Council backs contractor certifications for apprenticeships and veterans; approves road vacation and consent items

St. Charles County Council on Monday unanimously approved Resolution 25-01, a non-binding measure encouraging contractors who bid on county construction, repair and maintenance projects to provide additional certifications demonstrating a focus on employee training, apprenticeship programs and veteran-owned business participation.

Sponsored by Councilmen Matt Swanson, Mike Elam, Dave Hammond and Terry Hollander, the resolution asks the county's purchasing division to examine whether additional certifications can be incorporated into procurement processes without creating legal or competitive conflicts. Councilman Matt Swanson said the change is intended to strengthen the local workforce: "When we're spending our taxpayer dollars, we have the most qualified individuals doing the work ... Let's do it right the first time, and that's having very skilled laborers do it right the first time," he said.

Swanson and other supporters told the council they hoped the measure would encourage expansion of Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship programs — citing expansion efforts at Fort Zumwalt and countywide interest — and increase opportunities for veteran-owned and disabled-veteran-owned businesses.

The council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote with all members present voting in favor.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-01: Encouraging contractors to provide certifications for apprenticeship and veteran-owned business participation — Approved (roll call: Bridal: yes; Hammond: yes; Elam: yes; Hollander: yes; York: yes; Baker: yes; Swanson: yes).

- Bill 5364: Ordinance vacating an unused portion of Neustadtter Road pursuant to section 228.11, Revised Statutes of Missouri — Passed (roll call recorded; all members voted yes).

- Consent agenda and contracts: The council approved the remainder of the consent agenda after several items were removed for discussion. A concrete removal/replacement contract was approved. A change order on a road construction project was approved after staff described delays, the need for temporary access pavement and extra excavation after encountering unsuitable soils. The police department roof repair item was tabled at the request of a councilmember.

On the change order, staff told the council the project originally came in over budget and required a redesign; subsequent development activity near Gutermuth and unexpected poor soils increased quantities and the need for temporary pavement to provide access during construction. Councilmembers approved the change order to keep the project moving.

Why it matters: The resolution signals council interest in using procurement to promote workforce development and veteran-owned businesses without immediately altering procurement law. The road vacation will remove an unused right-of-way under statutory authority; consent agenda approvals move several county maintenance and construction projects forward.

Next steps: Purchasing and administration will work with council and human resources to examine how certifications could be integrated into procurement; staff will return with further analysis if an ordinance or formal procurement change is proposed.