Board and commission interviews continue; council names members to sustainability, traffic and historical posts

The Board of Aldermen conducted interviews and made several appointments during the Feb. 18 meeting, and members also received updates from boards and commissions.

Library board interviews: Council interviewed three applicants for a single vacancy on the Webster Groves Public Library board. Nancy Brown said, “I27ve lived in Webster for 20 years ... I love the Webster Library,” and described frequent use of library services. Rachel McClanahan (Kron) introduced herself as an associate director of advancement at Siteman Cancer Center and said she serves on the Noble Neighbor nonprofit that connects under-resourced schools with authors and books. Rachel said she and her family moved to Webster Groves in 2022 and wants to “pay that back” by serving on the library board. Christie Vogel said she has lived in Webster Groves for 19 years, has professional experience in employee benefits and earlier worked on a bookmobile with the St. Louis County Library; she said libraries are “an essential, integral part of our community.” Council noted the choice will be difficult and encouraged applicants to consider other boards if not selected.

Traffic and sustainability appointments: Council discussed moving an alternate member, Rob Wagonen, into a permanent regular seat on the Traffic Advisory Commission and agreed to appoint Jason Jordan as the alternate member; Jason told the council he has used Webster streets as a driver, runner and cyclist for more than 25 years and cited an interest in safe streets. Timothy Farner was named to the Sustainability Commission to fill a vacancy left by Paul Vars.

Historical preservation updates: The Historic Preservation Commission approved two demolition requests — one at 647 Pocahontas Avenue and another on South Iola Drive — both submitted by Algonquin, and noted a previous approval for 3185 South Brentwood. The commission discussed asking developers to include plaques commemorating historical ownership when development occurs; a library employee has been participating in preservation meetings and will assist with historical background for properties, sometimes with documentation dating to the 1860s.

Other appointments: Joan Esserman was named the city27s representative to the Webster Groves Historical Society. Council said interviews for the Business Development Commission are on hold pending additional candidates.

Why it matters: board and commission membership shapes local policy advice on libraries, traffic, sustainability and historic preservation. The Historic Preservation Commission27s decision to request plaques reflects local interest in recording and recognizing historical context when properties redevelop.

The board indicated library-board applicants would be considered after additional interviews at a future meeting.