West Newsmagazine 2-14-18

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Chesterfield City Council acts to
further protect victims’ rights
By JIM ERICKSON
Despite some doubts regarding the need
for it, legislation establishing a victim’s bill
of rights has received unanimous support
from the Chesterfield City Council on its
first reading.
The measure, which amends the municipal
court chapter of the city’s code by adding
a new section spelling out a victim’s rights,
will receive a second reading and be subject
to final council action at a future meeting.
Provisions in the new section are
designed “to ensure fair and compassionate
treatment of victims” of violations of
city ordinances and “to increase the effectiveness”
of the city’s justice system.
Among other things, a victim’s rights
include being reasonably protected from
the accused and being treated with courtesy,
compassion and respect. The victim
also can request various items of information
about due process and justice system
procedures, notice of court proceedings, to
be present at public court sessions and, in
most cases, to be heard when the court is
considering the release, plea sentencing or
probation revocation.
Thinking about possible boundary changes
By JIM ERICKSON
The city of Chesterfield thinks it may
be a good idea to consider changing some
boundaries with two of its neighbors –
Creve Coeur and Town & Country. The
possibility of annexing an entire community
such as Clarkson Valley and another
adjoining area may not be a bad idea either.
The Chesterfield City Council will consider
including those possibilities in a filing
with the Boundary Commission, which
reviews all proposals affecting the borders
of incorporated and unincorporated areas
in St. Louis County.
The commission operates on a six-year
cycle that includes a map plan phase and
a proposal phase. Under the current cycle,
municipalities have until July 1 to submit
map plans reserving the right to pursue
annexation during the proposal phase.
Including a proposed boundary change
in a map plan doesn’t mean a municipality
is obligated to pursue a revision. But any
possible alterations not included now can’t
be proposed again for another six years.
Most boundary changes must receive
commission and votes approval.
At its Feb. 5 meeting, the council directed
its Finance and Administration Committee
Victims also are permitted to request
restitution from a defendant and to seek a
case’s speedy disposition.
During the public comment period at the
Feb. 5 council meeting where the victim’s
rights measure was on the agenda, Chesterfield
resident Jon Lerman strongly supported
the proposal.
If the council approves the ordinance,
Chesterfield would be the first city in the
state to adopt such legislation and would
be a trendsetter for other communities,
Lerman said.
But Councilmember Barry Flachsbart
[Ward 1] took exception to any inference
that Chesterfield’s police department, prosecuting
attorney and municipal court are
not already taking steps to ensure a victim’s
rights. The only thing the proposed
ordinance does is spell out what already is
being done, he said.
Councilmember Barbara McGuinness
[Ward 1] argued that, while current city
officials may be treating victims properly,
the proposed ordinance is needed so that
practices and procedures are codified to
ensure similar requirements are maintained
in the future.
to review three specific possibilities:
Clarkson Valley: With an estimated population
of 2,628, Clarkson Valley has an
area of about 2.7 square miles and immediately
adjoins a portion of Chesterfield’s
southern boundary. Chesterfield currently
provides police service for the community
under a contract approved last year. City
Administrator Mike Geisel said Chesterfield
has discussed the proposal with city
leaders in Clarkson Valley. Their reaction,
he noted, was to encourage the idea. However,
other adjoining communities also
may receive similar encouragement.
Westland Acres: This area is in the southwest
area of Chesterfield off Strecker Road
with another portion within Wildwood city
limits. Chesterfield officials say they have
been told that any development plans for
the area are made more difficult by the
necessity of obtaining approvals from two
separate jurisdictions.
Route 141 corridor: Chesterfield has identified
six parcels, totaling about 39 acres,
that could move from Chesterfield to Creve
Coeur. Two other Chesterfield tracts with
a total of some 42 acres could be included
in Town & Country, while four areas totaling
approximately 25 acres now in Town &
Country could become part of Chesterfield.
February 14, 2018
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