Herculaneum Board Addresses Fire Department Dispute, Sewer Repairs, and Fireworks Proposal
Fireworks Event Proposal
Two residents appeared before the board to request permission to once again host a fireworks display in the city. The proposal would involve launching fireworks from city property and temporarily closing a nearby street during the event.
City officials discussed the need to formally authorize the event through a resolution and ensure proper coordination with emergency services. Fire department access, traffic flow, and ramp access near the river were all raised as considerations.
Organizers said they plan to promote the event on social media so residents are aware of the celebration and have the opportunity to attend.
During the discussion, the two men explained that the fireworks event grew out of a personal promise they made to their wife and mother before her passing. What began as a small backyard celebration has since expanded into a community gathering, and organizers said they want to continue the tradition in her honor.
The board indicated that additional planning and coordination will take place before the event is finalized.
City Passes Resolution Opposing State Bills on Municipal Elections
The board approved a resolution urging Missouri lawmakers to oppose several pieces of proposed state legislation that could significantly change how local elections are conducted in cities like Herculaneum.
The bills under discussion would move municipal elections from their traditional April dates to the November general election and require candidates for offices such as mayor or alderman to declare a political party affiliation when filing for office.
Supporters of the proposed legislation argue that aligning municipal elections with the November ballot could increase voter participation. During discussion, Alderman Israel Clayman said he believed the change could improve turnout and help voters better understand where candidates stand on key issues.
Clayman noted that turnout during general elections is often significantly higher than turnout for April municipal elections. He said requiring candidates to declare a political party could also give voters a clearer sense of a candidate’s core values when deciding who to support.
Mayor Ryan Wright disagreed, arguing that local government decisions rarely revolve around the kinds of major partisan issues typically associated with state or national politics.
The mayor said city government primarily deals with operational matters such as infrastructure, budgeting, and local services rather than “big ticket” political debates like gun control or abortion policy. Because of that, he said requiring candidates to publicly align with a political party could unnecessarily inject partisan politics into local decision making.
City officials also discussed the financial implications of moving elections to November. Holding municipal elections in April currently comes at little or no cost to the city, while placing items on the November ballot could cost several thousand dollars depending on ballot requirements.
After discussion, the board voted to approve the resolution opposing the legislation.
The resolution passed with support from Alderman Dennis Tesreau, Alderwoman Krystle Milton, and Alderman Todd Hogan. Alderman Israel Clayman and Alderman Norm Seithel voted against the measure.
City Responds to Fire Protection Dispute
One of the most serious topics discussed during the meeting involved concerns raised by residents about ongoing disputes between neighboring fire protection districts over service boundaries.
The issue has drawn significant attention in recent years after two major life-threatening incidents raised concerns about how emergency responses could be affected by disagreements over district boundaries.
Those incidents prompted community members to raise awareness about the potential risks of delayed emergency response when the city’s fire department is instructed not to respond to certain calls due to jurisdictional disputes.
City leaders said those concerns have reinforced the importance of ensuring that emergency responders can act quickly when lives are on the line.
As part of addressing the issue, the Board of Aldermen approved a resolution supporting the use of a memorandum of understanding between departments to help resolve disputes and clarify response responsibilities.
Mayor Ryan Wright said the city remains committed to making sure the Herculaneum Fire Department has the support it needs to respond when residents require help, even when calls involve crossing district boundaries.
Officials emphasized that when someone calls 911, the priority must always be getting trained responders to the scene as quickly as possible.
Emergency response data presented to the board showed the department continues to maintain strong response times. According to the Herculaneum Fire Department’s most recent report, the department responded to 735 incidents during the year and logged more than 1,000 hours actively working on emergency scenes.
The department’s average response time from dispatch to arrival was approximately four minutes and twenty-three seconds.
City leaders said they will continue working to ensure that emergency services remain reliable and that the Herculaneum Fire Department is supported in responding to emergencies involving city residents.
Officials said the city’s priority remains clear: when residents dial 911, help should arrive as quickly as possible.
Blue Shield City Resolution Approved
The board also approved a resolution supporting law enforcement and declaring Herculaneum a “Blue Shield City,” a designation supported by the state of Missouri.
Police Chief Sharia Kyle explained that the designation recognizes cities that prioritize public safety through cooperation and participation with law enforcement initiatives. The designation could also make the city eligible for up to $50,000 in grant funding.
City Hall Basement Remodel Raises Prevailing Wage Questions
The board also discussed a planned basement remodeling project at City Hall. The project had previously gone through the bidding process and the city selected a contractor.
However, discussion during the meeting raised questions about Missouri’s prevailing wage requirements for public construction projects. The contractor indicated that his crew typically does not operate under prevailing wage standards.
City officials noted that state law may still require prevailing wage for certain public projects regardless of whether it was specifically written into the bid documents. The board discussed confirming the requirements and reviewing the state’s Department of Labor wage classifications before proceeding further.
Missouri Highway Safety Program Participation Approved
The board voted to approve participation in Missouri’s Highway Safety Program through the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The program allows police officers to work overtime shifts funded by the state to target traffic safety issues such as hazardous moving violations and impaired driving.
Police officials noted that increased crash activity during ongoing construction in the area could factor into the city’s eligibility for the program.
Major Sewer Infrastructure Repairs Under Consideration
One of the largest topics of discussion involved the city’s aging sewer infrastructure.
Engineering evaluations identified approximately $5.5 million in potential repairs across the system. After reviewing the report with public works staff, city officials identified roughly $3.3 million in high-priority projects that need attention sooner rather than later.
The city currently collects about $600,000 per year through a half-cent sales tax dedicated to sewer and stormwater improvements.
Officials discussed two possible approaches. The city could pay for improvements gradually over many years using the annual revenue, or it could finance the repairs through a loan and complete most of the work much sooner.
Under preliminary estimates, a $3.3 million loan could result in annual payments of roughly $400,000 to $420,000.
City leaders emphasized that the discussion does not involve raising taxes. Instead, the proposal would use the already-approved sales tax revenue to accelerate infrastructure improvements.
Staff will now seek loan proposals from multiple lenders and return to the board with financing options for further consideration.
City Moves Forward With Cleanup of Problem Property
The board also received an update regarding a property on Joachim Drive that has been the subject of complaints about trash and code violations.
City officials said the property owner had previously been given time to clean up the site but had largely moved the debris from the front yard into the backyard without resolving the issue.
The city plans to send a cleanup crew to remove the remaining debris. Officials said the city will seek reimbursement for the work either through a property lien or by adding the cost to the owner’s tax obligations.
Parks Department Reports Progress on Playground Expansion
Park Superintendent Candace Siebert updated the board on fundraising efforts for a playground expansion designed for children ages two to five.
So far the project has received $37,000 in donations along with an $8,300 grant. Siebert said she has also applied for a $100,000 grant through the Jefferson Foundation, with a decision expected later this year.
Siebert also announced that the Joachim Loop Trail will soon host a “StoryWalk,” a project created in partnership with the Jefferson County Library. The project will feature a series of posts displaying pages from children’s books along the walking trail so families can read the story as they walk.
The library will rotate the stories several times a year.
Officials thanked department leaders for pursuing grants and donations to support park improvements throughout the city.
If you liked this article, you’ll love The Jefferson Review.
Our free community newsletter is delivered every Thursday and Sunday, covering the local government decisions, development updates, and community stories shaping Jefferson County.
Don’t miss what impacts your town next.
Stay informed. Stay local.