JANUARY - MARCH 2024
Welcome to Spring! Flowers are starting to bloom, trees are budding, and the hum of lawn mowers has already started. Winter is over! Time for another quarterly report. Let's go!
As a reminder, I will continue to add more posts to the website, as events occur and information is available. So be sure to visit mayorshipley.org, or better yet, subscribe to receive weekly/ monthly updates via e-mail.
Click on the topics below to view each article.
I’m sure that you have heard of Crestwood’s Proposition A, and maybe you still have questions. This will be my final word on this prior to the election. Not surprisingly, I strongly support Prop-A, but here are some facts to help you make your decision.
It all started with the Master Plan…
A few years ago, Crestwood residents were surveyed and participated in multiple open-house and pop-up style events to provide their opinions on many aspects regarding Crestwood Parks. A copy of that extensive Master Plan document is on the city’s website (HERE).
Results from the overall community engagement effort revealed a consistent and clear message. Below are the top priorities system-wide, and the amenities that are most important and present the greatest need for the community:
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PARK AMENITIES
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COMMUNITY CENTER AMENITIES
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RECREATION PROGRAMS
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SYSTEMWIDE PRIORITIES
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You can see all the Prop-A components well reflected in those top priorities. Pretty much every top priority (except for splash pads) is represented and funded by Prop-A.
The confidence rating of that study
The results for study have a 95% level of confidence with a precision rate of at least +/- 4.6%. This means that if we conducted this survey 100 times, 95 times the results would be +/-4.6% from what we reported. Survey results are never perfect, but the margin of error is small.
Overall, the demographic makeup of respondents is representative of the City of Crestwood. This suggests that the findings of the survey are generally representative of the community as a whole. The charts below illustrate the key demographic backgrounds of respondents as well as how they compare to the overall demographic makeup of the city.
What are residents saying about Prop-A now?
Friends of Crestwood Parks is a group of Crestwood residents from all four wards who campaigned to support Prop-A. You have probably seen their "Yes on Prop-A" signs. During March of this year, they knocked on doors throughout Crestwood - approximately 40% of all likely voter households. From those conversations with residents they found strong resident support.
Property Tax Increase
I think the primary opposition to Prop-A has been due to the tax increase needed to fund these priorities. I get it and totally respect that.
For the average home in Crestwood, the increase will be about $20 per month ($240 per year). Just for comparison’s sake – lunch for two at a fast food restaurant (2 combo meals) is about the same price. I’m not suggesting that we need to sacrifice going to McDonalds, but it just puts this dollar amount into perspective.
I understand that people are concerned about the taxes that we pay. Even with Prop-A included, the total property tax rate for Crestwood residents is lower than our neighboring cities. Crestwood has LOWERED it's property tax rate over the years - in 2018 it was $0.698... in 2023 it is $0.516... Crestwood has simply been following state law and the Hancock Amendment and will continue to do so.
The total tax burden (income, property, sales, etc… every type of tax) for Missouri residents is the 13th lowest in the US, per taxfoundation.org. We are in a good place here in Crestwood!
I have heard concerns that because we will have improved parks and a better community center then our property values will increase (and thus also our taxes). If your property values increase by $0, then you come out ahead by $0. If they increase by $1000 each year for the life of the bond, then after you pay all your property taxes (including Prop-A) for those 20 years, you still come out ahead by $17,250. That’s definitely better than $0.
For additional details on the financial aspect of Prop-A, check out my article on this topic.
Summary
It’s important that we vote – a larger number of voters is a better representation of Crestwood.
Our vote this April is more than a decision—it's a call to action for the future we envision for Crestwood. This is an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often. It is our chance not just to dream about a better community but to actively shape it.
Okay - that's all. It's up to the voters now.
The April 2 ballot has multiple issues and elections, so it’s worth taking some time to learn the details. Regardless of how you vote, it’s important to exercise this right and privilege that we have as citizens. Below are resources available to learn more.
Find your sample ballot
You may have received a copy of your sample ballot in the mail, but you can also view it online via the St. Louis County Board of Elections website.
Early Voting
St. Louis County Board of Elections is offering early voting this year at seven locations throughout the county. The closest for us is at Grant’s View Library at 9700 Musick Road. This is officially called “No Excuse Absentee Voting”, but it works just like normal voting, and it’s available for everyone. You just show up with the ID that you would normally use to vote, they will print a ballot, you vote, and you are done! Super easy.
