Crossroads Advisory Commission

Crossroads Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:08AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:47AM NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, October19, 2023 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Heidi Butts-Wiegand X Joshua Tonnies X Alison Kinderfather X Chris Westmeyer X Julie Campbell X Jeff Sanders X Julia Leenig X David Franklin, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Sharon Ayres – Digital Strike Targeted Marketing Officer Ahmar Rasool – Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the July minutes was made by Alison Kinderfather, seconded by Chris Westmeyer, and was unanimously approved. Streetscape Project St. Louis County has selected the engineering firm for the project. The first design meeting will be internally with Public Works and the Commission at the October Commission meeting. Construction ETA is 2025; however, East/West Gateway could move the project forward if other projects get delayed. Digital Strike Pickleball Tournament Update Chris Westmeyer and Sharon Ayres shared information of the upcoming charity pickleball tournament/community event on September 30th. This year 153 players are registered (twice as many as the first year); in addition, there will be live music, classic car show, vendor village, kids’ zone (face painters, a Lego-build area, balloon artist, STEM, photo booth, snow cones, cotton candy). Gore will be closed from Jackson to Big Bend as well as a part of Kenilworth at Gore; all affected residents are onboard. Large rectangles will be put on Big Bend to serve as a temporary pedestrian crossing to connect to the Classic Car Show and the public parking lot; volunteer crossing guards will assist those crossing as well. Over-the-street banners are up at North Gore & Kirkham and at West Lockwood & North Rock Hill. Webster-Kirkwood Times Ad The Webster-Kirkwood Times has put forth their “gang-page” ad package. Individual District businesses would be one of several included. District-wide info is displayed in Page 1 of 3 the borders of the ad. The District pays for a portion of the ad which allows the individual businesses to pay a reduced cost for their piece of the ad. The District would pay once for a package that runs four times a year; $1,423 for a full-page or $849 for a half page. This same ad package has been run by both the Old Webster and Old Orchard business districts for many years. MOTION: Heidi Butts-Wiegand made a motion to approve the Webster-Kirkwood Times full-page ad package, Julia Leenig seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Trash and Recycling The City received a grant for blue recycling cans that are being placed next to existing waste trash cans; both are hand-emptied. Due to issues, the one waste trash can that was in the District had been removed at the Commission’s direction. If the District wanted to reinstate that trash can then a recycling can could be put with it. Commission Members did not want to reinstate the can that was removed. Trick or Treat Event Now that Crossroads has more retail, an invitation to participate in the Trick or Treat event that takes place in Old Orchard and Old Webster was extended to Crossroads. The event runs from 3 to 5 the Saturday before Halloween. Any business in Crossroads can participate; retail and non-retail alike. Printed materials are provided, the only need is a graphics person to create a map of those Crossroads businesses that choose to participate. Commission Members liked the idea and accepted the invitation, Fran Sudekum will canvas the businesses, Heidi will reach out to Alan Nehring for a possible graphics person. Business Development Commission (BDC) Update • The Business Coffee was held on August 30th at the Rec Center. The gathering was smaller than the first coffee, but a great deal of cross-district networking was accomplished. The next coffee will take place in February, 2024. • The BDC received edification at their request on the various options business areas have to organize under whether private options such as non-profit trade associations or public options that have taxing power, such as a special business district, or a combination of both. Crossroads, Old Orchard, and Old Webster are the only business areas/neighborhoods that are part of a public option; they are special business districts with taxing revenue. Businesses areas such as Yorkshire Plaza or Zeta Dell (Marshal & Summit) are not currently organized in a private or public option. Crossroads currently does not have a private option; a trade association. District/City/Council Update • Property tax rates have been set; Crossroads commercial valuation increased. • Work has started on plans to implement the Strategic Plan; for example a comprehensive plan for the City partnered with an economic development plan. • The City received a grant from the National League of Cities for a webinar series; Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship. As part of that series, five micro Page 2 of 3  grants of $1,500 each were awarded to women-owned businesses and entrepreneur Webster Groves residents; seed capital. • Charter Review Advisory Board is finishing up their recommendations to submit to City Council for their review. Council is looking for citizen feedback/views on the many recommendations. • Word on the submittal for a federal grant for electrical charging stations; one of which is slated to be located in Crossroads, is expected in mid-winter. • New Business: Vanilla Sugar Bake Shoppe in Old Orchard, La Breeze in Old Webster • The Peace Church property has not submitted development plans to the City yet, but they have a website with information. Adjourned – Meeting adjourned at 8:47 AM. Meetings – Next Meeting October 18, 2023 Page 3 of 3