2009-06-15 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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