Politics & Government

Watch This Space: Live Blog from City Hall Tonight!

Lake Saint Louis Patch will be covering the public work session and Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Lake Saint Louis Patch will be covering tonight's meetings at City Hall. Both the public work session at 5:30 and the Board of Aldermen meeting at 7:00 will have live updates.

On the public work session agenda:

1.  Page Avenue Extension to I-64/Hwy 40. Phase 2, which goes to MidRivers, is expected to be done in May 2012, Mayor Potter said. City Administrator Paul Markworth has identified an opportunity to get funding for construction out to Lake Saint Louis. The city will send a letter of support to East-West Gateway.

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2.  Development Review Board Membership. City Administrator Paul Markworth suggested that a resident-at-large be added to keep it at five members. It will be going before the planning board. "Five is a good number, it breaks ties. Three is too small," Markworth said.

3.  Drug Paraphernalia Law. Chief Mike Force said that he and Markworth had discussed an ordinance currently on the books, but to keep someone from selling these items, you would have to prove intent. Wentzville has a very extensive ordinance which uses the word "intent." When activities seem suspicious, law enforcement starts paying more attention, Force said.

Find out what's happening in Wentzvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kathy Schweikert brought up hookah pipes, which do have some legal uses, and bath salts. Force said that it's the drugs in the bath salts, which people "snort," that are illegal, and that you can't blanket prohibit bath salts.

Ralph Sidebottom said that he had a hard time understanding anything that would aid and abet the use of self-destructive behavior.

Force said that most laws are careful not to take away the rights of people. He called for the press to look at the way items are being used and inform the people in the community. Public awareness is the key, and we all have to get involved. Laws can't fix everything, Force said.

Schweikert asked Markworth about the business in question. Markworth said he has never been in one of the stores. Force said that he knows there will be some concerns on the part of citizens.

4.  Projected Property Tax Due to County by April 8, 2011. Senate Bill 711 says that by March 1, the city will get their assessment valuation from the county assessor. We'll have a pretty good idea if our valuation is up or down, Markworth said. If it comes down substantially, and we say we're not anticipaiting to raise the levy to make up the loss, we have a lot of pressure on the budget. We need to talk about it. We'll need to have an ordinance in place for the projected levy. 2011 is a reassessment year, and the city can not raise the levy to the ceiling in an assessment year.

Currently levy is 59 cents, said Potter. Next year it could go up to a ceiling of 63 cents. All we can do this year is make up for what we lost in re-assessment, Potter said. We might have a tough decision in a couple of weeks, Markworth said.

5.  Other items: The city has concerns about weeds, grass and agricultural-zoned land and has a hard time enforcing the weed and grass ordinance currently in place. The city is looking at new regulations: If your grass gets taller than 7 inches, you will be notified to cut it. You'll have fifteen days (in line with state statutes) and then the city takes action. Currently the ordinance has been in place for more than 20 years, designation has changed from first class city to charter city and that might change how things are addressed.

Developers planting agricultural crops are a concern, but the city is making a list of requirements to make sure these properties are maintained in a way that is no offensive to residents. Among the requirements is that a 30-foot strip around the property would have to be maintained at the 7-inch limit, and a permit would have to be obtained. Board was agreeable to addressing the problem, and it may be added to the next meeting's agenda.

George Rich brought up a product that can help keep soil from compacting and help drainage around trees, and suggested it be looked at for the Freymuth Road project. Derek Koestel, Director of Public Works, was concerned about the accuracy of the pricing given, and about the time delay and traffic management for the installation. He is not sure that Freymuth is the best location for a test project.

John Pellerito brought up St. Charles, St. Peters, and O'Fallon have programs for sewer lateral repair insurance and waterline insurance. Wentzville is studying it. Sidebottom said that all the city has to do it approve it, and the more homeowners participate, the cheaper the premium is. The board decided that it needs more discussion.

Kathy Schweikert mentioned the ordinance that approved signage on ballpark walls. She said they need to get a timeline in place in order to take advantage of this money-making program for the parks department.

Karen Vennard mentioned that the Tree Board was thinking about a cookbook fundraiser and wanted to get the board's feelings about it. The board was agreeable.

 

On the Board of Aldermen agenda:

Announcements and Committee reports:  This year will be the tenth anniversary of Lake Saint Louis becoming a Tree City USA. The tree board is planning a Tree Ball in the Meadows for Arbor Day observances. The board is looking for new members.

DRB met and approved a new 24,000 square foot TJ Maxx store at Hawk Ridge next to Sports Authority.

ARB met and approved pools on Woodland Drive and one on Pelican Court, a room addition on Leon Ct, and a screened-in porch.

Public Comment:

A resident spoke about problems with the maintenance shed in Founder's Park starting to "junk up" again. They have stacked soccer fences alongside the building. It's visible from the road. There is a place for the fences, but they don't use it. On Leon Court, there is a hole with a cover missing in the middle of the street that needs to be addressed.

1.    Bill No. 3124 – An ordinance to  exercise the first year renewal option of the contract with Mandee Foods for the 2011 season for Founders Sports Complex concession operations for the City of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. Passed.

2.    Bill No. 3125 – An ordinance amending the Lake Saint Louis Municipal Code, Title VI. Business and Occupation, Chapter 600: Alcoholic Beverages, adding provisions for a wine bar. First reading only.

3.    Bill No. 3126 – An ordinance to adopt a budget revision for the City of Lake Saint Louis’ budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. Passed.

4.    Bill No. 3127 – An ordinance amending the Municipal Code, Title IV: Land Use, Chapter 430 Additional Development Standards, Article III. Sign Regulations, changing the official title of Section 430.377 from “Temporary Signage in Support of Commerce for the CB (Community Business) and HC (Highway Commercial) Zoning Districts” to “Temporary Signage in Support of Commerce." Passed.

5.    Resolution No. 02-22-11 (1)  A resolution authorizing city officials to submit   a grant application for Civic Center Drive requesting funds from East-West Gateway on behalf of the City of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. Removed from the agenda.

6.    Resolution No. 02-22-11 (2) A resolution granting a Special Use Permit to David and Molly Rolwes allowing for an equipment and materials storage yard in connection with a plumbing business office known as Armstrong Plumbing, located on property zoned LI (Light Industrial) at 8706 Orf Road. Passed.

Board member comments:

Ralph Sidebottom said that some residents are paying phone utility taxes to Wentzville and O'Fallon. The problem is being addressed.

Kathy Schweikert looked at the Cognac stormwater project. There was concern from residents with the melting snow, but there doesn't appear to be any problem.


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