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November 13, 2022 Issue

Dear Neighbor,

It is the time when the seasons are changing as we begin to have colder temperatures. Winter is right around the corner and based on the forecast we may even see some snow this week. Remember to help our snow plows by keeping roads clear from parked vehicles so they can do a good job clearing your street.

Thanksgiving Day will be here in over a week. I hope that you will get to enjoy this holiday with your family and friends. I am grateful that we are blessed to have this wonderful place be our home.

Please join me on Saturday, December 3rd for our city’s Holiday Tree Lighting. This is a great time to visit all of the local business booths, listen to carolers, see and take pictures with Santa, enjoy treats, and count down to the tree lighting. It is truly a Hallmark moment and a way for us to come together as a city during this holiday season.

I extend to you my wishes for a merry and happy holiday season.

Below you will find many updates that I am sharing to keep you informed about our city. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Wildwood Holiday Tree Lighting

Save the date for the Wildwood Holiday Tree Lighting taking place on Saturday, December 3rd. The fun starts at 3:30pm and runs until 6pm with the tree lighting taking place at 5pm. The Wildwood Business Association is hosting the event with assistance from the City of Wildwood.

There will be holiday music by the Kingsbury Place Singers, Santa Claus who will be taking pictures and local businesses with booths setup. Come out and enjoy this family fun event!

Ward Redistricting Update

Your ward may have changed. Read more to find out.

Redistricting is a process that legislative bodies undertake every ten years after the release of the decennial US Census. Redistricting is a legally required process to ensure that every citizen’s vote is weighed equally and is an important process because it determines how our electoral boundaries will be shaped for the next ten years. The purpose of Wildwood’s redistricting is to balance or equalize the number of people in each ward to reflect changes in population since the last United States decennial census.

The 2020 population census results demonstrated shifts in the population of residents between wards. A Redistricting Committee made up of appointed citizens submitted the following recommendations that were approved by the City Council.

The impact of the Redistricting Committee’s changes will affect the following Ward 8 residents that I represent starting in April 2023:

  • The Enclaves at Cherry Hills - 273 Residents, those east of Old Fairway Drive will be redistricted to Ward 7. This includes the residents of Kode Manors Ct, Bountiful Pointe Cir, and Waterside Dr. Residents west of Old Fairway Drive are not affected and will remain in Ward 8.

    Current Council Members from Ward 7 are: Dan Flaschar (term ends April 2024) and Nathan Hopper (term ends April 2023).

  • Westridge Oaks Subdivision - 315 Residents, all of the subdivision will be redistricted to Ward 1.

    Current Council Members from Ward 1 are: Teresa Clark (term ends April 2024) and Larry Brost (term ends April 2023).

To my current residents that will be redistricted starting in April: It has been an honor to serve as your council member. Thank you for allowing me the privilege and opportunity to be your voice. You will be in good hands with your new council members. We have a great council today that is made up of civil minded folks working for the betterment of our city. Please continue to stay in touch.

Some residents in Ward 1 and 3 will also be redistricted with a shift to other wards. Please review the above map to identify if you are in an area that is redistricted.

All redistricted residents will be voting for their new ward council member in the April 2023 election.

Joe’s Wildwood Survey Results

This is a survey that I started back in 2015 to use as a feedback loop so I can learn what is on the mind of residents that I represent. I feel it is critical to the success of a representative to have awareness and understanding about the issues and concerns that affect our community.

It is also important for me to hear about how I am doing on the job. My performance matters greatly and I want to make sure I am exceeding expectations as a representative.

I am happy to share the results of this year’s survey. I am not surprised with the results because they are consistent with past year’s results. Here is what over 300 residents had to say:

  • 97% of residents have a positive impression with their quality of life in Wildwood. Over half feel it is a very positive quality of life living in Wildwood.

  • 98% of residents approve with the job that I (Joe) am doing. 74% provided a strong approval rating. 2% rated neither approve or disapprove.

  • 71% of residents approve of their local Wildwood government. Only 5% expressed a feeling of disapproval.

I am profoundly grateful for the vote of confidence you have given me for this opportunity to serve our community.

Here are the details.

Surprisingly and still an area of improvement is that the majority of residents, 56%, are still not aware that the City of Wildwood does not collect any real estate tax.

That’s right! That real estate or property tax bill you get does not generate a penny for Wildwood. All of the taxes paid by residents go towards St. Louis County, school districts, fire protection districts, and other services. So remember the next time you hear someone complain about a high tax bill, remind them that Wildwood does not collect anything from it or set any of the taxes on it.

