WEST PINE LACLEDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Minutes 08.08.17
President Harold Karabell called the meeting to order at 7:00 and waived the normal order of business to accommodate a guest speaker.
KYLE KASTRABA– SIERRA CLUB VOLUNTEER
Mr. Kastraba is an intern and volunteer with Sierra Club. “The Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives.”
The Club has undertaken a very grass roots initiative to promote use of clean energy sources, such as wind and solar and the exclusion of burning coal. Ameren is the largest utility in Missouri, providing electricity to the St. Louis region. The U.S. produces about 40% of its electricity from coal. By contrast Ameren produces 71% of its electricity by burning coal and only one percent from clean, renewable sources. By contrast to coal, clean energy is renewable and generates no greenhouse gases. The Club is leading an effort to convince US mayors to commit to #ReadyFor100, with the goal of having 100 cities commit to 100% clean energy. Rockport MO has already achieved this goal. Mayors of other MO cities that have committed to achieving the goal are Wentzville, Saint Peters, Maplewood, University City, Chesterfield, Florissant, and Dellwood.
One step toward getting Mayor Krewson to make this commitment is to gain support of Alderman Roddy and other Alderpersons and present the initiative to the Mayor. For an easy to complete form to sign and send to Alderpersons go to https://sierra.secure.force.com/actions/National?actionId=AR0032635&_ga=2.102123013.588266781.1502305418-843707761.1502305418
For additional information including a copy of A Bright Future: Moving from Coal to Clean Energy in the St. Louis Region, contact St. Louis Sierra Club at 2818 Sutton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143 or (314) 644-1011. Also visit http://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100
For the document “Ready for 100% Clean Energy” that Mr. Kastraba distributed visit
MINUTES
Minutes for July 11, 2017 were approved as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Savings account balance: $1,055.55
Certificate of deposit value: $7,112.84
Checking account balance: $2,145.19
Mr. Werner reminded attendees that annual WPLNA dues are past due and can be paid at the close of the meeting or via mail to Mr. Terry Werner, WPLNA Treasurer, 4121 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT OUT
Harold and the attendees thanked Jared and Tiffany Boyd for the excellent job they did organizing and then overseeing our Night Out on August 1. An estimated 60 people attended including many children who enjoyed games and face painting while adults socialized over hot dogs, beef and veggie burgers, and ice cream.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
No report presented
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – SUSAN ANDERSON
Development
Developers of The100 at Kingshighway and West Pine expect to break ground November 2017.
Central West End Businesses
- 4101 Laclede & Sarah: Juniper is moving from Pershing and Boyle to the new building.
- 32 N. Euclid: Kaldi’s will join Shake Shack in this new building.
- 1746 Public House in the former Forest Park Hotel expects to open the second week of September.
- 8 ½ S. Euclid: Taze, a new Mediterranean restaurant, has opened.
- 22 N. Euclid: Treats Unleashed, a pet supply store, has opened.
Events
Grove Fest is scheduled for Saturday October 7, 2017.
ATTENDEES
Residents from 6 North questioned whether the various new buildings underway in WPLN will be fully accessible buildings, and Susan assured them that they will be. They asked Susan to encourage developers to be thoughtful about such matters as which way the doors in public restrooms open (e.g., the door should open out not in to allow for safe, easy wheelchair access).
SECURITY COMMITTEE REPORT – MARSHALL MICHENER and ATTENDEES
- Marshall had no bad news to report despite this being the summer season, which tends to see an increase in crime.
- An attendee speculated that the decrease may be related to the increase in the number of people on streets given the new restaurants and housing in the area.
- Improved lighting and bicycle patrols may also be helping control crime.
- Marshall reminded attendees to call 911if they see any suspicious behavior.
- West Pine and Laclede traffic speed – The caution sign on West Pine is higher than is ideal for optimal viewing. Signs could use language such as Caution Children at Play and No Through Street.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Van Schaik, Secretary