First Raise in Five Years Planned for U City Employees

City Manager Lehmann Walker gave the council an overview of the 2013-14 budget Monday.

University City City Manager Lehman Walker presented a draft version of the city's 2013-14 budget Monday, proposing the first cost of living wage increase for city employees for the first time in five years. The budget also includes an estimated $300,000 surplus. “Against the economic odds, the City of University City has once again come up with a surplus budget,” said Walker. “As a result of fiscal discipline and sound management, we are able to increase the number of public safety staff by adding four police officers and two new fire personnel.” Walker cautioned council members and those in the audience Monday that this is an initial proposed budget and is subject to change several times before it is finally approved in June. The …

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Chamber, City to Host Look at Olive Boulevard Business

The event will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The University City Chamber of Commerce and the City of University City are hosting Olive Boulevard: What's Down the Road? today from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Heman Park Community Center. The joint meeting will update Olive Boulevard property owners, businesses and interested community members on planned and proposed activities. Those in attendance will hear details about: Light refreshments will be served. For more details call Ellen Bern at 337-2489 or Ray Lai at 505-8502.

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Divided City Council Supports Prop U for Schools

The vote on a resolution to support the School District of University City's $19.4 bond issue split 4-1-1.

The University City City Council Monday passed a resolution in support of the School District of University City's proposed $19.4 million bond issue. Proposition U is on the April ballot. Councilmen Byron Price and Arthur Sharpe proposed the resolution. Price said the students in U City deserved the best and he supported the move to improve facilities in the district. See our previous story: School District Puts $19.4 Million Bond on April Ballot Four members of the school board—Rick Salamon, Linda Peoples, Stacy Clay and John Clark—spoke on behalf of the measure, asking the council to approve the resolution. The board members noted the improvement in the district in recent years. Salamon told the council that the district picked up three …

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City to Discuss Police Safety, Gun Control Proposition

The University CIty City Council meets tonight.

The University City City Council is slated to meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at University City City Hall. Items on the agenda include: Proclamations Appointments Swearing In City Manager's Report Council Reports/Business The council will also discuus Police Safety Seminars. The seminars are slated for: Unfinished Business New Business The meeting is open to the public.

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Rebate Program for Residents in Deer Creek Watershed

The application period open today and runs through March 1.

The City of University City has announced a program allowing landowners to participate in a voluntary rebate program that assists residents living in the Deer Creek Watershed. The rebate program, called RainScape Rebates, assists landowners in the Deer Creek Watershed wishing to landscape their yards to improve storm water management by helping capture rain where it falls instead of allowing water to run off-site.  Applications for the program are available beginning Jan. 7. An optional training workshop or webinar for residents and a required workshop for contractors will be available in February. The application deadline for the program is March 1, 2013. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the email newsletter on the website…

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City Council to Talk Crime Prevention Tonight

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

The University City City Council is slated to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at University City City Hall. Items on the agenda include: Swearing In City Manager's Report Council Reports/Business Unfinished Business New Business The meeting is open to the public.

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U City Approves Hiring Four New Police Officers

The resolution allocates funds for four new officers.

The University City City Council Monday approved the funding of four additional police officers for the University City Police Department. Resolution 2012-12 allocates funding for the salaries and benefits of four new officers. The resolution reads as follows: Whereas, City Council of University City deems it necessary to improve public safety by adding four additional police officers. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of University City, as follows: 1. Increase police officer staff by four. 2. Allocate $260,000 from the General Reserve account to fund the additional staffing.  Before the vote, Rep. Rory Ellinger spoke in favor of the measure, citing crime studies from New York City on the value of a visable …

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Go Green U City: Free Electronics Recycling

The collection will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The City of University City is teaming up with the City of Pagedale, City of Wellston and Dcal Services, LLC, to help all three communities properly dispose of their household electronics equipment and appliances at no cost. Dcal Services will be set up in Heman Park Community Center rear parking lot in University Cityvfrom 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 3 where they will be accepting any old or obsolete electronics equipment. The event is open to the public and Dcal will be accepting residential and home business equipment only. Dcal Services, LLC will be accepting most consumer electronics and home office equipment including: For a complete list of acceptable items visit www.ucitymo.org. Any questions, contact Lynnette at (314) 505-…

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Groundbreaking Today for New U City Firehouse

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at 863 Westgate Ave.

The City of University City is holding a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. today for the new fire house at 863 Westgate Avenue. The estimated cost for the project is $3.3 million. The University City Fire Department firehouse is being built in part by a grant awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grants with rest of the funds allocated by the University City City Council and the lot leased from Washington University.  The building construction is scheduled to start within the next couple of weeks. See our previous coverage of the U City Fire Department:

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On The Mind of The Mayor

Changes to Council Rules: U City to Debate Monday

The University City mayor's blog on proposed changes to city council rules.

The actions of the City Council of University City are directed by the City Charter, City ordinances, and Council Rules of Order and Procedure. The current Council Rules of Order and Procedure have been under discussion since about 2007 – with each Council reviewing, updating, adopting and then reviewing again. It’s an on-going process. On Monday, Aug. 13 the City Council will discuss in study session the revisions to the Rules of Order and Procedure suggested by our newest Councilmember, Paulette Carr. I have strong concerns about two suggested revisions –because I believe these suggested changes are not in the best interest of the City or residents. If adopted, the new rules would limit the opportunities for University City residents to …

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Jeff Hales

4:57 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012

"So, the true effect of this proposed rule change will be to give to the Council the sole authority to establish task forces." Mayor Welsch: Wouldn't this proposed rule change simply make Council Rules consistent with the Charter of University City as it defines the roles of the 7-member council? Let me refer you to an interesting commentary given by you about the University City government …   more ›