Florissant council approves FEMA buyouts, funds police substation and OKs ownership transfer; several development hearings remain pending

Florissant City Council on Oct. 13 approved the city's acquisition and planned demolition of multiple flood-prone houses on Bruce Drive using federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG) funds, and also authorized several year-end budget adjustments including money to establish a police substation at Sunset Park.

Councilman Andrew Harris (Ward 1) summarized the meeting in a post-meeting recap. Harris said the council voted to acquire the properties numbered 6 through 12 Bruce Drive after owners agreed to sell to the city under FEMA HMPG funding so the structures can be demolished to reduce future flood risk and repeated restoration costs.

The council also moved $20,800 from the public safety fund into a security equipment and maintenance account to purchase equipment and to establish a police substation in the Nature Lodge at Sunset Park, Harris said. Separately, the city applied proceeds from the sale of used parks vehicles ($13,500) to cover epoxy flooring installation in the new public restrooms at Saint Ferdinand Park.

The council approved a transfer of ownership for Old Town Automotive at 1104 North Jefferson so the service manager, Mr. Gossage, can assume ownership and keep current staff; Harris said the new owner plans to open an hour earlier and close an hour later. An application was filed to transfer a permit for a nursing facility (Crystal Creek Health…