Board to Discuss 'Neighborhoods at Risk' at Retreat

Neighborhoods with empty lots, grown up in weeds. Neighborhoods whose developers have gone bankrupt or disappeared. Neighborhoods whose homeowner's associations are in disarray.

The will be taking a look at those neighborhoods at their retreat and discussing ways to help them.

At Wednesday night's work session, Ward 3 Alderman Rick Stokes said that the city had 3,500 undeveloped lots. "It's something we need to deal with, not just this year, but in years to come. Strategically, long-term, what are we going to do?"

Ward 1 Alderman Forrest Gossett asked for a spreadsheet about these subdivisions and any information available about them, such as numbers of undeveloped lots and escrow money that was intended to pay for subdivision amenities.

Retreat Schedule

The board set a schedule of additional discussion items for the retreat, which will be held at the Cuivre River facility at 8757 Highway N in Lake Saint Louis.

On Fri., May 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the board will first discuss ethics and then the neighborhood problems. The Mayor will address the board before dinner and then discussion will continue on street repairs and a sewer lateral insurance program for the city.

On Sat., May 19, the retreat starts again with a presentation about police department needs at 8 a.m. Discussion will then move to the new parks construction. After a short break, the board will discuss a new city hall at 9:30, customer service at 10:30 a.m., and business recruitment and retention at 11 a.m. 

After lunch, discussion turns to stormwater issues, the roles of members of the Board of Aldermen and budget strategies.

(Patch suggests that anyone wanting to attend the retreat check with city hall to confirm an exact schedule for discussions.)