Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:01 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:34 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 , NAME PRESENT ABSENT Ron Clipp, Chair X Joe Rath X Mark Hinkle X Tim Delanty X Micki Hansel X Scott Kemper X Gary Schoenberger X Vacancy Vacancy Pam Bliss, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also, in attendance: Daphne Armstrong – Webster Groves Citizen Detective Fred Bell – WGPD Community Engagement Officer Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve June minutes was made by Tim Delanty, seconded by Micki Hansel, and unanimously approved. VISITOR COMMENTS • Daphne Armstrong, a Webster Groves citizen, is a junior at USC studying environmental policy and environmental science. Ms. Armstrong is interested discontinuing the use of plastic straws, plastic utensils, and Styrofoam in Webster Groves restaurants. Would Webster Groves restaurant owners consider discontinuing their use? Ms. Armstrong shared information on the negative impact of these items on the environment. She has a list of suppliers that she can share that offer alternatives to plastic straws. She would like to make Webster Groves the first city in the Midwest to ban the use of plastic straws. Olive+Oak has already stopped using plastic straws, they use all compostable items; they are also a certified Green Dinning Alliance establishment. The Green Dinning Alliance is working with the WG Sustainability Commission. • Detective Fred Bell is Webster Groves’ new Community Engagement Officer. He wanted to introduce himself to Commission Members and is anxious to learn the inner workings of the various City Commissions and learn how things run. He would like to hear thoughts, ideas, offer suggestions, work out solutions, answer questions, address concerns, etc. PARKING UPDATE • Moody Lot – The Public Works department is getting costs together for the items Webster Groves Presbyterian Church had requested to be included in the lease arrangement. Once it is all pulled together; the agreement can be approved. • 15-Minutes Parking Spots – The project is with Captain Spear of the police department; Mara Perry will get a status. CVC NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNER MEMBERSHIP • Mara Perry has requested a due date extension from the CVC for the Neighborhood Partner Memberships. Fran Sudekum is reaching out to all potential renewal members and targeted possible new members. COMMISSION MEMBERS VACANCIES • Currently, the Commission has two vacancies and no pending applications. BUDGET • At Ron Clipp’s request, the District’s budget numbers have been updated and were shared with members. Since Ron was unable to attend this meeting, Mara will share them again at next month’s meeting. The budget projections were conservative, but it looks like the revenue income has exceeded those numbers. In addition, it also looks like the District may get a $6K revenue bump this year in the bank line item category; she will confirm BANNERS • The formal decision on summer banners will be made next month. Ron Clipp planned to attend the Old Orchard July meeting to get their perspective; however, their July meeting was cancelled so hopefully he will be able to attend their August meeting. Tim Delanty pointed out that all existing signage in the District identifies the area as Old Webster and keeping the banners with Old Webster as well is in keeping with the branding and area signage; something to consider when making a decision on Old Webster vs. simply Webster Groves on the new banners. • Available funds in the budget could be used to purchase new spring and fall banners which need to be replaced. Tim Delanty will have potential spring and fall designs worked up for consideration. PARKING SIGNS • Several of the decorative 2-hour parking signs in the District need to be replaced. Joe Rath still has the files of the artwork. CITY UPDATE • Nothing new at this time for the former Gerber Chapel location. • Webster Groves Bookshop is opening in August. • Permits are ready to be picked up for Firenza Pizza and Ziggy’s Frozen Treats. • The Tuxedo Park STL Bed and Breakfast Inn is open. • The Frisco Barroom is open. • Lark Skin Company is open. • The Planning Commission is looking the recreational use within the City is being looked at for noise and lighting. One area that is zoned industrial and has no restrictions on recreational use is very close to a residential area which has caused some concerns with a next-door homeowner. Letters have been sent out to businesses that could be affected by any potential change. • Joe Fitcher has sold his Subaru dealership in Old Orchard. He is retiring but will stay on as a consultant to the new owners for a period of time. The new owners will keep on all existing employees. • The Brew Pub is before the City Council for amendments to their CUP based on changes in their design. • Mara Perry has directed potential people to the owners of the long-vacant property on Watson next to Steak ‘n Shake with no action taken on their part. Their CUP has been repealed. They usually pay at least one year of taxes in August to avoid getting on St. Louis County’s tax sale list for those have haven’t paid their taxes for the last three years. JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL • Things are coming together for the Jazz Fest. They do need additional volunteers and help with volunteer coordination. ADJOURNED Meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM. NEXT MEETING • Agenda Items: o Parking Update o Updated District Revenue Figures o Decision on Summer Banner Design o Fall and Spring Banner Designs to consider. • The next meeting will be held at City Hall on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from 8:00 AM.