WEST PINE LACLEDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Minutes 8.14.18
President Harold Karabell called the meeting to order and waived the normal order of business to allow a question and answer session with the guest speaker below.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Jeff Hood, Community Development Specialist with Washington University Redevelopment Corporation spoke to the importance of the proposed Mid-City Community Improvement District that would continue the mission of the soon-to-expire Special Taxing District. He offered to stay after the meeting to allow attendees who haven’t yet signed to do so and have their signature notarized. Failure to pass this proposal would result in loss of services, including security and neighborhood infrastructure. To date only about 40% of required signatures have been submitted. Jeff said more signing events are planned. As these are announced, they will be communicated to our membership. Since each signature must be notarized, these signing events are a great convenience to the neighborhood residents.
MINUTES
Minutes for July 10, 2018 were approved with a couple of minor corrections.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Terry Werner reported that there has been no activity in our savings account and our CD and balances remain unchanged.
$2,341.29 – checking account balance. The only activity was one deposit from a new member. Membership renewals were due in April but are still welcome if you missed that deadline.
Dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a business and should be mailed to Terry Werner at 4121 West Pine Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108.
BEAUTIFICATION REPORT
- No report. The previous co-chairs have moved and volunteer/s to replace them are needed.
- Ron Coleman reported that Sandy Hopkins received a Neighbors Naturescaping Grant for landscaping on the 4400 block of Laclede.
SECURITY COMMITTEE REPORT
Marshall Michener, Security Liaison, was unable to attend. The following incidents were noted:
- A string of thefts of copper coils (and resultant damage to equipment and systems) has been noted. Victims included 4111 West Pine, The Spot, WU Medical Campus, Cortex and The Dorris Loft.
- A resident who recently moved to West Pine and Boyle reported aggressive behavior from a neighbor two weeks ago. She provided a photograph and asked for help identifying him. A police report was submitted at the time. It was suggested that this information also be reported to Jim Whyte from NSI.
- Wheel thieves have been active in our neighborhood.One member whose car was vandalized will replace hers with locking lug nuts. Harold said Jim Whyte has images of the suspect and the get-away vehicle. There was a similar string of thefts in Forest Park Southeast several years ago. That perpetrator was identified, arrested and sentenced. He has since been released and some wonder if he is back at the same business.
DEVELOPMENT
RON COLEMAN
4101 Laclede is close to moving in tenants. Last month’s minutes reflected incorrect information he had been given. They are expected to begin moving in some residents soon, even before the total construction has been completed.
JOE RODDY
- Thanks to St. Louis for passing Proposition 1, City Equipment Bond Issue, which will provide up to $50 million in bonds.Details of the proposition can be seen at: https://ballotpedia.org/St._Louis,_Missouri,_Proposition_1,_City_Equipment_Bond_Issue_(August_2018)
- The Board of Aldermen is considering a bill regulating the use of surveillance cameras with privacy issues in mind. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
- In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018 the City of St. Louis issued a record sum of building permits.
- In our ward, several new projects are underway or planned:
- Forest Park Southeast – 150 new homes, of which 50 are affordable housing. Mr. Roddy noted that the 17thward has provided over 750 city-investment supported affordable housing options in our neighborhood (Vandeventer to Kingshighway and Forest Park to Lindell). As an example, he pointed out that the new 4101 Laclede condominium building is flanked by city-invested affordable housing units directly to the east and to the west.
- Ground was broken recently for the new hotel on Duncan Avenue in the Cortex District
- The Cortex Metrolink stop has opened between Boyle and Sarah Avenues
- New apartment complex is being developed in the old Shriner’s Hospital/CID building on the Washington University Medical Campus. This will serve as student housing for enrolled and visiting students.
- Federal Mogul site is under construction
- A new hotel is planned on Forest Park Avenue across from the Federal Mogul site.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Gualdoni
Secretary