The doors to Valley Park City Hall were found locked up early Monday, leaving taxpayers concerned about public safety -- and workers worried whether they'll get paid this week. KMOX is getting answers.
"Bottom line -- this is about the aldermen just showing up for their meetings," says City Attorney Tim Engelmeyer.
He explains that, according to Missouri law, legislators in a smaller town like Valley Park must have five affirmative votes to pass an ordinance. But that means if only five of the eight total aldermen show up, as has been the case, then the vote needs to be unanimous, which hasn't been the case.
He adds the Mayor can only vote to break a tie, which is a plausible scenario only if all aldermen showed up and either gave a thumbs up or down.
KMOX asked Engelmeyer if he believes the aldermen, who he did not name, are no-showing meetings in an effort to stymie passage of the budget.
"I don't know," he responded. "I don't know if there were vacations planned, or if there's been other responsibilities... I don't know."
In a statement, Mayor Chandra Webster says:
"It is important to note the city's Finance Ways & Means Committee approved the city's budget by a unanimous vote. This recommendation went to the full board for approval. Unfortunately, four aldermen have chosen to either SKIP meetings or attend and abstain from voting."
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Residents encountering the "closed" sign outside the city's building are wondering what services won't be fulfilled because of the shut-down. Workers are wondering about paying their own bills.
"Trash services could be impacted if this drags on," Engelmeyer said. "City Hall obviously will be closed until we get a budget passed and can pay the employees."
Those 27 employees are expecting their regular deposit in a matter of days.
"This seems like it'd be important to resolve if the payroll transmission date is on Wednesday," a KMOX reporter questioned Engelmeyer. "Yes, very. I agree with you. Definitely," the City Attorney responded.
Valley Park contracts with St. Louis County for policing patrols and response, and "there is no impact whatsoever on police or fire or anything like that."
Mayor Chandra Webster is expected to continue calling for special, emergency meetings until a solution is found. A meeting early Monday morning was unsuccessful; another is slated for 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
The meetings are being held virtually, via Zoom.
"It isn't pretty, but sometimes it's part of politics and part of getting a budget that everybody can agree on," Engelmeyer said.
