Florissant City Council Approves Propositions for April's Ballot

Besides the , Florissant residents will have to decide on whether to approve .

The unanimously approved to add the propositions to the April 3 ballot Monday night.

Ward 8 Councilman Mark Schmidt said that the propositions would bring the city charter up to date with what’s going on in today’s world.

Two of the three propositions, Schmidt said, would put the City of Florissant in line with the St. Louis County Board of Elections.

Residents will have to consider Proposition 2, which would update the charter to call for an election at the next available date in the result of a tie, and it would allow the election to be held at the next available date in line with the St. Louis County Board of Elections' schedule. Currently, it reads, “If two (2) or more candidates receive an equal and the highest number of votes for the same office, another election between the candidates so tied shall be held within thirty (30) days after the original election.”

With Proposition 3, which would update the charter to call for an election for a vacated office that has more than 180 days left until expiration should have an election in the next available election date under law. Thus, that election would fall in line with the election schedule of the St. Louis County Board of Elections.

Currently, the city charter says, “Such election shall be held within 100 days after the occurrence of the vacancy and shall be in conducted in the same manner as provided for regular elections.”

Proposition 1 would allow residents, , to run for election in that ward.

“It didn’t seem fair for people who lived in a ward for many years … to not take advantage of the political system as they seem fit,” Councilman Schmidt said.

The election will be held April 3.

New commissioner appointed to planning and zoning

Ward 2 Councilman John Grib motioned for the appointment of Florissant resident Steven Olds to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which was approved by the council.

Commissioner James Ross stepped down late last year from the commission, and the council recently interviewed four candidates to replace him.

The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 6.