City of Frontenac, Missouri

E-Newsletter Update

On behalf of the City of Frontenac, we are sickened by the actions surrounding the death of George Floyd. We are heartbroken for his friends and family, and like all citizens, hope that justice is served.

Given everything that is going on in our nation and our local community, I thought it was important to share some perspective about our commitment to continuously assess for and address behaviors and/or systems that promote equitable treatment. Racism has no place in the City of Frontenac, particularly among people who represent or work for the city.

Frontenac public services, including police, fire, EMS, and the court system are committed to fair and equitable treatment for all. 

Frontenac Police Department is in complete compliance with Missouri Police Association Accreditation standards. We are committed to a court system where parties experience a fair system managed in a timely and impartial manner. Police, Fire/EMS, and other staff also maintain compliance with accreditation standards, a code of conduct, and annual continuing education related to racism and interpersonal perspectives. Policies and processes to review the use of force, unusual occurrences, and public complaints are established to identify any trends or patterns within a department or with any individual. A plan for corrective action, such as training or discipline, is then implemented.

Community input is an important part of our commitment to fair and equitable treatment in Frontenac. 

The Frontenac Police maintain a citizen police academy, and all departments actively participate in the review and reporting of progress on strategic priorities defined to help assure achievement of the mission of our city and behaviors that are consistent with the values defined in the Strategic Plan approved unanimously by the Board of Aldermen in March of 2020.

Frontenac welcomes resident input and participation on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees. Active participation of residents in the work of our city, in addition to open communications, helps to assure transparency and accountability.

Frontenac Committees & Commissions

If you have an interest in serving on one of the city boards, committees, or commissions, please contact Jaysen Christensen at Jchristensen@CityofFrontenac.org or me at Mayor@CityofFrontenac.org.

The Ways and Means Committee reviews and makes recommendations on the city's annual budget and monitors the fiscal health of the city throughout the year. The committee typically meets at 5:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. The Ways & Means Committee consists of the Treasurer, who is also the Committee Chair, an Assistant City Treasurer, an Alderman, and five residents. The City Finance Officer, Lea Ann Bennett, serves as the staff liaison to this committee.

The Planning and Zoning Commission makes recommendations relating to the planning and developments in the city. This commission is also tasked with adopting and maintaining a comprehensive land-use plan. Citizens are strongly encouraged to provide input to this commission. The commission typically meets at 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Members of this commission include an appointed Alderperson, a resident Chairperson, and six additional residents. The Building Commissioner and Zoning Administrator serves as the staff liaison to the commission.

The Public Works Commission reviews and proposes solutions for streets, stormwater problems, streetlights, and traffic control devices. The commission generally meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. This commission consists of an appointed Alderperson and six residents. A resident serves as the Chairperson of this commission. The Director of Public Works services as the staff liaison to this commission.

The Architectural Review Board reviews all new construction, changes and accessory building plans to preserve existing areas of natural beauty and/or cultural importance, and assure that buildings, structures, signs or other developments are of good design, harmonious with surrounding developments and in general contribute to the overall appearance of Frontenac.

The ARB meets at 7:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Citizen members fill three positions on this committee, with one appointed as the Chairperson. An Alderman is an ex-officio position, and the Building Commissioner and Zoning Administrator serves as the staff liaison.

The Board of Adjustment authorizes variances and modifications of the strict application of the City's Zoning Code when the request is in harmony with the zoning code's intent and when a property owner can show that the strict application of the zoning code will impose practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship. The Board of Adjustment also hears certain appeals of the decisions of the City's Building Commissioner. The Board of Adjustment meets as needed, and members include resident Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and six residents filling member and alternate positions.

Recently, interest in a Student Advisory Council has been expressed. The purpose would be to support the city through the development of, exposure to and participation in activities that serve the community. The goal of student participation would be to enhance the overall experience of students in the community. Student groups typically help support a community of mutual respect, where students can learn and discover how the city functions and its benefits to the residents the city serves. Students have an opportunity to identify and address issues pertinent to students, allowing students an opportunity to be at the center of decisions that affect them, which supports learning to lead organizing efforts and helps forge relationships with school(s) and city leaders, as well as others in the community. If you have an interest in this, please let us know. 

On Friday, June 5^th, a student-led group of protesters will gather at St. Louis County Library at 4:00 p.m. and march west on Clayton Road to Highway 141. The safety and well being of students, protesters, residents and visitors is our top priority. We are working with protest organizers as well as other affected municipalities to ensure this event is safe for all involved. We will be temporarily closing segments of Clayton Road in a rolling fashion and reopening as the marchers move west.  

Each municipality along Clayton Road will have added law enforcement staff on site to ensure the marchers move safely from city to city. We have no intelligence or reason to believe this event will be anything other than a peaceful protest. 

We encourage drivers to avoid Clayton Road in the Frontenac area between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. by utilizing other routes in the community. 

Some residents have noticed that some businesses have closed and barricaded or boarded-up windows. Business owners have advised the city that, similar to companies throughout the region, their decisions are precautionary. The city is not aware of any specific threat in Frontenac at this time.

The City of Frontenac will hold a joint workshop meeting with the Board of Aldermen and the Architectural Review Board on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Please check the city's website for meeting information.