Council affirms EDST appointment, backs two surface‑transportation grant applications and authorizes sale of small city lots

The Ferguson City Council approved a resolution clarifying which school district currently participates in the Economic Development Sales Tax (EDST) appointment process, confirmed an appointment to the EDST advisory body, and authorized submission of two federally funded surface‑transportation (STP) grant applications for neighborhood street improvements.

Why it matters: EDST funds and STP grants provide the city with matched dollars to support downtown and street improvement projects. The council's action reaffirms that, under current facts, the Ferguson‑Florissant School District is the EDST participant whose projects give the district a role in appointing the EDST representative; the council also authorized the mayor or city manager to execute grant documents needed to pursue STP funds.

EDST resolution and appointment The council adopted Resolution 2025‑01 addressing appointment of the school‑district member to the Economic Development Sales Tax commission. City Attorney Carey advised edits to align the resolution with state law and the city's ordinance; the resolution was discussed at length and passed on a roll call vote, 4–3. Councilman Nick Casoff, who introduced the resolution, said it states that “on the basis of current facts at this moment, Ferguson‑Florissant has the sole authority” to participate in EDST appointments because EDST funds to date have only been expended inside that district.

The council then approved the appointment of Renita Nelson to the Economic Development Sales Tax board on a voice vote after the mayor recommended her; the appointment will allow the board to continue advisory work on EDST spending in the city.

Surface‑transportation grant resolutions Councilmembers approved two resolutions authorizing staff to submit project applications and to allow the mayor or city manager to sign grant documents if the East–West Gateway or state programs award the funds:

- Resolution 2025‑03: Elkins/Atmore/Woodwind project — a surface‑transportation program (STP) application aimed at a neighborhood cut‑through that council members said has seen increased traffic since nearby roadwork changed traffic patterns. Council members said prior applications narrowly missed funding; staff and consultants have revised the application and traffic data to improve scoring.

- Resolution 2025‑04: Paul Avenue project — authorization to submit a separate STP application for Paul Avenue to pursue federal STP funds for reconstruction.

City staff said the STP program scores applications on traffic counts, existing pavement condition, substructure needs and other engineering criteria; the city will reimburse engineering costs from the grant if awarded.

Sale/transfer of small city lots and related ordinance Council approved Resolution 2025‑05 and related bill 73‑05 to accept transfer of a small, wooded lot (Verdell/Burdell Court parcel) into city ownership with the intent to market or auction it and return the parcel to the tax rolls. Staff said the property had changed hands multiple times and that title searches and FEMA buyout history were reviewed before the recommendation to proceed.

What the council asked staff to do Council directed city staff to prepare the grant application materials, to continue working with East‑West Gateway and consulting engineers, and to prepare marketing and title‑clearance materials for the property sale. The council noted prior EDST compliance issues had required corrective actions and warned staff to follow statutory processes for EDST spending and reporting.

Ending: The actions advance two grant applications that could bring state/federal matching funds for street repairs and place a small city parcel back on the tax rolls; the EDST resolution and appointment clarify the city's role in a multi‑jurisdictional appointment process under current circumstances.