[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6128835,"mediaKeyId","5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2","parentId",5749899,"title","Fenton aldermen vote to remove proposed soccer-field lighting from budget after extended debate","audioSeconds",2527,"startMs",2212000,"endMs",4739000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2&start=2212&end=4739","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2/thumbnail_2212000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6128835/Fenton/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Fenton-aldermen-vote-to-remove-proposed-soccer-field-lighting-from-budget-after-extended-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128835-94c7b53d256322222de92bc8e52bdce2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434786&Signature=JUneQurP256Sd2cJtyPYgR0gxWpGXuRPJqXuyfTUJ9jQ0l~uoECFX7HVM6NMqq5TGfoEYmwoWEGCsxTyRU3rKIoGq6CjOFsMFN3LQr-ej5j8kQVLEe~u2kjQNoDLqz3Nwi7l7JGUeXD6G6SMyam1Ub5M8bczi3wNhbzEkQed87otyKBWlnge~yawShRE9-3vjxT3CKfU20Qa89Vx5~2jykvMpqbDutWYZXfNamymvlMFL8elsWf1bCAy0wTA7tB6WmIUw63L9xGE8filoSF9hdw-Vlk2pfPnlCZG3mfiC2CdWqFy3J3pMbBstniqikKDjgXxOjw17nDEmAvp~AK0Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fenton","date","2025-08-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Fenton Board voted to remove a proposal to install permanent lighting on two soccer practice fields from the city budget after more than an hour of debate on Aug. 7 about costs, maintenance and how lights would affect park use. The motion to remove the project from the budget passed on a roll-call vote.

Alderman Hills, who moved the motion, framed his concerns around long-term operating costs and park character; Alderman Hills said the board should not add amenities that would fundamentally change how the park is used. Multiple aldermen raised questions about electricity costs, irrigation and field maintenance. One alderman said Ameren bills had risen significantly and warned of higher operating costs; another pointed out LED lights would be efficient but maintenance and irrigation are additional recurring costs.

Dan, a staff member handling parks and facilities, told the board the December 2019 estimate for lights was roughly $336,000 (as cited during discussion) and that irrigation and field restoration would be additional. He also noted that the sports complex and some existing fields are lit now, and the proposed lights were intended for practice fields rather than tournament fields.

Opponents argued the lights would invite outside leagues and commercial operators, increase wear on turf and require more staff time; supporters said lights would give local youth teams safe practice hours after school and provide low-cost fields for residents who cannot afford private facilities. Alderman Brian (commenting in favor) said expanded hours “give the residents that are here in the area… a field that’s got grass on it, not astroturf,” for families who cannot pay higher fees at private complexes.

The final motion — “we do not use soccer lights and remove [them] from the budget” — was moved by Alderman Hills and seconded by Alderman Jokers. Roll-call voting recorded five yes votes (Hills, Jokers, Lang, Breitscherft, Harrell), two no votes (Mazurang, Westbrack) and one abstention (Rogers). The chair declared the motion carried. The board also discussed collecting updated bids and cost estimates during the conversation, but the formal action removed the project from the budget pending any future board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Fenton - August 7, 2025 Board of Aldermen Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After a lengthy and sometimes heated discussion about cost, maintenance, community use and park character, the board voted to remove funding for soccer-field lighting from the budget and to stop pursuing installation at this time.","taxTitle","Fenton , St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",54134,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128840,"Fenton board approves Budwell Annex site plan, staff to advance engineering and apply for grant funding",474,1739000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2&start=1739&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2/thumbnail_1739000.jpg","/articles/6128840/Fenton/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Fenton-board-approves-Budwell-Annex-site-plan-staff-to-advance-engineering-and-apply-for-grant-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128840-c425e53d783ee1fe8a69e6ddb61e0305/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434786&Signature=Xe4dLZ~hj-zChXjjZ6uMcOcDLkiZUffEvEhNPhGVIuN~IuM0PMog2InrXt7ijhdQt8l1XmBPj7pBbj9HOZdPFwfj1QBkpyokrsM185EvXd79mAJhm3qrNx7bC6m~AHDXTQckPiKh7SqDCAu90xvxClPaTR-akm7PDGtPcExpcZCwomp00CXIVjymxf3Ubi8sR~7FjojNfD58BNiT7EgT8V-dqA1jHJjqYOEG3uL6613KrIxSg6DmzOD7pg1ppJgYcOzWDvXFBGzGotHNTr41uax~VES6~dMZ2VMFQ3t1B8EMexRYqOmIYWFOVZeJAOyH-ehyKeXnFxqplQfUFZNSEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fenton Board authorized the city to advance engineering for the Budwell Annex site plan and signaled support for applying for grant funding for Phase 2 of the project. The property — a 12-acre parcel purchased in 2018 — is intended to provide vehicle parking and ADA access to the adjacent Fabick Nature Preserve.

