Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday July 28, 2020 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:00 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:15 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Ron Clipp, Chair X Joe Rath X Mark Hinkle X Tim Delanty X Micki Hansel X Gary Schoenberger X Margaret Stevens X Bill Newhouse X Stacie Swederska X Emerson Smith, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also, in attendance: Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the February minutes was made by Joe Rath, seconded by Stacie Swederska, and unanimously approved. COVID BUSINESS UPDATE Commission Members discussed how businesses are doing in the current pandemic environment. All are working in a reduced capacity in some way; reduced staff, reduced hours, partial or no inside business, utilizing curbside/sidewalk/patio venues, and some are looking at rebranding themselves. Several businesses have been able to secure some funding thru various government-provided resources. Obtaining the St. Louis County COVID-related funding has been disjointed, however. Many retail and dining establishments participated in the July Old Webster Summer Sidewalk Sale with positive results. The event was organized by the Old Webster Trade Association. Commission Members want to do everything they can to help salvage this year. BUDGET The District’s has a hefty revenue balance. Business licenses have mostly been paid and property taxes are unchanged. Any revenue downturn from the loss of sales taxes will not be reflected in the budget until next year. Expenses for several budgeted items such as the canceled Jazz Fest and print advertising in the currently scaled-back, online-only Webster-Kirkwood Times, are not being used. The Old Webster Trade Association requested the District reallocate the subsidy provided for the now-canceled Holiday Open House to fall and holiday-season events being considered. These new events would be held on the sidewalk. All Commission Members in attendance agreed to reallocate the use of funding and would like to see more details from the Trade Association at next month’s meeting. To help District businesses, Members support new endeavors and the increased use of Old Webster’s social media. Page 1 of 2 OLD BUSINESS The Rooftop Lighting Project is not complete, it will be put back on the To Do list. CITY UPDATE • The Parkmoor Drive-In has opened in the former Half & Half location in Old Webster. • The status of La Macaron in Old Webster is not known at this time. • The building of new homes has not diminished; fourteen are currently being built. • Many residents are putting in swimming pools. • The City has received a lot of calls about how to follow St. Louis Count’s COVID-19 regulations and refers everyone to the County’s website. The City is encouraging all to keep everyone safe. NEXT MEETING Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 8:00 AM via Zoom. Page 2 of 2