ENA Meeting Minutes January 2021
Meeting Notes – January 11, 2021
The Ellendale Neighborhood Association will comply with social distancing practices recommended and required by the City of St. Louis Health Department in response to COVID-19. As a result, this meeting was held in-person, indoors at St. James the Greater school cafeteria (1360 Tamm Ave) and virtually via Facebook Live. The meeting announcement and joining/participating information were provided in advance, consistent with the organization’s bylaws (revised July 2015 and adopted November 9, 2015).
The full meeting broadcast can be viewed on the Ellendale Neighborhood Association group Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/groups/EllendaleNA.StL
Meeting opened at 7:11PM
Welcome & Facebook Live Overview
Matthew Sisul outlined the meeting procedures for the session so that online participants could submit questions via Facebook chat, or by email, or by text.
We have approval from the St. James the Greater parish to use either their gymnasium or cafeteria - depending upon availability - for our March 2021 meeting. Then we hope to return to outdoor meetings in Ellendale/Slay Park, weather permitting.
Streaming our meetings via Facebook Live remains quite popular and will be continued indefinitely for future meetings.
Approval of Minutes, November 2020 Meeting
Hard copies of the November 2020 meeting notes were distributed to those attending the meeting in-person. A weblink to the online document was previously shared on the ENA Facebook page.
Motion to approve November 2020 notes as formal meeting minutes made by Linda Boyd-Shell and seconded by Lesley Wilson. Approved by voice vote.
Community Reports
Capt. Christi Marks (SLMPD, 2nd District)
Capt. Marks introduced Sgt. Robert Weast
SLMPD working to addressing the recent problem of rise in thefts of catalytic converters. Reports that District 1 and District 2 among the hardest hit areas in the City. Special unit involving 3 detectives are currently working on it, focusing on the buyers of scrap metal. Warns that it takes thieves just a few minutes to saw the catalytic converters located underneath cars. The scrap metals can be worth several hundred dollars. Toyota models are the most commonly targeted for these thefts, but all vehicles at risk. Recommend installing braces, straps, or cages over vehicle catalytic converter. Also recommend engraving your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into catalytic converter metal frame, as this deters individuals from attempting to sell as scrap because the VIN is required to be reported.
Question: Are these types of theft part of an organized, sophisticated group?
Capt. Marks: Thefts of catalytic converters are from numerous groups & numerous individuals.
Auto thefts are the second biggest crimes in District 2. Frequently cars are stolen while running when cold to heat up. Also cars are being stolen with key fobs left in vehicles, allowing thieves to start up car & drive away. Recommend not leaving valuable in plain sight, not leaving your vehicles running when not inside, locking car doors, and not leaving spare keys or key fobs inside parked vehicles.
Burglary is another common problem in Second District. Recommend installing motion detectors/lights around homes, particularly in backyards that adjoin alleys. Video surveillance systems are getting cheaper, so recommend installing home video camera & security systems. These are the most helpful in SLMPD solving crimes committed.
Alderman Bret Narayan (24th Ward)
Reported that even he has had his catalytic converter stolen. Imported cars & SUVs are common targets. Echoed the recommendations made previously by Capt. Marks.
Referencing the violence and unrest at the Washington DC Capitol, Ald. Narayan shared that it is believed more cities like St. Louis could see similar unrest & protests. (Capt. Marks added that most protests outside Washington DC are believed will focus on state senators & representatives and expected to take place around state capitols.)
Ald. Narayan has received many questions about the Route 66 medical marijuana dispensary locating at the former Taco Bell building on Manchester, in St. Louis Marketplace. The interior buildout is nearing completion. The next step for them will be to apply for their Commencement approval from both the State and City. Reminder that this is a medical marijuana facility, which will require patrons to be pre-approved with an individual medical-marijuana license. Because of its location, not a lot of public foot traffic is expected.
Question: Is this about the existing Taco Bell located in Maplewood, on Big Bend?
Ald Narayan: No, this is about an empty building located in the City, in Ellendale, on Manchester east of
McCausland.
The local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is hosting a mayoral primary candidate forum on Thursday, January 14th, at 7PM. Register to attend virtually through their website (www.akagostl.com).
Updates from the Board of Aldermen:
Firefighters union has asked the board of aldermen to combine the trustees system with their pension plan. Ultimately, the goal is to save their retirement fund several million dollars while continuing to paying out the benefits in full. All City employee pension plans are strained due to economic stress from 2020.
Proposed electric vehicle infrastructure legislation that he co-sponsored will require all new construction – both business and residential – to have additional electric installed to allow for charging electric-powered vehicle batteries. Electric outlets for these vehicles are similar to those of residential dryers (220 volts).
