwosoHOecHCaNyHUqbrxB2XRN8eyzrSuRo1poDOUknYft9LCSSahybK41~yhSnzFDwD-RIhwUIrg75A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MO / Kirkwood City","date","2025-01-24T13:38:51Z","article","Fonda Fen Troy Richards, a fourth‑generation Kirkwood resident, told the city council that organizers have scheduled three events for Black History Month in Kirkwood.

Richards said a Jan. 31 concert at KPAC will feature Melina Smith, the Tillman Pepper Steppers, the Community Gospel Choir and the Kirkwood High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble; proceeds from the concert will fund continued Black History Month programming. Tickets are available at KPAC and through MetroTix, Richards said, and she said physical flyers would be left with city staff for distribution.

On Feb. 8 Richards said a program will be held at Oak Hill (a mortuary) that will include Dr. Jeff Smith discussing the history of Black cemeteries — with a focus this year on Father Dixon — and Presiding Elder Elmo Law Lowe speaking about the relevance of Black churches. Richards said Elmer Reid, who she identified as the first African American teacher in a formerly all‑white Kirkwood school and who will soon be 89 years old, will speak as well.

Richards also described a Feb. 22 motorcade and bus tour that will visit seven historical Black churches and other sites in Meacham Park and elsewhere. She said the Spears family, which she described as the oldest Black family in Meacham Park dating to 1892, will be featured. Richards encouraged residents to sign up for one of five bus tours; she said last year’s bus tour filled up.

Richards said the Kirkwood Historical Society will have additional information. She offered flyers to the clerk for distribution and suggested KPAC was the less expensive ticket option compared with MetroTix. No formal council action was required for the announcements; Richards spoke during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kirkwood City Council Meeting January 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fonda Fen Troy Richards told the council about three planned Black History Month events in Kirkwood: a Jan. 31 concert at KPAC, a Feb. 8 program at Oak Hill focusing on Father Dixon and black churches, and a Feb. 22 bus tour highlighting seven historical Black churches and local families.","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},6034416,"Votes at a glance: council approves Argonne Drive grant application, continues sidewalk bill and OKs Alpine Shop event",45,1896000,1941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309&start=1896&end=1941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","/articles/6034416/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-Argonne-Drive-grant-application-continues-sidewalk-bill-and-OKs-Alpine-Shop-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034416-923efaf87591255e3e6d06c03f6ef44f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189095&Signature=AljT-M1wWgElkcO-~1CGMT2HTwVd71ESAMs6ciQAgKBSJ7DBnEwJ6-KQlqSNLqEqwlCF8alTyVpHYYRiJgQbzYTfIhX5qiVLJMhETYlNUZirXUjb42utTpxH~0FQ19YKwR3R2Z90fixiZ8jsww36czmfkJhGoe0irb7C1o7KaN2LuW5z8L8yFe-wotW1qR4SoU4-J6D91UbbSXQd4zr5BfGmjSpq791VJgwTPeHiWePApGpJ1lCwR2-MQ~czNV-phm~pKWABVCTfl6i5xhCtijo7G0V8poPgppF3v1htCcd1ycDpNR3keq5U79~Rb6VRd47R~3PCaSz3AeMW2YyNXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kirkwood City Council recorded several formal actions during the meeting: it approved a resolution to apply for federal surface‑transportation funds for improvements to Argonne Drive; it continued a sidewalk ordinance to the Feb. 6 meeting after a successful motion to reconsider; and it approved a temporary outdoor promotional variance for Alpine Shop’s spring showcase.

Resolution 3-20-25: The council authorized submission of a Surface Transportation Program application to East‑West Gateway Council of Governments for improvements to Argonne Drive from Taylor Avenue to Geyer Road (Resolution 3-20-25). City staff said the application would fund preliminary engineering and construction if awarded. Staff gave the application timeline: the application is due Feb. 7, notification of awards is expected in August, and construction is anticipated around 2029. The resolution passed by roll call with all council members voting yes.

Bill 11064 (sidewalks): Councilmember Schaeffer moved and another member seconded to continue Bill 11064 — an ordinance amending Chapter 25 for sidewalk requirements (not part of a subdivision) — to the Feb. 6, 2025 meeting. The motion followed an earlier successful motion to reconsider the item. Council approved the continuation by voice vote.

Temporary outdoor permit — Alpine Shop: The city administrator reported a request from Alpine Shop, 440 North Kirkwood Road, for a temporary outdoor promotional variance to hold a spring boat and bike swap March 28–30 (hours provided). The council approved the request by voice vote.

Planning & Zoning report: The city clerk reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed a proposed zoning map amendment for a portion of 1120 Earl Avenue (R-4 Single-Family Residential to B-3 Highway Commercial) and appointed a subcommittee to meet Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. at City Hall’s lower‑level conference room.

