September 8, 2026 — Meeting Minutes
09-08-2026 CC Minutes September 8, 2026 Page 1 of 5 THE CITY OF CLAYTON
City Council In-Person and virtual Meeting City Hall, 10 N. Bemiston Avenue
September 08, 2026
MINUTES
DISCUSSION SESSION – 6:41 p.m.
PRESENTATION – SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Deb Grossman, Chairperson, Sustainability Committee, provided a presentation (available in the City Clerk’s office) on the annual report.
REGULAR MEETING Mayor McAndrew called the meeting to order and requested a roll call. The following individuals were in attendance:
In person: Susan Buse, Becky Patel, Jeff Yorg, Kami Waldman, Betsy Meyland-Smith, and Mayor Bridget McAndrew.
Absent: Gary Feder
Staff: City Manager Gipson, City Attorney O’Keefe, City Clerk Frazier, and Assistant City Manager Burr
OPEN FORUM
Mayor McAndrew welcomed Raniya Adam, Adam Watson, and Luciano Perman, members of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) in the audience.
Natalie Dowd, 7536 Parkdale, addressed the Council with regards to a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) related incident in Biddeford, Maine using FLOCK cameras.
A PUBLIC HEARING AND A RESOLUTION - A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR STATE BANK LOCATED AT 6369 CLAYTON ROAD
Mayor McAndrew opened the public hearing and requested proof of publication.
City Manager Gipson reported that this is a request for a conditional use permit for the proposed operation of a drive-through banking lane on the north side of the subject building. The subject property is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Clayton Road and DeMun Avenue, is zoned M-2 General Mixed Use, and is in the Clayton Road Urban Design District. The site is developed with a one-story retail bank. The site formerly housed Commerce Bank and is soon to be occupied by State Bank.
This CUP requires the City Council to conduct a public hearing prior to acting on the request. The notice requirements for a public hearing were not met for September 8, 2026, and therefore, staff
09-08-2026 CC Minutes September 8, 2026 Page 2 of 5 recommend that the City Council hear anyone present to speak on this matter tonight and continue the request until September 22, 2026.
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to continue consideration of the Conditional Use Permit to the September 22, 2026 Council meeting. Councilmember Patel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
A PUBLIC HEARING AND A RESOLUTION - A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 6349 ELLENWOOD TO ALLOW FOR AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU)
Mayor McAndrew opened the public hearing and requested proof of publication.
City Manager Gipson reported that this is a public hearing and subsequent resolution to consider granting a conditional use permit to the owners of 6349 Ellenwood Avenue to allow for the construction of a 415 square foot pool house containing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The property has a zoning designation of R-1 Large Lot Single-Family Dwelling District. The Plan Commission and Architectural Review Board considered the applications and associated architectural plans for the project on August 17, 2026, and recommended approval of the CUP and approved the architectural plans.
Elle Noll, architectural designer with Bower Leet Design, addressed the Council to answer questions.
Mayor McAndrew closed the public hearing.
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to approve Resolution No. 2026-26, granting a Conditional Use Permit for 6349 Ellenwood to allow for an Accessory Dwelling Unit. Councilmember Patel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE TAX YEAR 2026 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET (1ST READING)
Mayor McAndrew opened the public hearing and requested proof of publication.
City Manager Gipson reported that each year the City must approve property tax levies which are then submitted to St. Louis County for billing. Calendar year 2026 is not a reassessment year; therefore, there is little change in previously assessed properties. The City experienced new construction growth, increasing residential assessed values by nearly $2 million. Subject to the maximum voter-approved rate of tax levy, the City is allowed to receive additional revenue up to the lower of 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which was 2.7% for this year, and for the value of the new construction. Per the Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget plan, we are submitting the maximum allowable rates for your review.
As part of the property tax levy process, the Council will hold a public hearing to seek public input on the proposed tax rates on September 8, 2026. Included in tonight’s Council packet are the proposed calendar year 2026 property tax levy recommendations for Budget Year 2027.
Mayor McAndrew closed the public hearing.
09-08-2026 CC Minutes September 8, 2026 Page 3 of 5
Councilmember Buse introduced Bill No. 7172, approving the property tax levies for tax year 2026 to be read for the first time by title only. Councilmember Patel seconded.
City Attorney O’Keefe reads Bill No. 7172, first reading, an Ordinance Levying and Establishing the Rate of Annual Taxes for General Municipal Purposes; Police Building Debt Service; General Obligation Debt Service; and Special Business District Purposes to be Collected by the City of Clayton, Missouri, for the Year 2026 by title only.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET (1ST READING)
Mayor McAndrew opened the public hearing and requested proof of publication.
