Board approves agreement allowing Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District work under Rogers Parkway; city warns of tree loss and 6(f) conversion implications

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen approved an agreement allowing the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to construct underground work in Rogers Parkway as part of the CSO Mary Avenue South of Manchester Interceptor I‑132, Outfall L‑106 elimination Phase 2 project. City staff explained the parkland is designated under Land and Water Conservation Fund Section 6(f), a status that restricts conversion of park acreage and requires additional remedies if conversion occurs.

Eric, a staff member, told aldermen the city negotiated an agreement with MSD so the utility can place the necessary underground infrastructure beneath Rogers Parkway. He said MSD has a 12‑month deadline in the agreement to complete all work in Rogers Parkway; if MSD fails to complete the work within that timeframe, the project is treated as a conversion and MSD would be responsible for finding equivalent parkland acreage elsewhere in the city.

Alderman Gould asked about impacts to large, mature trees in Rogers Parkway. Eric said staff and MSD are attempting to avoid the trees when possible but acknowledged that the project will result in the loss of some trees. Aldermen expressed regret about tree loss but emphasized the importance of upgrading sewer infrastructure to address combined sewer overflow and connectivity issues.

The measure received a second reading and was perfected and approved by roll call. The minutes record a 7‑0 roll‑call vote with the following aye votes: Alderman Plovka, Alderman Tice, Alderman Goad, Alderman Sims, Alderman Gould, Alderman Harter, and Alderman Erger. Bill 65‑58 will become Ordinance No. 5185.

City staff said MSD is finishing design for the Phase 2 work and needs the signed city agreement so the district can start work in the park. Eric told the board that underground utilities are allowed within Section 6(f) parkland but that special legal and administrative steps are required to preserve the LWCF designation or mitigate conversion. He emphasized that MSD would prefer to complete the work within 12 months because replacement parkland obligations would be the district’s responsibility and its preference was to avoid that outcome.

The ordinance authorizes the city administrator and attorney to sign the agreement with MSD and directs staff to coordinate the construction schedule and monitoring with MSD to minimize impacts.