Historical February–March 2006 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
PRES. ON LUCIER PARK IMPROVEMENTS A presentation was made by Ann Lowell representing a partnership between St. Roch’s Church, Hamilton School, City of St. Louis Parks Dept. and Crossroads School requesting a preliminary letter of support for a grant application for improvements to the Lucier Park. Group is applying for a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Initial application is due by December 1, 2005. Improvements will primarily consist of installing field lights and a turf field. Dan Schesch distributed article from Post concerning opposition to light in Gay Field (Clayton) Questions Seating – none planned Maintenance – City will assume responsibility for lights Turf – damaged areas can be replaced Who assumes responsibility for identifying and correcting problems – City Parks Dept Graffiti – City Parks Dept, residents need to advise when they see Use of field – could not be used for tackle football, but could be used for other sports, City will issue permits Opportunity for neighbors to comment – have been spreading by word of mouth Hours of operation – park can stay open until 10pm but lights can go off earlier Next steps for Partnership Requesting letter of support for project Drawings scheduled to be ready by Friday Crossroads will host meeting with residents near park Identify who is using field now and solicit input form current users Motion made to support proposal and give letter of support warmly endorsing application, working with group to work out details with understanding that Council support is not final until we get neighborhood buy-in. Motion seconded and passed. MINUTES FINANCIAL REPORT. Bob Mahon reported: He had with Peggy, they jointly reviewed the October 2005 reports and everything in order Copies of the October 2005 financial report were provided in the Board package.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the September financial reports. Motion passed. * Katrina S. inquired about the status of the Friends Campaign and offered to work on it if needed. Dan acknowledged that the Friends Campaign was being reactivated and that letters should be going out before the end of the year SECURITY. Police Update. Sgt. Russo presented the police update.
He has recently been assigned to the southern end of District. Reported criminal activates have included: o 3 robberies, 1 attempted hold-up, 12 burglaries, 7 auto thefts, 4 tampering with auto o Gang activity – notice groups in the 5800 block of DeGiverville at Laurel and at DeBaliviere & Kingsbury (apartment building) o Calls received to report suspicious persons, suspicious persons in vehicles, minor assaults o Home invasion in 6100 block of Washington around 11:30 pm while residents were in home and lights were all on, climbed fence and took out basement sliding window; suspect described as male on bike, car (Black Jeep Cherokee) on Pageant parking lot waiting Officer Russo encouraged residents to call in suspicious activity Alderman Williamson commended police on drug bust in 5700 McPherson; emphasized importance of calling to reports suspicious activity, reminded that it takes time and it’s a process but it works Encourage business district to join residents in fighting crime Currently, a private security firm patrols DeBaliviere Place and Delmar Business District Security Committee. Dan Schesch reported. Youth Committee has been established. Efforts underway to bring a Boys & Girls club to area to offer structured activities to youth Reminded to report suspicious activities to police Will have an info table at the WinterMarkt Dan Schesch passed pictures of streetlights with a request from the Security Committee to have all the light increased to a minimum of 150 watts; increase in cost would be funded out of 1/2 cents sales tax; discussion followed on the impact of residents with increased brightness of lights shining into their homes Motion made to ask Alderpersons for 28th and 26th wards to increase streetlights to 150 watts, seconded and passed Encourage residents to turn on porch lights Question raised – Is there anything that the Council can do to help Herbert Hoover get into neighborhood. Reply was that Mavis May, Hamilton School and Liz Johnson, Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club have been exploring ways to have an offsite location housed at Hamilton School ALDERMANIC REPORT. Ald. Williamson: P provided an update on meeting regarding the 5700 block of McPherson – problem property has been addressed with drug bust Trying to pave some of the alley Graffiti – working with gang abatement unit Peoples Clinic will expand west to where liquor store was He sits on Public Safety Board which is current working on implementation of a Civilian Review Board Discussed traffic concerns on Laurel between Washington and Delmar – suggestions included signage, speed limits, and stripping for lanes CHRIS HOWARD – NSO: Reported that yard waste pick-up continues thru 11/7/05, then will switch to a monthly pickup through March GREENWAYS. Dan Schesch reported: SDCC has been notified that DesPeres connector is back (letter in Board Packet) 350 N. Skinker – restaurant no longer interested in library, doesn’t have money to address necessary modifications; Library is interested in space but doesn’t have money to pursue expansion, Dan Schesch would be willing to meet with Washington University to discuss space in terms of what neighborhood would like to see it used for Motion made to give President Schesch authority to write letter to St. Louis Public Library encouraging the expansion of the library into the vacant space with a copy to Washington University, seconded and passed TRANSPORTATION. Norb Hart reported: The proposed closing of Hwy 40 could result in increased traffic coming through the SDCC neighborhood BEAUTIFICATION. Andy Cross reported: Metro Board has now formally approved the Catlin Wall art project Gateway Greening donated pansies to neighborhood and they have been planted in the garden West County Journal ran an article on the SDCC neighborhood WEST ENDS ART COUNCIL – WINTERMARKT Andy Cross and Katrina Stierholz reported WinterMarkt is Dec. 3rd, seeking volunteers for baked goods, set -up and clean-up Motion made to authorize Katrina Stierholz to renegotiate agreement for RAC grant, seconded and passed SOCIAL SERVICES. Shirley Polk reported: Food drive was very successful Thanked Andy and Arline for their hard work EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT & HOUSING CORPORATION. Gary Boehnke: Housing Corporation Minutes included in Board Package Will invite Sam Rothschild to present plan at neighborhood meeting for Rosedale Square Apartments EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Dan Schesch: Steve Givens will chair Nominating Comm. CDA monitoring visit resulted in 2 findings – no conflict of interest, lobby or nepotism policy and late submittal of programmatic reports Motion made to adopt Conflict of Interest Policy (see attached) with one correction that changes value of gifts from $50 to $25; motion seconded and passed Other Business Upcoming activities Wintermarkt – December 3rd * Police/Firefighters Holiday Open House, Thursday, December 15th – seeking volunteers to bring food, set-up, serve, and/or clean-up; contact Ruth Johnson or Juanita Adjournment.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2006.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2006_02.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
