Ellendale Meeting Notes for November 13, 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 7:00
Approval of Minutes from September 2017 General Meeting
Leslie Wilson, motion; Charlie White, second; unanimously approved
Community Reports
Officer Don Veile (2nd District)
Provided neighborhood police report.
Car thefts on the rise south of hwy 40.
Q: What are the details of the holdup incident on Sept 29th at 6574 Manchester Ave?
A: Officer Veile was not sure but will look it into it.
UPDATE: The holdup listed at 6547 Manchester occurred at the Dollar General Store. The employees were closing the store and counting down the receipts when two subjects entered the store and robbed them of same. No injuries but they did make good their escape after a brief pursuit with the police.
Q: What kind of cars are thieves targeting?
A: Mainly Chryslers of the high end variety, Dodge, Buick, among others.
Alderman Scott Ogilvie (24th Ward)
Election recap from last week.
Prop P passed: Increase in budget begins at the beginning of 2018.
60% goes to police force salary increase, fire department 20% with remaining funds going towards other related crime-prevention programs (such as building demolition & youth summer programs).
Q: Once police get their pay raise, how close will their pay be to St. Louis County?
A: SLMPD will be very close to St. Louis County police department; however all individual municipalities have their own scales – some much higher, some much lower. The SLMPD pension plan is currently better than the St. Louis County PD.
As requested by area residents, a four-way stop sign at Commonwealth and Piccadilly was officially approved by ordinance and should be installed soon. Also suggested & discussed was possibility of making Piccadilly, between Commonwealth and Manhattan, a two way street. Ald. Ogilvie indicated that City Streets Dept would approve this change, but not two-way traffic flow on Piccadilly between Ellendale Ave (aka McCausland) and Commonwealth.
Q:, Resident is concerned about new striping on McCausland as a result of the new trail construction from Southwest down to Canterbury. In particular regarding turning right while traveling South.
A: Ogilvie plans to revisit the striping to see if it is the best fit for that stretch of road.
Matt Sisul referenced an email response from the Great Rivers Greenway as to why the lane changes are starting at Southwest Ave and not at Canterbury as previously reported to ENA. The reason given was that more distance was needed for cars to yield in advance of the lane change south of Canterbury. Matt requested further clarification from the City on this subject.
Discussion of striping ensued.
Resident is concerned about drivers cutting through Abbot from Southwest Avenue and going left on Magnolia to McCausland in an effort to avoid stop light on Southwest and McCausland. Asked if it was possible to make Magnolia two-way traffic.
A: Several other residents mentioned that traffic on Magnolia is better than it has been in previous decades, and Alderman Ogilvie is not supportive to changes resulting in more cut-through traffic on Magnolia or backing up traffic on SW. Magnolia is a one-way street through this stretch for that very reason.
Lastly - Ald. Ogilvie shared his thoughts on development assistance. Incentives are still needed to encourage development in St. Louis City. Population has declined for six straight decades. Tax-based incentives have undergone reform in last two years. City government has taken a much more careful and analytical approach towards giving development projects incentives in recent years. As a result there has been a reduction of incentives provided to newer projects particularly housing developments. Ogilvie believes this is good for the City especially in creating more confidence to residents that the city is on the upswing. All incentives make up only 3 to 4 percent of city budget overall, but produce a large amount of revenue returned in jobs created, housing produced, and businesses supported.
Matt Sisul thanked Scott for being responsive meeting separately with residents on Commonwealth and for following through and making the requested traffic changes on Piccadilly Avenue.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Matt Fulmer (The Gathering Church)
Old location on McCausland was very limited and they were running out of space.
Purchased Joe-K Used Cars for expansion site of new church.
New space will accommodate 600 individuals.
First church build in the city in over 50 years
Late July or early August projected completion date.
Old space will still be used for small scale special services .
Access to new church will be near Walgreens from both McCausland and Manchester via Noonan Ave.
Current congregation is about 700 people.
No plans to purchase apartments near the new construction.
Two Sunday services, one Saturday.
Board Report
Treasurer’s Report (Matt Sisul, for Joe Nea – excused absence)
September balance: $248.46
No activity
Current Balance $248.46
Housing Committee Report (Lesley Wilson)
Real-estate report made available at meeting.
Matt Sisul was asked for followup on homes planned for 2740 Ellendale Ave. No updates at this time, other than Aleto Construction intends to time any construction start so completion coincides with peak market sales (such as spring/summer).
Matt Sisul was asked for followup on Wilkinson School. No new updates. We hope to have a presentation from the developer at our March 2018 meeting.
Matt Sisul was asked for followup on 7100 Ellendale Place property in probate – no new updates
Ellendale Neighborhood Pollinator Gardens
Ellendale Avenue (at Southwest Avenue) – completed 10/14/2017
Pictures of project were passed around for residents to see. Work performed by Boy Scout Troop 62. All funding for the project provided by Neighbors Naturescaping grant from Brightside St. Louis.
Eveline Street (at Hampton Avenue) – PROPOSED
Possible future garden proposed for 2018 Naturescaping Grant, if said grant is offered. Anyone interested in taking part in planning this project should contact Matt Sisul if wanting/requesting ENA participation. He can also offer assistance/advice with Neighbors Naturescaping grant if pursuing.
If anyone has suggestions for other areas for future gardens, please contact Matt Sisul.
Reminder that volunteers needed for watering & weeding schedules for each garden ENA decides to take ownership. Please contact Matt Sisul for additional information.
Executive Board Vacancy (carried from September 2017 association elections)
Communications Officer – vacancy; executive board provided outline of duties & responsibilities and encouraged anyone interested serving ENA in this position to contact them
New Business
Block Captains – anyone interested in serving their block are encouraged to contact Matt Sisul
2018 Dues – reminder that 2018 dues are due starting January 1.
2018 Neighborhood Cleanups – working on a schedule; suggestions for areas welcomed; more information to be provided at future meetings.
Motion to adjourn by Charlie White and seconded by Jim Howard. Meeting adjourned at 8:08.
The next Ellendale Neighborhood Association meeting will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018, at 7:00p.m. at Abbott EMS, 2500 Abbot Place, St. Louis.
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