Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER 8:07 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:42 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Bob Weber, Chair X Holland Saltsman, Vice Chair X Angel Venegoni X John Barr X Steve Zielinski X Abby Culleton X Rick Gerger X Vacancy Vacancy Sarah Richardson, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Officer Paul Boudreau – Community Engagement Officer, Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the August minutes was made by, Angel Venegoni, seconded by Holland Saltsman, and was unanimously approved. Rooftop Lighting – Streib Electric has not responded to Commission Member John Barr to give a quote to install new rooftop lighting for the entire southside of Big Bend from the Frisco Barroom west to Meyou Thai Eatery. Mr. Barr will pursue getting a quote from another source and the City also pursue additional quotes as well. Murdoch-Big Bend Intersection Pedestrian Crossing Safety Issue – An employee of the Webster Groves Animal Hospital has a pedestrian safety concern for the intersection at Big Bend and Murdoch based on his experience of almost getting hit when using the pedestrian crossing Big Bend at the intersection. He contacted the Webster Groves Police Department and St. Louis County about the issue. Big Bend is a County Road and thus under its control. The County stated all the signage is posted and clear and needs no changes. They will repaint the crosswalk signage on the pavement as soon as possible. Commission Member Angel Venegoni would like to pursue options to address the pedestrian safety issue at the intersection. Ms. Venegoni has personally experienced almost getting hit by vehicles several times when crossing the intersection. Conversations to address pedestrian safety at the intersection and improve pedestrian flow and traffic calming throughout the entire District need to take place with all stakeholders. A preliminary meeting will be initiated. Gazebo Series Update – The Series has had 3 well-attended successful performances, 1 rained out performance, with 2 remaining performance to go. Six Page 1 of 2 Friday evening performances which started on August 19th and runs through September 23rd. Holiday Tree Lighting – Stephanie Fox of the Gateway Center for Performing Arts youth group wasn’t able to attend but will be at the next meeting to provide information on what songs her group is planning to perform. The event will take place on December 5th with the performance at 4:00 PM followed by the lighting of the tree at 5:00PM. Trick-or-Treating Event – Old Orchard will participate in the event jointly held with Old Webster again this year. Depending on the software used to create the map of participating businesses last year, Commission Member Holland Saltsman will attempt to update the map this year. Santa’s Mailbox Request – The Old Webster Trade Association has requested to use Old Orchard’s Santa Mailbox during their Holiday Open House event again this year on November 13th. All Commission Members in attendance gave their approval. Business Development Commission (BDC) Update – Based on information from the Business Survey and Business Roundtable, the BDC identified business staffing as a high priority need and made their first recommendation to City Council for use of part of the Business Development Fund to establish a Webster Groves Job Board; “Work in Webster.” A job board that would be free to use by both those looking for work and for those licensed Webster Groves employers looking to hire staff. The job board is up and running on the City’s website; https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/673/Work-in-Webster- Groves. An announcement will be sent out to businesses shortly. The next step is to develop a marketing strategy to get the word out. City/Council Update • The August Business License report is available on the City website. Per a new State law, home-based businesses no longer have to get a business license. • Property tax rates have been set. Information is available on the City website o https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11090/Property- Tax-Rates-2022-Hearing-PPT?bidId= o https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/101/Property-Tax • City Council will soon finalize their appointments for 9 citizens of Webster Groves as Commission Members for the new City Charter Review Commission. • City Council is reviewing the business district commission member process to streamline it and standardize it across the three business districts. Next Meeting – October 11, 2022 Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:42 AM. Page 2 of 2