St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 26 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 26th week of the 2017-2018 session. FOUR (13) NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 12/8/17:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#207 – Navarro ? An ordinance approving the dissolution of the East Loop/Parkview Gardens Special Business District and the discharge of the members of its board of commissioners, by repealing Ordinance No. 63634.
• B.B.#208 – Davis ? An ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission, the Comptroller and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, making certain findings with respect to the transfer of up to Thirteen Million Seven Hundred Twenty?Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty?Nine Dollars of excess moneys that The City, intends to transfer from the Debt Service Stabilization Fund to the Airport Revenue Fund in accordance with Section 516.B of the Lambert?St. Louis International Airport Indenture of Trust between the City, as Grantor, and UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of October 15, 1984, as amended and restated as of July 1, 2009, as amended and supplemented; authorizing a transfer in an amount not to exceed Thirteen Million Seven Hundred Twenty?Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty?Nine Dollars from the DSSF into the Revenue Fund during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, to be used to make funds available to mitigate rates on an annual basis during the term of the Airport Use and Lease Agreement commencing July 1, 2016; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#209 – Davis ? An Ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and the Second Amendment to Fuel System Lease and Use Agreement AL?442 to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport® Fuel System Lease and Use Agreement AL?442, between the City and STL Fuel Company LLC, dated December 22, 2011, as amended by the First Amendment to Fuel System Lease and Use Agreement AL?442, dated April 7, 2014; the Second Amendment, which is attached hereto as ATTACHMENT “1” and made a part hereof, was approved by the City’s Airport Commission, and its terms are more fully described in Section One of this Ordinance; containing a severability clause and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#210 – Davis ? An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports of the City, owner and operator of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport to execute, the Consent to Assignment whereby the City consents to the assignment by ABM Parking Services, Inc. (“Assignor”) to ABM Aviation, Inc. (“Assignee”) all right, title and interest in the Operating Agreement for Management & Operation of Parking Facilities Services AL?267 at Lambert?St. Louis International Airport, dated December 10, 2014; and further authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and execute the First Amendment to the Operating Agreement for Management & Operation of Parking Facilities Services AL?267 (“First Amendment”) to the Agreement; said Consent to Assignment and First Amendment were approved by the Airport Commission and are attached hereto as ATTACHMENT “1” and ATTACHMENT “2” respectively, and made a part hereof, and their terms are more fully described in Section One and Section Two of this Ordinance; containing a severability clause; and an emergency clause.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 25 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 25th week of the 2017-2018 session. The 3rd item on the agendas is “Swearing In Alderwoman Elect Elicia “Lisa” Middlebrook. ” Middlebrook won a 3-way race held last month to serve out the unfinished term of 2nd ward Alderman Dionne Flowers, who was appointed Registrar.

In other news, longtime 8th Ward Alderman Stephen Conway, appointed Assessor by Mayor Krewson,  resigned on Monday, a special election will be held February 13, 2018 — see press release.

FOUR (4) NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 12/1/17:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#203 – J. Boyd –An Ordinance, recommended by the Board of Public Service of the City, establishing multiple public works and improvement projects within the City of St. Louis (the “Projects”).
• B.B.#204 – Williamson –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 1020 Union/5251 Cates.
• B.B.#205 – Moore –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 2400-22 N. Sarah and 4056-58 St. Ferdinand.
• B.B.#206 – Kennedy –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 5122-24 Kensington.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

Opinion: Generations of Shortsighted Decisions Continues To Dog St. Louis Region. Will Likely Continue

Many of our current problems in the St. Louis region can be traced back to decisions made long before any of us were born. The Post-Dispatch’s example of two women who own the same type of 2014 Cadillac the personal property tax on one was $895. the other $436. Why? Where each happens to live in St. Louis County.  You might think the higher bill is in a fancier area than the lower bill — but the opposite is the case!

