Olivette City Council reorganizes, names Sydney Clark mayor; reviews budget shortfall and appointments

The Olivette City Council met April 22 at the OIivette City Center Chamber and completed its annual reorganization, selecting Sydney Clark as mayor and Maxine Weil as chairman pro tem, while approving several appointments and receiving financial and staff reports.

The council accepted a nine-month financial checkup presented by Mister Mann that showed revenues about $308,000 below budget, expenses about $200,000 below budget, and a net unfavorable variance of $108,000. Mann told the council the city remains in compliance with its reserve policy, holding about $3,300,000 (approximately 50% of this year's budgeted expenditures). He said sales-tax receipts have trended down since September or October, property-tax collections are complete and expected to align with budget after protests are resolved, and permit revenues are lower largely because one anticipated commercial permit has not yet occurred. "This is not anything we've not talked about for the last six months," Mann said.

At the same meeting Mann also presented the quarterly investment report, noting declining interest rates and describing the city's use of rolling CD ladders and short-term liquidity to manage income and cash needs. He said several CDs are maturing in the coming months and the city expects to move some funds into shorter-term instruments as rates fall and as reserves are used for capital projects and ARPA spending.

Council members approved two commission appointments after interviews conducted earlier in April: Cole Donaldson was appointed to the Economic Development Commission to complete a term ending July 31, 2025, and Daniel Buchalter was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission to complete a term ending July 31, 2025. The motion passed on a roll call with all present voting yes.

In reorganization business, the council accepted the official certification of the April election results recognizing Kate Pashawn Hellman and Brian Lewis as winners of three-year council terms; Hellman was sworn in at the meeting and Lewis will be sworn in before the May 6 work session. The council then nominated and approved Sydney Clark as mayor and Maxine Weil as chairman pro tem. The council also appointed Mike Ferguson as city treasurer, designated the "Antonian" as the city's official newspaper, and assigned council liaisons to city commissions.

Staff reports and community notices included a number of operational items from City Manager Miss Jackley: the annual large bulk collection runs April 21–25 (no appliances), the official opening of the Centennial Greenway segment from Dealman Road to 5 Oaks is scheduled for May 3 with remarks at 9:15 a.m., "Party in the Park" will be held May 9 from 5–9 p.m. to mark the Parks and Rec Commission's 60th anniversary, and the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back is set for April 26. Jackley and staff also reported on fire department cooperative training with West County Fire and EMS, pond maintenance at Stacy Park, arrival of new park irrigation equipment, progress on Irvington Place Apartments (expected completion in 2026), and stormwater channel improvements near Llewellyn.

Council member Weil, reporting as Parks and Recreation liaison, said the Parks and Recreation Commission will seek council approval to raise athletic-field rental fees for Stacy and Worson parks, highlighted Olivette International Dark Sky Week programming including a planetarium event and a star party, previewed a forthcoming city code update and proposed bicycle/ebike ordinance with speed-limit enforcement measures, and provided usage statistics for the 5 Oaks community center (1,582 members; 568 multipurpose-room rentals to date).

The planning and community design commission update provided by the mayor noted a recent meeting in which one petition at 820 North Price was denied and 15 Bonaire Drive was approved 6–0; the commission continues work on tree preservation and accessory-structure regulations and will pass recommendations to the new council when ready.

The council also recognized two outgoing council members. Rick Knox received a proclamation noting 41 years with the Olivette Police Department and his council service since appointment in 2021 and re-election in 2022; Missy Waldman was honored for 25 years on the council and a long record of local planning and civic work. Both spoke briefly and were presented gifts and proclamations.

Votes at a glance: Cole Donaldson and Daniel Buchalter (appointments to commissions) — approved (unanimous); certification of election of Kate Pashawn Hellman and Brian Lewis — approved (unanimous); selection of Sydney Clark as mayor — approved (unanimous); selection of Maxine Weil as chairman pro tem — approved (unanimous); appointment of Mike Ferguson as city treasurer — approved (unanimous); designation of the "Antonian" as official newspaper — approved (unanimous); acceptance of April 8 minutes — approved (unanimous).