Politics & Government

Wydown Resurfacing Project Contract Wins Approval in Clayton

The Clayton Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night at City Hall.

The Clayton Board of Aldermen reviewed a variety of streets projects at its Tuesday meeting. It also received updates on Clayton Century Foundation projects and discussed progress at the future home of the Clayton Police Department.

The following are highlights from the meeting. A complete agenda may be downloaded from the City of Clayton's website.

SHAW PARK DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS

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7:42 P.M.: We're running on reserve battery power, so we'll follow up later this week with additional information about Tuesday's remaining meeting topics— and a parks planning grant. Send any questions about the meeting to nate.birt@patch.com.

7:41 P.M.: The aldermen have unanimously approved a maintenance agreement with St. Louis County for improvements along Shaw Park Drive.

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WYDOWN RESURFACING PROJECT

7:38 P.M.: The aldermen have unanimously approved the Wydown contract with Engineering Design Source.

7:35 P.M.: Ward 2 Alderman Michelle Harris asked what is being done to address the condition of Wydown.

Pratt said microsurfacing added three or four years ago didn't adhere well.

"We owe you some further investigation and options on what we can do." He added: "We're not happy with it either."

City Manager Craig Owens said this project will be 80 percent funded by a grant. He added that the resurfacing work planned for 2014 will resemble work done along Forsyth Boulevard and in Davis Place. It involves milling and the correction of defects, which is "completely" different from the microsurfacing performed several years ago on Wydown.

The full length of the boulevard will be resurfaced.

7:29 P.M.: The aldermen are considering whether to approve a contract for approximately $94,000 with Engineering Design Source for engineering work on the Wydown Boulevard resurfacing project.

BRENTWOOD-CARONDELET STREETSCAPE PROJECT

7:26 P.M.: The aldermen have unanimously approved a contract for approximately $140,000 with M3 Engineering Group. The contract will cover work on the Brentwood Boulevard-Carondelet Avenue Streetscape Project.

CONTRACT MODIFICATION FOR FUTURE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING

7:23 P.M.: Aldermen have unanimously approved the contract modification for architectural and engineering services.

7:19 P.M.: Vice President Chris Malone of Paric is providing the aldermen with a construction update.

The company feels the project is on the right path in terms of its budget, Malone said.

7:12 P.M.: The aldermen are reviewing proposed contract updates with Lawrence Group to allow for replacement of storm and sanitary sewer systems, and parking structure improvements, among other changes.

Alderman Steve Lichtenfeld noted that the total police building project began at $8.5 million and has grown to more than $14 million. He asked for confirmation about how the contract modification would affect the project's total cost.

PUBLIC HEARING: LAND ADJUSTMENTS AT FUTURE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING

7:11 P.M.: The aldermen have approved an ordinance to vacate that portion of Carondelet Avenue right-of-way. They also have approved the consolidation of five commercial lots on Brentwood Boulevard as part of the same project.

7:08 P.M.: The aldermen are reviewing plans for land adjustments on Carondelet Avenue near 10 S. Brentwood Blvd. as part of ongoing construction at the .

Goodman said she had received a concern from a resident about pedestrian access to the sidewalk as a result of the changes.

"There will still be the 5-foot access?" she asked public works director Michael Pratt.

"Minimum 5 foot," Pratt said.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

7 P.M.: just introduced herself to the aldermen and expressed her interest in serving on the board.

6:58 P.M.: The regular meeting is beginning.

UPDATE: CLAYTON CENTURY FOUNDATION PROJECTS

6:57 P.M.: Aldermen will consider the updated list for approval at their Feb. 28 meeting.

6:54 P.M.: Other projects in the Downtown Master Plan that might benefit from funding include wayfinding signs, DeForrest said. Other projects could include land donated by a company for a small downtown park.

6:50 P.M.: Goldstein said that to her, putting Center of Clayton improvements on the list is problematic because the facility is shared between the city and the School District of Clayton, which also has a fundraising arm similar to the century foundation.

"My recommendation on that would be for CCF and the school district fundraising arm to get together" and decide if they want to do something jointly, Goldstein said.

"I think that's a really good point to make," Ward 1 Alderman Judy Goodman said.

6:47 P.M.: Mayor Linda Goldstein asked DeForrest to describe how plans for the multi-use facility in Shaw Park would change under the proposed list adjustments.

DeForrest said the city needs to learn how residents want to use the site. In the past, residents "really supported" the idea of having a performance venue, but they did not like the idea of having multiple venues at the park. Instead, they wanted one gathering place centered on the ice rink.

6:42 P.M.: Other projects DeForrest recommended for addition to the foundation's project list are:

  • Hillside improvements on the northeast corner of Shaw Park
  • Additional art throughout city
  • Projects contained within the Downtown Clayton Master Plan
  • Improvements at

6:37 P.M.: Several projects on the list do not yet have funding are generally lower priorities and in some cases can be merged with other projects:

  • DeMun restroom
  • improvements
  • Shaw Park amphitheater 
  • Expansion of green space
  • Hanley House Interpretive Center

Aldermen will be asked Tuesday to consider a grant that would help fund initial planning work on a Shaw Park multi-purpose facility, DeForrest said. The city's Parks and Recreation Commission has expressed interest in planning how the facility would be used with some help from a consultant.

6:34 P.M.: Susan Hanley has committed $25,000 for work on the Hanley House's porch provided the foundation can raise matching funds by December, DeForrest said. To date, it has acquired $7,000 toward that goal.

6:29 P.M.: Active projects associated with the foundation include 's , permanent and improvements.

Work continues on the . It will be dedicated April 28 in conjunction with the annual herb sale at Hanley House, she said.

6:27 P.M.: Parks director Patty DeForrest is giving an overview of Clayton Century Foundation projects approved in 2010.

OVERVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 2011

6:25 P.M.: All departments came in under budget except for the , where additional funds had to be used to cover costs associated with long-term illness and injury.

6:20 P.M.: Finance director Janet Watson is providing a report to the aldermen. For the 12 months ending Sept. 30, general fund expenditures exceeded revenue by approximately $2.4 million, compared to an estimate of approximately $2.7 million.

Sales tax revenue for fiscal year 2011 was approximately $577,000 less than in fiscal year 2008, a budget document provided to aldermen states.Tax revenues "fell sharply" in the years 2009 and 2010 because of the economic downturn.

6:07 P.M.: The meeting is set to begin at 6:15 with a discussion session about fourth-quarter finances and projects.


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