2002-08-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1850 August 26, 2002 owners were agreeable. They are very anxious and want to know how quickly they can get this property. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Ms. Colquitt, Mr. Munkel, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Welsch, Mr. Sharpe, and Mayor Adams. NAYS: none. Bill number 8613 passed and became Ordinance 6384. BILL NO. 8614 IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL ONE-FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT SALES TAX ON ALL RETAIL SALES MADE IN UNIVERSITY CITY WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO TAXATION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 144.010 TO 144.525 RSMO, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR STORM WATER CONTROL AND LOCAL PARKS FOR UNIVERSITY CITY AND PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING SUCH TAX TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF UNIVERSITY CITY AT THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 5, 2002. Edward McCarthy, 7101 Princeton, stated that he opposed to this sales tax increase. He felt that there are no concrete proposals for the money in the Parks department. This is $520,000 and he would like to know exactly what the money would be spent on. If these are capital improvements as stated, he would like to know why we aren't going with a bond issue, instead of a sales tax. The appeal for a sales tax is based on the fact that communities around us are charging about the same or a little higher than we do. There is also those that believe that the foreign Wash U students would be paying most of the taxes. He finds this to be unrealistic, since the residents will pay more in utility sales taxes than any Wash U. student will. Everyone is watching their pennies and the City should be doing the same. Increasing taxes is not a prudent move. He felt that the Parks department should consider increasing user fees. He is opposed to this tax. Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel, stated that she would have liked to have been in attendance to the City Council's study session on August 22, 2002 for the discussion on the pool rehab and recreation facility improvements. She feels that a November ballot for this issue is much too soon. There needs to be input from the voters. No one knows about this. If grant money is used for these improvements, then the pool has to be open to the general public. This was done at a previous City Manager's suggestion and it practically destroyed the pool. She cautioned the Council to be careful with using grant money, because we do not want this facility open again to the general public. She wants to be a part of the input since she has been swimming at the pool since 1933. She asked the Council not to put this on the November ballot. Jen Jensen, 706 Pennsylvania, stated that she was here tonight in response to a meeting she had with Mr. Ollendorff and Park Director Chuck Kohlenberger. They went over most of the aspects of the rehab of the swimming pool and 7