Board Bill #200 – also known as the “spy plane bill” involves persistence aerial surveillance. The technology was initially used to locate makers of roadside bombs in Iraq. Proposed for St. Louis City, the plan will involve three small aircraft Cesnas flying over the City taking high definition/resolution aerial pictures, approximately ten per second. These planes can track movement of people to and from places. The intention is for these photos to aid in the solving of crimes and prosecution of perpetrators thereof. In Ald. Narayan’s opinion, the technology is probably better used on a battlefield rather against a city’s civilians. A private donor (Dr. Ross McNutt) has promised $3 Million per year towards the cost of the aerial surveillance in St. Louis City. However, the ACLU has also promised lawsuits against the City for violations of civil rights. The cost to potentially defend it would be a cost incurred by the City. So this end is being taken into consideration. The aerial surveillance also would be limited to only operate during daytime hours. It is acknowledged by both sides of the issue that much of City crime occurs at night, during hours the planes would not be flying. The real risk in the data set – i.e., the comings and goings of citizenry – is that it can be misused or even sold. For example, other jurisdictions and even private insurance companies have expressed interest. Ald. Narayan unlikely to support without a great deal of additional information.
Question: Looking to clarify the status & timeline of the proposed legislation and related resolution(s).
Ald. Narayan: Confirmed that the proposed legislation passed by Public Safety aldermanic committee (6
supporting, 1 opposed). The general Board of Aldermen passed a resolution several months ago prior, outlining the framework for the City to explore a contract with the organization who would administer the aerial surveillance program. However, the outline detailed in that resolution wasn’t really followed as the City explored this plan. Ald. Narayan also has issues/concerns with the way that the proposed contract was negotiated (by Ald. Tom Oldenburg, 16th Ward, who is not the chair of the Public Safety aldermanic committee and who is not a lawyer). Ald Narayan remains hesitant regarding the long-term cost to the City and even the legality of this aerial surveillance plan. The Board of Aldermen has asked the City Counselor’s Office for a legal opinions. In areas of the City where violent crime is prevalent, this plan appears to be popular. Additionally, some alderman don’t care about civil rights and/or Fourth Amendment.
Ald. Narayan plans to bring an amendment to the proposed contract that would allow for the City a clause to withdraw from the contract without any cause.
Question: What is the timeline as to when this board bill could be signed into City ordinance?
Ald Narayan: This plan could be signed into law within a couple of weeks. Because of the limitations of daytime-
only service leads him to believe the purpose of the surveillance is more for the data set rather than for crime prosecution. Ald. Narayan does not currently support Board Bill #200. Perhaps if the US Supreme Court says okay, that would be a different story. But at this time, he cannot see any reason to change his opinion.
Question: Is there any news/updates regarding ward reduction?
Ald. Narayan: This item is on the board’s informal calendar. Basically pausing work on relevant legislation. He
believes it will probably return before end of the session. While the 24th Ward residents overwhelmingly voted previously to reduce the number of City wards (from 28 to 14), he has found it challenging to discuss the City’s redistricting plans because many aldermen will not discuss anything other than requesting a re-vote from City voters. As such, Ald. Narayan is inclined to support putting the ward reduction vote back to City voters. However, he acknowledges the likelihood that ward reduction would be passed again. Ald. Narayan just wants to see some progress regarding the City’s redistricting efforts, and this may be the only way to get there.
Karen Clifford (CSB, 24th Ward NIS)
Karen is in Oklahoma – not present, in-person; but attending via Facebook Live.
Service Request: There is an abandoned car in the parking lot of Ellendale/Slay Park.
Service Request: The vacant lot that will be subdivided away from 7101 Ellendale Place has a wooden fence that has fallen down and is against the tree that is part of the Ellendale Neighborhood Pollinator Garden (Ellendale Ave, overlooking Southwest Ave).
Service Request: There appears to be a water main break along Ellendale Ave (McCausland Ave) near intersection of Esplanade St.
Yard Waste is suspended until week of March 1st. If you have a real issue with yard waste pick up – please contact Karen directly. Her email is CliffordK@stlouis-mo.gov and her cell phone is 314.489.2078.
Board Reports
Treasurer’s Report (Joe Nea)
$1,045.46 starting balance (November 2020)
$51.00 dues collected
$1,096.46 new balance (January 2021)
A digital/electronic method of paying dues is now available. Venmo @Joey-Nea; be sure to specify “ENA dues” in transaction notes.
Annual dues are $6 per person, per household; $3 per person 65+; Business dues are $24 per year
Housing Committee Report (Linda Boyd-Shell)
The vacant residential lot on Lanham Ave is under contract. Housing committee has not yet met with buyer, but proposed plan involves the new construction of townhomes. More information will be shared when available.
Matt Sisul: Residents of Lanham Ave will also be invited to join when a meeting date & time with buyer is made.
Homes for sale, activity:
For-Sale-by-owner: 7116 Arsenal St ($198,500)
For-Sale, listed: 2902 Ellendale Ave ($175,000)
New Business (Matthew Sisul)
24th Ward Community Directories are available for pickup.
Motion to adjourn made by Linda Boyd-Shell and seconded by Nathaniel Kamp. Approved by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned approximately 8:00PM