Neighborhood Meeting Minutes — August 1, 2023
New Members Welcome!
Scott V!
Brian! on James st.
Susan! On indiana
William and Ashley! on Missouri
Update:
Looking at charter, the boundaries aren’t reflective of what the city considers our boundaries … in the middle of Gravois as opposed to the alley behind Gravois
Cara’s update:
8th ward alder, spencerc@stlouis-mo.gov
UPDATES
Board of aldermen are on a break
(Chambers doesn’t have ac)
Gun control bill
Restrict open carry of firearms bill passed … will mayor sign? We’ll see
Regulating AirBNBs
(stl is one of the last cities in the nation to have any regulation)
It has not even been discussed!
Weigh in with Cara (email)
President of the board and the mayor (emails)
To learn more, watch one of the hearings (link)
The idea is for the building division to be the regulatory agency and require permits for anyone who’s getting an airbnb. Some zoning, tightening it up a little bit more. We cannot issue taxes in st Louis, under Hancock, state of MO statute. We can’t charge any more for permit other than the cost of the service. Current airbnbs need to get a permit. $100 a year for each airbnb is what is being discussed. But nothing has happened yet so weigh in!
First charter commission
Renewing the city’s charter, learn more about the citizen board here
Dan G commissioned a study of Gravois
Gravois is owned by the city but managed by modot. More updates to come. We’ll post them when we find them.
Closure of Cherokee access to 55 is permanent
There were several accidents and just one person thought that maybe it would be good to keep out of all surveyed. It’s permanently closed.
Board of aldermen hired legislative assistant
Isaiah is the new legislative assistant for Cara/ward 8 pasek-santiagoi@stlouis-mo.gov
Church on Gravois x Russell
Updates next meeting. Contact Alder Spencer for info: spencerc@stlouis-mo.gov
Benton Park, The Park
You have been heard! The trees are down by the lake, and they’re getting addressed soon!
Fountain has been down a couple years
Parks dept couldn’t find the part they needed, but they found it recently! Expect to fix the fountain by the end of the summer.
Conditional Use Proposal
Pestalozzi and Jefferson
Catering for private events. Chris Bork Project. Southside Space building.
Come to our concerts!
Next one is aug 20, Pernikoff Brothers
Tunes on tap
This is our musical garden and home tour! We need volunteers to host a local musician and 10-20 people at most sprinkled throughout Saturday, October 14th. The neighborhood will provide local brews and help setting up. Email events@bentonpark.org if you’re interested in volunteering.
Yemanja’s Brazilian Day is happening on 9/9!
September 9th, 12-8 at Yemanja Brazil, 2900 Missouri Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118
This is a street festival, the street will be closed from Missouri to McNair
Samba lessons
Soccer workshop (need)
Miami/chicago dancers coming in
Jiujitsu class for women’s self defense!
Caipirinhas !
There’s a local CSA (community supported agriculture) from an urban farm in Cahokia
newcahokiacommons.farm
Email info@newcahokiacommons.farm to subscribe! Food through November!
It’s super fresh and pickup is Tuesday 4:30-6 at Earthbound Beer
2724 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118Artisan cheeses dairy and plant
Honey
Eggs, chicken and duck
Flowers
Master brewer and distiller
Cave update!
English Cave + Community Garden
Trying to get access to the cave, but it can take decades before you get the opportunity.
Bill, our cave man, recently had the opportunity to get into the Lemp Cave … there will be a video of the visit
They will also be showing video of Lemp Cave at Spine Cafe and bookstore. We’ll post more onthe neighborhood social media.
Dog park
Gate is fixed!
Info about dog park is here —-> bentonparkdogpark@gmail.com
Adam, with the Metro Toxic Air Task Force
If you’d like to report the smell/toxic air, you can use this form! it will take 5 minutes to report and every report helps. (report early and often!)
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE FORM
“The smell” - it’s not the brewery smell! It’s a burning iphone toxic smell coming from Sauget.
The smell was here years ago, it went away, and now it has RETURNED
The task force believes its coming from the Yolia waste management in Sauget
They deal with hazardous waste. The smell contains arsenic lead and mercury … not great!
Google st Louis toxic air yolia to learn more
We have the right to have air that’s safe to breathe based on the law of this country. =
What can you do? Report the small.
Here’s how:
mtatf23@gmail.com (make a form)
Date time, what’s the smell like, what’s the effect
The more reporting the better.
More details:
Air quality is supposed to be highly regulated (permit good for 5 years)
It requires them to do testing/ what are you burning etc…
In the rollbacks to the EPA 2016-2020, the permit was weakened
Permit up in 2024 January
If we can get input from community, we can send the smell away AGAIN
State of Missouri Medicaid Renewal is happening. Check on your people!
Renew everyone who participates on medical health insurance that falls under medicaid
If you have a family member etc who may be using medicaid
Children and adults and seniors
They need to have someone who is familiar with the the division of family services to make sure they are renewed for their services
Adam Lane - City of St Louis treasurer
Parking related issues? Let us know stltreasurer@stlouis-mo.gov
Amnesty for parking tickets through September (but likely through end of 2023)
You can call in and pay the original fee
Question to treasurer: What’s happening with the Rams money?
The board of aldermen will vote on what happens with that money but in the meantime it is in an Investment account. and it has earned 5 million dollars as of now.