City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to this edition of Council Action. I am Jackie Pagano, Councilwoman of Ward 7, and I will go over tonight's meeting. We started with a regular Pledge of Allegiance, roll call of members, approval of minutes, and we moved to special presentations. We had a special legislative update from the Honorable Tim Green, filled us in on what's been happening up in Jeff City, briefly touched on the amendments. on the ballot on Amendments 1, 2, 4, and 5. That will be on the August ballot, so I'm sure there'll be more information to come on those. Also, we had Michael Burton, who's the Executive Director of St. Louis Survival's Legal Support. So he was very interesting. He was a previous judge in the family courts. and he is now the executive director of this organization as an attorney, and they are helping victims of domestic abuse and holding the accuser accountable. He gave a very touching presentation, and truly, if you know anyone who is a victim of abuse, and needs help, call this number, 314-NOW-STOP, which is 314-669-7867. They have the resources available to you, free legal service. and they will help you, but please reach out and get the help. People are there for you. So with that being said, we will move to, there were no communications tonight, so we'll move to public hearings. in the first public hearing was the ordinance authorizing an amendment to Article IV, limitations of exterior materials known as the city's masonry code by creating new definitions of material uses and locations for the use of masonry and masonry-like materials. We've been going over this for a few years now with new companies coming in with you know, trying to move with the times and to be more accepting of new businesses coming in. And I know Planning and Zoning, along with the Council, has been working very hard on this. So there are limitations and things, but we do want to work with these businesses. So that was the public hearing. The second public hearing was postponed, and that was for Dr. Yaqui's Rafa Elohim Holistic Clinic. He wants to install a sign, but that is now postponed until July 13th. No one was here to represent him. Next was a special use for Twan Steven doing business as a Stevens Group. This is to operate a construction material storage and office, and that is located at 1171A North Highway 67. He will not be building anything there. This would be more storing of some of his equipment and materials and also have an office there to go over projects. So then we moved on to bills for second reading. These three all passed. One was amending chapter 605 business regulations, article 22 for mobile food vendors, and the regulations to add additional regulations for mobile food vendors operating in the city. The next we had a substitute bill, and this was for Catherine Smith doing business as Joloff's Senegal Kitchen to allow for a restaurant in the B2 Central Business District, located at 12 667 New Halls Ferry Road. The third was from Mariah Green and authorizing her to have a dog grooming business. It's called Positive Vibes Grooming that is located on St. Francis Street and that passed. We moved on to new business and we get on to board appointments. In March 6, Gina Sebe was appointed to the Landmark and Historic District Commission. Steve Sebe was appointed to the Disability Awareness Commission. and Edward Ramatowski was to the Veterans Commission. Please know that we are always looking for people to serve on our boards. So if you are interested at all, please contact City Hall or one of your council member or really any council member and we can lead you in the right direction because we'd love to have you and we love the residents input. Next, we moved on to bills for first reading. And this one went in three readings. And this was for an ordinance amending section 125065, a job classification and grade level by adding a certain job classification. And I believe the city would like to... add a mechanic and small engine repair. So that allows the mayor and the city staff to hire someone for that. Then the next... First reading that actually went in three was an ordinance authorizing a contract with Regis Commission for information, security, governance, and policy framework development. bill number 10240 and that was an ordinance allowing authorizing the mayor to accept a proposal from faac incorporated for a police driving simulator Next, we went on to Bill 102.4.1, and that ordinance allowed the mayor to accept a proposal from McConnell and Associates for the installation of a tennis court at Dunnigan Park. That's good news. Now we moved on to council announcement, and there are quite a few. The Wednesday Night Out, which is this Wednesday night from 6 to 9, it's an Italian street festival. This is sponsored by Paul Meginelli and American Family Insurance. So it's right here in St. Francis. Come enjoy the music, Italian food. Just a sample of what's coming in September for the Italian festival. So we hope you can join us then. This Saturday and Sunday is the Hispanic Festival, which if you've ever driven by on this weekend, it's a wonderful event to attend. They have various vendors. wonderful food, dancers, things for children and adults. So please, on Saturday and Sunday, if you have time, join them at the Knights of Columbus Grounds. And then we would also, this is kudos, kudos, congratulations to Old Town Donuts, second year in a row for America's Best Donuts. What a great thing for our city. And a great thing for them. So we're all excited about that. On a sad note, though, we're going to be saying goodbye to a landmark, someplace I grew up watching my dad play corkball at, always having a pizza and beverages there. And even now as an adult going there, surely missed. That is BJ's Restaurant. It was started by Jay and Delphine Russell and Jeannie had taken over a few years back and, you know, gave a great run. But and they are just surely going to be missed by all who even drive by that corner. So they will be closing on June 28th. So there's still a little bit time to get to get that pizza in or a mason jar. full of your favorite drink, so we are gonna miss them. And another sad note, our judge lost her dear sister Mary Alice last night. So she was a great caretaker to her and she will be missed. I'll miss seeing her in the parades and the festivities that she would go to. So please prayers to the Dorsey family And then we get to the biggest celebration, my favorite celebration, the Fourth of July, James J. Egan Center. And this year, celebrating our nation's 250th birthday, I mean, what more can we ask for is music and fireworks. And we know Florissant puts on a great show. Hopefully, weather is perfect. Please come out, enjoy the music, the food, and those wonderful fireworks. So I wish you all well. And that's it for tonight. Our next meeting is July 13th. So we hope to see you then. Thanks. Bye-bye.