Kimmswick Works Through Culvert Improvements, Witches Night Out Plans, and Blue Shield Proposal
KIMMSWICK, Mo. — Culvert improvements, preparations for Witches Night Out, and a possible Missouri Blue Shield designation for the city were among the topics before the Kimmswick Board of Aldermen during its Monday, Sept. 14 meeting.
Mayor Kenneth Kraft III and the Board of Aldermen worked through several issues facing the historic river town, including ongoing efforts to improve drainage in areas where residents have raised concerns about water runoff.
City Continues Work on Culverts
During the Public Works report, city officials said crews have been working their way through culverts around Kimmswick, clearing blockages and opening drainage pipes.
“We’ve been getting to clear all the culverts,” a Public Works representative told the board, adding that crews had completed work at another location that morning and were continuing efforts to get pipes opened and water moving properly.
The issue came up again during public comments, when residents asked about drainage problems in their neighborhoods.
City officials said Kimmswick is working on culverts that can currently be repaired and continuing through the system as funding allows. At one location, crews are working to deepen a drainage area in an effort to redirect water away from nearby properties.
Officials also acknowledged that some larger drainage solutions could become considerably more expensive and may eventually require additional engineering, surveying, curbing, or other infrastructure improvements.
For now, the city said its focus is on cleaning existing drainage areas and repairing problems that can be addressed with the resources available.
“At this moment in time, we are working on cleaning out everything we can and fixing stuff,” city officials told residents during the discussion.
Witches Night Out Returns Oct. 10
The board also worked through preparations for Witches Night Out, one of Kimmswick’s signature fall events.
The 2026 Witches Night Out is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout historic Kimmswick. The event will feature live entertainment, shopping, food, costume activities, magic performances, and other attractions.
Monday’s discussion centered largely on how Kimmswick merchants can extend their businesses into areas along city streets during the event and how booth-space fees should be handled.
Several merchants expressed interest in bringing tables or tents outside their storefronts to make the downtown area more festive and interactive for visitors. Representatives estimated that roughly eight to 10 businesses may be interested in using space beyond their own property.
Board members discussed the need to balance that idea with concerns about street access, emergency vehicles, vendor oversight, and ensuring outside vendors do not use local merchants as a way around the event’s normal vendor process.
After working through the issue, the board chose to leave the existing arrangement in place for this year. Merchants may use their own property, while those wanting designated space in the city street will continue through the existing booth-space process.
Board members and event representatives agreed that the process should be addressed earlier next year so that rules involving streets, vendors, merchants, fees, and responsibilities can be established well ahead of the event.
The discussion followed the board’s approval of the remaining scheduled 2026 events presented during Monday’s meeting.
Police Department Exploring Blue Shield Designation
Kimmswick Police also brought forward another idea that could eventually help the city obtain additional resources for law enforcement.
The department told the board it is interested in beginning the process of having Kimmswick recognized through Missouri’s Blue Shield Program.
The program, administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, recognizes local governments that demonstrate support for public safety and law enforcement. The designation can also provide qualifying law enforcement agencies access to state grant opportunities for equipment, training, and technology.
Kimmswick Police told the board that the department wants to begin working through the paperwork associated with the program.
The discussion came as city officials also talked about the financial challenges involved in providing equipment for a small police department. Police representatives described officers purchasing some equipment themselves, while board members emphasized the city’s limited budget and the importance of finding grants and other outside funding when possible.
City legal counsel cautioned that becoming a Blue Shield community requires a formal process and should ultimately return to the Board of Aldermen as an agenda item once the necessary preparation has been completed.
“There are a lot of great opportunities that open up for municipalities that consider Blue Shield,” counsel told the board, while explaining that the required work should be completed before the matter is brought back for formal approval.
Kimmswick has not yet received Blue Shield designation. The Missouri Department of Public Safety’s current 2026 list includes several nearby Jefferson County communities, including Crystal City, De Soto, Herculaneum, Pevely, Festus, and Arnold, but does not currently list Kimmswick.
The discussion Monday represented an early step, with the Police Department expected to continue researching the program and bring the issue back to the Board of Aldermen once the requirements are ready for consideration.
Kimmswick’s current elected leadership includes Mayor Kenneth Kraft III, Mayor Pro-tem Andrew Arnold and Alderman Raymond Chee representing Ward 1, and Alderwoman Donna Paszkiewicz and Alderman Andrew Kennedy representing Ward 2.
Between drainage work already underway, preparations for a busy fall tourism season, and the search for additional resources for public safety, Monday’s meeting reflected several of the day-to-day challenges facing the small historic city as it works to maintain services and prepare for some of its busiest weeks of the year.