Ste. Genevieve Aldermen’s Next Meeting, Set For May 14, Expected To Be In-Person At City Hall

The city of Ste. Genevieve will resume holding live Board of Aldermen meetings on second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, beginning on May 14.
At that time, the board will address the issue of employee health insurance.
Both insurance and the meeting schedule led to considerable debate and discussions during a 75-minute board meeting last Thursday on Zoom.
The board had voted on March 6 to suspend public meetings until May due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A special meeting was called for March 26 to have three public hearings and to pass ordinances dealing with city employees during the pandemic.
It was took place using cellphones.
Last Thursday’s Zoom meeting had fewer technical issues, but some members expressed displeasure at not meeting face-to-face.
An ordinance to extend the suspension of board meetings failed to pass. It finished in a 4-4 tie, with Ward 4 Alderwoman Ashley Armbruster and Alderman Joe Prince, Ward 3 Alderman Jeff Eydmann and Ward 2 Alderman Bob Donovan voting no and  Ward 1 representatives Gary Smith and Susie Johnson, Ward 2 Alderman Michael “Buck” Jokerst and Ward 3 Alderman Mike Raney voting yes.
The question was raised as to whether Mayor Paul Hassler could break the 4-4 tie. City attorney Mark Bishop explained that, while the mayor may break other tie votes, he may not do so on a vote to pass an ordinance. A bill, therefore, needs a 5-3 vote to pass.
The bill had passed on first reading, 7-1, but failed by the 4-4 roll call vote on second reading.

See complete story in the May 6 edition of the Herald.