City Manager Gipson reported that in August, the City Council received the City Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets. As part of the budget process, the Council is required to hold a public hearing to seek public input prior to formal budget adoption. The Council reviewed and studied the proposed budget during a public meeting providing opportunity for public review on August 21, 2026. The proposed ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget is presented tonight for first reading. A summary of the budget is provided in tonight’s Council packet which includes a reconciliation of changes. (copy of Powerpoint presentation available in the City Clerk’s office) Adam Watson, MYAC, addressed the Council regarding “stagnant” revenues. Mayor McAndrew closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Buse introduced Bill No. 7173, approving the FY2027 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget to be read for the first time by title only. Councilmember Patel seconded.
City Attorney O’Keefe reads Bill No. 7173, first reading, an Ordinance Adopting an Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 Commencing on October 1, 2026 and Appropriating Funds Pursuant Thereto by title only.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes – August 11, 2026 2. Resolution – FY2027 Clayton Recreation, Sports and Wellness Commission Budget Res. No. 2026-27) 3. Motion – Boards and Commissions appointments
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Patel seconded.
09-08-2026 CC Minutes September 8, 2026 Page 4 of 5 The motion passed on a roll call vote: Councilmember Buse – Aye; Councilmember Patel – Aye; Councilmember Yorg – Aye; Councilmember Waldman – Aye; Councilmember Meyland-Smith – Aye; and Mayor McAndrew – Aye.
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CLAYTON CITY COUNCIL TO ENDORSE ST. LOUIS COUNTY’S GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE CITY’S WASTE REDUCTION EFFORTS
Grace Wereley-Bross, Intern, Sustainability Committee, addressed the Council providing a PowerPoint presentation on St. Louis County’s grant program with regards to the City’s waste reduction initiatives. (copy of presentation available in the City Clerk’s office).
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to approve Resolution No. 2026-28, endorsing the submittal of an application to the St. Louis County grant program. Councilmember Patel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC ART FOR VIVIENNE APARTMENTS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) LOCATED AT 211 NORTH MERAMEC AVENUE
City Manager Gipson reported that the subject property is located at the intersection of Meramec Avenue and Pershing Avenue and has a zoning designation of Planned Unit Development (PUD). The development, known as The Vivienne, is currently under construction and consists of a mixed- use residential building. The development was approved through the Planned Unit Development process on June 27, 2023, and amended on November 28, 2026.
Shelley and Tom Niemeier, Principal/Architect at SPACE Design + Construction, (virtual) addressed the Council to answer questions.
Mark Rubin, KDG, (virtual) addressed the Council to answer questions.
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to approve Resolution No. 2026-29, approving the public art for the Vivienne Apartments at 211 N. Meramec Avenue. Councilmember Patel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
AN ORDINANCE FOR A CONTRACT WITH GHD SERVICES INC. FOR WEBSITE REDESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING, AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Assistant Manager Burr reports that staff requests approval of a contract with GHD Services Inc. for professional website design, development, implementation, hosting, maintenance, and support services for the City’s official municipal website. The City’s current website is 10 years old and is in need of an overhaul.
The City seeks to create a dynamic user and mobile-friendly website that offers clear, user- centered navigation; simplifies content management; presents a unique and creative visual design; promotes the City’s image in the community and beyond; integrates with existing municipal systems such as GIS mapping systems and third-party applications; and meets current and impending ADA and WCAG accessibility standards.
09-08-2026 CC Minutes September 8, 2026 Page 5 of 5 Website design and development is expected to begin on October 1, 2026, subject to approval and appropriation from the City Council. Funding for this project is included in the FY27 budget.
Motion made by Councilmember Buse to table Bill No. 7174 to the September 22, 2026 Council meeting for staff to provide additional information regarding costs. Councilmember Patel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a voice vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Councilmember Weyland-Smith that the Council hold a closed meeting, with a closed vote and record, as authorized by Section 610.021(1), (2) and (3) Revised Statutes of Missouri, relating to legal issues, real estate and/or personnel, negotiation of a contract pursuant to Section 610.021(12) RSMO., and/or proprietary information pursuant to Section 610.021(15); and/or information related to public safety and security measures pursuant to Section 610.021(18) and (19) RSMO. Councilmember Waldman seconded.
The motion passed on a roll call vote: Councilmember Buse – Aye; Councilmember Patel – Aye; Councilmember Yorg – Aye; Councilmember Waldman – Aye; Councilmember Meyland-Smith – Aye; and Mayor McAndrew – Aye.
There being no further discussion, the City Council adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________ City Clerk