City Council Welcomes Immigrant Community; Approves Purchase of Ambulance, Office Supplies, Police Uniforms

University City is extending a hand of welcome to immigrants in the community.

Mayor Shelley Welsch introduced a proclamation entitled The Welcoming Missouri Initiative at Monday night's City Council meeting. Its aim is to promote community engagement and relationship building between immigrants and non-immigrant communities with the aim of mutual respect and understanding.

"University City remembers, honors and values our immigrant roots, and embraces the contributions made by immigrants to our community, region and nation," the proclamation states.

Thelma Serena Jones was sworn in as a member of the Library Board. She was nominated by Councilmember Arthur Sharpe Jr. (3rd Ward).

Next, by unanimous approval councilmembers signed off on new equipment for several city departments.

• Council approved the purchase of two leaf vacuums from Key Equipment and Supply Company for $70,290. The vacuums will replace two smaller existing units and one street sweeper.

• Council approved the purchase of two side-loading automated refuse collection trucks from Key Equipment and Supply Company at a cost of $454,990. The two trucks will replace one that was sold in 2009 and one that is reportedly beyond its service life. 

• Council approved the purchase of a dump truck, for the amount of $83,040, from Truck Centers/Midwest Systems.  The dump truck is reportedly beyond its useful service life.

• Council approved the purchase of an ambulance for the Fire Department at a cost of $207,000.00, including a budget amendment for the overage of $38,000. Emergency Services Supply was awarded the contract. The vendor's factory is located near the St. Louis area. Also, the new ambulance includes a stronger “rear box” (patient compartment portion of the unit) which provides the ability to remount the rear box on a new cab/chassis when the ambulance is in need of replacement. By only purchasing the cab/chassis, staff believes this will save approximately $50,000 - $60,000 on the next time this ambulance is replaced. 

• Council approved the purchase of replacement computer equipment for city-wide departments. The annual desktop computer order from World Wide Technology will cost a total of $28,381.01.

• The Council approved the annual purchase of police uniforms, which includes trousers, shirts, raincoats, boots, gloves, hats and miscellaneous accessories12. Nine bid invitations were sent, only one was returned from Leon Uniform for $28,342.59. This was the first time vendors were required to sign an affidavit saying their products were manufactured and distributed in a Sweatshop Free environment which was created by the City’s Sweatshop Free Task Force. 

• The Council approved the annual order for vehicle fuel for FY 12. The contract was awarded Energy Petroleum Company for $579,645.

• Council approved the annual order of  janitorial supplies. The contract was divided between two bidders, New System for $19,688.21 and Industrial Supply Company for $10,866.91 for a total of $30,555.12.

• Council approved the annual order of office supplies. Councilmembers approved the Missouri State contract with Staples for an estimated amount of $45,300 for the next fiscal year.

University City City Manager Lehman Walker also gave an update on the Wilson Avenue buyout.  The City hopes to start making offers on individual buyouts next month.

"We're optimistic that we're moving forward on the Wilson Avenue buyout and we hope to be in a position to make offers towards the end of July," Walker said.

Buyout talks were initially slated to begin in February, but were pushed back after the City learned it needed to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the process of pursuing a supplemental disaster grant. During the review process recipients are restricted from acquiring property or expending any grant funds (including FEMA funds).

On March 14, the City learned that it had been awarded $461,000 in grant money. The average timeframe for an environmental review process is 60 to 90 days. 

Once the City assumes ownership of the properties, the buildings will be removed or destroyed, and the land will be cleared.