FOCUS St.xCharlesxCounty FALL 2008 In this issue... The River Did NOT Run County Executive’s Through It... This Time Message...... 2 ne of the story lines from the summer flood County Levee hadn’t held. of 2008 has been how St. Charles County “The levee was built to withstand this type of wasO lucky this time and didn’t get as much damage an event, and it did,” said Danny Kluesner, secretary New Family from the raging rivers as in the past. of the levee’s board of supervisors. Arena Director...... 3 Yes, we were fortunate that the Missouri River In St. Charles County, the Collector’s Office didn’t rise up along with the Mississippi River in collects assessments for 10 levee districts. The Con- June, as was the case in the Great Flood of 1993. solidated North County Levee District is the larg- But County Executive Steve Ehlmann says a est by far, and Kluesner said assessments are based Master Plan lot of credit for pro- on property values Envision 2020...... 4 tecting farmlands from 1988, when the and houses in the district was founded. north St. Charles The annual Council County area should assessment from go to the people who property owners Comments...... 5 built, maintained and totals $50,000, but financed the Consol- Kluesner said that is idated North County mainly for mainte- County Parks Levee District. nance. Other assess- Programs...... 7 “We hear about ments are made to what happens when pay off bonds. Floodwater surrounds a home in northern levees are topped St. Charles County near West Alton in June After the 1993 or breached all the flood, the levee sys- time,” Ehlmann said. “This is a story about what tem in north St. Charles County needed $2 million happens when the levees hold.” in repairs and another bond issue was needed. Due By investing money in this levee and keeping a to the efforts of the board of supervisors, the levee watchful eye on it throughout the year, the people district was the second levee repaired in 1993. of the Consolidated North County Levee District Another flood in 1994 came within inches of FOCUS saved not only their own properties but also may topping the levee, but sandbagging efforts paid off, St. Charles County have saved the federal, state and county govern- saving millions of dollars in federal assistance for is a publication of ments millions of dollars. repairs to the levee and properties. The 1995 flood, St. Charles County For example, there are fewer than 450 people however, took its toll on the levee and funds to re- Government who live in Portage des Sioux. Had that little river pair it were needed. hamlet been cut off from St. Charles, as it was in In 1996, U.S. Rep. Jim Talent and Sen. Chris- Office of Public 1993 when Highway 94 was flooded, it’s estimated topher “Kit” Bond worked on legislation to change Information $500,000 would have been spent by various gov- federal statute to allow a maximum of 20-year level 100 N. 3rd St., Suite 318 ernments to provide those residents with access to of protection on both sides of the Missouri River St. Charles, MO 63301 food, medical supplies, fire and rescue services, etc. from St. Charles to the confluence with the Missis- (636) 949-1864 West Alton, a town of about 500 people, also sippi River. www.sccmo.org may have had to have been evacuated if the North See Flood of 2008 on Page 6 County Executive’s Message Where Has the Sales Tax Revenue Gone? n 1994, the rate of ernment has nothing to say regarding Inter- financial woes, we have not opted out of the sales tax growth in net sales or the price of gasoline and, in fact, sales tax holiday. And even though we could St.I Charles County almost nothing to say about tax increment have raised an additional $4.34 million by was 12 percent. This financing. This could change somewhat raising property taxes to the allowable rate, extraordinary growth because the state legislature last year estab- we have not done so. made it possible for lished a countywide commission to review It has been the county’s position to first the county to begin a proposed projects. Half of those members tighten our own belt, and you may have read Steve Ehlmann gradual scaling back have been confirmed by the County Coun- about some of the things we have done, such of the property tax rate cil. The members will hear all of the issues as cutting department budgets by 8 percent for general revenue. Last year that rate, with on these subsidies, but the cities still will be and raising the temperature in the offices to a statutory ceiling of 5.89 cents per $100 of able to override the TIF commission by a save energy costs. We will continue to tight- assessed valuation, was down to two-tenths two-thirds vote of their council or board of en that belt and take all necessary steps be- of one cent. That means for a median priced aldermen. TIFs divert future county taxes to fore we even consider raising