Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-29-23

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12 I NEWS I November 29, 2023 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE The Best in Steaks, Seafood, Pasta & Mediterranean Cuisine Happy Hour Menu! Tuesday - Thursday 4-6:30pm and Friday 4-6pm includes choice of soup or salad, entree, sides except for pasta, dessert, and beverage! With every $100.00 Gift Card Purchase receive a bonus $20 Gift Card 636.916.1454 2275 Bluestone Dr. • St. Charles Buy Two Dinner Entrees and Appetizer Get Bottle of House Wine Valid on entrees $14.99 & up. Up to 10 people per coupon. Up to $100 value. House wine choices include: Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel. Max one coupon per visit, per table. Void with other offers or specials. Present coupon when ordering. NO CASH VALUE. Please offer your server a tip on the total bill before discount. NOT valid with the Early Bird Special, Happy Hour or any Major Holiday. Dine in only. Expires 12/31/23. 636.916.1454 2275 Bluestone Dr. • St. Charles View the Full Dinner Menu at www.spirosrestaurant.com or call 636.916.1454 By JOHN TREMMEL At its Nov. 16 meeting, the O’Fallon City Council gave first readings to Bill No. 7602 for the proposed 2024 City Budget and Bill No. 7606 for the proposed 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan. Both bills were sponsored by Mayor Bill Hennessy. The council had conducted discussions about the proposed budget at a workshop on Oct. 19 and at the Oct. 26 council meeting. Because the budgets must be passed prior to year-end, both bills will receive second readings and votes for passage at the Dec. 14 council meeting. The budget consists of 18 different funds with anticipated revenues of $132,439,654 and planned expenditures of $143,108,384 (including transfers). It reflects direction provided to city staff during budget preparation along with goals identified in the city’s Strategic Plan. The 2024 budgeted expenditures are about $14.2 million or 11% higher than 2023. The number of full-time positions authorized for 2024 is 13 or 2.7% higher than 2023. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes $133,161,218 for 2024. That is about $10 million or 8.2% higher than 2023. The CIP is for planning purposes and does not constitute an adopted budget. Its purpose is to systematically plan, schedule and finance capital projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and conformance with established policies. It also provides a basis for funding future capital projects based on available resources. @MIDRIVERS_NEWS MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM O’Fallon City Council to vote on 2024 budgets at Dec. 14 meeting Schaefer Autobody Centers is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive through Dec. 15 in support of St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Snowflake Village program. The Snowflake Village is an in-hospital “toy store” that ensures every child receives a special gift during the holiday season. The donations create a festive atmosphere for families facing challenging circumstances. A particular need is for teen gifts such as Lego sets, sports apparel, and spa items. Infant toys, including board books, rattles, and lovies, are also in high demand. An Amazon wish list from Children’s Hospital of the most wished-for items can be found on the Schaefer Autobody Centers’ website (schaeferautobody.com/toys). Monetary donations can also be made through 2024 Budget Funds Expenses • General: $40,301,321 • Street & Road Improvement: $24,791,726 • Sewer: $21,088,415 • Water: $16,676,138 • Recreation: $9,222,013 • Police & Road Improvement: $8,427,593 • Environmental Services: $5,924,136 • Debt Service: $4,333,634 • Police Training Facility: $3,770,000 • Renaud Center: $3,242,041 • Stormwater: $2,101,317 • Sewer Lateral Insurance: $971,183 • Transient Guest Tax: $942,840 • CBDG: $520,785 • Public Venue: $469,689 • Water Service Line Insurance: $256,853 • Inmate Security: $38,700 • Police Training: $30,000 The 2024 budget includes 490 personnel authorized at the beginning of the year, plus 11 newly authorized, resulting in 501 total authorized full-time positions. 2024 Capital Improvement Plan • General: $40,326,321 • Street & Road Improvement: $24,448,094 • Sewer: $21,088,415 • Water: $16,683,563 • Recreation: $9,222,013 • Police & Road Improvement (Use Tax): $8,427,593 • Environmental Services: $5,924,136 • Renaud Center: $3,242,041 • Stormwater: $2,101,317 • Sewer Lateral Insurance: $971,183 • Public Venue: $469,689 • Water Service Line Insurance: $256,853 Toy donations sought for St. Louis Children’s Hospital the same website. St. Louis Children’s Hospital kindly asks donors to avoid contributing items such as play guns, Nerf guns or other toy weapons, latex balloons, candy, gum or other food, scary or violent action figures or dolls, and used toys or books. Handmade items are also not recommended for donation. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of Schaefer’s 13 area locations, including: • St. Peters, 4170 N, Service Road • O’Fallon, #1 Team Drive • Wentzville, 2530 E. Pitman Street In addition to supporting Snowflake Village, the donations will help sustain the hospital’s ability to celebrate important childhood milestones, including holidays, birthdays and treatment milestones.
FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM November 29, 2023 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE Townhomes at Lienemann Park development approved in St. Peters I NEWS I 13 By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER A new single-family townhome development was approved at the Nov. 9 St. Peters Board of Aldermen meeting. This came after the senior purchasing manager of Lombardo Homes, Steve Valentine, gave a presentation noting updates that have been added to the Harvey Fred Lienemann Unified Credit Trust and Lombardo Homes of St. Louis, LLC’s plans to better serve residents. Lienemann noted that the 22-acre site is set to house around 226 new units, as well as a new city park. It will be developed in two phases. He said Lombardo took tree preservation into serious account during the planning process. The project goal was to preserve about 50% of the existing trees. With additional clearing added for parking for the new park, as well as clearing for rerouting stormwater, the final approved plan preserved 49.1% of the site’s tree cover. “We believe that an outdoor lifestyle is our selling feature,” Valentine noted. In addition to the preserved trees, the planned layout includes additional greenery that will be planted around the townhomes and in the courtyard. The new community will offer additional amenities that include a pool, clubhouse, dog park, playground, courtyard fire pits and connectivity to the proposed Lienemann Park and its nature walking trail. The units themselves are to be designed with varying colors and styles to give them a unique look that ensures that no two units are the same. Valentine explained that the developer reached out to the Francis Howell School District to determine what kind of impact the development would have on it. Jennifer Jolls, the district’s chief communications officer, provided demographic information that indicated “no space issues exist currently, and enrollment is anticipated to remain relatively stable through the period noted.” “Typically, impacts from housing of this nature bring limited student enrollment increases,” Jolls noted. Concerns regarding water runoff were also addressed. Stormwater concerns were brought to light in the early stages of planning. In order to better serve the community, the developer reconfigured the plans to eliminate a proposed basketball court to grow both detention basins. In addition, Linemann Park is expected to provide ample space for water flow, while an easement that runs the entire length of “This has been looked at so many ways and made better each time. Is it 100% to my agreement? No. But it’s 95% there.” – Alderman Patrick Barclay the northern border is expected to aid with runoff. The current site layout is designed to work with existing waterways and eliminate the need for retaining walls as much as possible, which also aids in preventing drastic water impacts on existing residential land. A homeowners association is slated to be created so that residents within the new community will take over ownership of the area once the development is finished. Alderman Dr. Gregg Sartorious (Ward 2) expressed concerns regarding the HOA. “Some of them are in dire straits,” Sartorius said. He then described how a lack of funds has led homeowners to pay $300 a month, yet their siding is still chipping and other problems are arising. He asked if there is an upfront fee being instituted in home buying costs within the development to ensure that the HOA is started with the funding it needs to achieve longevity. “This is something Lombardo takes pride in,” Valentine said. “Many of the HOAs in the area start off in debt. Lombardo has a history of ensuring that they do not hand it over to the HOA in debt. He explained that the early years of development can be difficult for budgeting as the community begins. “Relative to the pre-funding,” Valentine said, “there is a capitalization fee that varies based on the community which budgets with the HOA companies to ensure that they have a great operating budget and that upon each closing on homes puts in $1,000 for the HOA account to ensure that the association gets a proper start.” Alderman Patrick Barclay (Ward 4) praised the developer for taking the time to make the project fit the community. “I want to just thank not only the developers to landowners, the realtor, especially the staff and employees,” he said. “This has been looked at so many ways and made better each time. Is it 100% to my agreement? No. But it’s 95% there.” This year, having health insurance is more important than ever. To get 2024 coverage through the Marketplace, schedule time with a certified Marketplace counselor so you can be sure you’re getting the best plan for you. At no charge, our Marketplace counselors can help you: • Determine if you are eligible for a Marketplace plan • Select the plan that best meets your needs • Find out if you qualify for financial support • Complete and submit your paperwork Top-quality health insurance that includes BJC hospitals and physicians is available. You need health insurance. BJC can help. Open enrollment: Nov. 1 – Jan. 15 To schedule your free consultation, call 855.488.4855. Learn more at: bjc.org/marketplace BJC_Mrktpl_MidRiversNewsmagazine_10x5.6_MomDaughter.indd 1 11/20/23 10:04 AM
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-29-23

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