Parks: Good News, Bad News

Bad News: I am a little late in posting about this. However, on the Saturday before Christmas (12/22?) the Post listed the cities that received the parks grants. Not too much of a suprise that Overland was NOT on the list.

Good News: This was buried in a Journal article. I am happy to see inter-city cooperation on projects such as these. I have only been preaching this for 7+ years!

Overland could be joining three other cities in an effort to develop a large recreation complex available to all their residents.A plan was outlined Dec. 20 to the Overland Business Association in which Overland, Olivette, Creve Coeur and Frontenac would be involved in developing a recreation center in Olivette's Stacy Park, located near Wismer Road and Olive Boulevard.Fred Steinbach, a former Chesterfield mayor who's spearheading the project, said the group needed to raise about $25,000 in corporate donations to develop a plan for the center. About half amount has been obtained, he said.The proposed center would include meeting rooms, athletic facilities and other amenities, he said.

Coyote Ugly

Just thought I would pass along an Overland sighting. Last week, I was coming home in the evening. I saw an animal walking from my neighbors front porch. At first, I thought it was a dog because of its size. Then I thought it was a cat by the way it walked. As I got closer, I realized it was a coyote!

So, if you are missing a cat, dog, cattle....

Filings Thus Far

Here are the filings for the City Council elections as it stands today:

Ward 1: Jerry May Rich Knode

Ward 2: Jeff O'Connell

Ward 3: Ken Owensby

Ward 4: Les Dills

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee

The committee reviewing the comprehensive plan met on Wednesday (12/26). They seem to be making progress. Here are the highlights:

They decided to narrow their focus on changes to a list of less than 10 items. This will make it more managable for both the council and the CA (once hired).

Discussion of the city's demographic data. Note: I found this bit of discussion to be ironic, since it was apparent that the committee itself was not diverse in respect to age and race. I have since mentioned this to both the mayor and Mark Giroux (the committee chair) in hopes that future such committees might be more representative of the population.

A lot of discussion on transportation issues, including any Metrolink expansion that would go to Westport Plaza.

Economic Development. Included a hand-out from the Elmhurst City Planner that was a recent guest to Overland courtesy of the Overland Business Association.

They made plans to meet again on Wednesday, January 30.

Send them the Bill!

On today's noon news on Channel 4, they just had a story about a man with such an outrageous holiday display that caused such traffic disruptions, the city council suggested charging him $200/day for the added police service.

I know Windom residents should be sent the bill for their current waste of power as well as their late October celebration that uses almost an entire shift of the OPD.

I say send them the bill? What do you think?

Progress on Midland

Was driving down Midland today and noticed that the County Traffic Department is putting up traffic signals at Midland and West Milton.

Had the council ever addressed the county's additional recommendations for Burns?

Owensby's Childish and Foolish Behavior Continues

About the only exciting thing to happen in Monday's City Council meeting was the discussion over a group's use of the Wild Acres gym and facilities. At a previous meeting, an OHS member spoke and asked if this could be provided free of charge for a meeting of the "Council of Docents". This is an area-wide organization of volunteer docents at various museums and historical buildings. Our own OHS docents are members of this organization.

The goal was to not only provide a meeting place, but to provide a tour for the docents of the historical buildings at the Wild Acres facility. It is priceless PR, as these are already people who are interested in preserving our treasures, and to get them excited or interested in this property can only bring about good things.

Well, not in Owenby's small mind. He can only rail on the expenses (lighting, water, maintenance) and cannot see past the nose on his face. I think the itty bitty costs that Overland will incur will more than be made up for in free publicity and goodwill.

But, then again, goodwill is a concept lost on Owenby.

Meeting Tonight

Just a reminder that there is a council meeting tonight. Agenda can be found online here.

Just a few comments:

Quilt raffle?
I don't want any complaints about this blog mocking the city when the city mocks itself with this kind of stuff. It's as if council meetings, especially resident comments, have become a tool of self promotion.

Thali Palace.
That is a new place going into the old Shoney's, most recently VN Cafe.
Though I do wonder if it is Thai not Thali.

Head's Up to the Schneiders

I saw this on the Post Dispatch's Political Blog today. My mind immediately went to Empty and wife (the latter still hasn't paid any property taxes on that car).

Tuesday's Workshop Meeting on the City Adminstrator

I couldn't attend the meeting last night (that pesky job), but did receive the following report from Jim Schmidt. It is posted here with his permission.

Last night in the City Hall council chambers, Julie Stone, from the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, noted that 6 of the 8 elected officials at the tables were new to the process. Only Ms. Conlon and Mr. May had been through the lesson before. Mr. Owensby called in sick.

Ms. Conlon brought up the item sure to need attention - our Pension. The City Administrator advertisement wording appears ready to roll out. All eight felt that a minimum of a bachelors degree was important (which is in the ordinance anyway) but even more important was a track record of success in dealing with concerns facing Overland.

Ads in trade newletters and magazines, direct contacts to Julie Stone's peers and industry contacts, and online promotion seem to be a strong part of the task, for which EWGCC charges $5000. Julie shared countless examples of nearby cities, listing their populations, budgets and their CA salaries.

• Five weeks campaign will put the deadline for submission about mid January.
• All calls and resumes will go to East-West Gateway, where Julie will help the council weed out the worst.
• Interviews might take four weeks.

Julie told the audience that preservation of the applicant's identities is of extreme importance, and the responsible steps planned to preserve anonymity for them. All but one applicant will not be hired, yet all applicants must preserve the jobs they've considered leaving. When applicant anonymity is needed, the procedure must go into private sessions.

Much of what the team wanted was what Julie Stone called "Eco-Deevo". Nothing was mentioned about a better employees' manual [with a complaint resolution system, a whistle-blowing policy, and written and precise job descriptions],- but HR skills were mentioned as a desireable trait. Lack of a PW director was mentioned and noted. Other competencies required were financial savvy, motivational skills, good communication skills, insights into Missouri laws, regs and statutes, and a sense of humor.

The budget for salary was described as $75,000 to $90,000, Depending On Qualifications. The CA position must have compensation higher than any other city worker, Julie said. Also mentioned was City Halls "archaic" vacation plan, "nothing until a year of service." A modern plan provides accrual of combined vacation days and sick leave, accrued at so many hours each pay period, Julie said. Under the archaic system, a parent is discouraged, if not punished, for keeping a sick child at home. Such a plan is a deterrent, not a benefit. Julie said wise applicants would know better and seek work elsewhere.