Staff described a two-phase approach consistent with the master plan adopted in 2024. Per staff presentation, the master plan estimated development of the upper area with parking and ADA access at $1,700,000; because of the higher cost, staff divided the project into Phase 1 and Phase 2 in the city’s capital plan. Staff reported a Phase 1 detailed estimate of $7,725,000 and noted the city received the maximum available grant from the Municipal Park Commission in 2024 for Phase 1 at $350,000. Phase 2 was described as including a compost or vault restroom, a pavilion, pond restoration and ADA sidewalks; staff reported an estimated Phase 2 cost of $990,000 and said staff has applied for grant funding for Phase 2 through the Municipal Park Commission.

Aldermen raised questions about parking counts, trail connections to the lower park and ADA trail grades. One alderman asked whether 24 parking spaces at the upper lot were excessive; staff replied that adding parking now could be cheaper than returning later to add spaces. Staff reiterated the ADA access route was constrained by site grades and that a non-ADA nature trail connection to the lower park had been shown in prior plans but would not be fully developed under the current phase.

Alderman Mazurang moved to open the plan to the full board; Alderman Brightshaft seconded and the motion carried. Later Mazurang moved to approve the site plan and have Cochran Engineering proceed with detailed plans; Alderman Whisperrock seconded. The motion to approve the site plan and proceed with engineering carried. Staff said Cochran would begin detailed engineering so the city could go out to bid in the fall and, if funded, begin construction in the spring. Staff also told the board that construction-phase soil testing and detailed design could identify minor changes requiring future amendments.

The approval allows staff to submit grant materials as planned; staff noted approval does not commit the city to construction until funding and final bids are secured.","The board approved a site plan for the Budwell Annex to provide vehicle and ADA access to the Fabick Nature Preserve and authorized Cochran Engineering to proceed to detailed engineering; staff will submit a grant application for phase 2.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128844,"Fenton board committee favors BS&A financial software after presentations and cost debate",1481,256000,1737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2&start=256&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749899-1204ea34ab73863210f83f01620129c2/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6128844/Fenton/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Fenton-board-committee-favors-BSA-financial-software-after-presentations-and-cost-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128844-a51bc485cd25c93ab3b51fa19c2f5eaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434786&Signature=PWrmIKoeHTTwexoSU7CbId2Qejkgb3F4Wdjria1~YDfsDBTP1vhmKTD0u~~f1~W4aJbt9ugsma4bRBJo0GTunnsXmhepRY8ITRNzxqu4TUV6lbJlgiSm4P~tUGIUqZSk5e9osQyJx3yEy4b0XR5wZgJ2HdQ-BDEuSoSKwcniL973BaUHrtlgGjlwdjfZA207BzLPao6X68ltIpEZPIiQyODoFqA4LJnorlljVAScEUI9r~5~d7TAg-iE53iqiGATpRxZIMgpEpCORCO~~7Ix-rNJ7LehAZ9XaFsOOcVRX-9bc2Jt0OAlp9H-RX6y0dopzIITc-oe3vDdL3jGcCxZWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fenton capital improvements committee voted to advance a recommendation to adopt BS&A financial software after hearing presentations from staff on conversion scope, costs and operational benefits. The discussion on Aug. 7 centered on conversion of prior years of financial data, cloud hosting, user access and long-term maintenance costs.

City Administrator Nikki Finkfeiner presented the evaluation, saying staff solicited eight bid notices, seven firms requested bid packets and two vendors submitted proposals. Tammy, the city’s finance director, described operational problems with the current system and told the committee, “the software we’re using is locking up on us. It just isn’t working very well for us anymore.”

The two written bids shown to the committee included a BS&A base first-year bid of $71,910 (including travel of $14,165) and a quoted annual fee thereafter; the other vendor, Edmonds GovTech, quoted a lower base price in year one but offered conversion of fewer prior years of data. Committee members and staff noted that BS&A’s proposal would convert five years of prior data and include on-site training, while the alternate proposal would convert one year of prior data.

Board members also questioned contract length, exit provisions and security for cloud hosting. Tammy said the city will get written confirmation about data portability and other contract terms and that staff would request security and backup details from the vendor. Nikki Finkfeiner confirmed bidders were required to sign the city’s professional services form contract and that the contract allows the city to terminate for convenience while paying for services used to that date.

Alderman Mazurang moved to forward the recommendation to adopt BS&A to the full board; Alderman Hills seconded the motion. The committee recorded the motion as carried. The committee asked staff to confirm timeline and the expected overlap required between the city’s existing software license and implementation of the new system so the city would not require an additional short-term extension.

Staff emphasized next steps would include obtaining the written security/backup documentation, confirming conversion and data-portability language, and setting a conversion schedule with the vendor. No final purchase contract was signed during the meeting; the committee forwarded the recommendation for the full board to take final action.","The Board's capital improvements committee recommended the city proceed with a cloud-based financial software package from BS&A after hearing presentations, cost comparisons and conversion details; the board voted to forward the recommendation for final approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fenton aldermen vote to remove proposed soccer-field lighting from budget after extended debate

Fenton board approves Budwell Annex site plan, staff to advance engineering and apply for grant funding

Fenton board committee favors BS&A financial software after presentations and cost debate