WEST PINE LACLEDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Minutes: 12.13.16
President Harold Karabell called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Harold dispensed with the usual order of business to allow Kyle Juvers, a representative of Better Together, to present first.
BETTER TOGETHER REPORT
Mr. Juvers reported that Better Together has completed its planned six studies of the impact of the structure and function of the St. Louis City and County on Public Finance, Economic Development, Public Health, Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, and General Administration. He provided complimentary copies of The Will to Change, a 28-page summary of the findings of the six studies. In brief, the studies revealed that fragmentation resulting from having 90 independent municipalities within the County plus the City has resulted in three core negative products:
- System focused on internal competition rather than regional growth
- Disparity in services and the allocation of resources that results from fragmentation and internal competition
- Inability to formulate and execute a vision for regional success
Better Together has shown that reform is needed but the challenge is how to bring about reform. Mr. Juvers pointed to Indianapolis, IN and Louisville, KY as examples of successful county/city restructuring. Residents who wish to remain informed about Better Together’s activities should register at www.BetterTogetherSTL.com. He noted that Better Together is funded by individuals and corporate donors, so registrants will not be pestered for money to support the effort. Emails are sent infrequently.
MINUTES
Minutes for the November 8, 2016 meeting were approved as submitted.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Savings account balance: $1054.03 (.25% interest rate)
Certificate of deposit value: $7,090.98 (Eagle Bank account)
Checking account balance: $1,266.09
Mr. Werner explained that the certificate will renew automatically 1/2/17 unless WPLNA takes other action. He further noted that Enterprise Financial Services Corporation, a holding company of Enterprise Bank and Trust, is purchasing Eagle Bank with the sale expected to conclude mid-2017.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved to roll over the Eagle Bank certificate of deposit at whatever rate the bank offers.
SUSAN ANDERSON – PARK CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Susan reported the following.
Development: Renovation and New Construction
- Kingshighway/West Pine – The developer presented the plan for this major project to interested citizens on December 12. Designed by Studio Gang, which is a Chicago and New York based architecture firm, (http://studiogang.com/), the building will be 36 stories high, have a mixed use first floor, include 305 apartments and 355 on-site parking spaces, and strive to be LEEDS certified (http://www.usgbc.org/leed). The developer is requesting tax abatement and a variance for the set-back of the building and materials. Apartment rents are expected to be $36,000 for one-bedroom 1,000 foot units.
- The former Growing Green building on the 3900 block of West Pine has sold. Susan expects the developer will contact WPLNA within the next few months to make a presentation.
Parking
3900-4000 West Pine – 45 degree angled parking is not an option for this block because it is three feet short of the required width.
Public Space/Right-of-Way
- Elevation of Forest Park Ave. at Kingshighway – Forest Park Ave. is now closed at Kingshighway and is expected to reopen in July, 2017.
- Pedestrian Streetlights 4400 West Pine – Susan hopes to have a recommendation from the Board of Public Service for the SE Special Business District the week of December 19.
Holiday Party
The party will be held December 14 at Cortona. Unfortunately many of the invitations from Alderman Roddy’s office went into recipients’ spam or junk folders.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
No report provided.
SECURITY COMMITTEE
Jim Whyte, NSI Executive Director, reported the following.
Understaffing of St. Louis City police force
- Despite economic growth in our area, the number of police officers remains below what is needed.
- The police academy is unable to fill openings.
- City leadership doesn’t seem to see security as a priority.
- Meanwhile STL County has increased taxes to cover an increase in police salaries and coverage. County police earn between $5,000 and $8,000 than City police.
Safety points to consider
- Criminals target women more than they do men.
- If you are robbed, use a whistle to get attention and help; if you walk a dog, hook a whistle to its collar.
- Stealing from cars has increased recently.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car.
- People walk through our neighborhood all hours.
- Robberies can happen quickly.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Get in your car and drive. Don’t sit checking email or otherwise being preoccupied.
- Arrive and get out of your car once you look around.
- If in doubt of safety, drive away.
- Avoid encountering groups on the street or elsewhere. If necessary to avoid a group, walk into a business.
- Carry bright flashlights and use mace for aggressive dogs (and people).
RON COLEMAN REPORT
- Sarah Street lights have been replaced.
- Sarah Street restaurants report that parking meters on Sarah are working well for them.
- Ron continues working with CIC to try to find extra parking spaces in WPLN.
- Ron has no update on Laclede 4101 construction start date.
- He will see what can be done regarding the excessively long red light at south bound Boyle at Forest Park.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Van Schaik, Secretary