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3. <br />Jen Jensen, 706 Pennsylvania <br />Ms. Jensen talked about the reception all volunteers for the boards and <br />commission received until several years ago when it was discontinued, assuming <br />because of the cost. She said a thank-you at the end of the term was certainly <br />enough. Ms. Jensen stated that none of the commission members needed a <br />dinner at the cost of the tax payers’ for their volunteer work. It is her <br />understanding that $5,000 of tax payers’ money has been set aside for the <br />Mayor’s farewell event. She felt this was inappropriate in consideration of the <br />City’s financial affair. Ms. Jensen stated she was sure the Mayor would agree <br />that it needs to be dropped from the budget. She also took exception to the <br />sales tax initiative scheduled for August that is supposed to generate $480,000. <br />Ms. Jensen asked if the City was counting on that to reach their budget goal and <br />what would happen if it did not pass. She asked for a response to that question. <br />4. <br />DeLois Buckley, 7383 Liberty <br />Mr. Buckley stated that he has been at this address for thirty-one years. He was <br />present to advocate the street staying at the level of stability. He expressed <br />concern over the level of stability going down in the last several years. Mr. <br />Buckley stated he has called the City and has been able to talk to the secretaries <br />but just calling has not got the job done. He stated that recently the City passed <br />a no-thru street but there is still concern that there is predication where traffic <br />comes through and individuals prey on the folks who live on the street. We <br />hoped we could get better enforcement there. Streetlights are ineffective <br />because of overgrowth. Residents have called numerous times about the <br />potholes on 7300 street of Liberty. <br />5. <br />Kelly O’Daniels, 1118 Wilson <br />Ms. O’Daniels thanked the Council to their commitment to the Wilson Ave. <br />residents. She stated she was concerned with the one million dollar number <br />being tossed around and is concerned that there have not been any appraisals <br />and how do you know this is enough or if it is too much. Ms. O’Daniels asked the <br />City Manager to give updates on the FEMA/SEMA applications. <br />6. <br />Stephen Kraft, 7275 Creveling <br />Mr. Kraft thought it was commendable the almost unpaid Councilmembers take <br />their job very seriously. He felt it was important to hear the Councilmembers <br />express their opinions and hear their votes. Mr. Kraft stated he was puzzled <br />about the lack of discussion on the merits of the sales tax increase being <br />proposed for the City. He stated that at 7.875 cents per dollar, University City will <br />have the highest sales tax rate among ninety-one municipalities in St. Louis <br />County. Mr. Kraft stated that only three other Cities have a sales tax at that rate. <br />He said that in addition, U.City is paying a special rate to have an election in <br />August he thought to be around $40,000. In checking with St. Louis County <br />Board of Election, Mr. Kraft stated there were only three special elections since <br />1996 in St. Louis County and the one in August of 1997, only 10 percent of the <br />voters turned out to vote. He asked if the City set up the vote for August with the <br />thought of only a few voters would be likely to show up. Mr. Kraft stated that he <br />was ready to vote for it, thinking the Council would make serious budget cuts and <br />then go to the residents explaining the serious cuts made but they still needed <br />the help with more taxes. <br /> <br />