taxes. This is a home in the county, the owner pays only 74 the pockets of developers. difficult economic time, and we do not need cents in real property taxes to the general Some of the same municipalities that to be raising property taxes while people are fund of the county. have granted tax subsidies to developers losing their homes. And we do not need to I know, your property tax bill is a lot over the years have actually expressed sur- do away with the August sales tax holiday, higher than that, but the county share of the prise when their own sales tax revenue was which allows families to buy school sup- bill is exceeding low. And we are doing ev- growing at a zero percent rate. At least one of plies and clothing without paying sales taxes. erything we can to keep it that way. those municipalities has done away with the Families are struggling to make ends meet, However, 60 percent of our operating sales tax holiday rather than tighten its own and this small tax break to them is nothing budget comes from sales tax receipts so when fiscal belt. I am happy to say that county gov- compared to the subsidies that have been the growth rate of that revenue slows it has a ernment has not done that. In spite of our given to developers. big impact on our budget. Over the years, the rate of sales tax growth has dropped pre- cipitously, reaching 3.8 percent last year. Pro- SCC-TV Changing Channels jections for this year show a negative growth, he St. Charles County government Certain programs, such as County meaning the county could actually collect access television channel, SCC-TV, Council meetings, are telecast live and less money in sales tax this year than it did hasT been on the air for about a year now, then replayed several times. Some of the year before. Why has this happened? and we continue to provide new program- these programs are available via video-on- Some of the decline in the growth of ming and services. demand, both on Charter Cable and our sales tax revenue may be due to the increased Currently, you can watch SCC-TV website at www.sccmo.org. number of sales over the Internet, for which on Charter Cable Channel 18 or Channel Our programs, including the popu- no sales taxes are paid on purchases of less 993. At some point in November, SCC- lar “Focus St. Charles County” with Scott than $2,000 annually. Another explanation TV will move exclusively to Channel 993 Drachnik, “Safe and Sound” with Bob is that the high cost of gasoline means less and will be grouped with the other gov- Watts, and John Sonderegger’s “Charley discretionary income for people to spend on ernment access and educational channels Talk” are listed on the daily schedule. items on which sales tax is assessed. A third offered by Charter. On Election Night, November 4, explanation concerns tax increment financ- You can also tune into the channel SCC-TV will be the only channel in St. ing. Last year alone, St. Charles County lost by going to the St. Charles County Gov- Charles County that will give you up-to- $1.72 million in tax revenues that were redi- ernment web site at www.sccmo.org. Click date election returns on all county races. rected to pay development costs for projects. on News and Information, and then the In addition, you will be able to see results The county has lost revenues from TIFs SCC-TV icon to get the schedule. You can from St. Charles County and across the totaling $8.68 million from 2002 through then watch online by clicking on Current state in the contests for president and Mis- 2007. Programming and hitting “Play.” souri governor. This is frustrating because county gov- FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 2 Under New Management Steven Rosenblatt takes the reins at the Family Arena ry us, you’ll like us.” That’s the mes- sage Steven Rosenblatt wants to convey“T to St. Charles County residents about the Family Arena. The East Coast na- tive took over as director of the Family Arena in April. In that short time, he has already put his stamp on the nine-year-old facility, by booking new, non-traditional events such as the snarky “Cinematic Titanic” and a stage version of the holiday film classic “It’s a Won- derful Life.” Family Arena Director Steven Rosenblatt “Those two events should bring new people into the arena, and help us get some Arena. The big name touring acts like the exposure with a different audience. We’re (Rolling) Stones are retiring, the staying always looking for new and different acts,” power of new acts is down, and the Internet Rosenblatt said. is changing the ways of marketing and tour- Those non-traditional acts have gener- ing.” ated ticket inquiries from other states like To capture that trend, Rosenblatt says Oklahoma and Wisconsin, so now Rosenb- the Family Arena will be looking to book latt is looking to package event tickets with more acts that use just half (or less) of the hotel stays to increase tourism revenue in St. facility’s 9,000-plus seats. Charles County. “Our expectations were certainly ex- Upcoming Events Rosenblatt came to the Family Arena ceeded with Weird Al Yankovic, which sold Country artist Trace Adkins after managing a convention center in Hick- out a [smaller] setup, “ Rosenblatt said. ”We October 16 ory, N. C.. He says there were several reasons also sold out on the Boston/Styx concert.” why he was attracted to the job here. The RiverCity Rage football team will “About 10 years ago, I left an arena be- be returning to the Family Arena in 2009, TNA Wrestling October 25 cause I wanted to work at a convention cen- but looking for another sports team as a ten- ter. I found out that convention centers are ant isn’t a priority for Rosenblatt. not as fun and challenging. I came back to “If we have success with team sports, Comedian Dennis Miller arena operations because the events are just people will look to the arena for those events, October 30 more exciting.” but we’re not devoting a lot of effort toward Another reason why Rosenblatt and his that at this time. If hockey were to return, for “Cinematic Titanic” family relocated to St. Charles County is its example, we would want a developmental November 1 proximity to St. Louis. league or farm team where the stars go on “I was looking for a place not in a major to the NHL. That’s much more attractive,” Comedian Rodney Carrington city, but close to one, and St. Charles County Rosenblatt said. November 15 fills that bill,” Rosenblatt said. One thing that Rosenblatt enjoys is re- While there is plenty of competi- ceiving feedback from arena patrons, both Jingle Fest tion from other facilities in the Metro area, good and bad. December 10 Rosenblatt sees a role for the Family Arena “People like to write letters,” Rosenblatt well into the future. said. “Sometimes, they suggest acts to us. “Most acts in the next three to five years We will follow up on those suggestions, and It’s a Wonderful Life On Stage December 13-14 will prefer a smaller venue like the Family book those acts if they make sense.” FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 3 Master Plan Envision 2020 Approved by County Council year in the making, the St. Charles forums and public hearings also were held will potentially result in amendments to this County Council adopted a vision and on land use. A land-use workshop was held document.” roadA map for the future known as the Master in February and then a public forum to re- The County Executive has requested Plan Envision 2020 in July. view the staff’s initial drafts for land use was that the Master Plan Steering Committee Under the guidelines of the County conducted in March. In April, the entire plan meet annually to review the plan, Anthony Charter, St. Charles County Government was forwarded to the County Council, and a added. is charged with updating the Master Plan public hearing was held on June 9. Some key items gleaned from Master every five years. So County Executive Steve “Throughout this process there was a Plan Envision 2020: Ehlmann appointed a 16-member Master concerted attempt to allow a variety of ways . The county population is expected to Plan Steering Committee in the summer of for the public to be involved in the prepara- reach 457,446 by the year 2020, with growth 2007. tion of this plan,” said Anthony. “This process of 128,000 between 2005 and 2020. These The committee consisted of 11 county has also included the development of a web- projections indicate the county could sur- residents, two members of the County pass the 500,000 population mark be- Council, two members of the County tween 2025-2030. Executive’s staff, and the Director of . Most of the growth will be dis- Community Development. tributed west of the line of Highway The committee was chaired by 40/61, I-70 and Highway 79. The David Leezer, who worked in eco- available land in this area that could nomic development for the county be developed over the next 15 years before taking a similar job in St. Louis is expected to produce 36,598 hous- County. Also named to the commit- ing units for a population increase tee were Lisa Drier, Rich Francis, John of 93,965 in the western area of the Hanneke, Rod Herrmann, Jeanette county. Koechner, Lori Kohrs, John Matlick, . Additional growth will create Tom Oxler, Ray Stone, Doyle Walker, To keep pace with population growth, St. Charles new and expanded service needs. With Wayne Anthony, Anne Klein, Don County may need about 37,000 new housing 74 percent of the population growth Boehmer, Joe Brazil and Nancy Ma- units by 2020 expected to occur in the western area theny. of the county, school districts will Anthony is the director of the Commu- site, whereby various presentation materials, have to plan accordingly. Land uses should nity Development