Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER: 8:01 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:30 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 25, 2023 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Ron Clipp, Chair X Tim Delanty X Bill Newhouse X Stacie Swederska X Dan Warner X Karen Drexler X David Smith X Frank Romano X Emerson Smith, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also, in attendance: John McArthur – Sketch Development Services, 107-125 W. Pacific Rath – Former Commission Member Sgt. Jason Flanery – Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the April minutes was made by Dan Warner, seconded by David Smith, and unanimously approved. Visitor Comments – John McArthur of Sketch Development Services attended the meeting to introduce the business to the District. Sketch Development Services, a software training, coaching, and development company currently located in Ballwin will be moving into the District at 107-125 W. Pacific. The business would like to introduce its employees to businesses in the District. Parks Department Services • No update received from the Parks Department on the installation of hanging baskets in the District east of Elm. • The continued use of pots west of Elm and on Gore north of the railroad tracks is still planned. • In the April meeting, Commission Members stated any new permanent plantings in the area adjacent to McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts known as the “Concrete Park” should be small and placed near the rear by the stairs so as not to interfere with the use of the area during events for staging; i.e. a large band during the WalktoberFest. The Concrete Park is the only centrally located area of sufficient size that can be used for such functions. Unfortunately, the Parks Department used the entire area, and it will no longer be able to be used as a staging area. • Commission Members were disappointed the Parks Department went against directions outlined by the Commission and expressed the need to improve communication between the Commission and the Parks Department in order to work better together going forward. Decorative Rooftop Lighting Update – One quote has been received for the installation of the rooftop lights on the building that houses the Parkmoor Drive-In and more. The quote was from Hoffman Brothers for $6K. Two more quotes are still expected. 1 of 2 Decorative Holiday Lighting – There are lampposts on N. Rock Hill between Kirkham and W. Pacific that have power available and could have decorative holiday lighting, i.e. snowflakes, candy cane, etc. A couple of them reside within the District boundaries. Commission Members are interested in options and their pricing. Decorative Parking Sign Update – Laura Burns and Tim Delanty will connect later today on this project. Old Webster Summer Night Street Dance Update – Plans for the event are wrapping up. On-site food vendors will be the Parkmoor Drive-In and Perennial on Lockwood. A few others may be added. Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival Update – Event planning and funding is on target. BDC Update – The BDC is hosted their Business Coffee for Webster Groves business owners on May 17th. It was well attended with a good turnout of business owners from all over the City who gave numerous comments and input at the various information stations. City/Council Update • City Council made amendments to the FY2024 budget. • City Council had the final reading on the 3% sales tax on marijuana. • City Council reviewed the various options for a remodel of the aquatic center. • City Council has appointed a new judge, James Lertiz. Next Meeting – Tuesday, June 25, 2023 at 8:00 AM. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:30 AM. 2 of 2