03/07/05 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Regular Meeting March 7, 2005 unbiased opinion. The City should make street repairs, not contractors. One-year contractor bond, possibly $10,000 or $20.000 in lieu of $1,000 per job, should be considered. There should be an additional inspector and timely inspections. There should be monitoring of track costs by job and total program. Utility companies who damage homeowner’s sewer lateral lines should be approached on the homeowner’s behalf. Bids should be re-bid to get the best price. The Webster Groves program eliminated unnecessary repairs greatly. For people who apply for reimbursement and the problem is determined to be a maintenance issue, should not be paid. The homeowner pays the contractor directly, eliminating paper work for the city. Program costs have decreased thirty per cent since the inception of the program. Idle time increases costs. Projecting the image of acting on behalf of the citizens is an important aspect of this program. He recommended submitting a formal proposal to the City Manager, the City Council and the Planning Commission, with an eye to the City adopting this policy to implement the change within sixty days. Bob Winters, a former resident of University City but still a current member of the Proposition K Committee, commented about the Midland Avenue parking lot closure. He acknowledged the need to balance the needs of Metropolitan Sewer District, maintaining the correct amount of green space and hard surface as an equation around the flood plain area. He asked that other areas which were considered and he would like that discussion reopened, because the Midland parking lot serves many uses and there is a higher need for parking. Jen Jensen, 706 Pennsylvania, is the Chairperson of the Proposition K Committee, and she reported a recommendation from that committee relating to the naming or branding of the new recreation facility in Heman Park. Discussion ensued when it was learned the facility was to be named “Centennial Commons.” They feel it is an inappropriate name for the facility because it does not signify what it is or where it is. They understand the name of Heman Park will not be changed; it is only the name of the facility in that park. What does the proposed name have to do with recreation, she asked? Many think the name suggests an apartment complex, a shopping center or a senior citizen’s center or nursing home. The committee had suggested the name “Heman Recreation Complex.” They were advised the Parks Commission would also be consulted for a suggested name, but, to her knowledge, were not, nor were other persons or groups within the community. She said the suggested name does not indicate where the facility is located. She objected to the use of the word “centennial.” She asked the Council to reconsider this name. Richard Dockett, 6844 Crest Avenue, came as a representative of the St. Louis Area Concerned Tax Payers, a metropolitan group. He hopes that a town hall meeting to discuss the Metrolink cross-county development will be held to discuss this issue from the tax payer’s position. Page 7