You can find all seven “early voting” locations HERE.
April 2 Polling Places
- City Hall (1 Detjen Drive)
- Community Center at Whitecliff (9245 Whitecliff Park Lane)
- First Baptist Church (9916 East Watson Road)
Once again this year, you can vote at ANY polling place in St. Louis County. For a full list of all locations, click HERE.
What's On The Ballot...
Crestwood
Proposition A - If approved, this will allow the city to issue municipal bonds to fund a new community center, transforming the existing community center into a Pickleball and Family Games complex, creating a loop trail, nature playscape, and pedestrian bridge at Whitecliff Park, and replacement of the playground at Crestwood Park.
Proposition A - Shall the City of Crestwood, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $33,340,000 for the purpose of constructing, furnishing and equipping a new community center, renovating existing recreation facilities, and undertaking other park and recreation improvements in and adjacent to City of Crestwood parks?
You can find more information on this at the city’s website HERE and I also wrote several articles on my unofficial blog (HERE).
Alderman – Crestwood has four wards, and each is supported by two Aldermen. This year, one Alderman position per ward is on the ballot (next year, the other position will be on the ballot). All four candidates are running unopposed:
- Ward 1 – Jessie Morrison
- Ward 2 – Rebecca Now
- Ward 3 – Grant Mabie
- Ward 4 – John Sebben
Metro Sewer District
MSD has two ballot issues, Prop-W (Wastewater related) and Prop-S (Stormwater related). You can learn more about both at their website (HERE).
Proposition W – This is allowing MSD customers to determine how the next four years of Project Clear work will be funded. If this passes (simple majority) – then MSD will issue bonds to finance the work and spread the payments over 20-30 years. This will result in lower monthly rates in the near term, but probably a higher overall cost over to cover interest rates over that 20-30 year period. Either way, our MSD monthly bill will be going up.
BALLOT LANGUAGE - To comply with federal and state clean water requirements, shall The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) issue its sewer revenue bonds in the amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($750,000,000) for the purpose of designing, constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, replacing and equipping new and existing MSD sewer and drainage facilities and systems, including sewage treatment and disposal plants, sanitary sewers, and acquisition of easements and real property related thereto, the cost of operation and maintenance of said facilities and systems and the principal of and interest on said revenue bonds to be payable solely from the revenues derived by MSD from the operation of its wastewater sewer system, including all future extensions and improvements thereto?
Proposition S – Per MSD’s website…
Proposition S is for STORMWATER, and would create the first regional stormwater improvement program in MSDPC’s service area. It is a response to thousands of requests for help to deal with the growing number of STORMWATER problems like flooding and erosion in every part of the St. Louis Region.
MSD Project Clear has identified more than 500 STORMWATER solutions across the service area. If approved, Proposition S would generate about $35 million a year to pay for solutions.
The money would come from two sources: A property tax for residential customers and an impervious surface fee paid by non-residential customers. The average homeowner in the St. Louis region would pay about $25 per year, while non-residential customers would pay $1.05 per month per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface (surfaces that do not soak up STORMWATER).
BALLOT LANGUAGE - Shall The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), for the purpose of providing revenue to fund capital improvements for flooding and erosion control, impose (i) a property tax upon all residential taxable tangible property within the District at a rate of not more than Seven and 45/100 Cents ($0.0745) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of assessed valuation and (ii) a charge upon all non-residential customers, whether public or private, within the District based on the amount of impervious area (IA) on each such customer's real property at a rate of $1.05 per month per 1,000 square feet of IA?
Lindbergh School District
Lindbergh has a bond issue (Prop-R) and School Board Director candidates. Most, but not all Crestwood residents are in Lindbergh’s district and will have these options on their ballot.
Proposition R –Per Lindbergh’s website (HERE):
Prop R is a $150 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue proposal that will support building equity across elementary schools, much needed middle school renovations, safety upgrades districtwide and a PK-12 agricultural STEM learning center on the Concord Farmers Club site.
Because Prop R is a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue proposal, this means the district’s current debt service tax rate of $0.8330 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property would not change.
