Brentwood alderman Slusser resigns; officials OK light dimmers on Litzsinger

Residents on Litzsinger Road in Brentwood will have those too-bright, new street lights dimmed. The lights are part of a project to make Litzsinger more pedestrian-friendly, but home owners say the lights, specified by project engineers, are too bright at night. Monday night Brentwood officials voted 6-2 to spend $9,825 for electronic dimmers.

City Administrator Bola Akande said the lights meet the project engineers’ specifications. She also said the engineers made the decision to use dimmers; they could have gone with shields, which would have been less expensive.

Ward 3 Alderman Andy Leahy asked if the dimmers can be adjusted if the lights are dimmed too much. He said it comes down to residents’ “personal feelings” how they like their lights, and they should just use window blinds to block the light.

Ward 4 Alderman Kathy O’Neill asked if this could lead to residents all over the city requesting street light modifications. She said she has a bright light outside her window and uses a blind. Mayor Chris Thornton said the difference with the light by her residence and the ones on Litzsinger is that Ameren owns it, and not the city.

Ward 1 Alderman David Dimmitt — the lights are in Ward 1 — said he is taking the residents at their word, that the lights are a problem.

Leahy and O’Neill cast the only no votes.

Bill limiting how close convicted sex offenders can be to schools, childcare facilities

Officials passed a bill that limits convicted sex offenders to be no closer than 1,000 feet from schools, child care or similar facilities. City attorney, Kevin O’Keefe said this would broaden a state law already in effect.

Maddenfest video

City officials also approved spending $7,543 for a promotional video featuring Maddenfest (Brentwood Days).

Leahy asked if the city is trying to attract Brentwood residents, and not non-residents, to Madenfest, why is the video being made? He also asked bout the cost. He said he remembered when Kevin McCarthy made videos for the city it was less. Akande told him McCarthy was a city employee.

Thornton called the video a “building block” in marketing material the city is developing to attract families and businesses to Brentwood.

Conflicts of interest bill

The aldermen also passed a ordinance — first and second readings — to require elected officials to disclose property they own in the city. Leahy said conflict of interest was never raised by the state auditor, and it’s never been a problem. He said board members have recused themselves in the past when needed.

Steve Lochmoeller said the bill doesn’t go far enough, that it should also include appointed officials to city boards. A vote to send the bill back to ways and means, to have them consider including appointed officials in the ordinance, and adding lease hold interests and campaign contributions as well, failed 4-5, with Thornton breaking the tie.

Aldermen Dimmitt, Plufka, Sims and Slusser voted to keep the bill on the floor. Aldermen Kramer, Leahy, Lochmoeller and O’Neill voted to send the bill back to ways and means. Thornton broke the tie, saying, “I will take as much disclosure and transparency as this board is willing to give me.”

In the final vote Kramer and O’Neill cast the only no votes.

Alderman Slusser resigns

At the end of the meeting Ward 2 Alderman Keith Slusser announced his resignation from the board, saying he is moving to Ward 1, so he must resign as Ward 2 alderman. His replacement will be appointed.