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CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES
July 21, 2015
The City Council met this date in a regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall at #4 E.
Lockwood at 7:39 p.m.
Present at Roll Call:
Mayor Gerry Welch
Councilmember Kathy Hart
Councilmember Anne Tolan
Councilmember Debi Salberg
Councilmember Toni Hunt
Councilmember Greg Mueller
Councilmember Ken Burns
A quorum was present.
Also present:
Mr. Steve Wylie, City Manager
Mr. Helmut Starr, City Attorney
Ms. Katie Nakazono, City Clerk
COMMUNITY DAYS AWARDS
Mayor Welch and the Council thanked those involved in making Community Days a success. Parade
Chair Steve Clark thanked everyone for their participation in this year’s parade and Community Days,
and distributed the awards.
REMARKS OF VISITORS
Dave Buck, 124 S. Elm, stated that of all of the many things the City Council does well, I think some
of your shining moments is when you prepare and read a statement, usually before a crowded
and contentious public hearing, such as those for the education zoning regulation amendments. These
statements were articulate, if not eloquent. They defined, clarified, set expectations and put everyone
on the same page. More than just great communication, they were leadership in action and they were
masterful, in my humble and imperfect opinion. As such, I simply wish that you did it more often. For
example: 1. Annual budget, visional directions buried on Page 426. If we have any specific and
measurable goals to go along with these, even better. The point is that, in my humble and imperfect
opinion, there is a need and opportunity to communicate and share them with the community. I think
the residents would like to know what they are. In fact, here's an idea - Council issues a short "State of
the City" statement at the end of July to mark the end of the fiscal year. Inform and celebrate things
you are doing that the community may not know about. For example, I doubt if the community has
any real knowledge of the sales tax distribution issue, what's at risk for Webster Groves, or appreciate
everything Gerry is doing on our behalf. 2. When the recall was stopped, it marked the end to 6
months of division and discord in our community. I think it would have been nice and appropriate for
our Mayor, in this case, to issue a short statement simply calming and healing the community as it
moves forward and maybe providing some perspectives about what's really important around here.
That's it. I just wish that you did more often what you do so well.
Beth Trover, 304 W. Jackson, stated that her driveway is just after the cusp of the hill as you are
heading west on Jackson. When I am pulling out or backing out of my driveway, I can’t see over the
hill. I have had many guests comment on how they are worried they are going to get hit coming out of
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July 21, 2015
my driveway because they can’t see what is coming over that hill. There is not a lot of traffic. It is not
as heavy as other cut through streets. But the traffic we do have is going very fast over the hill. There
are 18 children under the age of ten surrounding that intersection so it is a dangerous intersection.
Mayor Welch asked if she backs out of the driveway, or if she has a turnaround to pull out. Ms. Trover
stated that she has a turnaround, but they have a gate so guests have to back out.
David Homeier, 238 Bristol, spoke in support of Bill #8897, and read a prepared statement [See
Attachment A, available in the City Clerk’s office].
John O’Leary, 364 Jefferson Rd., spoke in support of Bill #8897. The traffic study done shared that
there were 1,650 cars over the course of nine days going more than 31 mph on that street. Two days
ago I had one of my sons stand at the bottom of the hill you can’t see past, and I drove 31 mph, and
then I timed how long it would take between the time I saw him and approached him. The overall time
was 2.1 seconds for me to see a car, if we are talking about vehicle damage or a child’s life. The
numbers I am bringing up are less about 1.650 cars speeding, and much more about the little ones
crossing the street from door to door, living life. This is our community. I am asking you, on behalf of
the families who live in this area, in my mind to do the right and safe thing, and keep these kids safe.
NEW BUSINESS - MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER
No New Business.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BILL #8897 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Burns, seconded by Councilmember Hart, BILL #8897 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 60, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 60.965, SCHEDULE
F OF THE CODE OF WEBSTER GROVES, “MISCELLANEOUS STOPS,” TO AUTHORIZE
THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON WEST JACKSON AVENUE FOR TRAFFIC
MOVING EAST AND WEST AT THE INTERSECTION WITH JEFFERSON AVENUE,
having been introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time and
placed upon its passage to become Ordinance #8897.
Councilmember Tolan stated that she finds the argument about sight limitations compelling. I agree
with what Chief Curtis said at the last meeting that just because there is a stop sign does not guarantee
that there won’t be an accident. But keeping a stop sign away doesn’t guarantee there won’t be an
accident. I do believe that a sight limitation justifies putting in a stop sign.
Mayor Welch stated that she lives in the area and that hill terrifies me all of the time. Every time I go
up that hill I realize that I almost come to a complete stop at the top because I don’t see what is
coming. I don’t know if a stop sign will make it easier or not, but I think it is worth a try.
