WPLNA Minutes: 6/14/2016

Posted on by

WEST PINE LACLEDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Minutes: 6.14.16

President Harold Karabell called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

TREASURER REPORT

Checking                                  $1,951.89

Savings                                     $1,052.70

Certificate of Deposit value     $7,045.34

MINUTES

Minutes from the May 10, 2016 meeting were approved as corrected.

SUSAN ANDERSON – PARK CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Susan Anderson reported the following:

  1. A gas leak at Euclid and Laclede caused shut down of some businesses. The problem has been resolved.
  2. New Construction
    1. 32-40 N. Euclid (Koman project): Construction is progressing. The West Pine Laclede/Euclid sidewalk is closed to pedestrians, and the 4500 West Pine/Laclede alley is closed at Euclid. Dumpsters for nearby businesses have been moved to Euclid. For updates, see the project web site: https://sites.google.com/site/40neuclidconstruction/home.
  3. Recently sold properties
    1. 4101 West Pine and 215-21 N. Sarah proposed townhouses by Lawrence Group: No date is set yet for hearing on variance.
    2. 4101 Laclede: Five of 54 units (9.25%) are sold; 25% presale is required for construction to start.
    3. 4236 Lindell and 4205 West Pine: No update.
  4. Business updates
    1. 4906 West Pine: Gamlin will be the tenant. The company owns three other restaurants: Gamlin Whiskey, Sub Zero, and Ta Ha Tiki. No information is available regarding food, style, or name. Plans include outdoor seating on West Pine and Euclid and opening around Thanksgiving 2016.
    2. Whole Foods: Opened at 9:00 AM May 25 with a tremendously long line of customers. The garage entry is just east of the front door and free to Whole Foods shoppers.
    3. Scarlett’s Wine Bar: The bar is now open.
    4. Tech Shop restaurant: Tara andMichael Gallina will open Vicia restaurant in the $24 million Cortex facility at 4260 Duncan Ave., that will be home to TechShop and pharmaceutical company Alcami when it opens later this summer.
  5. CWE infrastructure
    1. West Pine pedestrian streetlights
      1. 4252 West Pine missing fixture: The fixture has been ordered from Penn Globe to be delivered to and installed by the Streets Dept.
      2. 4400 West Pine lighting: The projected cost is $270,000. CWE South East will provide $100,000 with the balance paid by Alderman Roddy’s capital improvement fund. Funding is expected within about two months.
    2. East side of Euclid between Forest Park and Laclede: All are invited to the ribbon cutting June 22 at 5:00 PM on Wild Flowers patio.
    3. Forest Park SE Dog Park at Chouteau and Newstead: Fencing is complete, and the ribbon cutting was held June 11. Membership to the park is open to CWE residents. All necessary information is available at FPSEDogPark.com
    4. New angled parking: Such parking increases parking spots by 40%. Rear to curb (reverse in) angled parking is being instituted throughout St. Louis as streets with angled parking are repaved or new angled parking is installed. Although challenging for some drivers, reverse in parking is viewed as safer for drivers who have better visibility when exiting the parking spot and are out of traffic flow when accessing the trunks of their cars. Angled parking also slows traffic, which is a benefit in busy traffic areas.
    5. Experimental speed bump: The bump will be installed in the 4400 West Pine block.
    6. 4100-4200 Laclede traffic: With the increased traffic on this double block, residents may want to investigate angled parking and gentle speed control tactics that do not disturb the two street dividers.
  6. Events
    1. IndiHop May 21: This shared event between The Grove and Cherokee was a great success.
    2. Riverfront Music Showcase June 18: Events begin at noon in The Grove with 90 local bands. $10 wristbands are available at rftmusicshowcase.com.
    3. World Naked Bike Ride July 16: The festival starts in The Grove at 5:00 and the ride at 7:00. This world-wide event invites riders to be “as bare as they dare.”

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

Laura Cohen reported that she and Diana Gualdoni continue to try to work with the Forestry Department to get neighborhood trees planted, pruned, removed, etc. as needed. Harold described working with Forestry on the area’s tree needs as one of the most vexing series of encounters he has experienced as president.

SECURITY COMMITTEE

Regarding the recent homicide of West Pine resident Jocelyn Peterson, Marshall Michener reported police have arrested an associate of Ms. Peterson’s boyfriend who is believed to be the assailant. The security cameras were helpful in identifying and arresting the culprit.

At the recent CWE monthly security meeting, The City’s Finest, the company that provides the local bike patrols, reported that it is working hard to staff for our neighborhood’s needs. A challenge is that the St. Louis police department (STLPD) is currently understaffed, so some officers who might moonlight for the bike patrol are moonlighting for the city.

The STLPD is testing a new app that will provide a way for police to send bulletins to residents and for residents to contact police or other City services. Although the app is not yet fully functional, Marshall has downloaded it and finds it effective. More information is to follow and will be posted on the WPLNA web site.

Pan handling is not illegal, but aggressive pan handling is. For example, it is illegal for panhandlers to persist in asking a person for money once the person approached has declined to give money. St. Patrick’s continues its work as one of Missouri’s largest providers of housing, employment, and health opportunities for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

STLPD is providing special training for those who regularly walk dogs and so may note suspicious or unusual behavior and report it to the police.

Residents are encouraged to report urgent and non-urgent sightings, such as seeing a vandalized car or odd or aggressive behavior. For non-urgent matters, call 231-1212; for urgent needs call 911.

RON COLEMAN REPORT

The rumor is that the owner of 4308 Laclede is looking for a new architect.

Weeds and trash in the alley get out of control in summer. He provided a hand out residents can leave behind at sites in need of trash clean up. (See WPLNA web site for the complete document).

NEW BUSINESS

Terry Werner noted that Eagle Bank gives WPLNA two books of stamps per month. Terry asked for ideas on how to use the stamps because the quantity received far exceeds the Association’s needs. Marshall Michener moved and Laura Cohen seconded the following motion that was unanimously approved by member attendees: WPLAN will give stamps as bonus/reward for members joining the association for the first time.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Terry Van Schaik, Secretary

 

 

West Pine Laclede Neighborhood Association

Name __________________________________________________________________

Street address ___________________________________________________________

Telephone ______________________________________________________________

E-mail address___________________________________________________________

Dues enclosed: Individual $25.00________________Business $30__________________

Date___________________________________________________________________

Please complete this form and mail or deliver it along with your dues payment to:

Mr. Terry Werner, WPLNA Treasurer

4121 West Pine Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63108

Please contact Mr. Werner with questions or for additional information at 314-535-0845.