In this meeting we finalized nominations for 2024 Board elections and had Samantha Lee Smugala talk about Pocketparks.

Introduction & Meeting Ground Rules (Dan Doelling) 

Ward Updates (Michael Browning, Alderman)

  • Board to pass short-term rental regulation:
    • Permit system where owners (not LLCs) will register properties.
    • Maximum 4 permits per owner
    • Required to designate local agent to respond to issues within 1 hour.
    • Yearly inspections.
    • Limits on occupancy, cars parked out front, parties, etc.
    • Police, building division and online portal for enforcement.
    • Will take about a year to set up infrastructure.
  • Currently discussing “Unhoused Bill of Rights”
    • Rights for homeless population
    • Rules for disbanding homeless encampments.
    • Repeals ordinances such as public urination & panhandling.
    • Opposed to these bills in current form:
      • Health & safety concerns
      • Cities cannot enumerate rights (can’t guarantee rights).
      • Sets up potential lawsuit by State Attorney General and loss of homeless funding from State government.
      • Plan to work with sponsors and revise the bill.

Crime and Safety Report (Officer Walker)

  • Stepped up patrols because of complaints of unruly behavior:
    • Chouteau Park.
    • 1100 block of Kentucky Ave.
  • Numerous car break-ins at 1100 block of Tower Grove Ave.
    • Usually operate in groups.
    • Usually hunting for guns on weekends.
    • Off-street parking should take precautions as well.
  • Please call 911 (staffing and call times are improving).
  • Please use the non-emergency number for nuisances, abandoned cars, etc. (231-1212), but if you have any doubt, CALL 911.
  • Email: NCWALKER@STLPD.ORG

Neighborhood Updates (Ron Coleman, Neighborhood Improvement Specialist):

  • Your resource for infrastructure, safety & security.
  • Neighborhood cleanup at Vista and Norfolk a big help
  • Grove CID working on safety improvements:
    • Bollards to protect pedestrians.
    • Replacement of litter barrels and light poles
    • Crosswalk at side streets of Manchester Ave
    • Improving lighting (too bright) by adding reflectors to direct light downward instead of outward
  • Bulk pickup is 6 weeks behind.
  • Parking District kinks are being worked out with Treasurer’s Office
  • Complaints about refuse and recycling pickup rates.
    • Looking to improve recycling program.
    • Very expensive because it is too often contaminated with trash.
    • Provide a location for bulk recycling area where recycling would be less contaminated.
  • Question: would it be possible to add lighting near Chouteau Park to deter drug dealing:
    • Answer: was part of the original plan but had to be cut for budget.  Currently being looked at for future implementation.  

Treasurer’s Report (Cammie Lewis, FPSE NA Treasurer)

  • September: 
    • $1,500 in donations (for Great Gathering event)
    • $15.99 for Zoom
    • $2,635.99 for Great Gathering (huge success)
    • 1,817.19 remaining balance.
  • Pay dues for membership: 
    • Membership = voting privileges.
    • Pay what-you-can / sliding scale.
    • Cashapp ($FPSENA) or straight cash/check.

Community Updates & News (Dan Doelling):

  • 2024 Board Elections nominations:
    • President: Dan Doelling
    • Vice President: Mark Mangapora
    • Secretary: Cammie Lewis
    • Treasurer: Evan Veremaki
    • Member at Large: Sarah Kogen
  • Solar Power Hour @ Bar K (next Wednesday).
    • Info on installing solar panels on your house.
  • Daffodils Bulbs Planting, Saturday, Oct 21st @ 9am (meet @ Tower Grove Ave & Gibson Ave)
  • De-volcano mulching
  • Neighborhood cleanups (tree lawns, alleys, along curbs).
    • Oct 28th 
  • Winter tree pruning (first Sunday of each month @ 10am).
  • Please join Event Committee
    • Plan events, design flyers, hang flyers.

Samantha Lee Smugala, Pocket Parks (guest speaker):

  • Vacant lots are costly, bring down property values, depreciate neighborhoods, impact on mental wellbeing.
  • Budgets are small.
  • Beautification inspires pride.
  • Activate and work with developers to maintain space.
  • Increase safety, inspire community pride, weave into urban fabric.
  • Engage community and vice versa – happens organically.
    • Different in every neighborhood
    • Online surveys, canvassing, postcard surveys, popup events
    • Feedback is used for strategic, low cost and easy to maintain designs.
  • 3 things to always include:
    • Artwork
    • Activation
    • Opportunity/value
  • Logistics
    • Access to land (can be lease)
    • $5,000 minimum budget
    • Accessible materials (Home Depot, Amazon, etc.)
    • Volunteer efforts and hiring contractors if needed.
    • Native landscaping
    • Stay connected with the community to maintain the park.
  • Question: land access – do you have a system to contact the owner of private land?
    • Have worked with the City to lease and purchase land.  
    • Privately owned land – work with the owner with triple net lease to rent land for a very low amount.
    • MOU contracts if an institution owns property. 
  • Question: grassy area at east end of Urban Chestnut property for Pocket Park?  
    • Answer: have a meeting already set up with Owner.  Great location.  Once there is permission to start the process, the next step is raising money via donors and grants.  Potentially early spring of 2024 to start community engagement. 
  • Question: land in front and to east of McCormick house along Manchester Ave:
    • Answer: would have to partner with institutions (including Science Center).  Please send any contact info to 
  • Question: Board of Directors?
    • Answer:
      • Yes, 4 board members but looking for more.
      • Have advisory board that includes Maxine Clark
      • Core team of 10 volunteers
      • Almost ready to hire the first employee.
  • Website includes pocket park application: https://www.pocketparks.co/

You can download a copy of this meeting’s minutes below.

You can also listen to October’s meeting below, and wherever you get your podcasts.