We had been discussing it, as an idea, since 2013. We all face similar problems. Let’s get everybody together in a room and brainstorm ideas that we can work together and learn from each other. But our first actual meeting was in September 2016.

Our first meeting covered a few basics, such as introductions, setting a schedule for future meetings, and brainstorming topics to discuss. But we also covered a substantial topic at that first meeting: what our cities could do about methamphetamine in our communities, since the Missouri state legislature still had not passed a prescription requirement for pseudoephedrine.

Our guests at that meeting included representatives from the Jefferson County Health Department and the Saint Louis County Health Department.

Since then we have covered a very wide array of topics of interest to the cities – and residents – of Jefferson County.