2004-06-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Session 1923 June 7, 2004 has received funds for about ten years, is a religious organization, and ask if funds could be directed towards programs at St. Vincent de Paul and Mt. Gideon Baptist Church, who serve homeless people on a non-sectarian basis, could receive funds. Next, she talked about the problem of flooding of basements and of making contact with MSD, and about the need for immediate action to prevent sewer over-flows at the intersection of Westview Drive and Teasdale Avenue. Sewers backed up two nights, producing 4 inches of sewer water and fecal material, inundating basements of four homes, destroying property and furnishings. She said that MSD had made repairs that were apparently illegal, due to a report from an inspector on May 25th of this year, who advised the diameter of pipes in her home were six inches, when they should be eight inches in diameter and advised that repairs should be made immediately, before another big storm ensues. A second MSD inspector came a few days later and advised ten to twelve-inch pipes are needed because of the house's location at the bottom of two hills. She wanted the Council to urge MSD to send an engineer to investigate the problem, to assure that it is corrected properly, and to provide documentation that their insurance will pay for this damage and replacements costs. Mr. Wagner suggested that she contact the City Manager and that he needs to contact MSD to obtain answers to Mrs. Botwinick's three questions. Ms. Colquitt mentioned other residents experiencing the same problems and asked if MSD would maintain some walls holding back the River Des Peres. Ray Reckamp, 7100 Kingsbury Boulevard, commented about St. Vincent de Paul as an organization, pointing out that it is not a religious organization despite the fact that most members are Catholic. They are operated by a board of laymen and a volunteer and professional staff. Individual councils affiliated with parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis are conducted by separate boards of lay people and efforts are on a volunteer basis. St. Vincent de Paul was suggested as a recipient of these funds, but the organization will continue to function with or without receiving funds from the City, but these funds could immediately benefit residents in the northeast section of the City. None of the services rendered are contingent upon religious affiliation; the only requirement is need. He wants to see funds directed towards people in this community who are in need. Secondly, he reminded the Council that at a previous meeting there was discussion about marketing the pool, and he hopes that it will begin soon. Mr. Ollendorff said that the re-opening of the City pool was featured on the front page of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, and there are an unprecedented number of banners all over the City featuring the pool. There was a report on television about the pool, and increased revenue resulted from the opening events, so he feels there was good coverage of the event. He wants the Council to act upon the ideas discussed at a previous meeting. Ms. Brungardt thanked citizens for reminding the Council of things they had promised to do. Page 10