City Council Meeting Addresses Ruth Park Lights and City Employee Compensation Bill

At University City’s Council Monday meeting, citizens voiced strong concerns about the . 

University City resident Lawrence Nash said he is concerned about the grant money the city received and used for the lighting on the golf course driving range.

“I think it’s horrible that U City takes the money, spends it on the asset, then doesn’t use the asset after only 18 months,” Nash said.

University City has already spent approximately $39,000 of the grant budget for the installation of the lights, which are shut off at night.

Turning off the lights at night has led to a decrease in revenues because nighttime golfers cannot play on the course. 

This comes as shock to some concerned residents because the lights were installed so that they could be turned on after dark. However, there have reportedly been some complaints about the lights being too bright for residents who live near the course.

Residents appeared before the grant commission and requested that University City return the money given for the lights on driving range or be disqualified for any future grants.  

“We are working to make sure present and future appointments and reappointments are in line with the ordinances so that there can be no question about the validity about the work of those groups,” City Manager Lehman Walker said at the start of his report in reference to concerns about city employees, budgeting, and city management.

Other issues brought up in the meeting were Bills 9115 and 9118, an ordinance fixing the compensation paid to city employees and an ordinance related to parking restrictions on certain streets in and around the University City Loop, respectively. 

Bill 9115 was approved the council with a 3 to 1 vote during the meeting. Each year there are recommendations made for employees’ compensation by an adopted bill. This year, there were no pay increases.  

Every year the city must adopt a compensation ordinance to be approved by the City Council. Walker told University City Patch that Bill 9115 does not impact his compensation package. 

“I have a contract, so I am not referred to in the compensation ordinance,” he said. 

Walker’s compensation package is the same as the one offered to the previous city manager, Julie Feier. The city manager's contract has a provision stating that termination prior to 18 months of service requires two years severance pay, nine months severance for 18 to 48 months, and six months severance for serving 48 months or more.