Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE October 27, 2025 11:30 a.m. Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Avenue Councilman Denny Whayne Room (4th Floor) MEMBERS PRESENT: Monica Horton, Abe McGull, Callie Carroll, Brandon Jenson, Bruce Adib-Yazdi, Craig Hosmer, Heather Hardinger, Derek Lee, and Jeff Schrag. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Melissa Hart, Assistant Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement; Jordan Paul, City Attorney; Anita Cotter, City Clerk; and Kristina D’Andrea, Executive Secretary. GUESTS: None. Mayor Schrag called the meeting to order at approximately 11:30 a.m., and roll call was conducted. Present: McGull, Carroll, Lee, Horton, Jenson, Adib-Yazdi, Hardinger, Hosmer, and Schrag. Absent: None. A draft of the March 11, 2025, minutes were presented for approval, and Mayor Schrag asked if anyone had any changes or questions. Councilmember Jenson brought City Council’s attention to the following paragraph: “Councilmember Jenson expressed concern for the ongoing operating expense language in Section 6 of the draft resolution. He inquired about maintenance in the Parks Department being an ongoing expense, as well as salaries. Collin Quigley, Interim City Manager, responded by clarifying maintenance and salary expenses would be considered as long as they were directly related to, and within, the duration of the project. He also noted the resolution was not limiting but provided guidance to the board.” Councilmember Jenson also noted his direct supervisor was being interviewed at this meeting for a seat on the Board of Public Utilities, and he would recuse himself from the room during the interview. He also noted he would recuse himself from voting until this individual’s name was removed from the ballot. Councilmember Jenson moved to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2025, meeting as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: Ayes: McGull, Jenson, Lee, Horton, Carroll, Adib-Yazdi, Hardinger, Hosmer, and Schrag. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. Mayor Schrag noted the purpose of the meeting was to consider potential appointments and reappointments to the Board of Public Utilities. He noted there was one member to be considered for reappointment: Mr. Steve Dooley, whose term would expire on December 1, Approved on November 04, 2025 by members of the Committee of the Whole 1 2025. Mayor Schrag also noted the second term of Louise Knauer would expire on December 1, 2025, and the need for one appointment to replace her. Mayor Schrag opened the floor for discussion regarding Mr. Dooley’s potential reappointment, and referred to a letter received from Dwayne Fulk, President – CEO of City Utilities, which outlined Mr. Dooley’s attendance from 2023 through August 2025. Councilmember Jenson asked if the Board of Public Utilities’ bylaws addressed any attendance stipulations. Mayor Schrag responded he was not aware of any such provisions; however, attendance was an objective factor considered when evaluating board reappointments. Councilmember Jenson noted the interview questions had changed and historically, City Council was asked to submit feedback on any proposed changes before finalization. Mayor Schrag apologized for the oversight and noted a request for feedback would be made prior to the next update. Anita Cotter, City Clerk, distributed the ballot for Mr. Dooley’s potential reappointment (Exhibit A). The recommendation to reappoint Mr. Dooley passed with eight votes. Councilmember Jenson recused himself from voting. The Committee moved forward with interviews of the candidates for the Board of Public Utilities. The same seven questions were asked of each candidate (Exhibit B). The candidates, who resided within the inside City Limits were interviewed in the following order: 11:40 a.m. - Brandi VanAntwerp 11:50 a.m. - Bridget Bechtel 12:04 p.m. - Gregory Cottingham 12:20 p.m. - Hal Higdon 12:36 p.m. - Jay Tyson 12:49 p.m. - Tim Havens 1:06 p.m. - Jeb Veneble Mayor Schrag discussed the proposed voting procedures for City Council Committee of the Whole and referred to the document which was handed out at the beginning of the meeting. Ms. Cotter distributed the ballot for one appointment to fill the seat which would be vacated by Louise Knauer when her term expired on December 1, 2025. Hal Higdon received five votes during the first-round vote (Exhibit C). This met the voting requirements for at least five votes and the highest total number of votes in that round. Councilmember Jenson recused himself from voting. Mayor Schrag noted the recommendations to reappoint Steve Dooley to a second term ending December 1, 2028, and to appoint Hal Higdon for his first full term ending December 1, 2028, to the Board of Public Utilities would be presented to City Council at the November 3, 2025, meeting. Approved on November 04, 2025 by members of the Committee of the Whole 2 Councilmember Jenson moved to adjourn. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Carroll, Jenson, Lee, McGull, Adib-Yazdi, Horton, Hardinger, and Schrag. Nays: Hosmer. Absent: None. Abstain: None. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:50 p.m. Prepared by Kristina D’Andrea Approved on November 04, 2025 by members of the Committee of the Whole 3