Ellendale Meeting Notes for September 11, 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
Amendment of July meeting notes
Alderman Scott Ogilvie (24th Ward)
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 about 60% of the increased revenue to go to police compensation, benefits, and equipment. This largely goes to counter St. Louis County’s recent police pay increase.
Approval of Minutes as amended: Lesley Wilson, motion; Sue Thomas, second; unanimously approved
Community Reports
Alderman Scott Ogilvie (24th Ward)
Greenway construction continues and is on schedule to be completed on time this fall. Projected for October 2017.
Advantes Group now has a contract on Wilkinson School with the intention of historically renovating into market-rate apartments.
Question: Resident had heard that the owner of Advantes is planning a 4000 sq ft office on South side of property.
Ogilvie: It could be a possibility but current focus is on conversion to apartments. Matt Sisul: This area is zoned A and will need neighborhood approval for a conditional use permit before a business office could be constructed and opened.
Update on Scottrade renovations. Ogilvie: Aldermanic Bill was passed authorizing funding of renovations. Funds have not been made available yet by Comptroller Darlene Green to the Blues organization. Blues organization is suing City of St. Louis because of the slow pace of allocating of funds. Blues have gone ahead anyway and started renovations at their own expense.
Several residents would like to see Piccadilly Avenue returned to two-way traffic with parking on only one side. Another resident mentioned need for stop sign at Commonwealth and Piccadilly.
Ald. Ogilvie set up time to meet and observe the traffic with residents on Wednesday, September 13th at 4:30 pm at intersection in question.
Officer Don Veile (2nd District)
Presented Police report from July 10th to September 10th.
360 total incidents of police contacts.
Larcenies have been the largest issue along with car accidents.
For suspicious cars parked in the neighborhood officer Veile recommends calling police and following up with ENA President Matt Sisul as well.
Resident concerned with increase activity at steps connecting Southwest and Ellendale. Officer Veile recommends calling police to report a suspicious person.
Matt Sisul: Reports of neighborhood house break-ins often occur where homes are vacant or appear vacant. Standard recommendations of locking doors and windows and leaving lights on when not home apply.
Matt Sisul: Crime activity that occurs in Maplewood does not appear on Ellendale report. What coordination is SLPD having with the Maplewood Police Department? Officer Veile said multi-jurisdiction intelligence is shared to help respond to crimes along City and County lines.
Question: What are the parabolic antennas on top of intersection stoplights along Manchester Avenue? Answer: Could be MODOT or National Weather Service or local news channels. Those belonging to Police are marked with the Police logo and have a flashing red light.
Concern: Signal at McCausland and Arsenal/Emilie seems to be skipping. Matt continues to contact City Traffic regarding issue. Storms and high wind have affected sensors that need to be re-set.
Resident recommends “Look Out, STL!” (www.lookoutstl.com) for near real-time updates on local Police activity. Officer Veile also mentioned that the Police use “Nixle” for communicating information to residents. Sign-up available through St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department website (www.slmpd.org) or through Nixle directly (https://local.nixle.com/register/). SLMPD also have a Crime Mapping link on their website (supported by www.CrimeReports.com).
Resident concerned with people parking at Hermitage Ave. and then walking down to Slay Park. Resident believes this may be suspicious activity. Officer Veile recommends calling police to report a suspicious person. Residents can also contact Park Rangers (314-289-5350) who are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to respond to such park concerns.
Kajauna Thomas (NSO, 24th Ward)
Working to get trash and recycling dumpsters replaced. Call (314-657-1369) or email (ThomasKa@stlouis-mo.gov) if your bin is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. Then leave bin on the curb for City to replace. City will not come on to your property to replace bins.
Question: If trash truck dumps part of trash on the ground and then leaves it there, what can residents do? Contact City Refuse and let them know about your issue. Refuse contact info: 314-647-3111
Resident wants a street sign added on Tremont East of Ellendale along with dead end sign as well. Citizens Service Bureau will research this possibility.
Board Report
Treasurer’s Report (Matt Sisul, for Joe Nea – excused absence)
July balance: $746.29
Payments: $557.83 (June Social Event and August National Neighborhood Night Out expenses, as previously approved)
Deposits: $60.00 (new memberships received)
Current Balance $248.46
Housing Committee Report (Lesley Wilson)
Wilkinson School
Added that Advantes is planning 26 units and they will self manage the property when completed.
Advantes is planning on presenting their Wilkinson plans to ENA at our March, 2018 meeting.
President’s Report (Mathew Sisul)
Matt encouraged members to consider stepping up to be Block Captains in order to better communicate between Police, residents and ENA.
ENA Officer Elections (Matthew Sisul)
PLEASE NOTE: the current President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary are all willing to be re-elected should no one wish to oppose them, HOWEVER, the Communications Officer position is being vacated and we need a new resident to step up and fill the position. If you think you are interested and have any questions about the position, please contact Angela Sebben (amsebben@sisna.com).
Motion made by Matt Sisul to keep existing Executive Board minus Angela Sebben (Matt Sisul as President, Jacqi Kamp as Vice President, Joe Nea as Treasurer, and Barry Marquart as Secretary).
Motion was seconded by Jim Howard and approved unanimously by members present.
Matt asked if anyone would be willing to serve as Communications Officer. No residents volunteered, so the position will remain open at this time.
Matt congratulated outgoing Communication Officer Angela Sebben for her dedication to ENA over the past two years.
New Business
Boy Scout Josh Sisul has submitted an Eagle Scout project proposal to plant a native wildflower and pollinator garden at end of Ellendale Ave. at Southwest Ave.
Matt Sisul proposed a motion that ENA take over management of area (gardening, watering, and related maintenance) once the projected is completed. Motion was seconded by Maria Gray and approved unanimously.
Motion to adjourn by Charlie White and seconded by Jim Howard. Meeting adjourned at 8:22.
The next Ellendale Neighborhood Association meeting will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 7:00p.m. at Abbott EMS, 2500 Abbot Place, St. Louis.
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