April 5, 2005 General Municipal Election. Candidates for Des Peres Aldermen - Ward 1

Transcription

1 City of Des Peres The City of Des Peres Newsletter - Online Edition April - May 2005 April 5, 2005 General Municipal Election Candidates for Des Peres Aldermen - Ward 1 Kathleen, a resident of Des Peres since 1987, was a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission from 1992 until She has served as a member of the Board of Aldermen since 1996 acting as aldermanic representative to the Audit & Finance Commission, Public Safety Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Serving as President of the Board of Aldermen for two years, Kathleen was instrumental in the redevelopment of West County Center and the planning/implementation of The Lodge. KATHLEEN M. GMELICH Kathleen, her husband David, and their three children are members of St. Gerard Majella Parish. Her academic background includes a BS in Public Administration and a Masters in Business Administration. As a licensed attorney, Kathleen currently practices law on a part-time basis. Jack has been a resident of Des Peres since 1999 and currently resides at 931 Blase Avenue with his wife Dyan and five year old daughter Lauren. Prior to moving to Des Peres Jack lived in Maryland Heights where he served on the Stormwater Committee from 1996 to JACK CHONG Jack graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Construction Management. Jack has 20 years experience in the construction industry and has been employed with CRB Builders for the past five years, specializing in pharmaceutical construction. Jack is well traveled due to his profession, having lived in 10 other locations prior to settling in the St. Louis area. He is a member of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering and was also a past president of a local Toastmasters organization. You can learn more about Jack on his website at For Additional April 5, 2005 General Municipal Election Information, please see Page 3. Outdoor Pool Opening - Saturday, May 28, 11:00 A.M. 1

2 Board of Aldermen Legislative Activity Unless otherwise noted, the Board of Aldermen meets on the 2 nd and 4 th Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Des Peres Government Center, Manchester Road. Board activity since the last edition of the Newsletter: RESOLUTIONS Resolution 1523: Contract with Long Elevator & Machine Company for Annual Elevator Maintenance Services at City Hall Resolution 1524: Contract with Hoffman Brothers for Maintenance of the HVAC Systems at City Hall and the Public Safety Building Resolution 1525: Contract with REJIS for MIS Support Resolution 1526: Contract for Purchase of Automobiles Using Contracts under the Missouri Cooperative Procurement Program Resolution 1527: Contract for Purchase of a Public Works Truck Using Contracts under the Missouri Cooperative Procurement Program Resolution 1528: Contract for Purchase of Exercise Equipment for the Community Center Resolution 1529: Contract with Messenger Printing for City News Publication Services Resolution 1530: Contract with Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier for Traffic Counts on Selected City Streets Resolution 1531: Contract with Feld Chevrolet for Purchase of a One-Ton Utility Truck for the Street Department Resolution 1532: Contract for Purchase of a Bob Cat with Stump Grinder Resolution 1533: Contract for Lawn Mowing Services with Vogt Enterprises Resolution 1534: Contract with AGR Construction for Concrete Street and Curb Replacement Resolution 1535: Contract with SBC Contracting for Concrete Sidewalk Replacement Resolution 1536: Contract with Valley Materials for Purchase of Ready-Mix Concrete Resolution 1537: Revised contract with Attebery Engineering for Design of Intersection Improvements on Centeroyal Drive at Manchester Rd Resolution 1538: Authorizing Temporary Exterior Storage and Sales Permit At Frank Patton Interiors Inc., Manchester Rd Resolution 1539: Authorizing Contracts with American Empire Surplus Lines and Essex Insurance Company for Purchase of Sales Tax Interruption Insurance ORDINANCES Bill (Ordinance 2311): Authorizing Issuance of $14,555,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds Bill : Withdrawn Bill (Ordinance 2312): Amending Section of the Municipal Code Regarding the Use of Headlights on Motor Vehicles During Periods of Fog and Whenever Windshield Wipers are in Use. Bill (Ordinance 2313): Amending Section 4-24 of the Municipal Code Regarding Issue of Licenses to Sell Alcoholic Beverages to Certain Religious and Not for Profit Groups Located within 100 Feet of Churches, Schools and Houses of Worship Bill : Pending Bill 2322 (Ordinance 2314): Approving a Revised Master Development Plan for Manchester Road (Sam s Wholesale) RESIDENTS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS As summer approaches you may notice an increase in door-to-door solicitors in your neighborhood. This is a permitted activity within the City of Des Peres as long as the solicitors apply for and receive a permit from the City Clerk before going door-to-door in our residential areas. If you have a solicitor come to your door, request to see their City permit. If they are unable to produce such a permit they presumably are unauthorized to do business in the City of Des Peres and you may, if you choose, report this activity to the Des Peres Police ( Non Emergency). It is certainly your choice to allow these individuals on your property. Just because an individual may possess a permit from the City does not imply the Cities endorsement of this activity or product for sale. Your City Clerk has available a 3 x 5 notice for posting at your premises that clearly states NO Solicitors, Peddlers, or Trespassing. These are available at City Hall for your convenience. 2