The total amount of real estate taxes assessed in St. Louis County has increased 18 percent since 2010, to $1.75 billion. By comparison, during that time the total amount of personal property taxes grew by 21 percent, to $280 million.

The personal property tax has steadily become a major revenue generator for municipalities and fire districts. Municipalities have increased their personal property tax revenue by 27 percent since 2010, to $9.1 million. And fire districts across St. Louis County have increased the amount they collect from personal property by 30 percent, to $31.8 million.

Johnson’s tax bill is more than double O’Neal’s in part because the school and fire districts and municipality where Johnson lives are strapped for cash. She sees a Caddy parked in her driveway; her leaders see a way to pay for teachers, cops and firefighters.

Even O’Neal doesn’t think that’s fair. She knows that sales taxes from the West County Mall help subsidize services for her area. (Post-Dispatch)

You’re probably asking what old decision is responsible for this current situation, right?  The answer is the 1876 divorce of the City of St. Louis from St. Louis County.

On August 22, 1876, in what was undoubtedly the stupidest move ever in the history of St. Louis, St. Louis City and St. Louis County decided to separate. Like the American Revolution, the great event was prompted by taxes — the 310,000 city residents didn’t feel like wasting money on the 27,000 county residents and reasoned that the city wouldn’t expand much further west than Grand Boulevard. (The boundary was eventually set at Skinker Boulevard so the city could claim Forest Park.)

Ah, short-sightedness! Thy name is St. Louis voters! Within 25 years, the city found itself pushing against its western border at Skinker and began to regret the decision to divorce itself from the county. (Riverfront Times)

As the land-locked City of St. Louis struggled as population and tax base fled to St. Louis County many County residents/leaders smugly thought something like “That’s the City for you!’ Now St. Louis County is going through the very same thing the city did in the last century — middle class fleeing certain areas with jobs, retail, etc following behind. In their place are lowered hime values, more crime, and an increased in concentrated poverty.

Had St. Louis not selfishly left St. Louis County it would have been able to annex smaller towns/villages as it grew. The city limits today would likely be out to at least the I-270 loop — North, West, and South. There would be a few municipalities that resisted annexation, but they’d be completely surrounded by the City of St. Louis. The majority of the region’s residents would live in the City of St. Louis. They’d all be covered by the city’s fire department and live within a few school districts. We wouldn’t have the disparity of taxes we do now.

Of course, this isn’t to say we’d be problem-free. We wouldn’t be. And thinking about this hypothetical scenario doesn’t change current reality. We’re one of the most fragmented regions in the country — a very high number of units of government — all with taxing ability.  Today many are as shortsighted as those in 1876 — their little corner of St. Louis County (or elsewhere in the region) is comfortable so this isn’t their problem. This is the “do nothing” approach to problem solving.

OK, let’s examine that option. Residents of North St. Louis County who cam afford housing elsewhere vote with their feet and leave — as many have been doing for years. Housing values drop so more poor move to North County, but in fewer numbers than those who left. Small municipalities continue to struggle — some raise taxes, others disincorporate themselves. Employers leave. Crime worsens. Income and other inequalities in the region get worse.

As I see it, the only answer is to reduce the units of government in the region. Sadly, many just accept the status quo as a given. From the recent non-scientific Sunday Poll:

Q: Agree or disagree: Lower-income areas of St. Louis County require more services (police. EMS. etc) so it makes sense those residents pay more pers. property tax

• Strongly agree 5 [18.52%]
• Agree 4 [14.81%]
• Somewhat agree 1 [3.7%]
• Neither agree or disagree 2 [7.41%]
• Somewhat disagree 3 [11.11%]
• Disagree 5 [18.52%]
• Strongly disagree 7 [25.93%]
• Unsure/No Answer 0 [0%]

As is often the case, the selfish shortsighted mentality will likely prevail. Please prove me wrong.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 24 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 24th week of the 2017-2018 session. No new bills were introduced last week.

