Board of Aldermen Holds Friday Night Meeting

The Wentzville Board of Aldermen held a late-night meeting Friday, convening at 9 p.m. to discuss board appointments and aldermen attendance.

The board held its regular retreat this weekend, having a dinner Friday night and work sessions Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Winghaven. Alderman Cheryl Kross said the Friday night work session was called because she didn't want to waste a night when board members were already together.

Alderman Vann Sample and Mayor Paul Lambi did not attend the meeting. 

The first item on the agenda was board appointments. Any citizen appointment to a city board is made at the pleasure of the mayor and by consent of the board. That is, Mayor Lambi nominates a candidate, and the board approves  or denies.

Kross brought up the question because she was concerned with how the appointments were made.

"We tell citizens that it is up to them to get involved," she said. "We want them to be proactive and get involved. Citizens fill out these applications and there is some concern that people are being overlooked."

Kross also wondered aloud about the reappointment of board members. She suggested term limits would bring in new blood.

The board quickly shot down the idea of term limits, saying if the board and mayor weren't term limited, they shouldn't limit citizen volunteers.

Another idea was to create some equilibrium on boards by making sure that all three city wards are represented equally  — that is, a six member board would have two representatives from each ward.

Alderman Leon Tow told the board that question had come up before and was dismissed because it is hard to guarantee that there will be interest in certain city boards across the wards.

"It's nice to have a balance," he said. "But we've had times when no one from a ward would fill out an application."

In addition to seeking a list of all the citizens who have filled out applications applying for city boards, the board also sought clarification on when the appointments needed to be made. Questions arose after a recent board appointment was chosen after board member packets had gone out.

"I don't like making split-second decisions on personnel," Chris Gard said. "I took for granted that this person was 'vetted.' I would like a little more time - 24 hours or something - as we move forward if I am going to be comfortable making those decisions."

City Administrator Dianna Wright assured the board there was no reason why they had to approve an appointment on the night the mayor brings it up if they are not comfortable.

The board also discussed attendance of board members and how many meetings a board member can miss. Aldermen can be excused from meetings by the mayor, the board or the administrator when appropriate.

Health issues and work-related absences are both approved absences.

No votes were taken during the 65-minute meeting.