Ellendale Meeting Notes for July 10, 2017
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 7:02
Approval of Minutes, May 2017 Meeting
Motion was made by Jim Howard and seconded by Lesley Wilson to approve meeting minutes. Motion was approved.
Community Reports
KaJauna Thomas (NIS, 24th Ward)
She has been focusing on removing old light post banners along with filling potholes.
Q: Will banners be replaced? Ald. Ogilvie addressed later in meeting.
Q: Canterbury Avenue near Maplewood border has a deep bump on the City side. Resident concerned it could cause vehicle damage.
Concern: In the alley between Magnolia and Southwest Avenue, City refuse collectors are dumping recycling and regular trash in the same truck. Ald. Ogilvie addresses later in meeting.
Alderman Scott Ogilvie (24th Ward)
Banners are not being replaced due to lack of capacity to maintain them. City now requires a fee to maintain them (approximately $50 per banner per year).
Q: How about the metal banners?
They are a better option because they last longer and require less maintenance.Still required to pay annual insurance and maintenance fees.
It is not okay if refuse collectors are taking recycling and trash in the same truck. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. This is very important and will be addressed.
The City will probably be implementing higher refuse rates for City residents.The City is behind in updating fleet and the current fleet is aging which is costly and inefficient.
River des Peres Greenway extention development is going well. If anyone has a problem or concern with Greenway construction don’t hesitate to contact Ald. Ogilvie.
Comment: What is happening to the house on corner of McCausland and Canterbury? Is it a rehab or demolition? Matt Sisul said it appears to be a gut-rehab project. Ald. Ogilvie concurs that no demolition permits have been requested.
Question: Which street is going to be a cul-de-sac due to closures as a result of the Greenway construction? Answer: Tremont, Leamington
The Gathering Church is officially under construction and the storage rental building is completed.
City Hall: There is a high probability of a half-cent sales tax on the ballot in November. These funds are intended for Public Safety with a proposal for at least half of the funds to go to police salaries. This largely goes to counter St. Louis County’s recent police pay increase.
Q: Stop light at the intersection of Emilie and McCausland seems to skip several cycles causing a very long wait for divers. Ald. Ogilvie will look into to it and ENA will follow up with City Streets Department
Elizabeth Ward, Guest Speaker, Brightside St. Louis
Brightside promotes native landscaping because 95% of our natural landscapes have been lost negatively impacting biodiversity.Introduction of exotic species causes declines in native pollinators and other important insects.
Various literature resources were made available regarding planting native species, grant opportunities, and the Milkweed for Monarchs program.
Info was also made available regarding $1,500 grants for starting neighborhood native gardens.
Speaker promoted Project Blitz which provides tools and resources to neighborhoods for clean-up projects.
Recycling outreach program is also a big part of Brightside. Resources were made available regarding this program. Residents are encouraged to NOT place plastic bags in recycling containers. One example Miss Ward stated was that all plastic bags, even if they are filled with recycled materials, are removed and thrown in the trash. Items in the blue bins should be placed in loose.
Graffiti removal program is also available through Brightside. Contact the Citizens Service Bureau or Brightside directly if you need graffiti removed.
Board Report
Treasurer’s Report (Joe Nea)
May 8th balance was $370.
Current balance today, July 10, 2017, is $746.29
Some remaining payments and reimbursements regarding June Social Event still pending.
Housing Committee Report (Lesley Wilson)
Wilkinson School housing project fell through and again the school is on the market.
Garcia Properties is one of many parties interested in renovating the school to market-rate apartments. Garcia Properties has met with the ENA Housing Committee.It is possible that SLPS chooses someone else to develop the building.The ENA Housing Committee and ENA Officers will continue to work with SLPS and update membership as progress is made.
2740 Ellendale Avenue
Deconstruction of house is complete.
Project should be completed in fall or early winter, but construction may be delayed so project completion and listing homes for sale lines up with spring.
Any complaints and concerns can be forwarded to Matt Sisul, who will coordinate with the development team for resolution of any problems.
The ENA Housing Committee is working with development team to schedule meeting with affected neighbors of Ellendale Avenue, Ellendale Place, and Rabenberg Place regarding definitive construction plans.
June Social Event (Matt Sisul)
Expense Summary was presented.
Event ran $151.46 over budget due to lower than expected food truck sales. The deficit was paid out of pocket by board members Matt Sisul and Jacqi Kamp.
Motion was made by Barry Marquart to pay both board members Matt Sisul and Jacqi Kamp for the shortfall from the event. Second by Carrie Baker. Motion was approved.
Addition of 2 new members to ENA Housing Committee (Matthew Sisul)
Kathy Howard, Jill Lowry
Motion by Matt Sisul to add the above members to Housing Committee.Seconded by Carrie Baker.Motion was approved.
National Night Out: Tuesday, August 1st (Matt Sisul)
Planning on using upper Slay Park green space.
Volunteers are needed.Contact either Jacqi Kamp or Matt Sisul if interested.
September ENA Officer Elections (Matthew Sisul)
All five Officer positions are up for re-election.
All of the current Officers are willing to remain in their current positions except for Communications Officer who is stepping down.
Any member in good standing who is interested in serving as Communications Officer, or any Officer positions, is asked to attend the September meeting.
New Business
Beware of car break-ins at the end of Ellendale near Southwest Ave.
Motion to close meeting by Shaun Berhle, seconded by Charlie White. Motion approved.
The next Ellendale Neighborhood Association meeting will be held on Monday,September 11, 2017, at 7:00p.m. at Abbott EMS, 2500 Abbot Place, St. Louis.
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