The Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen passed a bill requesting the installation of a new Historic Route 66 neon pole sign in front of the existing Holiday Inn at 10709 Watson Road at its July 11 meeting.

Though the bill passed, it was not without contention between some aldermen.

Ward 3 Alderman Randy Epperson opposed the bill and wanted to give his reasoning to the board before the bill’s final reading and vote. The legislation was first introduced at the board’s June meeting, where a motion had been made to suspend the rules for a second reading then, though it ultimately failed as Epperson, Ward 3 Alderman Cathy Friedmann and Ward 4 Alderman Fred Daues were opposed.

“The bottom line is this precedent,” Epperson said. “I don’t think all the language in the world … is going to stop somebody else from putting up a neon sign if they want to. We’re opening the gate for this to go on. If somebody else wants a neon sign in Sunset Hills, we’re not going to be able to turn it down without getting sued again.”

The current neon sign in question is an historic Route 66 sign that was previously at the former Park Plaza Courts, the location of the present-day Holiday Inn.

The Sunset Hills Historical Society is seeking to install the sign at the Holiday Inn at the intersection of Watson Road and Lindbergh Boulevard. The city passed an ordinance in May in anticipation of the historical society’s request that allows for historic Route 66 neon pole signs to be installed in the city with restrictions.

Epperson questioned “the appropriateness” of Ward 2 Alderman Marie Davis voting on the sign due to her “history with the historical committee.” Davis had been the alderman to motion for a suspension of rules for a second reading at the bill’s first reading in June.

“Whether she’s still on the committee or not, I think it’s unethical. I think she should abstain from the vote,” Epperson said.

The two aldermen went back and forth until Mayor Pat Fribis stepped in.

“First of all, I think we’re mixing organizations,” Fribis said. “The historical society is the organization that acquired the sign, and Alderman Davis has been active with the Foundation of Sunset Hills.”

The mayor emphasized that the two groups are not “intermingled” to which Epperson responded, “I don’t believe that for one second.”

Despite the debate, Davis voted and the bill passed 6-2, with Epperson and Friedmann opposed. Davis, Ward 1 Aldermen Ann McMunn and Brian Fernandez, Ward 2 Alderman Casey Wong and Ward 4 Aldermen Fred Daues and Lindsay Hof voted in favor.