St. Ann board approves three ordinances on U.S. Marshals housing, police vehicles and rental inspection fees

The St. Ann Board of Aldermen unanimously approved three ordinances at its Jan. 5 regular meeting, adopting measures to renew a prisoner-housing contract with the U.S. Marshals Service, purchase three police vehicles and establish user fees to fund an annual exterior rental-property inspection program.

At the second reading of Bill 3527, staff member Matt said the city will seek to "try to negotiate to get [the U.S. Marshals Service] to pay a little bit more." The board moved and, after voice and roll-call procedures, recorded the ordinance as Ordinance 3431.

The board then approved Bill 3528 to buy three police vehicles. Officials said two vehicles were included in the current budget and the third will replace a vehicle damaged in a collision; insurance proceedings for the damaged vehicle are still pending. That measure was enacted as Ordinance 3432.

Members discussed and approved Bill 3529, which sets or adjusts several user fees — including park charges, street-opening permits and a new fee to pay for an annual exterior inspection program for rental properties. According to staff, the ordinance implements the city's previously authorized program to inspect rental-property exteriors once per year and establishes the fee property owners will pay to cover inspection costs. That bill was recorded as Ordinance 3433.

All three ordinance readings were moved, seconded and approved by roll call with affirmative votes from the aldermen present. The board also approved the monthly reports and the warrant list earlier in the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinances were adopted on second reading during the meeting and are recorded with their ordinance numbers; staff will administer the new inspection program and proceed with negotiations on the prisoner-housing agreement.