[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6023229,"mediaKeyId","5763967-bb43186499e814efc8103a5b9121805d","parentId",5763967,"title","Maplewood approves $14,619 drone purchase for emergency and inspection use amid privacy, legal questions","audioSeconds",1276,"startMs",902000,"endMs",2178000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5763967-bb43186499e814efc8103a5b9121805d&start=902&end=2178","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5763967-bb43186499e814efc8103a5b9121805d/thumbnail_902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6023229/Maplewood/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Maplewood-approves-14619-drone-purchase-for-emergency-and-inspection-use-amid-privacy-legal-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023229-f68c0d71adff468c9cb290c62cd0013c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810217&Signature=GSjpTan7qzIIwKKlrrYDMcBypJFW7cyQIA6R13HAbZptlswcGh98Cd8ZkpNHJASTRTTO8a53lAVj~3oF5h88jLikptQIDXI3c~RkDTaK-IwEXMF6Pbzjkfr9uKpn77kx58UEx2BcYkjFa65HkY0FHyPLUE07AuICmCCNTILPzenrycphJPsCrz~wrg74LZdQSrUp0YNs09~iVDgtQReUL-oJHnhptUakqPHfT3VzJhkYZOiMjzvJVuJVOoBmFqXwpw0ffD6TthC8RKY~y09TfNzJeCS5YIEpo3B2-9m5dXksTT3LF8b14Bl1COZCLiFOhjxqzdZFLkU9B2xBOGNLrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Maplewood","date","2025-06-11T12:55:36Z","article","The Maplewood City Council voted on June 10 to approve Resolution 25‑8, authorizing the city manager to accept a bid from DSLR Pros for the purchase of a drone in the amount of $14,619.

The resolution followed extended discussion about operational policies, legal exposure and whether the particular drone model might be affected by pending federal restrictions on some foreign‑made devices. Mayor Greenberg said the drone bid “is a bargain in some respect” but acknowledged uncertainty over potential future federal action affecting certain manufacturers.

Council members asked about training and operational procedures. A staff member said two police officers are already trained and licensed and recommended that at minimum public works and the fire department also obtain licenses. The council discussed proficiency requirements; a staff member noted pilots must maintain a 20‑minute flight every two months under the department’s general order to retain proficiency.

Legal questions about records and search‑warrant requirements were addressed in detail by the city attorney (unnamed in the record). The attorney explained that video captured by the drone may be a public record subject to Missouri’s Sunshine Law and that law enforcement records linked to an active investigation generally remain closed while active. He described that, absent exigent circumstances, the general order provides that officers will obtain a warrant before using drone footage for an investigative search. “It’s about intent,” the attorney said, distinguishing routine inspections or public‑view captures from directed searches.

Council members also discussed sharing the drone with neighboring municipalities for emergencies or inspections. Staff said Maplewood has benefited previously from other departments’ drone footage (for example during Deer Creek flooding) and that the city is open to coordinating use, but insurance and loan provisions would need to be examined.

Council debate included cost, timing and municipal need; one council member noted the purchase had been appropriated in the budget last year. After discussion the council voted in favor; Mayor Greenberg and Council Members Homa, Maddox, Page, Wiley and Faulkingham voted yes and the resolution passed.

Staff said the drone includes infrared capability desired by the fire department, that the bid includes batteries and accessories, and that the city will add the device to its insurable equipment list.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Maplewood 6-10-2025 City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved Resolution 25‑8 to accept a $14,619 bid from DSLR Pros for a drone; discussion covered training, sharing with neighboring municipalities, insurance, records retention, and potential federal restrictions on certain manufacturers.","taxTitle","Maplewood, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",72616,"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},6023234,"Maplewood council adopts $26 million fiscal 2025-26 budget after debate on transparency",877,95000,972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5763967-bb43186499e814efc8103a5b9121805d&start=95&end=972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5763967-bb43186499e814efc8103a5b9121805d/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6023234/Maplewood/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Maplewood-council-adopts-26-million-fiscal-2025-26-budget-after-debate-on-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023234-5e7fb67b52587c9903a481673273643a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810217&Signature=X3C1VpIfMVobW4LOJ1afeiCIC2uo9AMivIeJJifEe3tnNzJgqgrUj6quI5zoWEjU~PamC-Mw-qdVyzP4Hct14-tg41VKpwAm8zv9jKelhe~Wa2N1bgulaCYdf1S-dwIM74VGFjXn3NlyqM3nafKj3ItiJvie2wI~DqB4LAo-hY5vh7yYIfKQ0PbUww~r1977Onso6xwTNiyU2gsGO8tmbzyDJkmFw5DvXmYSukvQMhSc~OLpG2jGdBMNeLOV0m41wys0JB93KcDXTDzzR5hq2lQgD-YUNVDLx0edDE4-2ev-ZaIZwA0OthuWkBCv1HAHLysuF3lb-xsiFsxyEwa6fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maplewood City Council approved final reading of Bill 62‑82 on June 10, adopting the city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Resident DJ Howard, who spoke during the public comment period, said residents needed a clearer, visual summary of how the city spends revenue and noted concerns about rising property assessments. “I want that money to stay in our community,” Howard said, adding that the budget felt opaque and that he expected “a quick, you know, pie chart.”

Council members and staff responded that budget review sessions were available and that a formal budget book will be published after council approval. A city staff member said the city recently adopted ClearGov budget software and intends to enable an online transparency portal after July 1 so residents can “click through and see the budget in real time,” and that quarterly variance reports will reconcile budget to actuals.

Council discussion acknowledged a roughly $4 million increase in the city’s overall budget compared with prior years. Staff said a significant portion of this year’s increase is driven by the Greenwood and Great Rivers Greenway project, which is “80% grant funded” and therefore added substantially to capital improvements totals.

The council took the roll call vote after discussion; Mayor Greenberg and Council Members Homa, Maddox, Page, Wiley and Faulkingham voted to approve Bill 62‑82 on final reading. A council member noted the formal budget book takes four to six weeks to produce and accepted the resident’s suggestion to provide a more concise visual summary at the time of future first and second reading presentations.

The ordinance was approved on final reading (council announced the ordinance number informally as “6070 something”). Staff said the ClearGov portal will be enabled after July 1 and that quarterly budget‑to‑actual reporting will appear in the portal once configured.

Less critical items discussed simultaneously included continued explanations of revenue sources — staff reiterated that over 50% of the city’s revenues come from sales tax — and guidance about where residents may view county assessment and tax details online.","The Maplewood City Council approved final reading of Bill 62‑82 adopting the city’s fiscal 2025‑26 budget. Council and staff pointed residents to online budget materials and said a larger, grant‑funded capital project drove most of the year‑over‑year increase.","actionData","errors"]

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Maplewood approves $14,619 drone purchase for emergency and inspection use amid privacy, legal questions

Maplewood council adopts $26 million fiscal 2025-26 budget after debate on transparency