Florissant City Council Looks at Lowering Judge's Salary

As candidates begin to come forward for the Nov. 8 election, the Florissant City Council has yet to set the salary for the new judge.

During the July 11 meeting, the council introduced Bill 8757, which would reduce the salary of municipal court judge to $44,000 annually. Currently, the municipal court judge receives $55,000 plus an allowance for additional dockets, Florissant City Clerk Karen Goodwin said.

Monday night, Ward 1 Councilman Tim Lee stated that correspondence had occurred throughout that afternoon in relation to a substitute bill. Lee asked if the bill could be continued until the Aug. 8 meeting and give the council extra time to review the substitute bill.

Council President Keith English said it would be added to the council’s public work session on Wednesday for discussion.

Council covers big issues in executive session 

Despite a short council meeting, the executive session discussed a few heavy topics including a citywide smoking ban, a sagging pants ordinance and grass height regulations.

English pointed out he wanted a discussion with the council on whether ordinances should be drafted to the related topics.

With sagging pants, English asked if the council would be interested in passing an ordinance against the cultural style.

Councilors pointed out that they believed that Pine Lawn is the only municipality with such an ordinance in the St. Louis County area. Recently, Collinsville, IL, located approximately 26 miles from Florissant, passed a law.

Ward 8 Councilman Mark Schmidt said he would not have a part of such an ordinance, and Councilman Lee followed up with his take on the issue.

“There should be existing things the public could do depending on the situation,” Lee said. “I don’t see how you could draft something like that that’s enforceable.”

The council decided to not pursue a sagging pants ordinance bill but could pursue further action regarding the smoking ban.

English said he would like to pursue a 100-percent , with no exemptions allowed and would like for the county area to move in that direction.

Ward 7 Councilwoman Karen McKay said she hasn’t supported the exemptions, and the ban has put an unnecessary burden on local businesses.

She implored residents to speak to their St. Louis County Council representative about a stronger smoking ban.

Currently, the St. Louis County smoking ban allows businesses with less than 25 percent of its business going toward food can apply for an exemption.

With summer in full force, the council also considered changing the regulations for grass heights, but the council decided to let them stand where they are.