Byrnes Mill Readies Fall Festival as Leaders Consider Challenge to Annexation Law

BYRNES MILL — With the city’s Fall Festival set for Oct. 3, Byrnes Mill officials are pressing for quick cleanup and restoration of areas disturbed by recent utility work near the city park.

City officials reported that a pressure test on a new sewer force main had been completed successfully. The next step is connecting the Silverstone area, after which crews are expected to fill the remaining excavation, remove equipment and begin restoring the affected ground.

Mayor Rob Kiczenski said he wanted grass seed and erosion matting placed as soon as possible, particularly with additional rain possible. He said the exposed clay could become slick and create problems for children, visitors and equipment during the festival. The city has already begun contacting vendors for the event.

Public works crews also plan to mow, collect debris and continue cleaning around the park as contractors finish their work. Officials discussed additional road cleanup and surface work near Cedar Lake and Echo Lake, with some of that work dependent on a stretch of dry weather.

The city is also preparing to seek proposals for its next residential trash collection contract. The city administrator said the goal is to release the request for proposals in early October, leave it open for approximately one month and close the process in November.

Learn More About Tim

PAID FOR BY Friends of Tim Bennett, Alex Schwent, Treasurer

A major portion of Kiczenski’s report focused on House Bill 2818, which Gov. Mike Kehoe signed July 13. The new law takes effect Aug. 28 and changes annexation rules in Jefferson and St. Charles counties while also allowing St. Joseph to annex its city-owned airport even though the property is not contiguous with the city.

The legislation began as a proposal allowing St. Joseph to annex Rosecrans Memorial Airport, which is already owned by the city but sits outside its municipal boundaries. Restrictions affecting Jefferson and St. Charles counties were added later in the legislative process.

Kiczenski said local officials understood that a veto was unlikely because rejecting HB 2818 would also have eliminated the St. Joseph airport provision.

The mayor called the Jefferson County provisions “very targeted” and “very punitive for Jefferson County.”

“It just doesn’t feel right,” Kiczenski said, later describing the legislation as “really hurtful.” Noting the involvement and lack of communication by Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman who has previously lived in Jefferson County and sponsored this Bill.

Kiczenski said Jefferson County mayors and city administrators plan to meet soon to discuss their next steps. He said those discussions could include litigation challenging the new law.

Police Chief Frank Selvaggio also reported that Byrnes Mill officers will be recognized at next week’s Missouri Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council conference in Columbia. The conference runs from July 20 through July 24, and the Byrnes Mill department will also help provide headquarters support.

The chief said Byrnes Mill is working with the Hillsboro Police Department on joint training. Hillsboro officers will provide training on their new Tasers, while Byrnes Mill will assist with DWI enforcement maintenance, an arrangement expected to save both departments money.

Selvaggio also said the department will defend its championship at a Special Olympics Missouri competition on Aug. 1.

Finally, Byrnes Mill police are beginning a school-supply drive for the coming school year. The department plans to collect supplies and backpacks while also raising money to support a student lunch program.