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Bridgeton council passes two ordinances, tables contract and approves personnel commission appointment
Summary
At the March 19 meeting the council adopted ordinances amending liquor-related zoning rules and approving a development-agreement amendment, tabled a pavement contract and appointed a new personnel commission member. Public comment included a call to revisit a charter amendment on the municipal judge residency requirement.
The Bridgeton City Council approved two ordinances, tabled a construction contract and confirmed a personnel commission appointment at its March 19 meeting.
On second reading the council adopted Bill No. 64-85 (Ordinance 25-12), amending sections of the Bridgeton zoning ordinance to change regulations for taverns, saloons and the sale of liquor at restaurants. Council member Luther moved the bill and Council member Luke seconded; the clerk recorded the motion and the item passed by voice/roll-call vote and was announced as a 7-0 approval.
A council member asked whether the ordinance affected private banquet halls; staff clarified that banquet halls and event spaces already require a special-use permit and that the amendments move taverns, saloons and liquor sales at restaurants to require special-use permits.
Also on second reading the council approved Bill No. 64-87 (Ordinance 25-13), authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a first amendment to a development agreement among the city, Savoy Hilltop Redevelopment Corporation, Clayton Maryland LLC and Bridgeton Hilltop Community Improvement District. Council member Luther moved the ordinance and Council member Luke seconded; the measure passed 7-0.
The council moved and approved a motion to table Bill No. 64-88, a contract award to Joseph W. Bommarito Construction Company Inc. for the 2025–26 concrete pavement replacement project in the Harmon Estate subdivision in the amount of $971,452 with a $30,000 contingency. Council member Luther moved to table and Council member Luke seconded; the motion to table carried by voice vote.
Appointments: The council approved the appointment of Josenta "JoJo" Connors to the Personnel Commission from Ward 2. The motion for favorable approval was made by Council member Iowano and seconded by Council member Satel; the appointment was confirmed by voice vote.
Public comment: Jessica Perkins used the public comment period to urge support for a repeated effort to remove the residency requirement for the municipal judge in the city charter (referred to in the transcript as "prop 3"). Perkins said the charter review and revision commission recommended the change to broaden the candidate pool when the current judge reaches mandatory retirement in 2027 and that only a small number of St. Louis County municipalities still elect municipal judges. Perkins invited residents to a webinar on the measure and provided the city website URL.
Votes at a glance: - Bill 64-85 → Ordinance 25-12 (zoning amendments re: taverns, saloons, restaurant liquor sales). Mover: Council member Luther. Seconder: Council member Luke. Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Bill 64-87 → Ordinance 25-13 (first amendment to Hilltop development agreement). Mover: Council member Luther. Seconder: Council member Luke. Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Bill 64-88 → contract with Joseph W. Bommarito Construction Co., $971,452 (with $30,000 contingency). Motion: tabled by Council member Luther; seconder Council member Luke. Outcome: tabled. - Appointment: Josenta "JoJo" Connors to Personnel Commission (Ward 2). Mover: Council member Iowano. Seconder: Council member Satel. Outcome: confirmed by voice vote.
What this means: The zoning change will move taverns, saloons and liquor sales at restaurants into a special‑use permit framework, while banquet halls and event spaces remain already subject to special‑use review, according to staff. The development-agreement amendment proceeds to signature as Ordinance 25-13. The pavement contract was not advanced at this meeting; staff may return with that item at a later date.
The council also amended the agenda earlier in the meeting to add the tornado report and to table Bill No. 64-86; both procedural actions were adopted by voice vote.
