The final 2017 Ballwin Board of Aldermen meeting was held on Monday, December 11 at 7 p.m. Highlights from the meeting are below. Official meeting minutes will be posted upon approval after the next Board of Aldermen meeting. 

1. Ballwin resident Tom Ratzki approached the board to say thank you to the Ballwin Parks and Recreation Department for installing Pickleball courts at Holloway Park. He mentioned Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. and urged the board to consider more Pickleball expansion in the future. 

2. Both the 2018 Capital and Operating budgets passed with unanimous support becoming Ordinances #17-32 and #17-33 respectively. As always, the final 2018 budget and all city financial documents are available online for public review. 

3. Bill #3983 also passed with unanimous support. This changed the benefit levels for City employees' retirement system from level L3 to L12 in the LAGERS Pension program. This will increase benefits for staff and requires a 4% employee contribution. 

4. The Board of Aldermen approved adding a board room to the new City Hall construction plans in a 5-4 vote. Updates and next phases for this project will be posted online in the coming weeks and months. The original plans did not include a board room and meant the city could pay cash for the project. The addition will require a short term financing option, but will position the city well for future growth.

5. Concluding an RFP process, Ballwin awarded the Sewer Lateral Program Sole Source Contractor to A&A Sewer LLC. It's estimated it will save the City $400-$500 per project, meaning more funds will be available to help resident repair damaged sewer laterals.

6. The Board passed a special-use exception to Missouri American Water in a 7-1 vote for the installation of two water-meter reading antennae on two proposed new poles. 

7. Director of Parks and Recreation Linda Bruer presented information to the board regarding the North Pointe renovation project. Concluding the RFQ process, the bid was awarded to Westport Pools. The project will begin at the start of the new year and will be completed May 1, 2018. The City also received a grant to fund a portion of this project. 

8. Mayor Pogue appointed three new members to the Historical Commission: Marie Clark, Ken Velten, and Irene Wirsing.

The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 8.