3 April 5, 2005 General Municipal Election Information City of Des Peres Municipal Judge 2 Yr. Term Vote for One Charles Chuck Billings (Unopposed) Alderman Ward One 2 Yr. Term Vote for One Kathleen M. Gmelich Jack Chong Alderman Ward Two 2 Yr Term Vote for One Jim Kleinschmidt (Unopposed) Alderman Ward Three 2 Yr. Term Vote for One James E. Doering (Unopposed) Parkway School Dist. Director 3 Year Term Vote for Three Kelley A Garbero Philip J. Scissors John Crandall Dee Mogerman Michael D. Moll Val D. Turner Cecil C.T. Sharp Karen O Brien Director 1 Year Term Vote for Two Bryan Buehler Don W. Cook Theron D. Post Gregory B. Powers Kirkwood R-7 School District For detailed information on Proposition I, please visit the Kirkwood R-7 website at: See you at the polls! Spring 2005 Household Chemical Collection Events FREE to Saint Louis County Residents! The best way to properly manage leftover household chemicals is to use it up or give it to someone else to use up. Some materials (motor oil, certain batteries, etc.) can be recycled locally. Check the Saint Louis County Health Department website at for a listing of local recycling outlets and other toxicity reduction information. Not all leftovers can be shared or recycled. As a safe alternative to throwing away your leftover chemicals, bring them to one of the following collection events. Proof of residency, such as a driver s license or tax bill, will be required. These events are for Saint Louis County residents ONLY. Businesses are prohibited by law from participating. Saturday, April 9-8:00 A.M. to 3 P.M. Westfield Shoppingtown South County - South of Dillard s & Sears Stores - (Enter on Lemay Ferry Rd., south of S. Lindbergh) Saturday, April 23-8:00 A.M. to 3 P.M. St. Louis Community College - Flo Valley (on Pershall Rd. near I-270 & W. Florissant exit) Sunday, May 15-8:00 A.M. to 3 P.M. Town and Country Crossing (Lucent Technologies) Clayton Road (West of Hwy 141) ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS: Paints, stains, varnishes, pesticides, herbicides, poisons, gasoline and other fuels, solvents and strippers, aerosols, motor oil and filters, gas cylinders (BBQ-pit size or smaller), fluorescent tubes, household batteries (rechargeable), anti-freeze, brake and transmission fluids, pool chemicals and other acids and bases, car batteries, wood preservatives, drive sealant, and mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats, salts). UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS: Explosives and ammunition, radioactive waste, smoke detectors, medical waste, household trash, tires and other bulky items. Materials from business, commercial, non-profit, and government organizations are also prohibited. For more information on these events or other activities, please call the Saint Louis County Health Department Waste Management Hotline at (314) , or check out their web site at 3

4 Letter from Mayor Lahr: Be sure to vote on April 5th. Residents will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for candidates for municipal office in Des Peres, the Board of Education in the Parkway School District and on a tax proposition in the Kirkwood School District. Given the ongoing struggles in other countries in pursuit of democracy, I would hope that each and every eligible voter in Des Peres will take the time to vote. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of both the St. Louis County and Missouri Municipal Leagues. Actively participating in establishing policy and priorities for legislation at both state and local government that affect our community. As a part of that process, I interact frequently with elected officials on the state level. Every year we monitor the activities of the legislature in Jefferson City. Of major concern this session is legislation regarding concealed weapons, tax reform for the telecommunications industry, sales tax simplification and efforts to make last years experimental Sales Tax Holiday, which was held in August, permanent. The Sales Tax Holiday occurred last August and resulted in exempting $2.8 million dollars in clothing and computer sales from the sales tax a negative impact of $70,000 on Des Peres budget. In addition, it would mean untold revenue losses for an already tight state budget, if made permanent. The current concealed weapon legislation amends last years concealed carry approval. This years amendment would allow cities to prohibit concealed weapons in our city parks. The fact that Des Peres does not have the right to prohibit concealed weapons in our neighborhood parks is unconscionable to me. This amendment is being strongly opposed by a majority of our state legislators. The telecommunications legislation would allow cities to tax cell phone companies (in a manner similar to the current tax on traditional phone companies) but it would mandate a roll back in the tax rate to 1.0% by 2007 on all phones and could result in additional lost revenue to Des Peres in excess of $100,000 per year. The Sales Tax Simplification legislation, while it would establish a basis to include internet sales, would also redefine the definition of point of sale for sales tax purposes to the location of the delivery of goods not the location of the actual sale - yet another and potentially substantial erosion of Des Peres revenue stream. I mention these issues to you because the members of the General Assembly often times respond to our lobbying efforts with the statement that they never hear from their constituents on these issues. If you have an opinion on these or any issue going on in Jefferson City call or write your representatives. You have all recently read about the purchase of the May Company by Federated of Cincinnati. While the merger is still new and its full impact still unfolding, we have been assured that it will not negatively affect West County Center. The likelihood is the names of the Famous Barr and Lord & Taylor stores will eventually change to Macy s and Bloomingdale s but we are not in danger of store closures. In addition to the strong demographics in the trade area for the center, the redevelopment agreement entered into as a part of the TIF between the city and Westfield includes operating covenants that prohibit anchor stores from going dark during the period of the TIF. Finally, let me close with an invitation to the community to attend upcoming events the opening of the summer pool season at The Lodge (Saturday May 11 a.m.) and our concerts in the Park scheduled on the 2 nd Fridays in June, July and August. Until the next edition RICK State Senate - 24 th District Joan Bray: (573) jbray@senate.mo.gov YOUR STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION House of Representatives - 87 th District Scott Muschany: (573) scott.muschany@house.mo.gov Generally includes Des Peres, north of Manchester Road. House of Representatives - 94 th District Richard Byrd: (573) Richard.Byrd@house.mo.gov Generally includes Des Peres, south of Manchester Rd. All correspondence should be addressed to the Senator or Representative at State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, Missouri

