In this month’s meeting we hear updates on the proposed combined bill for the Rams Settlement money, hear about a new Winter Help resources to volunteer and ask assistance for snow and ice removal, and learn about a few resources to get crime updates.

6:51 Meeting called to order (Dan Doelling)

Public Comment

  • Donna Baringer
    • Running for Comptroller.
    • Former alderman for 14 years in St. Louis
    • State representative for 8 years in Jefferson City
    • Gave an example of using ARPA funds:  Helped pass legislation to help tear down abandon property.  $15M one year to tear down vacant buildings and the next year an additional $15M.  
    • St. Louis City did not spend the money. 
    • Running for comptroller to better control and spend funds.
    • Recognition of Spire for cleaning Choteau

Treasurer’s report

  • Ending Cash: $2,158.33 cash
  • Membership Dues
    • General Membership dues start over in new year.
    • Dues are pay-what-you-can.
    • Members get voting privileges.
    • How to pay
  • Question on where the race money goes to.  Do any funds that run through the local races are donated to The Grove area?
    • City only requires a permit fee.  Currently, the neighborhood does not ask or receive funds. 
    • Race spends most of the money on fencing and security.  
    • Suggestion for having businesses spend advertisement money.
    • 2024’s Hot Chocolate Run had logistical issues that caused additional road closings and confusion.  

Crime & Safety Report (Officer Walker)

Ward 9 Updates (9th Ward Alderman Michael Browning)

  • Snow Response.  
    • City does not have a policy for plowing side streets.  Currently working on figuring it out.  
    • City has an issue where they do not have enough trucks for plowing the side streets. Other concern is hitting parked cars.  They have purchased smaller plows, but the shipment is delayed.  Smaller plows are expected next year.
    • Streets were not pretreated, which led to ice 
    • Some Plows have started to plow side streets but they have been inadequate.
    • They have started to salt the alleys because of trash collection issues.
    • The Street Division oversees plowing and taking care of the roads, but they are understaffed and are working over-time.
    • Ald. Browning advocating for changing the city’s snow response to include the side streets in the plowing route.  
    • Division of Streets is not in charge of the sidewalks.  Alderman Browning is creating a winter help sign up to shovel snow from the sidewalks in the FPSE neighborhood.
  • City is currently going through a debate for the Rams Settlement funds
    • $300M received from when the Rams left St. Louis.
    • First focus was spending ARPA funds before they were taken away
    • Two bills for spending the Rams settlement funds: BB 153 and BB 131.  
  • Public question on the North Point Project.  
    • Currently they are in the finance phase.
  • Question on who is supposed to maintain their sidewalks.  
    • Homeowners, businesses, or corporations are responsible for clearing the sidewalks of snow; however, there is no penalty for not clearing sidewalks.  Recommended for clearing sidewalks to help other people who use the sidewalk: neighbors, postman, etc,.

Neighborhood Updates (N.I.S. Ron Coleman)

  • There is a penalty on the clearing the sidewalk, but they have 6 months to take care of the sidewalk. 
  • Issues with trash pickup.
  • May be issues with the hills or the route of the trucks.
  • Republic Services is aware of the issue and they will pickup the trash when they can.
  • Please continue to report street light issues via the citizens bureau.
  • Report Street Lighting Problem
  • If issues on the block, please report it to the police.  Logs to the police are required prior to nuisance claim.  However, please report the issues responsibly.
  • Neighborhood complaint about trucks operating earlier than 6a.
  • Neighborhood question on how best to contact citizens bureau
  • Ald. Browning response was to email, call, or use their website Citizens’ Service Bureau
  • Contact phone number (314) 622-4800 is 24 hours (may need to speak to an automated response, but it will be reviewed). 

Neighborhood Events (Dan Doelling)

  • Neighborhood Tree Pruning: Sunday, February 2 @ 10AM; Meet at Newstead & Manchester.
  • Monthly Litter Clean-up: Save the dates! The 4th Saturday at 10am of each month between March and October we’re cleaning-up cleaning up the streets and select alleys throughout the neighborhood! Be on the lookout for more details in the coming weeks.

You can download a copy of this meeting’s minutes below.

You can also listen to January’s meeting here, and wherever you get your podcasts.