Byrnes Mill Prepares for Fall Festival, Police Night Out as City Discusses Roads, Equipment and HB 2818

Fall community events, city infrastructure and Missouri’s recently enacted annexation law were among the topics before the Byrnes Mill Board of Alderpersons during its Wednesday, Sept. 16 meeting.

Officials provided updates on preparations for the city’s Fall Festival and the Byrnes Mill Police Department’s upcoming Night Out, which is expected to feature face painting, a petting zoo and a particularly small guest with a connection to the city’s police chief.

Mayor Robert Kiczenski also discussed House Bill 2818 and the legal challenge being pursued by Crystal City. While Byrnes Mill officials have previously expressed concerns about the annexation legislation, Kiczenski said the city has elected, at least for now, to remain outside of the legal fight.

Fall Festival Preparations Continue

The city is continuing preparations for its annual Fall Festival. Officials reporting during the meeting reported that vendor participation is growing, with 12 vendors now signed up.

Byrnes Mill has continued seeking additional vendors, with the city advertising booth spaces for $20 for businesses and individuals selling items including handcrafted products, baked goods, boutique merchandise, and home décor.

Preparations are also taking place around city property. Near the end of the meeting, Kiczenski said crews were working in the garden area and addressing other maintenance in preparation for the festival.

The festival remains one of the city’s larger community events and traditionally includes vendors and family activities including face painting and games.

Police Night Out to Feature Baby Colt Named Chief

The Byrnes Mill Police Department is also preparing for its annual community Night Out, which brings residents together with police, emergency responders and local organizations.

This year’s plans include face painting, a petting zoo and participation from a local animal sanctuary.

One of the event’s youngest visitors, however, may become one of its biggest attractions.

A recently born colt named Chief is expected to attend the event. The colt was named after Byrnes Mill Police Chief Frank Selvaggio, giving the animal’s appearance an additional local connection.

The city describes National Night Out as a free event intended to connect the community with the people who serve it, including Byrnes Mill police officers, area fire, ambulance, and emergency communications personnel.

The department also discussed training during its report. Officials described upcoming officer training that focuses not only on physical encounters but on the mindset and mental preparation involved in surviving serious incidents.

Byrnes Mill Staying Outside HB 2818 Legal Fight for Now

Kiczenski used his mayor’s report to update alderpersons on the ongoing debate surrounding House Bill 2818, which changes municipal annexation requirements in Jefferson County.

The legislation took effect Aug. 28 after being signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. For Jefferson County municipalities, the law provides that an unincorporated area proposed for annexation must share at least 25 percent of its perimeter with the annexing municipality. It also restricts a municipality from annexing an unincorporated area contiguous to another unincorporated area it annexed during the previous 24 months.

Crystal City filed suit in Cole County on Aug. 26 seeking to block the Jefferson County annexation provisions. The legal challenge remains pending.

During the Byrnes Mill meeting, Kiczenski said the city has elected not to enter the legal challenge at this time. His discussion referenced advice from municipal counsel as well as the potential financial considerations involved in participating in the case.

Kiczenski said Crystal City has more immediate circumstances surrounding annexation and pointed to property associated with the James Hardie development as an example of how the new restrictions could affect a city attempting to expand its boundaries as a project develops.

For Byrnes Mill, however, the current decision is to remain outside the lawsuit rather than share in the legal conflict and its associated costs.

Franks Court Road Repair Moves Forward

Road maintenance also received attention Wednesday.

Under old business, alderpersons returned to a proposed repair on Franks Court. After discussing the project, a motion was made to approve $10,000 for the road repair.

Officials also discussed other road conditions later in the meeting. Kiczenski praised the results of recent double-seal and striping work on a city roadway, saying the completed project had turned out well.

Another area drew concerns over a noticeable dip in the road near a culvert. Officials discussed obtaining asphalt to address the problem and looking further into when previous work in the area had been completed and whether additional corrective work may be necessary.

Tax Levy, Salt and Public Works Equipment

The board also handled several pieces of routine city legislation.

Bill No. 2026-999 dealt with Byrnes Mill’s 2026 ad valorem property tax rates. During discussion, officials said the measure did not represent an increase in the city’s tax rates for 2026. The legislation proceeded through its readings during the meeting.

The Sept. 16 agenda also included Resolution No. 2026-670, an agreement with Compass Minerals for bulk de-icing salt, and Resolution No. 2026-671, authorizing equipment installation on the city’s 2026 Public Works Ford F-550.

During discussion of the public works vehicle, alderpersons reviewed equipment associated with the truck, including a snowplow and related components.

Police Vehicle Quotes Reviewed

Police equipment also generated discussion when alderpersons reviewed plans involving two police vehicles.

Board members sought clarification because paperwork appeared to provide pricing for only one vehicle even though the city had discussed purchasing or outfitting two. Officials agreed that the documentation should clearly show two vehicles, either through separate quotes or paperwork clearly identifying both purchases.

The discussion also touched on additional key fobs for the police vehicles. Officials explained that obtaining additional programmed fobs as part of the initial vehicle purchase is substantially less expensive than replacing them later.

Administrative and City Property Updates

Officials also noted that city staff had attended a Missouri Municipal League conference during the week, with additional information from the conference expected to be shared later. The meeting discussion also referenced ongoing professional certification work.

City property and landscaping were another topic during Kiczenski’s report.

Officials discussed an area where planting trees may not be possible because of a utility easement. The board instead talked about whether cedar trees or other vegetation could be placed nearby to create a visual boundary and improve the appearance of the area.

Those discussions came as the city continues cleaning and preparing public areas ahead of the Fall Festival.

The meeting concluded following the mayor’s report and an opportunity for public comment. The published agenda called for the board to then enter a closed session under Missouri law for matters involving legal issues, real estate and personnel.

For residents, some of the most visible results of Wednesday’s meeting will likely come in the weeks ahead from road and public works projects to the city’s Fall Festival and Police Night Out. And for those attending the police event, Chief the colt may give residents one more reason to stop by and meet the people, and animals, taking part in this year’s gathering.

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