If approved, Prop R will support:
- Improved safety and security districtwide to match recent improvements at Lindbergh High School
- Site improvements for traffic and parking districtwide
- Remodeling at Sperreng Middle School, and Concord and Sappington elementary schools
- Renovation of Truman Middle School
- Construction of new, standalone gymnasiums/storm shelters at Crestwood, Kennerly and Long elementary schools
- Construction of PK-12 agricultural STEM learning center at Concord Farmers Club
- Refinancing of existing leases
BALLOT LANGUAGE - Shall Lindbergh Schools issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities, including but not limited to (a) improving security and safety Districtwide, (b) making site improvements for traffic and parking at schools throughout the District, (c) remodeling Sperreng Middle School and Concord and Sappington elementary schools; renovating Truman Middle School; and constructing new gym/storm shelters at Crestwood, Kennerly and Long elementary schools, (d) constructing a K-12 agricultural STEM learning center at the Concord Farmers Club and (e) refinancing existing leases? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the school district is estimated to remain unchanged at the current levy of $0.8330 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
School Board – Lindbergh has four candidates for two open School Board Director seats. Their campaign websites are provided below (listed in ballot order):
- Rachel Braaf Koehler - https://www.rachelbraafkoehlerforlindbergh.com
- Megan Vedder - https://www.meganvedderboe.com
- David Randelman - https://randelman.com
- David Kirschner - https://kirschnerforlindbergh.com
There has also been coverage of this election in The Call (HERE) and you can watch a Candidate Forum video (HERE).
Affton Fire Protection District
Proposition F - For those residents in the eastern portion of Ward 3, you will also be voting on a bond issue proposed by Affton Fire Protection District. Per their website (HERE) this bond issue will be used to purchase things like protective gear (turnout gear, helmets, boots), fire trucks, maintenance items, replacement equipment, ambulances, and tools.
BALLOT LANGUAGE - Shall the Affton Fire Protection District, St. Louis County, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) for the purposes of acquiring, constructing, renovating, improving, furnishing and equipping fire stations and related facilities, acquiring any land necessary therefor, acquiring and equipping firefighting vehicles, support vehicles, ambulance and rescue vehicles, and other lifesaving medical, firefighting, and auxiliary equipment and apparatus to meet current safety standards and improve emergency services?
I’ll add a bit of an editorial on this one… All the things Affton plans to purchase with the proceeds of this bond, are operational expenses. They are things that other fire departments simply budget for and pay for from their general fund revenues.
Voters approved property tax increases for Affton Fire Protection District of $0.26 in 2012, another $0.25 in 2017, another $0.10 in 2022, and they are again proposing another $0.13 increase in 2024.
If this passes, then Crestwood will be forced to pay Affton an additional $1.5M - $2.0M over the life of the bond with no additional services promised.
Above are photos from the factory showing the new Crestwood pumper firetruck being assembled. I was surprised to see how much of this work is “by hand” and nearly all of it is custom. Work started in early February and expected delivery from the factory is in April, followed by additional prep work before it is placed into service later this spring or early summer.
The Fire Department worked with the manufacturer when the order was placed, to design nearly every aspect of the truck. While there are some things that are common, each department has preferred ways to operate so the manufacturer allows them to be part of the design process to layout where each component is built on the truck.
Once delivered and placed into operation, this will become the new “front-line” fire response apparatus, with an expected lifespan of 15 years, followed by another 5 years of “reserve” service.
Crestwood’s current front-line apparatus is a 2013 pumper that unfortunately has been plagued with maintenance issues, including two engine rebuilds and major problems with the main firehose pump. The reserve apparatus is a 2000 pumper, which was purchased as a used vehicle back in 2004.
The plan is to sell both existing pumpers and to use those proceeds to purchase a newer used pumper as the reserve vehicle (later this year or in 2025). Crestwood has been setting aside funds each year to cover this purchase, and will continue to do so for future firetruck purchases.
At their March meeting, the Board of Alderman approved a contract award for the replacement of the main bridge into Whitecliff Park. This bridge was determined eligible for replacement by MoDOT several years ago, and the city subsequently was awarded a federal grant to cover the majority of the cost.
Per the terms of the contract, work will start after September 2, 2024 and must complete by May 3, 2025. This timeframe was selected to avoid construction during the summer peak season for the pool and community center. If Prop-A passes on the April ballot, the timeframe also allows completion of the project before any of that construction would begin. A per-day penalty will be assessed to the contractor if the project is not completed on time.
