UPDATE: Lake Saint Louis Patch Live Blog from City Hall Tonight!

UPDATE: Lake Saint Louis Patch received this from City Administrator Paul Markworth today: "I misspoke last night when talking about the city's rebate program. I said it was a real estate tax rebate but it is actually a utility tax rebate.  Renee is preparing information people will need in order to submit a rebate claim.  The state of Missouri has a Homested tax rebate program for real estate."

Lake Saint Louis Patch will be at city hall tonight for the pubic work session at 5:30 p.m. and Board of Aldermen meeting at 7 p.m. You can see what's being discussed and what's being voted on as it happens!

Check back for continuous updates in this article. It's Lake Saint Louis Patch's first live blog — let us know what you think.

Public work session, 5:30 p.m. (Ralph Sidebottom and George Rich were absent): City Administrator asked for an amended agenda at the board meeting to vote on a voluntary annexation agreement for three parcels of land; to remove an agenda item for an annexation of two parcels of land owned by Chapel of the Lake and revisit it in a year; and to also remove an annexation for the Plaza Tire property to also look at in a year. As a result, there will be no involuntary annexations.

"At some point, we would like them to all be voluntary annexations," Markworth said.

5:45: Discussion about a recommendation to add a CA rep to the Tree Board. Issues come up when city ordinances are stricter than CA covenants. "Seems people know more about the CA covenants than the city ordinances," Kathy Schweikert said.

Karen Vennard asked that the discussion be tabled until George Rich was present, as he made the recommendation.

Real estate tax rebate program will open April 1 and close on May 31.

Harry Slyman mentioned that the utility tax rebate program is available to seniors or handicapped residents also. Applications are on the city website.

Director of Community Development Steve Schertel: First Baptist Church would like to build a new sanctuary, offices and classrooms at their current location. Schertel distributed a preliminary site plan. The new sanctuary height is 50 feet. Current zoning allows 35 feet. Harry Slyman asked what the downside would be to rezone the property. Schertel said that it might be a problem for nearby residents, as would some green space that would be converted to parking.

Kathy Schweikert asked about a stormwater study, and if the parking would require a buffer of trees. Schertel said that there were a lot of things that have not yet been addressed, such as a traffic study. Slyman said that if any changes were made to zoning for the height, they should also look at the setbacks in consideration of nearby residents.

Schertel said they would look at the possibility of changing the zoning districts. Slyman asked for several options. Schertel's office will be bringing those options to the next public works meeting.

6: 05: John Pellerito brought up that a contract for the sale of the Phillips 66 station is contingent on the new owner being able to get a hard liquor license. Markworth said that the city code would have to be changed, and there was a general consensus that the board did not want that to happen.

The public work session was recessed at 6:17.

6:40 Public work session back in session. Don Baker from Donatelli's asked for a license to serve alcohol by the drink, instead of the tasting license they currently hold. City ordinances only allow by-the-drink licenses for restaurants and hotels, establishments serving food. John Pellerito mentioned that wine bars are growing in popularity and can bring customers to the city, but city code would have to be changed.

Markworth said that they needed to do some research on it, because state regulations are so complicated. The preferred solution would be for the wine bar to also serve food and fall under current codes.

Board of Aldermen meeting started at 7 p.m.

Announcements: CA board representative. CA board of directors has approved the operating budget for 2011. The main thing approved was resurfacing of tennis courts. An ad hoc committee will be reviewing association by-laws and covenants and restrictions.

The Development Review Board approved a request for repainting at Walmart.

Public Hearings: An application for renewal of the Special Use Permit for the two temporary modular classrooms at Green Tree Elementary School. A representative from Bax Engineering showed the board photos of the site and the trailers which were painted to blend in with the school. A concern from a resident about a drainage problem caused by a sidewalk will be addressed.

7:19: Adjustments were made to the agenda as detailed in the public work session.

A first reading was given to an ordinance to extend the 35mph speed limit on Lake Saint Louis Boulevard.

A first and second reading were given to an ordinance to authorize a resubdivision of lots in Mason Glen Plat One. Ordinance was passed.

A first and second reading were given to an ordinance for an annexation agreement for property owned by Gregory and Diane Brannon. The agreement and the annexation were passed.

An ordinance for budget revisions was passed.

 A pre-annexation agreement for a little over 11 acres of land owned by Griffith Acquisitions LLC was passed.

A special use permit was authorized for an office building on the Coyne, Cundiff & Hilleman property. A special use permit was also granted to Coyne, Cundiff & Hilleman for the use and operation of a landscaping business.

A special use permit renewal was passed for the temporary modular classrooms at Green Tree. Terry Adams, superintendent of the Wentzville School District, told the board that the district planned to put a tax increase on the April ballot to raise the funding for building improvements so that the temporary trailers won't be back in front of the board every six months.

John Pellerito asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the Arizona shooting.