Historical September–October 2024 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Board Members Present: Tracy Granneman (President, Rosedale ), Molly Rater (Secretary, Kingsbury Square), Yvette Kell (Treasurer, Washington Heights), Jim Holzer (Rosedale), AnnaMarie Bliss (at large), JoAnna Schooler (Washington University), Karen and Jeff Stokes (Grace Methodist), Mike Stephens (Parkview), Roger Harris (Washington Heights) Kathryn Bulard (Busey Bank), Linda Cross (Rosedale), Tim Woodcock (Rosedale) Not Present: Carl Merritt (Cote Brillante), John Wright (Parkview Agents), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights), Michelle Davidson (at large) Visitors: Marv Nodiff, NIS Karen Clifford, Andy Cross (Beautification), Kaitlin Daniels (Dog Park), Carynn Smith (Wash U student liaison), Cordell Whitlock (Steinberg project), John O’Gorman (Forest Park Forever), Marlene Mestres (5700 Kingsbury), Steven Buckley (BSP/Metro), Grady Vaughan (Security), Bob Johnson (Architect with Steinberg Project), Bob Dogwillo Meeting was called to Order at 7:03 in the SDCC office. Quorum with 12/16 board members present Guest Reports: Update on Steinberg Rink Restoration and Transformation: John O’Gorman gave an update and outlined how renovations of the Steinberg Rink aligned with the Forest Park Master Plan.
The transformation will be a nine step process and they are on steps 4/5 of 9. Hoping restoration will start in Spring 2025 and will last about 18 months resulting in one lost skating season. Community engagement has occurred in phases including surveys and open houses. More than 5000 people have weighed in on options including more food options, more seating, keeping the ice rink as is. Questions from the group answered. Tracy asked if any action was needed from the board and publicity for the next survey was requested Approval of May Minutes: Deferred due to time constraints Aldermanic Reports: Shameem reported that her 1 on 1 meeting in June would include the new circuit attorney and the crisis response team (purple shirts).
She and Grady Vaughan reported that several armed carjackings happened over the weekend: 3 on Pershing and 2 on DeGiverville.
It is believed that it was the same individual. Neighbors alerted police and Shameem quickly and action was taken.
There are now security cameras on DeGiverville. Dedicated staff have gone door to door trying to get Door camera footage. Tracy asked if any action was needed from board and Shameem suggested letting residents know that we are aware and following up. Refuse pick up getting back on schedule according to Shameem and NIS Karen Clifford Shameem will follow up on concern that public lot at the end of Westminster is not being maintained with overgrown bushes posing a security risk. Tracy asked if there was a list of items funded in the Traffic study and Shameem suggested to contact her-no list exists. MetroLink Secure Platform Upgrades: Melissa Webb of BiState Development (former Police Captain) spoke of security upgrades including fencing and gates for only ticketed passengers. Security staff will also be on site. Loitering around MetroLink stations will also be targeted. BiState has completed 87/99 recommendations from the WSD survey.
She reported that they
have a Real Time Camera Center with 1000 cameras including every area that BiState touches-this will be increasing to 2000 cameras.
The project has been divided into 6 construction packages comprised of four to eight MetroLink stations each.
The FP and Delmar Stations are in package 2/6 development stages with the Skinker station in package 4. Construction has already begun in Package 2 stations. BiState will also be piloting a program to have metal detectors at each station.
There is no facial recognition at this time but possibly in the future. Melissa reported that city, county and federal law enforcement agencies are sharing information. Fare increases are still to be determined. Melissa submitted her contact information mmwebb@metrostlouis.org and can be contacted to do more public outreach. Make Music Concert: Molly announced that the event will be happening at Greg Freeman Park 6-9 pm next Friday June 21st and is part of an international musical event commemorating the Summer Solstice Committee Reports submitted before the meeting: Beautification report: The Breakfast Garden Tour was wonderful!
We had a wide variety of backyards, some were only 2 months old & others were very well established gardens by long time neighbors.
The number of tour goers was not as big as usual this time but they loved the event and the gardeners were very happy with the visitors.
It is challenging to have an event like this without office staff, sometimes just for the many simple things like locating items in the SD office or to give information, and a place to hold tickets or buy tickets in advance.
The SD Dog Show is tomorrow night, Tues June 11 at 7pm at Greg Freeman Park. Join us for this tall waggin’ good time. Security committee: June meeting minutes posted to SDCC website under committee reports Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm Minutes submitted 6/17/2024 by Molly Rater, SDCC Board Secretary
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2024_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