The city has been working on a deer management plan and your feedback helped to validate the approach. A multi-layered approach will take place to manage the growing deer population. A recently passed no-feed ordinance and herd reduction methods that will include bow hunting/archery and professional sharpshooting are part of this plan.

Over 70% of survey respondents indicated their support for a deer management program that will primarily rely on professional sharpshooting to euthanize deer.

Thanks again to all Joe’s Wildwood Survey respondents for providing this feedback.

Wildwood Community College Expansion

St. Louis Community College Wildwood Campus is planning for an $88 million expansion that will include a new second building. Construction will take place for a new Center for Health Sciences, Center for Technology and other building renovations.

The Wildwood campus project is part of $400 million in construction initiatives across STLCC’s campuses to modernize learning environments and support the metropolitan region’s workforce needs and economy. The projects are funded by an eight-cent property tax levy increase approved by voters in August 2021.

New Hometown Heroes Banner Program Kicks-Off

I am truly grateful for Wildwood resident Dr. Jason Napuli to suggest the idea of a Hometown Hero Banner Program in Wildwood. Dr. Napuli is also a Major in the USAF assigned to an Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and deployed to the Middle East in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

During his deployment, I had the honor of discussing with his father the idea for this program so we could continue to keep the work moving forward. I am thrilled that we have reached the point of this program going live.

I look forward to our citizens taking advantage of the opportunity to recognize and honor family and friends for their service.

For details about this new program, visit https://cityofwildwood.com/2118/Hometown-Heroes-Banner-Program.

Center Avenue Update

Center Avenue is a long awaited project to convert the street over to a public city road. The City’s Departments of Planning and Public Works have begun the update process of the engineering plans and bid specifications, including changes with new developments that have occurred along this roadway or at some state for approval for future development. The updated plans will need to be reviewed by MSD, as well as the property owners along the street. The street and surrounding properties will be resurveyed within the month.

Manors/Enclaves at Cherry Hills Pedestrian Bridge

A pedestrian bridge connecting the trail between the Manors and the Enclaves at Cherry Hills will finally see construction resume later this month after a year long pause. The contractor will be on-site beginning the week of November 21st assuming weather cooperates and legal matters pertaining to the creek area are resolved as scheduled.

2023 City Budget Planning

The November 14th City Council meeting will include a Public Hearing on the 2023 Municipal Budget. The budget as proposed is balanced.

Planned expenditures total $30,024,949 and are fully funded from a combination of revenues anticipated to be received during the fiscal year totaling $26,223,283, plus available fund balances projected to total $30,513,476, for a projected grand total of funds available during 2023 of $56,736,759.

$6.75 Million of the revenues received are federal American Rescue Plan dollars that are limited in their use and will be applied to the internet expansion project that will bring broadband internet to unserved and underserved areas of the city. $5.1 Million will be sent on the police services agreement with St. Louis County.

Major capital improvements planned for and budgeted for 2023 include:

Park & Trail Development

  • $1.6 Million for construction of the Village Green ($575k paid for by grants)

  • $400,000 for hard court playing areas in the Community Park

  • $100,000 for right of way acquisition for the Old State Rd Shared Use Path ($80k paid for by grants)

  • $75,000 for planning and design of the Route 66 Roadside Park

Roadway Improvements

  • $1.8 Million for Manchester and Taylor Rd Resurfacing and Signal Upgrades ($1.44m paid for by grants)

  • $300,000 for Reconstruction of East and Center Avenue

  • $235,000 for Right of Way & Construction of Strecker Rd Sidewalk Segment C

  • $536,000 for Design of Route 100 J-Turns and Left Turn Lanes ($209k paid for by grants)

Bridge Construction

  • $1.675 Million for Bouquet Rd Culverts and Bridge 3-107 Replacement

The proposed 2023 Municipal Budget can be found at: https://www.cityofwildwood.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/34116?fileID=41003

Route 100 Pedestrian Path Improvements

The City is applying for Federal Funds to install additional guardrails along both sides of Route 100 near Taylor Road and the east bound side of Route 100 near Route 109. These additional guardrails will serve the pedestrian paths in these areas.

Remembering Wildwood’s First Mayor

Please take a moment to remember first Mayor of Wildwood David Glaser. David passed away unexpectedly after an accident in a rural area of our city.

It was in September that David graciously accepted the Celebrate Wildwood Committee’s invitation to be a parade judge. I was happy to see him smiling along the parade route. Our city in December 2021 had the honor of recognizing his service as the first appointed Wildwood mayor by St. Louis County after the incorporation of Wildwood. Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin honored him with a monument at City Hall in recognition of his service.