Councilmember Burns stated that he is driven it multiple ways and looked at it from a pedestrian
perspective. I have come to a deeper appreciation of what he (Chief Curtis) was trying to communicate
when he was talking about the counter intuitive impact of a stop sign. I am moved by the residents to
go along with them on this, but keep in mind that the stop sign may put the pedestrian a little more at
ease, but they still need to stay on their toes with the situation. Be careful crossing the street at the stop
sign.
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Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8897.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: HART, TOLAN, SALBERG, HUNT, MUELLER, BURNS, WELCH
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8897 was approved.
BILL #8898 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Hunt, seconded by Councilmember Salberg, BILL #8898 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 60, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 60.965, SCHEDULE
F OF THE CODE OF WEBSTER GROVES, “MISCELLANEOUS STOPS,” TO AUTHORIZE
THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON E. ROSE AVENUE AT DRAYTON AVENUE,
having been introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time and
placed upon its passage to become Ordinance #8898.
Councilmember Burns stated that he doesn’t think the traffic or sight lines are on par with Jackson.
Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8898.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: NONE
NOES: TOLAN, SALBERG, HUNT, MUELLER, BURNS, WELCH, HART
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8898 was not approved.
BILL #8899 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Tolan, seconded by Councilmember Salberg, BILL #8899
ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 60, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 60.975,
SCHEDULE H OF THE CODE OF WEBSTER GROVES, “PARKING PROHIBITED,” TO
AUTHORIZE A HANDICAPPED PARKING ZONE AT 208 BAKER AVENUE, having been
introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time and placed upon its
passage to become Ordinance #8899.
Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8899.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: SALBERG, HUNT, MUELLER, BURNS, WELCH, HART, TOLAN
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8899 was approved.
BILL #8900 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Hart, seconded by Councilmember Salberg, BILL #8900 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TRAFFIC CODE, CHAPTER 60, BY AMENDING
SCHEDULE H TO MODIFY THE RESTRICTED PARKING CREATED BY ORDINANCE
#8465 BY ELIMINATING ENTIRELY THE RESIDENT ONLY PARKING REQUIREMENT
ON THE WEST SIDE OF SUMMIT AVENUE FROM THE CURB CUT AT SUNNYSIDE TO
THE FIRST DRIVEWAY ON SUMMIT WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 140 FEET SOUTH
OF SUNNYSIDE, MORE OR LESS, AND ACTIONS RELATED THERETO, having been
introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time and placed upon its
passage to become Ordinance #8900.
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Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8900.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: HUNT, MUELLER, BURNS, WELCH, HART, TOLAN, SALBERG
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8900 was approved.
BILL #8901 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Salberg, seconded by Councilmember Hart, BILL #8901 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE PERMITTING THE SUBDIVISION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY AT 359,
361, 365, AND 373 MARSHALL AVENUE AND APPROVING A FINAL SUBDIVISION
PLAT, having been introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time
and placed upon its passage to become Ordinance #8901.
Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8901.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: MUELLER, BURNS, WELCH, HART, TOLAN, SALBERG, HUNT
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8901 was approved.
BILL #8902 – THIRD READING
On motion of Councilmember Mueller, seconded by Councilmember Hart, BILL #8902 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, ON BEHALF OF
THE CITY OF WEBSTER GROVES, AN EASEMENT TO THE UNION ELECTRIC
COMPANY, D/B/A AMEREN MISSOURI ACROSS A PORTION OF SOUTHWEST PARK,
having been introduced and read twice on July 7, 2015, was taken up its title read a third time and
placed upon its passage to become Ordinance #8902.
Mayor Welch called for the vote on Bill #8902.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: BURNS, WELCH, HART, TOLAN, SALBERG, HUNT, MUELLER
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that Bill #8902 was approved.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Burns, seconded by Councilmember Salberg, to approve the
Consent Agenda.
Mayor Welch called for the vote on the Consent Agenda.
MEMBERS VOTING:
AYES: WELCH, HART, TOLAN, SALBERG, HUNT, MUELLER, BURNS
NOES: NONE
Mayor Welch stated that the Consent Agenda was approved.
The following Consent Agenda was approved.
• Approval of Minutes – July 7, 2015
• Resolution #2015-28 – Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement for Redesign
of the City’s Website
• Liquor License – Application by Olive & Oak, 102 W. Lockwood Ave., to Sell Liquor by the
Drink for Consumption on the Premises Where Sold, and on Sundays
• Resolution #2015-29 – Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase One (1) Replacement
Vehicle for the City Manager
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•
Resolution #2015-30 – Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Network Licensing for the
IT Department
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
• Tim Eichholz was appointed to the Business Development Commission.
• Melissa Horan was appointed to the Farmers Market Commission.
EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION
No Executive (Closed) Session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06
p.m. on motion of the Mayor, duly seconded.
PASSED AND APPROVED this _______day of ____________________ 2015.
__________________________
MAYOR
___________________________
CITY CLERK
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