5 CITY REFINANCES RECREATION CENTER BONDS GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE MAY 5, 2005 YOU ARE INVITED to help celebrate in the annual National Day of Prayer Service to be held on Thursday, May 5 th beginning at 12:00 Noon. The service will be held on the front steps of the Des Peres Government Center which is located at Manchester Road. This will be a non-denominational service, and will last approximately 20 minutes. Planning & Zoning Commission Update The Planning & Zoning Commission meets at 7:00 P.M. on the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at the Government Center, Manchester Road. Meeting notices are posted at City Hall and on our website ( Citizens can sign up for automatic notification of meetings and agenda by using the notify me service available on the website. Projects currently pending at the Planning & Zoning Commission on March 1 st : 3 Lot Subdivison on Morris Drive involving removal of two homes and construction of 3 new homes. 15 Lot Subdivision on Des Peres Road at Goodson Drive. (Preliminary Plat approved, improvement plans and final plat pending) 4 Lot Subdivision on Harwood Road involving removal of 3 homes and construction of 4 new homes 20,000 sq ft small office/condo development on Manchester Road (north side of westbound Manchester opposite Des Peres Pointe) In addition, the Commission has created internal committees to study issues relating to infill housing development (demolition of an existing home and its replacement by a new single family home) and to look at parking requirements for churches with muli-use facilities (schools, gymnasiums and meeting rooms). Be sure to check the Des Peres Website for updates on these and other projects in the City of Des Peres. At their meeting held January 24, 2005, the Board of Aldermen gave final authorization to an advanced refunding of the Series 2000 General Obligation Bonds issued by the city to finance the construction of The Lodge Des Peres. The original bonds, issued in an amount of $15,000,000, were overwhelmingly approved by voters in August In submitting the refinancing to the Board of Aldermen, Mayor Lahr stated the city has a fiduciary responsibility to examine its debt structure periodically and to take advantage of savings that might result from aggressively refinancing our outstanding debt. By using an advanced refunding, we were able to refinance one year earlier than the first call date on the old bonds. This allowed us to take advantage of historically low interest rates and to achieve an average of $66,000 per year in debt service savings representing nearly $1,000,000 in interest savings over the remaining 15 years of that bond issue. The bonds are insured and carry a Fitch Rating of AAA. Edward Jones served as lead underwriter in the bond issue and partnered with Stifel Nicolaus in marketing the sales. All costs associated with issuance of the bonds were paid from the bond proceeds resulting in a net savings of $994, to the city. Home Sweet Home PSO Dan Milberg recently returned home after serving a tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dan is assigned to the 1-160th Aviation Unit based in Jefferson City, MO. While serving in Iraq, Dan s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad by an RPG. Dan was able to land the helicopter and assist in rescuing his crew. For his actions, Dan was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Welcome Home Dan!!! Thank you for your service!! 5

6 April 2005 April 4 Public Safety Comm. 7:00 PM Municipal Court 7:30 PM April 5 General Municipal Election - Polls Open: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM April 7 Parks & Rec. Comm. 7:00 PM April 11 Board of Aldermen 7:00 PM April 13 P&Z Commission - 7:00 PM April 25 Board of Aldermen 7:00 PM April 27 Board of Adjustment 6:30 PM May 2005 May 2 Public Safety Comm. 7:00 PM Municipal Court 7:30 PM May 5 National Day of Prayer Service 12:00 Noon 12:30 PM City Hall Parks & Rec. Comm. 7:00 PM May 9 Board of Aldermen 7:00 PM May 11 P&Z Commission 7:00 May 23 Board of Aldermen 7:00 PM May 25 Board of Adjustment 6:30 PM May 30 Memorial Day - City Hall Closed HOLIDAY TRASH SCHEDULE MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY, MAY 30 Monday - May 30th No Trash, Yard Waste or Recycling Pick Up Tuesday May 31st All City Yard Waste Picked Up Monday s Trash & Recycling Picked Up Wednesday - June 1st Tuesday s Trash & Recycling Picked Up Thursday - June 2nd Wednesday s Trash & Recycling Picked Up Friday, June 3rd Thursday s Trash & Recycling Picked Up Saturday, June 4th Friday s Trash & Recycling Picked Up Memorial Day "Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Dream of battled fields no more. Days of danger, nights of waking." ~Sir Walter Scott 6