Ellendale Meeting Notes for September 12, 2016
A PDF of the meeting notes can be downloaded by clicking here.
MEETING NOTES
Location: Abbott EMS, 2500 Abbott Place, St. Louis, Missouri
Meeting began at 7:03 pm
Recap of previous meeting minutes and discussion
Approval of minutes, July Meeting
Community Reports
Updates from Alderman Scott Ogilvie (24th ward)
Great Rivers Greenway will hold one more open house at Timothy Lutheran Church on October 12th from 4:30 to 7:30 to update the public on the River des Peres bike trail extension.
The 6900 block of Odell continues to have flooding issues that Ald. Ogilvie is working to remedy
Martin Fischer commented: Thanks for help with trail extension and help resolving the issue with the sidewalk in front of my house. It is much appreciated.
Wanda Sykes. commented: She would like City to consider no parking signs on Southwest Avenue just west of the alley near Southwest Diner. She says her car was hit when she was easing out of the ally and could not be seen. Also would like crosswalk painted to direct foot traffic. ENA and Ald Ogilvie will start working with City Streets Dept to address both items.
Joan Merlo Question: Southwest Avenue between McCausland and railroad overpass continues to be excessively littered. Resident would like suggestions for keeping it clean. Hopefully ENA could sponsor clean-ups.
Mike Wilson Questions: 3 houses torn down on Clifton next to Chemisphere. Do you know what are the plans? Increased semi traffic and demolition affects quality of life of nearby residents. Ogilvie: Chemisphere Corporation would like to expand parking are and put up a fence and allow more room for semi-trucks to turn around. Ogilvie says residents must approve whatever development takes place. Neighborhood association will support residents. Matt Sisul encourages residents to contact ENA anytime they have concerns.
Resident on Adeline: Affected by increased truck traffic of semis on route to and from Chemisphere Corporation causing collapsed streets and sewer lines. Also concerned with trains frequently blocking Knox Avenue which could hinder emergency vehicles getting through. Resident inquired about possibly using nearby alley, but Ogilvie said it was not a city alley and is likely owned by the railroad. (ENA has forwarded this request to Chemisphere directly, who is evaluating logistics. Executive board will update membership with any new information, as available.)
It was announced that the 24th word has a new Neighborhood Improvement Specialist (NIS). Her name is Kajuana Thomas and she will be full-time.
Guest Speaker: Steve Nagle, project manager for River Des Peres Watershed Coalition, RDPWC
14th annual River des Peres clean-up, Trash Bash, will be held on October 22nd, from 8:00am to noon. There will be fifteen clean-up sites. The RDP watershed encompasses 115 square miles with headwaters near UMSL. There will be three registration sites with the main one at Willmore Park. The event will include food and will wrap up with live music, prizes and more.
Resident question: What is the overall plan for the River des Peres? Steve: People want RDP to look nice and the long term plan is for MSD to fix combine storm and sewer drainage overflow and eventually restore the river to a more natural state. Meetings occur roughly every two months. Check website riverdesperes.org for more info.
ENA Housing Committee (Leslie Wilson)
Spoke about Greater Goods Company’s attempt to purchase Wilkinson School. Their offer was not accepted by SLPS. They may make a counter offer. There reportedly are other potential buyers interested in the school.
Matt Sisul: Greater Goods is a social enterprise company specializing designing and sale of household items. They partner with nonprofit charities to share revenues. They design products but don’t manufacture them and do a lot of online sales. Their products have also been sold at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. Greater Goods is interested in relocating to St. Louis City from St. Charles. They would largely just have offices at the Wilkinson location. Want to expand their vision of design competition with high school students to get them interested in business and invention.
Joan Merlo from housing committee: When will residents be made aware of who else is making offers to buy Wilkinson. Ogilvie: SLPS does not have legal obligation to let the public know. Recent SLPS sales have been successful with a good track record.
Matt Sisul: How does ENA play a role in decisions made regarding the sale of Wilkinson? Ogilvie: Once a contract is accepted, SLPS would likely need a variance if the buyer intends on any use beyond a single family dwelling, for which it is currently zoned. ENA would then likely have a say in the variance application process.
Leslie: Burned out house on 3376 Commonwealth has permit for demolition.
Presented real estate activity report
Treasurer Report
Balance as of 9/12/16 is $231.29. Only expense during period was signage, as approved at July 2016 meeting.
Officer Elections
Matt recapped ENA accomplishments from the past year.
All current members are willing to serve again.
Floor was open for other potential candidates to step forth.
No other candidates volunteered to run.
Jim Haislip motioned to keep board the same. Mike Wilson seconded motion. All in favor. No opposed. The motion was accepted.
Additional updates:
National night out was a great success. Fire trucks and ambulances were on display for kids to tour. Chalk drawing contest and food was included. Thirty to forty people attended. Pictures and more info are available on various ENA social media sites.
Resident concerned about graffiti at Slay Park. Matt said that he forwarded work order to Operation Bright Side and it should soon be taken care of.
Resident concern: Curious if the Gathering Church still plans on building at Joe K cars site. Ogilvie said yes.
Resident comment: Is storage facility on McCausland near O’Riley’s auto parts still slated to be constructed? Ogilvie: Preliminary site work is underway. Development team met with residents at Lanham Ave and Lowry Ave about proposed plans and to discuss any potential neighbor concerns. To-date, discussions have been relatively positive. More updates to follow as additional information is available.
Jenise Nea motioned to adjourn the meeting.
Mike Wilson seconded. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24.
Reminder
Membership dues are $6 per adult per household. $24 per business. Dues help fund upcoming projects and must be current to vote on major issues, but are not required for general meeting attendance.
The next Ellendale Neighborhood Association meeting
will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016, at 7:00p.m.
at Abbott EMS, 2500 Abbot Place, St. Louis.
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