WPLNA Minutes 06.12.18

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WEST PINE LACLEDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Minutes 6.12.18  – Draft, pending approval

President Harold Karabell called the meeting to order and waived the normal order of business to allow visitor presentations.

ROB KENNEDY, Rainscaping Coordinator for the Missouri Botanical Garden, described the 2018-2019 Rainscaping Small Grants through the Metropolitan Sewer District Project Clear, an initiative to improve water quality and alleviate many wastewater concerns in our region.

The Rainscaping Small Grants Program will fund up to $3,000 for rainscaping projects to cover the cost of design, labor and materials for proposals to solve water problems around your home, support biodiversity, beautify property, reduce basement backups and reduce sewer overflows.

This money is not intended to replace existing landscaping, but to address hard surfaces and compacted soils and consequently reclaim stormwater naturally.

Last year about 2/3 of the proposals were funded (113 awards out of 162 applications).

All applicants are required to attend at least one Landowner Orientation Session.

More information at ProjectClearSTL.org/Rainscaping or 314-577-0202 or rainscaping@mobot.org.

Last year the Dorris Lofts at 4100 Laclede received 4 such awards, Terry Van Schaik reported.  She would be happy to give WPLNA members a tour of the yard to get an idea of what kinds of projects are being funded.  To request a tour, send a request to tvanschaik50@gmail.com.

HANNAH SHUMWAY, an undergraduate at Macalester College is completing a senior honors project on how transit and biking/pedestrian infrastructure in St. Louis serve the public.  She came to request input from the association.  She is particularly interested in attitudes and opportunities for non-car transportation options in our region.

There are two ways to contribute:

  • Fill out a survey at https://goo.gl/forms/IUvBewvyhDZCgVle2
  • Participate in an interview with a researcher – contact Hanna Shumway at hshumway@macalester.eduor call (608) 434-8018 to schedule an interview

MINUTES

Minutes of May’s meeting were approved with two spelling corrections.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on CID proposal:

Sara Feagans is no longer with Park Central and Ashley Johnson has been hired to replace her.

Efforts to get requisite signatures will be rebooted next week.

Happily, the deadline for signatures has been extended to spring of next year.

SECURITY REPORT– Marshall Michener

According to Jim White of the Neighborhood Security Initiative, bicycle thefts are up recently, a seasonal trend.  NSI recommends registering bicycles so that they can be identified if stolen.  Information and registration at https://www.cwensi.com/bicycle-safety-and-registration.

Marshall said Sarah Avenue will reopen on Wednesday, June 13 and Sarah and Boyle should remain open after many closures associated with the new Metrolink station.  Duncan Avenue will be closed from 6am to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Limited access available from Boyle.

TREASURER REPORT

Savings:           $1,056.89 – no updates since last report

CD :                $7,127.19– no updates since last report

Checking:        $2,300.73

Recent expenses include reimbursement for a replacement crabapple tree on the traffic circle on the 4300 block of Laclede, a new bench for the Boyle-Laclede Community Garden, and renewal of the domain name for our association website. It was noted that we expect a $240 charge in December to renew our website’s proactive security package to prevent another nasty hack.

Those who have not yet done so yet are encouraged to renew their membership or become a member.  Dues are $25 for individuals, $30 for businesses.  Forms at https://westpinelaclede.com/join/.

BEAUTIFICATION REPORT

Our beautification chair has moved from the neighborhood. Volunteers are sought.

RON COLEMAN, Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, reports:

  • Per our association’s request, disabled persons signs have been posted on Forest Park and Lindell Avenues at Boyle and at Sarah.
  • Neighbors Naturescaping grants are available for up to $1,500 each for public spaces. Applications are strongly encouraged – and a high percentage of these are funded.
  • 4101 Laclede condos should be move-in ready by July 1.
  • Most ash trees in the city have been removed. Some that could not be removed due to parked vehicles are marked with red dots for future removal.  Stumps will be removed as city resources allow. Please be patient.
  • The intersection at Forest Park Avenue and Highway 40 is being improved with funds from MODOT and the City of St. Louis.
  • Recycling event on June 30, 9:00 am at Bishop DuBourg High School. Bring your non-traditional items to be recycled.  No charge except for TVs and baby car seats.
    • Note: Brightside Recycling Center on Kingshighway can accept liquids and chemicals for recycling (i.e.  paints, paint thinner, etc.)
  • Great Rivers Greenway and Trailnet have plans to build a fully protected bike lane from the Missouri Botanical Garden, along Tower Grove to Vandeventer and to the Metrolink stop.
  • Per WPLNA request, test speed bumps are being installed on the alley between West Pine and Laclede on the block between Vandeventer and Sarah. Feedback is welcomed.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Gualdoni, Secretary