Dog Owners Leave Happy, Red Light Cameras Declined and Ranken is Explained

A marathon meeting that went past 11:30 p.m. left dog owners happy, red light cameras operating until 2013 and aldermen, staff and the mayor doing a lot of explaining on Ranken Technical College.

Doggy Smile           

Aldermen voted 5-1 to approve new that eliminate breed specific legislation. The legislation allows dog owners to use electric fences in their back yards to control their pets.

Afterwards, happy pit bull and other dog owners gathered outside and traded stories.

“I’m allowed to tell people I own a pit bull again,” said Nicole Genz, as she walked out of city hall.

She said her family owned the 5-year-old pit bull, Reesy, for five years, but didn’t know about the city’s policy to leash and muzzle pit bulls while they were outside and forced them to keep their windows closed.

“We have great neighbors. We moved here and didn't know about the ordinance," Genz said.

Her neighbor, Kathy Riley, attended each board meeting on the regulations with her.

“I have a lab, and (the dogs) are best friends. They kiss and play together,” Riley said.

 “It’s been terrible,” said Amy Conner, who owns two pit bulls, Gypsy and Jack. “I didn’t think it was fair that we had to leash and muzzled even in a fenced yard when they haven’t done anything to anyone.”

Red lights go until 2013

Aldermen unanimously declined to renew a contract with However, the contract runs through Sept. 30, 2013.

There had been some confusion over the contract’s terms because the five-year deal was signed in February 2007. However, the contract didn’t take affect until the first camera was installed, which wasn’t until 2008. Redflex is a California-based company that receives $48.50 of each $100 ticket for managing the system.

Police Chief Lisa Harrison recommended keeping the red light cameras.

Alderman Vann Sample, Ward 2, said he didn’t want to renew it.

“I don’t like the money going out of state when it goes out of Wentzville,” he said.

Sample said accident statistics Harrison provided are inconclusive.

“In some areas, it seems OK, in other areas it seems to have made it worse. I’m for having our local police handle this,” he said.

Although the board declined to renew the contract, future boards could reverse the decision. A staff member said that Redflex likely would try to woo the city.

“I’m not interested in being wooed by these guys,” Ward 3 Aldermen Rick Stokes.

Investigation summation

During his mayor’s report, Paul Lambi gave information from Ed Watkins, of Winning Endeavors, to City Attorney Paul Rost that he requested for his i given in 2007 to Westplex LOC.

Lambi shared the same information with the media.

“The commodity of a good reputation is very valuable,” Lambi said. “Mr. Watkins on the celebrated $15,000 check has turned in his information requested.”

He read a bio on Ed Watkins, including a Suburban Journals article that called Watkins “an avid sports fan, dreamer and civic cheerleader.” He said Watkins was behind efforts to raise funds for the Crider Health Center, Ozzie Smith Stadium and TR Hughes Ballpark, several Lindenwood University buildings and more.

The city attorney investigated allegations surrounding the check awarded to Westplex LOC. Lambi served on the board for the agency.

Ranken agreement

The board also discussed the pending agreement with

Stokes and Ward 2 Alderman Chris Gard strongly disagreed with Ward 3 Alderman Nick Guccione’s assertion that board members were not aware Linn State Technical College is interested in coming to Wentzville.

Ranken has not approved the agreement, but Economic Development Manager Larry Tucker said things look promising.

Stokes also said the city would not all for the $360,000, but is looking for partners and grants to help pay that cost.

“This is an investment in our community, but our involvement in that payout isn’t necessarily $320,000. It could be zero,” Stokes said.

Tucker also said he couldn’t begin recruiting partners until Ranken finalizes the deal and other factors fall into place.

He said Ranken has had partners in other ventures, and representatives from other organizations have volunteered to put him in touch with supporters.

Wentzville Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jon Parmentier said he supports Ranken Tech coming to Wentzville.

“They will hire teachers who will stay here in Wentzville, shop here, buy groceries, clothes and go to lunch here,” Parmentier said.

Tucker said, “Businesses are excited to have them come here.”

The board also took the following actions:

• Approved site plans for Fairfield Inn & Suites;
• Approved site plans for GM Wentzville plant additions and improvements
• Listened to a police department needs assessment from Harrison, who agreed to give her assessment to the board within 90 days on the job.

Look for more news regarding Board actions Tuesday on Patch.