Alderman Garnholz seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

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Other

Alderman Garnholz – “Michelle, I have to keep this brief, not only because there are six other people who want to talk, but because I don’t want to burst into tears. But I might anyway – we’ll see. During my nearly 8 years in office I have watched and admired your growth as an alderman and then senior alderman. I can’t think of a time when I thought you were unprepared for a meeting. Your confidence, knowledge and grasp of the issues were always great, but have increased exponentially over the years. You’re a born leader with a gift for dealing with people. I think you are the original velvet hammer – your powers of persuasion are so gently effective that people hardly remember they had a different point of view before they began the conversation with you. Your responses to citizens, no matter what the circumstances, have been unfailingly calm and helpful.

You’ve been the initiator or champion of all of the most important legislation since I’ve been on the Board. That includes the Centene Development, the smoking ban, the hiring of an economic developer, the formation and growth of the Clayton Century Foundation, the domestic partner registry and, of course, a new or improved ice rink. That one hasn’t happened yet, but I know it will. How do I know it will happen? Because you support it and you make things happen.

Before I sign off, I want to acknowledge your courage and hard work in running for mayor of this great city. You were the first female candidate for mayor to run in a contested race. You were a thoughtful and articulate candidate in the race and will serve as a role model for the women and girls who come after you. Members of ‘The Michelle Harris Fan Club’ are legion and will continue to grow. We will watch with great anticipation and support as you move on to future adventures. I look forward to serving with Ira, but I will miss you like crazy as my alderman-partner in working for Ward II and for our great city - All the best!”

Alderman Winings – “It has been great working with you for the last few years. You have been an excellent alderman, an excellent team mate, an excellent example of public service at the highest level. Your passion for the City and for the residents has always been on full display. You brought a tremendous amount of energy to this job and you have always gone the extra mile. Always prepared, always studying the issues, always digging deeper into the materials, always asking questions and gathering input. You carefully develop your own positions on the issues which I think is one of the reasons along with your natural talent that has made you such an effective and persuasive advocate. Thank you for your service, we will miss you and I think that we are all better aldermen for having served alongside you. Thanks!”

Alderman Boulton – “I wrote words of what I thought of you – collaborate, passionate, compassionate, tireless, and creative. I find you to be one of the most collaborative alderman on the Board, you always try to find that place where we can all just ‘live with each other’ as opposed to be happy and I really appreciate that. I’ve enjoyed working on issue with you. Your passion is without balance on projects, but your compassion for the citizens is amazing. You are always trying to help them deal with their various issues, whether it’s in the basement with your boots on, you’ve worked tirelessly and creatively. You’ve always tried to find that creative way of solving an issue. I think the thing that I will miss the most is your smile across the aisle and not being able to see you. I’ve really enjoyed working with you and I know that you will be doing wonderful things on the Zoo District Board – we won’t lose you, we will gain you in other places. Thank you.”

Alderman Berger – “It is a pleasure to try to say some things to honor you. It is not very easy because like everyone has said, ‘gosh, you’ve been here a long time.’ Those of us who were on the Board before Michelle came was ‘how in the heck did she win a write-in election’ and I think that we know now why. A few words that describe not only that election, but your role in our community is: fabulous, creative, passionate, genuine, energetic, sensitive, caring, and unbelievably impactful. I think that there are so many benefits from your efforts that our community has enjoyed and experienced. The change that you brought to the community in terms of improvement and enhancement are so significant. The two words that are so important to say to you is, Michelle, thank you!”

The change that you brought to the community in terms of improvement and enhancement are so significant. The two words that are so important to say to you is, Michelle, thank you!”

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Alderman Lintz – “Michelle, Being the new kid here it hasn’t been that long that we’ve worked together. I guess I can say that I listened to all of the statements that have preceded and I guess that I feel a little disappointed that I didn’t have the same time tenor to enjoy your council, your helpful, and that passion that you do bring. I can say that when I first met you, before the election, we had a drink together and I immediately realized at that time that you were clearly very involved, very committed to everything about Clayton. Over the year that I’ve been here I can say that comes out so clearly and so s’syncly in every meeting that I’ve been in whether the CCF or everything else, you are thinking, your committed, your every present in everything, in all the issues that we deal with. For that it’s really been helpful for me to watch and learn from that mentorship of what it takes to be a really good alderperson. Thank you very much, good luck!

Mayor Sanger – “Michelle, I have a bit of unique history with you, three years ago when the campaign for mayor began we ‘battled’ very politely and very professionally. We had a really good race and there was a period after the election where the path to the next two years would be determined by our relationship. Without question, without any doubt you stood up for what was right for the City of Clayton. We have worked together for the past two years because your unyielding support of the citizens and what’s right for all the people of Clayton overcame the issues that we had during that time. I have to personally thank you and say that the past two years have only been as good as they have been because of your hard work, your ‘stepping to the plate’ to get things done, your desire to have the great relationship that we have and that have of the entire Board. You could have made it hard and you didn’t and I will always appreciate that and thank you for it.”

Alderman Harris – “My dear fellow aldermen, and Mayor: Thank you so much for all of your kind words. I hope you understand how much they mean to me. I am honored to have been part of such a talented and dedicated team of elected officials and staff members who relentlessly give so much of themselves to making Clayton a great place. I also hope that our fair city has been enriched even a fraction as much as I have been from my experience in public service. Again, thank you.

There being no further regular business the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

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Mayor ATTEST:

____________________________ City Clerk