West Newsmagazine 9-26-18

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12 I NEWS I September 26, 2018 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM You want the best for them. Every day. So do we. At Mason Pointe, we feel that older adults deserve the very best we can give them. So that’s what we strive for. Every day. • Outstanding caregiver-to-resident ratios • Beautiful, inviting living and gathering spaces • Delicious, chef-prepared meals • Friendly, accessible leadership and staff Give those you love the very best. Call today to schedule your personal tour of Mason Pointe! 314.754.2222 A LUTHERAN SENIOR SERVICES LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Long Term Care • REACH Short Stay Rehab • Independent Living taking reservations 13190 S. Outer Forty Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63017 MasonPointeLiving.org MP Ad for West Mag - 10/2018 - Size: 4.916” x 11.375” - Due: 9/21/18 Eliminating $10,000 of the $12,500 earmarked for the St. Louis Civic Orchestra was among the cuts approved by the Chesterfield City Council. [Facebook photo] Chesterfield City Council begins 2019 budget draft review process By JIM ERICKSON The Chesterfield City Council has started its annual budget-preparation process with a preliminary review of the city’s 2019 spending plan. At least two more meetings are anticipated before the document is ready for a final public presentation and approval later this year. Councilmember Barbara McGuinness [Ward 1], who chairs the council’s Finance and Administration Committee, was in charge of the Sept. 17 committee-of-thewhole meeting which featured a budget presentation by Finance Director Chris DesPlanques. Although it’s still subject to any number of revisions, the budget draft contained a number of key assumptions and changes, including: • No new personnel. • A 4-percent hike in health insurance costs that go into effect July 1 [a 2-percent net increase for the year]. • A worker’s compensation insurance rate increase of 8 percent. Even with the higher premium, City Administrator Mike Geisel said Chesterfield remains among the best performers when it comes to claims history. • A projected savings of $172,000 in the personnel budget due to employee turnover resulting in some budgeted positions not being filled throughout the year. Councilmember Barry Flachsbart [Ward 1] noted the budget label of “personnel budgetary savings” is somewhat misleading in light of what it refers to, and he suggested that staff come up with a different description. • The potential offsetting of a downward trend in sales tax revenues due to new revenue sources, such as the recently opened TopGolf operation. • A 3.5-percent decline in telephone utility tax revenue, per a recommendation from the F&A Citizens Advisory Committee. No employee salary merit increases are included in the preliminary budget, although that is subject to change and likely will be an agenda topic at the next F&A committee-of-the-whole meeting Oct. 8. It also was mentioned that voter approval in November of a proposed increase in the motor fuel tax rate could have a positive impact on revenues for roads and bridges. Since that outcome is uncertain, the city now is projecting a slight decrease in that source, in line with recent trends. Also subject to change is a projected $1.26 million surplus in the 2019 budget for the general fund, the largest of the city’s four spending plan categories. However, Mayor Bob Nation noted that if it were not for revenues from Proposition P, the voterapproved, half-cent sales tax earmarked for public safety, the upcoming budget would be in the red. Chesterfield used to include most of its public safety outlays in the general fund; however, with the passage of Proposition P, the city has established a separate public safety fund so that revenues and expenditures can be tracked more easily. McGuinness asked and received approvals for what she called “belt tightening.” Included were the elimination of proposed expenditures of $15,000 for an art contest, $3,000 paid to the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce in connection with a concert and a $10,000 reduction in the $12,500 earmarked for the St. Louis Civic Orchestra in presenting a season-opening concert at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. McGuinness predicted additional budget reductions will be considered at future meetings. She said her goal is for the city to do the best possible job in “the four Ps,” which she identified as parks, police, public works and planning [and zoning]. “Those are the city’s priorities and it has to be our job as a council to look carefully at expenditures outside of those areas to make sure we are making the best use of taxpayer dollars,” she observed.
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Chesterfield City Council rejects veterinary clinic rezoning proposal September 26, 2018 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I NEWS I 13 By JIM ERICKSON The Chesterfield City Council has rejected a rezoning proposal to allow a veterinary clinic and other possible offices on a corner lot adjoining the Clarkson Wilson Center on Clarkson Road. On a unanimous vote at its Sept. 17 meeting, the council turned down the request from Dr. Douglas Pernikoff after hearing from some three dozen persons, most of whom opposed the change. In June, the city’s planning commission voted 8-0 to approve the measure. Filed late last year, the zoning change had its first public hearing before the planning and zoning commission in February. The nearly one-acre parcel is split between an R2 residential portion applying to about two-thirds of the land, with the rest zoned commercial. The proposal asked that the entire lot be switched to a planned commercial district. As ultimately agreed to by the petitioner, the lot would be used for a professional office building of no more than 7,500 square feet incorporating a number of residential design features. However, the proposal subsequently failed to win the council’s planning and public works committee endorsement before it went to the full council for final action. The property is on the south side of Clarkson Woods Drive at the entrance of Clarkson Woods subdivision. Those opposing the change at the Sept. 17 meeting and at earlier sessions cited, among other things, concerns about increased traffic, safety, the possibility of diminished property values and objections to having an office building with parking facilities at the entrance to the subdivision. In a seven-page letter to councilmembers, Pernikoff refuted the objections and reminded officials of the planning commission’s unanimous approval of the change and his efforts to accommodate “every reasonable request and suggestion made by residents and the commission.” Pernikoff owns the property and noted that, without rezoning, “it is and will remain literally worthless.” Later in the letter, he added, “I do not want to even think about litigation, but I cannot abandon the investment I have made in this property and simply don’t understand how I can be forced to own and maintain property that cannot be used for anything without rezoning.” Councilmember Barry Flachsbart [Ward 1] said while he believes a development much more objectionable to residents than what Dr. Pernikoff wants could be placed on the property, the city’s comprehensive plan calls for a residential use on the site and he sided with that plan. Councilmember Ben Keathley [Ward 2] agreed and seconded Flachsbart’s motion to turn down the rezoning request. The nearly one-acre lot behind this sign has been the focal point of a rezoning proposal to enable the construction of a 7,500-square-foot professional office building. SUNDAY October 7th 12pm – 3pm ANNUAL SAFETY DAY DISPLAYS - Metro West Advance -Life Fire, Saving Rescue, Paramedic EMS, Units Police - Fire Units -Trucks Live fire and demonstration Rescue Units with the -“jaws Healthy of life” Heroes Police Academy DARE cars and -Special Try out Units, our new and much ”Fire Life more… Safety Education Unit” - Safety Booths & Information - Giveaways – Free pumpkins, - K-9 Demonstrations from “Hallie” special giveaways and much more - “Jake” Metro West’s official mascot - The “Balloon Twisters” - Home Depot with the kids “creation station” - Firehouse Burgers, Hot Dogs and other refreshments PARKING AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILDWOOD CAMPUS SUNDAY October 7th – metrowest-fire.org
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West Newsmagazine 9-26-18

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