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Resident sharply criticizes city manager, raises long-running service complaints at University City council meeting
Summary
During public comment at the Dec. 8 council meeting, resident Tom Sullivan accused City Manager Gregory Rose of persistent neglect — citing out streetlights, hanging utility wires, uncollected tornado debris and an alleged unlawful campaign — and said he has collected evidence for potential removal efforts.
At the University City Council meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, resident Tom Sullivan used the public comment period to deliver a lengthy critique of City Manager Gregory Rose’s performance, alleging long-standing neglect of city maintenance and management tasks and saying he had compiled evidence he may use in removal efforts.
Sullivan, who identified his address as 751 Syracuse, said, “From the beginning, Mr. Rose has been unable to keep all the street lights working in the city. That’s true even today. Four street lights are currently out at Olive Kingsland… They have been out for months.” He also alleged hanging utility wires, remaining tree branches from a May tornado and numerous damaged dumpsters on the east end of the city. Sullivan added that the city manager “played a big role in the unlawful campaign that failed to pass Proposition F.” He said a pattern of neglect could justify removal from office and that he had assembled “a considerable amount of evidence” to pursue the matter next year.
Other residents raised service concerns and needs during the same comment block. Carl Saboka (1421 Coolage Drive, Ward 3) thanked the council for suspending the fee for recycling leaf and lawn clippings and praised the city’s recycling option. L. Martin Jr. (6915 Raymond Avenue) reported his east-end block was missed on the first leaf-collection round for the second year in a row and said the contractor’s supervisors told him the area had been checked despite his street not being serviced. Resident Liam Brick (1079 Wilson Avenue) thanked City Manager Rose, Economic Development Planner Becky Alvin and the city’s legal team for progress on appraisal and title agreements tied to the HMBBGP FMA flood buyout process and urged continued diligence in advancing buyouts.
Council did not respond to Sullivan’s allegations during the public comment period recorded in the transcript. The meeting proceeded to routine business, including the unanimous adoption of an ordinance on retiree benefits and a motion later in the evening to enter closed session under Missouri statute 610.021 to discuss legal actions and personnel records.
