The Historical Society of University City is hosting the free event.
The Historical Society of University City is hosting its third 'State of the City' program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in the 5th Floor Council Chambers of University City City Hall. Mayor Shelley Welsch and City Manager Lehman Walker will speak. The event is free and open to the public. See our previous State of the City coverage:
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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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Council member Byron Price asks for better solutions to recent shootings and burglaries in University City.
Shots fired Friday night. A rash of burglary attempts and home break-ins. A drive-by shooting, mobs in the Loop and a the murder of a 16 year old near University City High School. It's been a busy summer for the University City Police Department. University City Councilman Byron Price, Ward 3, on Monday asked that City Manager Lehman Walker and Police Chief Charles Adams look into the city's crime statistics for the year and whether the police department needs more resources. "This issue is bigger than just the police department and my concern is that there is a pattern of activity taking place," Price said. "The progression of activity is totally out of control." The city council noted the swift reaction of police after the shooting in …
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City Manager Lehman Walker presented the latest draft to University City's City Council members at a work session Monday to discuss suggestions and amendments. A final version will be passed later this month.
With final approval of University City's proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year approaching, the city's administration has revised its original esitmate surplus upward. City Manager Lehman Walker told the University City City Council at a work session Monday that the latest draft budget anticipates revenues will exceed expenditures by approximately $500,000, a more than $50,000 increase than previously expected. The purpose of the Monday meeting was to allow council members to suggest amendments or ask questions of the city's administrative staff ahead of officially approving the budget later this month. Despite the surplus, Walker noted that University City still faces many fiscal challenges. Cheif among them is a declining population…
The public will have one more chance to comment on University City's 2012-13 budget.
The final public hearing for the City of University City Proposed 2013 Budget will be Monday, May 14. This is the last of a series of public hearings and allows residents to review both details and ask questions in regard to the 2013 fiscal plan. For the second consecutive year, University City is operating with a budget surplus of $421,583 in the city’s general fund. The city maintains a budget surplus with no reduction in city services, no increase in real estate taxes and no proposed sales tax increases. At the same time, it has increased funding for fundamental services such as police and fire operations while still maintaining funding for community initiatives that include U City in Bloom and funding for its Youth Program initiative…
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The University City City Council voted to turn the lights back on Monday.
Over a year after the lights on the driving range at Ruth Park Golf Course were turned off, the University City City Council voted Monday to reverse that decision. The lights were turned off after residents near the University City driving range complained that they were too bright. Before the policy change, the range lights would stay on until 9:30 p.m. The council voted 4-3 to turn the lights back on while the Park Commission and Traffic Commission review a report on additional options for the driving range. The issue was raised by Ward 1 Councilman Terry Crow. Michael Glickert, Stephen Kraft and Mayor Shelley Welsch voted against the measure. Crow, Byron Price, Arthur Sharpe Jr. and newly seated Ward 2 Councilwoman Paulette Carr voted …
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Resident Tom Sullivan questions election day actions.
The matter of political signs being removed on election day (April 3) from certain polling places in University City has caused City Manager Lehman Walker to say changes are needed in the city's sign ordinances, which is not the case. It seems the city manager is trying to provide cover for his order to illegally remove the signs. It isn't necessary and it's a moot issue from the city's standpoint as signs at polling places on election day are governed directly by state law. Every city or governmental entity must sign an agreement acknowledging as such if a tax-supported public building is designated as a polling place by the board of election commissioners. The city signed an agreement with the Election Board for use of the Heman Park …
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10:00 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
George, the signs were prohibited for 8 hours, not a few. Furthermore, the contract with the Election Board--while slightly different from the statute--is unambiguous its language. The City's contractual agreement with the St. Louis County Board of Elections explicitly permits electioneering and yard signs on any tax-funded public polling place and is consistent with our sign ordinance 34-104.1 … more ›
University City joins other municipalities to share lobbying diligence regarding the St. Louis County sales tax distribution (pooled) approach.
University City is one of seven cities that has joined together to hire a Jefferson City lobbying firm to monitor the 2012 Missouri Legislative session for potential changes to the St. Louis County sales tax distribution formula, known as the pooled tax program. Staffers at the lobbying firm, R.J. Scherr & Associates, will represent U City and the municipalities of Wildwood, Clarkson Valley, Webster Groves, Florissant, Pine Lawn and Greendale. Approximately 23 percent of the city's general fund revenues comes from how county sales tax proceeds are distributed. Under the current system, municipalities are divided into two camps: point-of-sale, or “A” cities; and pool, or “B” cities. The “A” cities are required to share a portion of their 1-…
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University City decides ICMA decision has no bearing on city manager's position with the city.
Residents cried out at Monday's University City City Council meeting for open government and an end to weeks of questions regarding City Manager Lehman Walker. The city council reponded by holding a vote on Walker's position. Speakers at the meeting were upset with the city's handing of the censure and ban of Walker by the ICMA. The ICMA, or International City/County Management Association, issued its statement to the public on Feb. 29. That came two days after the city council had voted to remove language regarding the ICMA from Walker's employment contract with the city. A legal opinion from the city's attorney Paul Martin found the ICMA portion of Walker's contract unenforceable and therefore recommended its removal from the contract. …
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10:32 am on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Has anyone checked to see if these letters have been sent. Seems like we are just opening ourselves up to more bad press and possible lawsuits. more ›
St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on the firestorm at University City City Hall.
Dan Conroy
4:06 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Thanks to all of those who were instrumental in getting the lights turned on, again. And a special thanks to Ed Mass who through his perseverance and doggedness kept the pressure on to see this mess finally come to fruition. He deserves a Mulligan for his efforts. more ›