Development Updates

Town Center Concept Plan Presented by Property Owner

The Development and Zoning Review Committee recently held a meeting to hear about a concept plan that is being proposed at the intersection of Manchester Road and Taylor Road and Main Street and Taylor Road by the property owner.

Along Manchester Road are single family detached homes on individual lots. These homes are intended to match the character of the area with the adjoining existing communities. This is based on feedback from previous different types of proposals in this area. These new detached single family homes will also serve as a buffer for proposed commercial retail and luxury apartments at Main Street and Taylor. The commercial/residential luxury apartments will include an outdoor swimming pool, dog park, terraces, and a 6,500 square foot club house with a fitness center. The concept plan also includes a public recreational use area that will include three pickleball courts. The petitioner shared that rent for a luxury apartment will start at about $2,300 per month.

At this time this is not a formal submission. It is only a presentation of a concept plan to the community.

If submitted and approved, this would be the newest Town Center development since Anthology in 2016. Prior to Anthology, the B&B Theater opened in October 2010.

Westridge Commons Townhome Plan Withdrawn

McBride homes has withdrawn a plan for 18 townhomes on New College Avenue in the Westridge Commons office park. These homes were intended to match similar townhomes in the nearby Cambury neighborhood along Route 109 and Route 100.

Wildwood Police Heroes Recognized

Congratulations to the Wildwood Police Department for saving a life and for their investigation that led to an arrest.

On October 19, 2022, Police Officers Meghan Hock, Michael Schreder and Brian McCoy were presented the Department’s Lifesaving Award in recognition of their response to a medical emergency at a residence in the early morning hours of May 2022. Prior to the arrival of EMS, the officers encountered an individual who had suffered a seizure and then stopped breathing. They immediately began lifesaving CPR for an extended amount of time until and after the arrival of Paramedics. Their actions assisted in allowing the individual to make a full recovery.

On October 3, 2022 Police Officers David Weinhold, Robert Kircher and Steve Deghelder were presented with the Department’s Award of Excellence in response to their investigation and arrest of an individual who had exposed himself to several residents over the summer. Due to their investigation and use of our License Plate Reader cameras, interviews and data search, the subject was identified, arrested and charged with the appropriate offenses.

Shop Local to Support Wildwood Businesses

Welcome New Wildwood Businesses

Silver Spoon Ice Cream & Sweets at 17225 New College Avenue recently had its official ribbon cutting! Welcome to the City of Wildwood, and being a part of our community! Come check them out in the Wildwood Square shopping center, just a few doors down from Wildwood Pub & Grill, Wildwood Family YMCA, St. Louis Community College at Wildwood, Ellesalonwildwood, and other great businesses. Silver Spoon Ice Cream & Sweets offers a 10% discount to all STLCC students.

Fantastic Cakes and Where to Buy Them is now open at 16962 Manchester Road in the old Imogenes building. Check out their store to buy cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cakes and enjoy classes. Events such as birthday parties are also held there.

Elegant Designs Day Spa at 16576 Manchester Road officially opened on November 1, 2022. Check out their new location.

Three Blue Eggs Counseling at 17014 New College Avenue, Suite 206 has officially moved into their new location. They have begun seeing patients at this new location, and are looking to add two additional therapists. They offer individual and group counseling sessions for school aged children, teens, adults & families.

Fox Company Yoga at 16745 Main Street expects to open in December 2022. Fox Company Yoga will be offering hot yoga classes.

Botanica on Taylor Rd in the Dierbergs Town Center announced on social media their plans to close.

West County Feed & Supply at 17050 Manchester Road has listed the property for sale. The store will remain open until it is sold.

Recognized by the Missouri Municipal League

It has truly been an honor to serve as President of the Missouri Municipal League (MML) this past year. My one-year term as president concluded in September. I am grateful for the lovely recognition plaque that was presented to me at the MML Annual Conference and for the support of dedicated members of the board, staff, and league members.

I have enjoyed representing the league at many events throughout the year. It is an experience that I will always treasure.

Council Members Scott Ottenberg and Lauren Edens joined me at this year’s Missouri Municipal Leage Conference.

Certified Municipal Official & FEMA Trained

I am happy to report that I am now a Certified Municipal Official by the Municipal Governance Institute (MGI) and completed training from the Emergency Management Institute.

MGI is a training program focused on the important areas municipal officials and professional staff need for success. In order to achieve this high honor, a municipal official must complete 16 credit hours of training conducted or endorsed by the Municipal Governance Institute.

Scenes from Celebrate Wildwood

Click here for the Wildwood Parks & Rec Calendar for upcoming events.