Cheaper Mechanical License Fees on Arnold Council’s Agenda

Arnold city council members will have a relatively light agenda for the Thursday, March 15, city council meeting at City Hall.

Councilmen will consider the following issues:

• Lower the fees for mechanical licenses
• Transfer funds to repair the Arnold City Park boat ramp and trail
• Purchase a generator and tent for the Arnold Farmers’ Market
• Approve a code amendment regarding bars and cocktail lounges
• Consider a bid for mosquito control

$15 Mechanical Code Fee

Community Development Director Mary Holden suggested, during the council work session on March 8, lowering the mechanical license fee to $15.

The proposed fee would be comparable to fees in St. Louis County, St. Louis city, Jefferson County and St. Charles County, she said

She also suggested an annual renewal fee of $15. 

$6,000 for Mosquito Control

Holden will also recommend the city spend about $6,000 on a mosquito-control contractor.

Only two businesses competed for the contract, Holden said in a memo to councilmen.

The suggested contractor, Adapco, will cost an extra $300 but it can provide environment-friendly chemicals.

Arnold City Park Repairs

It will cost about $8,500 to repair the Arnold City Park boat ramp and improve its drainage, Finance Director Debbie Lewis said in a memo to councilmen.

The city will purchase about $2,500 of rock to strengthen the ramp, $1,000 of drain pipe, and rent machinery for two weeks at a cost of $4,000.

Lewis also suggested $1,000 be set aside for miscellaneous costs related to the repairs.

Farmers’ Market Tent, Generator Needed

Lewis also said the city needs to rent a 20-foot by 20-foot sized tent and a generator, to support Farmers’ Market operations, for 17 weeks.

The market will open for the first in May.

The two items total rental cost will be $7,990, Lewis said.

Defining a Bar, Cocktail Lounge

Arnold’s laws fail to define a business that only serves alcoholic drinks.

City employees were researching whether the businesses could exist in Arnold’s commercial business district, City Administrator Matt Unrein said in a memo to councilmen.

Currently all businesses that serve alcoholic drinks, in Arnold, serve food.

Councilmen will vote, during the 7 p.m. meeting, to approve a bill the defines a bar and a cocktail lounge and grants the businesses a conditional business permit.