Successes

During the 2018 campaign, I identified the need to increase communication from City Hall which means offering various methods of delivery (print publications, social media, electronic newsletters, civic discourse and beyond) that meet the residents where they live. As a result, I fully supported creating a new position dedicated to a professional level of communication and the creation of a new Public Affairs and Engagement Director. The City has since increased the number of opportunities citizens can engage with council and staff across all platforms. And it is now better able to provide background information that helps educate residents about ballot propositions.

The pandemic thrust us, and the rest of the world, into the clear need for a technology upgrade. Despite the absence of WiFi in our city buildings, the essential equipment required for effective webcasting are now in place in order for council and commissions to host online meetings for viewing live via Zoom and are archived for the community on YouTube. More swift upgrades are on the way that will simply allow employees to not only work from home, but also work within any building operated by the City. This encourages future face-to-face collaborations across all departments.

As council liaison for the Green Space Advisory Commission, I facilitated Council approval of the Future Trees of Distinction program. “FTD” is a joint effort of the Parks and Public Works Departments and the Commission to replace mature trees lost to disease and development. 2022’s goal is to plant 75 trees in the public right of way, and because it is funded by the current Tree Ordinance Fund, the program is of no additional cost to the City. I’ve worked hard to increase communication between the Commission and Council resulting in the Future Trees of Distinction, Mayors Monarch Pledge, a bigger than ever Make a Difference Day and ongoing Green Space educational programs for our community.

We oversaw the planning and development of a new Firehouse #2 on South Elm Avenue, and thanks to the support of voters, the $5 million no-tax increase bond issue was approved. Construction of Firehouse #2 will be completed in early Summer 2022.

Three years ago we in City Council formed the Police Community Engagement Board. It’s purpose is to build and strengthen positive relationships between the WGPD and the Webster Groves community. One example of their unity is a statement released in June 2020 that condemns the killing of George Floyd. The PCEB is currently drafting a survey and outlining active involvement with community organizations and students of all ages.

The community sent City Council a wakeup call as to how inclusion issues permeate situations that on the surface may not seem to be an issue.

A residency requirement for the City Attorney in our City Charter may seem benign but limits the pool of candidates. Council discussed this rule at length and decided to pursue a Charter change.

As a result, we drafted ballot measures to place two questions before the voters. With 62% of the vote at the June 2020 election, passing Proposition 1 reversed the residency rule for the City Attorney position, thereby allowing the City to consider City Attorney candidates who reside outside of Webster Groves. Proposition 2 posed the question whether residents may decide every 8 years to call a Charter Commission to review the provisions set in our City Charter.

Prop 2 won respectively with 81% in favor of being able to regularly review the policies in the City Charter. On April 2022’s ballot, Prop W will fulfill this promise to ask voters whether a Charter Review Advisory Board shall be formed.

I spearheaded and drafted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement which was adopted by council and posted on webstergroves.org. This statement provides an important foundation for exploring policy changes and other actions that address the need to foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The full Council acknowledges that we have much work to do to live up to our DEI statement. We are standing with the community for this very reason – in support of DEI.

In addition, we drafted and approved Ordinance #9090 which, in order to ensure fair housing practices in the City of Webster Groves, provides source of income protection for those who rent. The ordinance created a new enforcement mechanism designed to really hold landlords accountable since that has been a problem in other communities.

The City is committed to engaging in studies that will help build a better workplace. City management, staff and Council are wrapping up an Equity Audit in order to review and evaluate current policies such as, vendor selection, hiring of staff, and more to ensure that the City is in line with our DEI statement.

With approval of Council, the city also embarked on a months’ long compensation and benefits analysis, and we are now hearing recommendations for streamlining our categories classifications, salary structure and benefits policies.