The St. John Town Council on Sept. 10 approved several routine financial and land-use items: purchase orders for equipment and repairs totaling $25,716.32, an accounts‑payable voucher batch totaling $1,315,369.46 and acceptance of a $121,000 letter of credit for Preserve S.J., LLC. The council also approved a use variance permitting a gas station with a drive-through at 8575 South Wicker Avenue following a favorable recommendation from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Why it matters: These votes affect municipal operations (public safety vehicle repairs and lift-station work), the town budget and development guarantees. The letter of credit represents a financial assurance tied to a specific subdivision project, and the gas-station variance alters land-use permissions at a commercial site.

Details: Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez presented four purchase requests: emergency repair on Fire Engine 7511 ($4,092.48) to M & M Equipment Service and Repair; brake and suspension work on Truck 428 ($7,572.34) to Superior Engine Service; pump replacement at Lift Station No. 15 ($5,840.50) to Superior Pumping Services; and town-hall and public-safety landscaping ($8,211) to Red Bud Landscape. The council voted to approve the requests together. The accounts‑payable batch, described as covering payroll, supplies, services and equipment, carried forward in a single motion.

Votes and procedure: Minutes from the Aug. 27 Town Council meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote. The motions to pay the purchases and to approve the accounts‑payable voucher carried 4 to 0. The acceptance of the letter of credit and the gas-station use variance similarly passed by voice vote; the minutes record those items as carrying 4 to 0.

Context and follow-up: Town officials said wells 8 and 9 are on schedule and that pump and well maintenance is continuing; one well motor needed repair. The council noted the public hearing on the annexation had drawn a large crowd earlier in the meeting but proceeded with regular town business after closing the hearing.

Ending: The council adjourned after completing the agenda; members urged resident participation at upcoming public events including an Oct. 4 fire department open house.