8/6/2019 Clayton RH Patch - Clayton Board of Alderman Approves Sign Ordinance

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Clayton Board of Alderman Approves Sign Ordinance, Pays Tribute to Alex Berger

Board of Alderman swear in Maddox-Dallas, Garnholz, Winings

Mayor Linda Goldenstein began the meeting by saying the meeting would have an overriding them of public service.

In three successive sessions, Alderman presented the Crme de la Clayton awards to outstanding members of the

community, paid tribute to outgoing alderman Alex Berger III, and swore in new alderman Mark Winings.

Economic Development

During the study session for the Board of Alderman, Economic Developer Gary Carter outlined the economic picture

of Clayton. In his presentation, Carter talked about sales tax revenue, and that sales tax revenue has improved for

the first months of this year, reversing an overall downward trend since 2008.

Carter outlined the strategies that his office is employing, including business attraction and retention, redevelopment,

and social media. He showed an example video to the Board of a YouTube video that his office produced to advertise

space available in the new Centene building. He says 6 videos have been made so far, and are linked to on the city

website, the citys Facebook page, and the Clayton Business twitter feed.

Carter noted that during Clayton Restaurant Week, they were up two participating restaurants from last year,increasing from 17 to 19.

Aldermen expressed excitement about the how social media was being employed to market Clayton. Ward 3

Alderman Steve Lichtenfeld was pleased with the forward-looking statements in Carters presentation. After

comments, the study session was adjourned.

Public Hearing

There were several aspects to the general board of alderman meeting Tuesday night. After convening, and approving

the minutes, Mayor Linda Goldstein stated that in the spirit of community service, each ward would give out the

Crme de la Clayton award to outstanding members of the community.

After awarding those awards, the meeting moved into the public hearing portion of the evening.

Aldermen then solicited input on a proposed ordinance that provide a definition of what constitutes a sidewalk sign.

Susan Istenes, Claytons Director of Planning and Development serves outlined in a 10 minute presentation on the

types of signs that were being in displayed on sidewalks throughout the downtown area, and answered questions

alderman had about the proposed ordinance.

Ward 3 Alderman Alex Berger expressed concern that the ordinance would not be given a trial period as had been in

the past on issues like outdoor dining. He wanted to know why the staff didnt recommend a period from May 1 to

October 1, for example, to do a trial.

Some of the pictures are really frightening, he said. Men and women who are pushing strollers will be in our

streets. He worried that the legislation would deter from the type of inviting streetscape Clayton is trying cultivate.

Fellow Ward 3 Alderman Steve Lichtenfeld said that there is a lot of inconsistency right now.

This was a good start to attempt to control the signage, to give some new options; we may need some tweaking, he

said.

There was also question about how engaged the business community was in the process. Isentes said that the 25

businesses came to the original meeting, and 5 showed up for a follow up meeting.

8/6/2019 Clayton RH Patch - Clayton Board of Alderman Approves Sign Ordinance

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She also noted that the signs are considered temporary, and permits need to be obtained annually. Repeat violators

of the ordinance will not be allowed to obtain permits.

After discussion, the Board of Alderman passed the bill 6261 unanimously.

In other business, the Board dealt with was passing of a resolution that would approve a contract with Trak

Engineering for a fuel station engineering project. Trak Engineering was selected through a low-bid process. Theproject will cost $75,462.90, with a $12,000.00 authorization to approve change orders, as requested by the

Department of Works. The resolution passed unanimously.

The Board also approved the liquor license for Half & Half, LLC, located at 8135 Maryland.

The last action of the board was to certify the results of the April 5 municipal election where Andrea Maddox-Douglas

won ward 1, Cynthia Garnholz won ward 2, and Mark Winings, ward 3. They were then sworn in.

Outgoing Alderman Alex Berger had made closing comments about his 9-year service to the Board Alderman and his

life in Clayton, talking about his years growing up, and how much talked about Clayton to others while at Drake

University. He said that he even convinced his wife to move, by calling it the Riviera of the Mississippi.

Fellow alderman paid their respects and then Bergers final action was to adjourn the meeting.

After swearing in, Mark Winings told the Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch that he was happy to be a part of this

board.

I look forward to working with the board, and serving this community.