2014-03-10 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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requested extension. Mr. Rava stated that the original C.U.P. was applied for and granted to a non-profit Missouri Corporation called The Loop Trolley Company. However, the request for the extension of that C.U.P. is being made by a completely separate and unrelated entity, The Loop Trolley TDD. He stated that allegedly, the TDD is a political subdivision of the State of Missouri and as a result there is no way that Council can grant an extension to this entity. 3. Joe Edwards, the Wizard of the Loop is not infallible. Mr. Rava stated that although he has been impressively farsighted and correct in most of his development efforts that does not mean that he will be right the next time. The Loop Trolley project is the next time and this time he is wrong. He stated that every resident of University City and in fact, the entire St. Louis community is indebted to Joe Edwards for his wisdom, courage and risk-taking in developing the Loop. But just because he proposes a project, no one, Council included, should automatically accept his wisdom as gospel. Mr. Rava stated that Joe himself has acknowledged that this project is based exclusively upon subjective judgment. He stated that while Mr. Edwards obviously believes in his judgment, the residents of University City do not need to blindly follow suit. Mr. Rava stated that if implemented the Loop Trolley project will make University City a laughing stock. Despite all of the warning signals, if the Loop Trolley Project is completed and operational it will fall flat on its face. There will be no riders. There will be significant new traffic and parking problems. There will be insufficient monies to operate it and there will be requests for a further Government bailout. This is a tramway linking no place, to no place, making the Alaska bridge to nowhere look like a good deal by contrast. Mr. Rava encouraged Council to look at this request and finally say this emperor has no clothes. University City can be a hero by calling a stop to this nonsense. A copy of Mr. Rava’s written comments were submitted for inclusion into the record. Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel Ms. Glickert stated that regarding the C.U.P. renewal for the Loop Trolley, to date the Federal Transportation Administration has not approved the Loop Trolley, Loop Trolley Transportation District, or whatever name they are going by today. She stated that the City’s Municipal Code states “Renewal of a C.U.P. should not occur unless substantial work has been accomplished,” and obviously this has not occurred. Nor should anything be done until the Federal court case is adjudicated. She stated that the C.U.P. issued last year by City Council was in violation of the Sunshine Act, inasmuch as the hours of operation were amended during that meeting and not published in advance so that business people and citizens could make comments. Ms. Glickert stated that the request for an extension of the C.U.P. by way of a letter, on the letterhead of the Loop/Forest Park/Loop Trolley, was signed by an individual who identified himself as the District Administrator; District Administrator of what, the Loop? Is he the District Administrator of Forest Park? Ms. Glickert stated that the letter did not even contain a date. She stated that she would respectfully request Council’s rejection of this application for a renewal of the C.U.P. Why not wait until this quote, “many named project,” receives approval from the FTA, and most importantly, until the Federal court case has been adjudicated. Ms. Glickert stated that she would also respectfully request that the Mayor recuse herself from a vote in this matter since it would be a conflict of interest. Tom Sullivan, 757 Syracuse Mr. Sullivan urged Council not to renew the Conditional Use Permit for the Loop Trolley Company since the request is being made by the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District. He stated that it is not clear what standing the TDD has to even hold a permit, much less to have it extended. Mr. Sullivan stated that the letter seeking to extend the permit states that the request is being made by the Loop Trolley and not the Loop Trolley Company. The letter is undated and signed by Christopher C. Poehler, District Administrator. He stated that Mr. Poehler’s business card illustrates that he is with the Loop Trolley Company, but what he was told in an email from David Richardson, an attorney for the Loop Trolley TDD on October 2, 2013, is that “There is no current contractual relationship between the Loop Trolley Company and the Loop Trolley TDD”. So the question then becomes who is the Loop Trolley Company and what standing do they have to even hold the permit. Mr. Sullivan stated that this Council and previous Councils have failed to represent the interest of University City residents in the entire Trolley matter. He stated that not only has rudimentary due