Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER: 8:05 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:40 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, July 12, 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: Joe Rath – Former Commission Member Officer Ahmar Rasool – Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the May minutes was made by Karen Drexler, seconded by Ron Clipp with a date correction, and unanimously approved. Parks Department Communication – Several sets of decisions outlined, voted on, and budgeted by the Commission have not been followed. This has left Commission Members feeling their voice is not being heard and questioning what the purpose of devoting time to the Commission is if their input is given no value. Members strongly expressed their desire to improve communication between the Commission and the Parks Department and are looking to City Administration and City Council to facilitate this. Questions and concerns discussed included: • repair of remaining hazardous benches • putting baskets on the lampposts east of Elm not west of Elm • the continued use of large landscaping pots and plants west of Elm and along Gore • when making changes to the “concrete park” keep the ability to continue using the area during events and a future Kiosk; however, this was not followed resulting in the loss of the event/kiosk space • effects on the District’s budget 1 of 2 Bench Repair Assessment – Ron Clipp will take a look at the remaining old benches in the District and identify which ones are hazardous and need to be repaired. Decorative Parking Sign Update – Tim Delanty stated he had been contacted and owes a return call; he will do so. The growing plants in the hanging baskets are starting to block the parking signs. WalktoberFest Event Permit – The event Special Activities Permit requires a site plan. With the loss of the use of concrete park, an alternative location has yet to be identified. Frank Romano and Stacie Swederska will pursue a possible option. Guidelines/Code for Use of Sidewalk/Curb Barriers – Commission Members discussed the possible need for the City to remind businesses in the District the guidelines for what items can be placed on the sidewalks and at the curbs. Old Webster Summer Night Street Dance Feedback – The Street Dance went extremely well. A large crowd was in attendance. The on-site food vendors did well; Old Webster restaurants the Parkmoor Drive-In and Perennial on Lockwood. Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival Update – Event planning continues, everything is on track, sponsorships are inline. BDC Update – The BDC is discussing the feedback from the May 17th Business Coffee. They have decided to continue hosting them twice a year; August and February. Next Meeting – A meeting will be scheduled for the first or second week of July at 8:00 AM. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:40 AM. 2 of 2