Herculaneum Advances Sewer Work, Discusses Police Staffing and Holiday Help for Families

November 2 meeting touches on the everyday needs of a community preparing for winter, from officers on patrol to children awaiting a new playground.

By The Jefferson Review

Keeping police officers on patrol, bringing sewer service to vacant lots and helping families through the holidays were among the concerns before Herculaneum’s Board of Aldermen on Monday, November 2.

Alongside the evening’s votes, officials shared progress on a playground addition, revisited a neighborhood monument awaiting its return and heard an invitation to help make Christmas a little brighter for local children.

Keeping Officers on Patrol Through the Holidays

Thanksgiving and Christmas do not put police work on hold. For Herculaneum officers, working those days means receiving holiday time they can use later, but finding room to take that time off can become difficult as the year draws to a close.

The police chief asked the board to consider allowing officers to receive payment for up to 40 hours of their 96 annual holiday hours, if they choose, rather than having to use all of that time before year’s end.

The chief explained that the bulk of those hours arrive in the final quarter. Combined with vacation time, that can leave officers trying to schedule substantial time off within a short window.

The mayor said those overlapping absences can reduce the number of officers available at night. He said a review of the budget showed the city could accommodate the proposed payouts.

The proposal would give officers another option while helping the department maintain coverage.

Aldermen also raised a question of fairness: What about other city employees called away from their own holiday plans to handle emergencies, such as a water main break?

Officials agreed to work through those circumstances in a written resolution. The board tabled the proposal until the next meeting, following the city attorney’s recommendation that it return on the public agenda for action.

The general discussion had been moved from the closed session agenda into open session at the beginning of Monday’s meeting. No payout policy was approved.

An Injured Officer Faces Further Evaluation

The staffing discussion came during a meeting at which the police chief also reported that an officer had suffered a knee injury earlier that day in an incident involving a suspected impaired driver.

The chief said the officer spent several hours being evaluated at a hospital. No fracture was found, but additional imaging and a specialist’s assessment were needed to determine the extent of the injury.

The officer was expected to miss at least a week of work, with more information pending that evaluation.

Scenic Drive Sewer Work Moves Forward

The board approved a bid to extend a sewer force main along Scenic Drive, bringing service to previously vacant lots.

Before the vote, aldermen asked about the recommended contractor and the review of competing bids.

A city staff member said the project’s engineer had checked the bids to ensure they covered comparable work and had recommended accepting the lowest bid. The board approved that recommendation.

A Neighborhood Landmark Awaits Its Return

For Providence residents, another unfinished project involves the subdivision monument removed during roundabout construction.

Officials revisited the city’s earlier commitment to reinstall it, clarifying that the board had supported putting the monument back up but had declined to provide electrical service.

The remaining questions involve the property where it would stand and permission to use that location. Staff were uncertain whether a previously discussed transfer of common ground had been completed.

The mayor said he would follow up with the homeowners association and other involved parties so the city could move ahead once the necessary permission was secured.

Playground Addition Gets Closer to Welcoming Children

Herculaneum’s playground addition is moving closer to the day children can put its new equipment to use.

Officials reported that most equipment had been installed, with wall work, concrete and other finishing work still ahead. A tentative timeline discussed during the meeting pointed toward completion around the middle of December.

The board also heard that a proposal for a drone purchase was expected before the end of the year, following vendor demonstrations and work on training needs.

Officials said a FEMA Port Security Grant Program award would fund the purchase without requiring local matching funds. No purchase was approved Monday.

Other updates included the arrival of a previously approved sewer truck and continued work with engineers on stormwater drainage associated with a new port entrance road.

Helping Families Put Food on the Table and Gifts Under the Tree

The approaching holidays also brought a reminder that some families need a helping hand.

During public comment, a representative from The Salvation Army Jefferson County Service Center spoke about Angel Tree gifts, food assistance and opportunities to volunteer as a bell ringer.

She encouraged city officials to send families in need their way, particularly those in southern Jefferson County who might be less familiar with services based in Arnold.

The mayor asked whether City Hall could host a collection box for donated gifts. The representative said she would look into the options, including possible coordination involving Toys for Tots.

Other City Business

The board approved a group of business licenses and welcomed patrol officer Zachary Sims, who took the oath of office.

Officials also discussed grass maintenance along an alley, road striping near Buckeye, removal of an unused construction power pole and possible repairs to a bridge apron.

During a discussion of Blue Shield signs, the police chief said they would need to be placed on property maintained by the city because they did not meet Missouri Department of Transportation requirements for right of way maintained by the state.

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