THIRTEEN (13) NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 11/17/17:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#188 – Coatar –An ordinance to terminate and dissolve the Orpheum Theater Community District pursuant to the Community Improvement District Act, Sections 67.1401 – 67.1575 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
• B.B.#189 – Moore –An Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission on November 8, 2017, to change the zoning of property as indicated on the District Map and in City Block 3666, from “C” Multiple?Family Dwelling District and “F” Neighborhood Commercial District to the “F” Neighborhood Commercial District only, at 2505 N. Sarah Street; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#190 – Boyd –An Ordinance pertaining to the administration and use of the Parking Meter Fund and repealing Subsection B-2 of Section Two of Ordinance 70611.
• B.B.#191 – Roddy –An ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to provide for the establishment of a FOREST PARK SOUTHEAST Form-Based District; and containing a severability clause and an effective date clause.
• B.B.#192 – Roddy – An ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to repeal the Grove Commercial Area Special Use District, Ord. 67924, and setting an effective date.
• B.B.#193 – Pres. Reed –An ordinance amending Ordinance 69429 by repealing Section Two and Section Three of that ordinance and enacting in lieu thereof a new Section Two and a new Section Three pertaining to the same subject matters; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#194 – Howard –An ordinance submitting to the qualified voters of the City, a proposal to repeal Section 2 of Article VIII of the City Charter requiring City officers and employees to reside within the boundaries of the City and thus allow said officers and employees to reside outside of the boundaries of the City and; providing for an election to be held for voting on the proposed revision and the manner of voting thereat and; for the publication, certification, deposit, and recording of this ordinance; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#195 – Coatar –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 2001?2003 Ann.
• B.B.#196 – Conway/Pres. Reed –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 4121 Russell.
• B.B.#197 – Martin –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 7500-7518 South Broadway.
• B.B.#198 – Vollmer –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 5231-5233 & 5239-5241 Shaw.
• B.B.#199 –Guenther –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 4601 South Broadway.
• B.B.#200 – Roddy – An ordinance determining that the Tax Increment Financing Plans listed in Exhibit “A” are making satisfactory progress under the proposed time schedule for completion of projects therein.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

Land Reutilization Authority Selling Vacant Lot That Is Less Than An Inch Wide

The city’s Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) was a critical tool in the era of massive land clearance for urban renewal projects, like Pruitt-Igoe. This tool, largely unchanged, has been in continuous use since thr failure of urban renewal decades ago. It needs to be rethought or ditched entirely. They don’t even know what they have, or how to market it.

Their property search lists thousands of properties for sale. It takes a lot of staff to handle that much property, but not all property is equal. Take 2752 Wyoming.

I thought perhaps they also have an adjacent lot…but no. It says the value is $21 — for a long time I’ve wanted to get the paperwork together along with a cashier’s check and make a form,sl offer to buy one of these “vacant lots.”  There are other examples of lots like this.

It’s no wonder they can’t market properties. I do think they can when it means drawing a red line around any acres and telling someone they can raze everything inside the line. Otherwise, they seem clueless.

The recent non-scientific Sunday Poll:

Q: Agree or disagree: Land-banking city-owned properties in low-density neighborhoods is the best strategy for redevelopment.

• Strongly agree 2 [11.11%]
• Agree 3 [16.67%]
• Somewhat agree 3 [16.67%]
• Neither agree or disagree 1 [5.56%]
• Somewhat disagree 3 [16.67%]
• Disagree 1 [5.56%]
• Strongly disagree 3 [16.67%]
• Unsure/No Answer 2 [11.11%]

Land banking is a great tool — but it’s not the best way to prevent thousands of properties from sitting around for decades. It can also prevent slow incremental change. Geez, no wonder North St. Louis is so vacant and thr population has dropped more than a 100k since I moved here in 1990; We do the wrong thing for years and continue because “that’s how things are done.” Board Bill 187 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.

— Steve Patterson