Lake Saint Louis Live Blog Tonight from City Hall

Watch this space for continuing live updates from tonight's meetings at city hall: 5:30 p.m. public works session, 7:00 p.m. Board of Aldermen meeting.

Discussion began about the mid-year budget. City Administrator Paul Markworth said that the city is seeing increasing in francise fees. Sales tax was down in November, but December sales taxes were up $64,000 over what was budgeted.

Emergency purchases of salt were not reflected in the current budget.

Harry Slyman asked if more should be budgeted for attorney fees, with the city currently involved in two lawsuits. He asked for $40,000 to be budgeted instead of $20,000.

Markworth asked the board to consider more money for repair overlays to concrete streets in the city. In looking at future funding, he looked at the operating budget, which is heavy on personnel costs, but not as heavy as neighboring cities. What can be expected going forward with the city's shopping centers? "Most stores and restaurants are doing well. We'll have some new stores coming on line, some growth in gross receipts and franchise fees, new areas to be annexed," Markworth said.  The city is looking at $5-600,000 in increased revenue, which should help with the costs to keep the city's streets in repair, but won't meet those costs in 2013 and 2014.

"We need to come up with proposals about where that money will come from," Markworth said.

John Pellerito commented that people are not as concerned about a sales tax increase or a bond issue, but they are not on board with a property tax increase.

Slyman said that he is hopeful that 2013 will see a better economy. He said that he would like to see the increase designated strictly for streets and storm water improvement.

Mayor Mike Potter said he is not behind a bond being used for maintenance. The real estate tax could be raised to 63 cents per $100 of assessed valuation without going to the residents for a vote.

George Rich commented that he doesn't believe that there will be a problem with a sales tax increase, which would be passed on to consumers. Kathy Schweikert said that she believed it would be an issue for people, especially wth big-ticket items.

Paul Markworth said that LSL sales tax rate is currently the same or lower than neighboring communities.

Ralph Sidebottom said that he believes time will help increase revenue. More people that he has talked to are in favor of an increased sales tax. A bond issue would have to be looked at not as a permanent fix, but as a bridge until a permanent revenue stream develops.

George Rich said that a bond issue could be used to address stormwater problems. Potter commented that taxes would still have to be raised to pay the bond.

Markworth said he didn't expect a decision tonight. He would like staff to put together some options. A year from now, he said, "we need to have a pretty good direction where to go . . . and throw out some options to the public."

Don Baker of Donatelli's spoke to the board about the possibility of amending the ordinances to allow a wine bar. The board was amenable to that change, and will look into it.

The Meadows site plan from 2006 for two junior anchors. The building being currently proposed for the second junior anchor is 16,000 square feet, smaller than the original site plan. The Development Review Board will be reviewing the architecture.

Additions to the Baptist Church are asking for a 50-foot-tall building. Current code has some "erroneous references" with one section that says height is restricted to 35 feet. Another section says that standards may be varied by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Steve Schertel, community development director, said there are two alternatives to be able to allow the height: 1) rezone the property to planned development or 2) amend the designation of public activity to allow the extra height. Schertel said that current code allowed for "belfries" to exceed the limit.

Harry Slyman asked if any requirements were going to be waived for parking. Schertel said that the church's current grassed areas would probably be converted into parking.

The public work session recessed at 6:55 p.m.

Board of Aldermen meeting began at 7:04 p.m.

C.A. representative Fay Johnston reported that financial plan was approved. Improvements this year will include parking lot repairs and tennis court resurfacing. Approved an ad hoc committee for review of the by-laws and C & Rs. Approved limited dredging in Dauphine Bay. Approved date for triathlon for Aug. 20. Music on the Lake concert dates were also approved. The Polar Plunge on Saturday was a great success.

Dana Delibovi was appointed to the Green Environmental Advisory Committee.

The board approved a zoning change for a 2.23-acre tract south of Veterans Memorial and east of South Ellerman from Community Business to Planned Development.

Harry Slyman brought up concerns about the second reading of the bill to raise the speed limit on Lake Saint Louis Boulevard in the 25 mph zone. Slyman said that accidents in the past prompted the change to 25 mph, and asked if any other options were possible to make the stretch safer. Ralph Sidebottom asked about the speed study originally done on the stretch of road. Public Works Director Derek Koestel said that the city needs to set a true expectation. Chief Mike Force said you can find reasons to leave it at 25 mph, and just as valid data to put it back to 35 mph. It's not a high accident area, and there were about the same number of accidents before the change as after. The problem now, Force said, is that people are passing on the right hand side and endangering pedestrians and cyclists.

After the discussion, the second reading was held and the bill was passed unanimously.The speed limit for Lake Saint Louis Boulevard from Rue de Paix to the bridge will go to 35 mph.

The board passed an ordinance to establish a procedure to disclose potential conflict of interests for certain officials. Also passed were a budget revision, a renewal of an agreement with the St. Charles Regional Drug Task Force, an agreement with Dobbs Tire & Auto to maintain city vehicles, and the lease/purchase of three police cars and equipment.

John Pellerito, Ralph Sidebottom, Karen Vennard and Mayor Potter applauded the efforts of Lake Saint Louis Public Works with snow removal during the recent winter storms.

Chief Mike Force thanked everyone for their support of the Polar Plunge, which raised $90,000 for Special Olympics.