Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER: 8:02 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:00 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 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 David Franklin, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also, in attendance: Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes A motion to approve the July minutes was made by Gary Schoenberger, seconded by Joe Rath, and unanimously approved. TIF Commission – In addition to the Old Webster District nominating Mark Hinkle for the “District” slot on the TIF Commission, the Webster Groves Library Board also nominated an individual for the slot. Ron Clipp and Tom Cooper (Director of the Library Board) had a discussion and decided Mr. Hinkle would fill the slot and bring to the table with him the Library’s perspective. The first meeting of the TIF Commission was held on August 18; Mr. Hinkle shared information from that meeting which covered the TIF process and heard presentations from the SG Collaborative (the developer) and from Development Strategies (an outside consultant doing analysis work, hired by the City, and paid for by SG Collaborative). The next meeting is September 1st and Mr. Hinkle asked Commission Members to share their questions, concerns, and insights about the project with him; if you like, via email. The TIF Commission makes a recommendation to City Council; City Council makes the decision. The date hasn’t been set yet for the TIF Commission’s public hearing, but potentially it could be October 27th. Questions and/or input on the redevelopment project as a whole can be submitted thru the City’s website. Three detailed documents will be added to the website: the redevelopment plan, the blight study, and the cost-benefit analysis. 1 of 2 Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival – With the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 due to the Delta variant, the Jazz Fest Organizers are trying to decide whether it’s safe to hold the festival. The Festival attracts thousands of attendees jammed into an area that won’t doesn’t allow for social distancing with the numbers that would be attending. The final decision hasn’t been made yet, but Chairperson Joe Rath is leaning towards cancelling the event. The organizers need to decide soon so they are able to recoup their deposits. The Commission supports whatever their decision is. Old Webster Walktober Fest – A motion was made by Stacie Swederska to give the Walktober Fest $1,000 for advertising, seconded by Joe Rath, and unanimously approved. Holiday Lighting – Bill Newhouse brought forward several items to be addressed relating to lighting in the District in time for the holiday season and purchasing any supplies that may be needed now. • Second-Floor Window Candles – Identify supplies needed. • Lights in Trees – Add more trees with lights such as is currently done at the O+O Pizza location where the electric is run from the nearby building’s roof. Mr. Newhouse will look around the District for potential trees that could be used and bring to the next meeting. • Rooftop Lighting – move forward on additional buildings to be done next, such as Olive + Oak, 34 N. Gore, Regions Bank, and 75 W. Lockwood. District Kiosk – Stacie Swederska has been working on the District Kiosk project and will have information to share at next month’s meeting. City Update • DD Mau Vietnamese Eatery, Le Macaron, and Euro Trash are all open in Old Webster. • Betty’s Books in Old Orchard opens next month. • Construction continues on Zushi and Wingstop in Yorkshire Plaza. • Construction continues on Union Bagel in Crossroads. • Total Access Urgent Care’s permits have been issued; their signage variance was denied. • SMR Auto on Watson has a CUP to add repairs; it will be before City Council next month. • Douglass Hill Proposed Redevelopment CUP continues at the Plan Commission next Tuesday the 31st at 6PM; it is for public comment. The full meeting of the Plan Commission will then be on September 13th. • City Council will start strategic planning sessions in the fall • The federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds will be in the City’s account next week; $4.6 million to spend on eligible “buckets” over the over the next three to four years. Next Meeting – Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 8:00 AM in person at City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room and also available via Zoom. 2 of 2