Brentwood Mayor, Board of Aldermen Give City Staff Early Christmas Gift

Brentwood city employees, other than those with essential jobs like police and fire, have an unexpected day off on Christmas Eve.

City Hall was scheduled to be open on Dec. 24, but at the Dec. 17 Board of Aldermen meeting Mayor Pat Kelly proposed shutting it down. Necessary staff would be given a comp day to take at a future date.

He cited Christmas falling on a Tuesday and giving employees a chance to travel as reasons.

“There isn’t much city business happening on a Christmas Eve,” Kelly said. “I think a lot of cities would consider it. I don’t know if a lot of them are doing it.”

City Administrator Bola Akande said some cities have scheduled it, but hadn’t done a survey. She said St. Louis County will have a skeleton crew.

Ward 1 Alderman Anthony Harper asked about the cost of giving employees comp time, and Kelly said it wouldn’t be overtime, they'd get another day of vacation in the future.

Ward 2 Alderman Lee Wynn said there are a few things you can do for employees that are nice.

“They may cost you, it may be a loss somewhat, but it’s just nice,” he said.

Ward 3 Alderman Andy Leahy wanted to confirm that the ice rink will still be staffed for the scheduled open skate period, and Akande said it would be.

“I wanted to make sure, because (the) motion was employees could take off with pay, and that we would give comp time for those who worked,” he said. He listed the parks, police and fire departments as those still working, and the street department if it snows.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Maureen Saunders asked for clarification if the time off was with or without pay, and Leahy said it’s with pay. Akande said part-time employees would also be paid for the time off.

The motion passed 5-3, with Ward 3 aldermen Keith Robertson and Andy Leahy, Ward 2 Alderman Lee Wynn and Alderwoman Cindy Manestar, and Ward 4 Alderman Tom Kramer voting yes.

"Merry Christmas," Leahy said, as he cast his yes vote.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Saunders and Alderman Anthony Harper, and Ward 4 Alderman Patrick Toohey voted no.

Regular trash service is scheduled on Monday, Dec. 24, in Brentwood, per the city website.

In Maplewood, city hall is scheduled closed on Dec. 24, and trash pick-up the week of Dec. 24 will be on Thursday, Dec. 27. The week of Dec. 31, pick-up will be on Thursday, Jan. 3.