While the bridge is under construction, a temporary entrance/exit will be open from the upper parking lot onto Vauk Lane. The existing paved service entrance will serve as the temporary entrance, and a new paved exit will be installed to the west (see plans below).
Just to be clear – this will be a temporary entrance and exit. After the bridge is replaced and the main road is reopened, these will again be closed to public use.
During construction, “Whitecliff Park Detour” signs will be placed along Pardee Road and will direct visitors along Pardee Spur to Cordoba Lane to the Vauk Lane temporary entrance.
If you would like to learn how to build a bridge like there - the full plans can be viewed HERE.
There are a few topics that are being discussed by Crestwood’s various boards and commissions that might be of interest.
RV Parking (Public Works Board) – Current city code prohibits long-term parking of RVs, campers, boats, etc. on the street or on a driveway. This ordinance was passed back in 2003 with the goal of preserving property values and eliminating “eye sores”. A “grandfathered” clause was added to allow the owners at the time the ability to continue parking them in their driveway. That list of “grandfathered” owners has since decreased and includes about 30 homes today. There are other parking options available to owners – described in city code section 14-175(c).
The current code allows all owners a period of 72-hours to park on their driveway, or up to 48-hours to park in the street. One owner spoke with their elected officials asking for that timeframe to be reviewed and extended. That request resulted in a discussion topic at the March 13 Public Works Board. Another point of view was also discussed, recommending adding a “sunset date” for the grandfathered clause, after which all residents would be treated the same by the code. No decisions or recommendations were made at that meeting, but this topic will be reviewed again at a later meeting and potentially at a Board of Alderman meeting at some point.
Stormwater Policy (Public Works Board) – at that same March meeting, the Public Works Board also discussed the possibility of a Crestwood Stormwater Policy. Such a policy would define what types of stormwater issues the city would be willing to fund, how they will be prioritized, and where the funding will come from. Stormwater issues are those that normally involve flooding or erosion.
Crestwood created such a policy long ago, but due to city financial strains funding for projects was no longer available. Starting in 2022, MSD started awarding OMCI grants to select municipalities, including Crestwood. As such, the city now has a funding source for such projects. That said – these projects are normally expensive, and it will take multiple years of OMCI funds to pay for a single project. To complicate matters, the future of these OMCI funds is not certain and they too may be eliminated or replaced.
On a related note – MSD typically does not accept responsibility for most stormwater flooding or erosion issues. It’s also worth noting that Crestwood also is not able to simply step up and solve all these issues either. However, such a stormwater policy would allow the city to start once again to address some of these issues in a slow and measured manner.
Traffic Calming (Public Safety Board) – It’s no secret that the biggest complaint from residents is speeding on neighborhood streets. It’s not a problem that is unique to Crestwood, and not one that is easily solved.
The Crestwood Police Department does a great job, but there are not enough officers to continually monitor the 50 miles of streets in Crestwood. Traffic calming is a proactive approach to help “naturally” slow traffic along specific roads.
The Public Safety Board reviewed this topic at their March meeting. The Crestwood Police Department is working to finalize a Traffic Calming Policy that will define what type of tools are available, what situations they should be used for, criteria for selecting streets, and defining the public input into any proposed project.
Traffic Calming is a proven method of introducing new “features” along the routes of streets that will naturally cause drives to slow down. These include things such as street narrowing, speed bumps / speed tables, medians, etc. We have all experienced this as we drive – if there are cars parked along the way, we naturally slow down to navigate around them. Traffic Calming uses the same concepts.
Several streets were already identified as potential “first” projects – Garber Road, Crest Oak, and Yorkshire. A “town hall” event was held for the Garber project to share additional information with those residents. While these streets are likely candidates, city staff has stated that no projects will proceed before the city-wide policy has been adopted by the Board of Alderman.
Crestwood Police Department has additional information on this topic on the City's Website (HERE)
Final Note - All three of these topics are “in progress” and will likely involve additional discussions before they are presented to the Board of Alderman. If you have opinions, or just want to learn more – I invite you to attend these meetings and/or speak with your Aldermen. An engaged community is one of our goals, but of course that engagement is ultimately up to you. Agendas for upcoming meetings are posted on the city’s website (HERE).
If you missed any of the previous newsletters, you can find a link to all of them here.