For all items, the council followed standard procedure: motions, discussion where applicable, and voice or roll‑call votes. No additional funding commitments for Argonne Drive were made at the meeting; staff noted grant award and project scheduling remain contingent on East‑West Gateway funding decisions.","At its meeting, the Kirkwood City Council approved a federal grant application for Argonne Drive, continued a sidewalk ordinance to Feb. 6, and approved a temporary outdoor sales permit for Alpine Shop.",{"_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},6034421,"Kirkwood council approves ordinance amending outdoor lighting rules after debate over color temperature",638,829000,1467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309&start=829&end=1467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5212088-c63855d3194fee8d8d0eff1fda300309/thumbnail_829000.jpg","/articles/6034421/Kirkwood-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Kirkwood-council-approves-ordinance-amending-outdoor-lighting-rules-after-debate-over-color-temperature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034421-3371337a8a6b1286a8f774a84f704ccc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189095&Signature=ecVaej~g8Bqfi2nPrq34CBlYt4BEHb7oHD5vCpfKSOTiIX9UprdBPB6fPJdYssSPzpFBaShQ64R0durHMqWS6nT47xjVFErCuDH8Q01d3mn9BtADyIfG8Eg1IUWcWmCsbvp7qiiRn~M-An5~cmMyhkMnzKjE6Ejd4WQzStILKQtPqGmB2bfcjxX4zWzbXpBGFxuvk4IC9XugOwdhDCqLvzIP0xdJNTMTlXx4oqAy-WC75ngg7Q90z6HDKOFHCJX7fK9GVs5Qs23IKqDYhsphZbeX5ZSjrAlOrpt~svaHrc~jhMSnZLuS4tORdqKQMm5LH9rLc2PDzPj20RkkOkYMQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kirkwood City Council passed an ordinance amending the municipal code’s outdoor lighting provisions (Bill 11066a) after a lengthy public discussion about color temperature and visibility.

The ordinance, described at the meeting as an update to Chapter 25, Section 25-52 for outdoor lighting requirements, drew testimony from residents demonstrating how Kelvin (color temperature) and lumens (brightness) affect perception. Council members voted 4-2 to adopt the bill.

The debate focused on whether to restrict the color temperature (measured in degrees Kelvin) of new outdoor lighting for non‑single‑family development. City staff recounted the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recent review: the commission considered limits at 2,700 K and 3,000 K, and ultimately recommended limitations closer to 4,000 K for new nonresidential lighting while allowing existing fixtures to be grandfathered. Several council members and members of the public discussed tradeoffs between lower Kelvin ratings (which tend to appear warmer and reduce blue light) and higher Kelvin ratings (which can increase visibility and contrast).

Resident Don Ficken showed a demonstration bulb and explained how the same fixture can produce different perceived brightness at the same Kelvin setting, saying the display illustrated “there’s a misunderstanding between Kelvin and what’s called CCT.” He told the council that color temperature can be altered without changing lumen output and warned that higher‑Kelvin, bluer light “is not good for your health, it’s not good for nature.”

Resident Barrett Williams said online claims that the city was “considering dimming the requirements for local street lighting to below 3,000 Kelvin” were misleading. Williams urged critics to attend lighting seminars and distinguished between lumen output (brightness) and Kelvin (color), saying “the intensity, the brightness is measured in lumens, and the color of the light is measured in Kelvin.”

Council members spoke about federal guidance and local practice. One council member recalled federal highway guidance that had recommended 3,000 K in earlier research but noted that available fixtures and technology have changed. Another said many local businesses already use fixtures rated at or near 4,000 K and argued that site‑specific factors should guide final designs.

Mayor Gibbons and four council members voted in favor of Bill 11066a; two council members voted no. The ordinance amends the city’s outdoor lighting code and applies to new outdoor lighting installations; existing fixtures are grandfathered, the staff presentation said. The council did not take additional immediate amendments on the floor.

Councilmembers and speakers emphasized that glare control, fixture height, shielding and lumen levels affect pedestrian and driver visibility as much as Kelvin ratings, and that lumen depreciation over time can reduce illumination if fixtures are not maintained. No new enforcement timeline or implementation date for the ordinance was specified at the meeting.

The council’s vote concluded the item; no further motions were recorded on this bill during the session.","The Kirkwood City Council passed Bill 11066a, an ordinance amending municipal code Chapter 25 on outdoor lighting, following public demonstrations and council discussion about Kelvin (color temperature) and lumens.","actionData","errors"]

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Kirkwood organizer outlines Black History Month program: concert, cemetery talk and bus tour

Votes at a glance: council approves Argonne Drive grant application, continues sidewalk bill and OKs Alpine Shop event

Kirkwood council approves ordinance amending outdoor lighting rules after debate over color temperature