Department; Klein was the draft documents and maps were posted be compact and located where essential in- the director of Policy Development; Boe- with opportunities for the public to submit frastructure and services can be provided. hmer is the director of Intergovernmental comments.” . By 2020, St. Charles County will have Affairs. Council members Brazil, District 2, Anthony continually stressed during experienced a 91.6 percent increase in the and Matheny, District 3, were the elected of- public hearings and to the council that the number of new jobs and a 93.5 percent in- ficials on the committee. Master Plan did not establish zoning and it crease in the number of self-employed indi- The committee reviewed the 2015 was only a guideline in land-use matters. viduals since 2000. The county has lost only Master Plan, and then formulated vision “While this plan has been put in final one major employer since 1995, while gain- statements relating to specific elements and form, planning is a dynamic and continu- ing three major employers during the same identified community needs. Two public ous process,” Anthony said. “The county’s period. Nearly half of the labor force now forums were held in November 2007, and growth and development must be continu- remains in St. Charles County to go to work a planning document, minus land use, was ally monitored. Coordination with other as opposed to seven out of every 10 workers drafted. The group then met with six focus agencies that have impacts on our growth commuting elsewhere in 1996. groups in January and February, 2008, as and development needs to be ongoing. Ad- they drafted a plan for future land use. Public ditional planning of some areas of the county See Master Plan Envision 2020 on Page 6 FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 4 Council Comments The ‘New’ Municipal League arely does a politi- We had more than 70 elected officials promoting municipal interests and policy at cian have an op- attend our initial forum, and that led to the local, state and federal levels to enhance the portunityR to do some- resurrection of the St. Charles County Mu- welfare of the citizens. Additionally, the St. thing that actually nicipal League. Charles County Municipal League acts as improves or changes a The former Municipal League was an agent for cooperation and communica- community. known as the “Mayors Club,” and its main tion among the municipalities, investigating, Sure, we all live, objective apparently was to “beat up” the for- studying, discussing and recommending Dan Foust work and enjoy our mer county executive and complain. It was improvements in the provisions of services communities, but do- not very productive or positive. by municipal governments, county govern- ing something beneficial to help people and We have changed those attitudes. ment and other entities and other topics of improve our county is what makes it worth- Our goal in the creation of the “New” importance, while offering means whereby while. Municipal League officials may exchange ideas, experiences, With my elec- Our goal is to make sure was to foster coop- obtain advice and direction. The League will tion in January 2007 cooperation between eration between the further provide effective leadership and de- as County Council governments is at the forefront. county and the mu- cision making in a regional context through chairman, I felt it nicipalities. facilitation with its membership, other orga- necessary to improve Our mission nizations and entities.” our relationship with the other municipali- statement: “The St. Charles County Mu- Our goal is to make sure cooperation ties and their elected officials. The goal was nicipal League has been founded with the between governments is at the forefront, to just “meet and greet” all of the elected of- mission to represent the interests of its not confrontation. We think residents in St. ficials in St. Charles County and introduce membership, to serve local governments as Charles County expect and demand that we the County Council to them. a vehicle for cooperation in formulating and do just that. Generous Donations Help Parks System Grow fter I was elected them, they invited me and my wife on some ter. The trail which originates at the Gate- in 2001 to repre- of their springtime wildflower walks. I soon way Arch will be more than just a trail in St. sentA District 7, I began discovered that they had no intention of sell- Charles County, it will be a linear park reach- looking for undevel- ing this property to developers. They wanted ing from the Veterans Memorial Bridge and oped areas that could it to be enjoyed by families today and in the the Heritage Center at Heritage Landing. possibly become a future. The Heritage Center was a stately park in our district. I introduced our Parks Director, Bet- owned home near the front entrance to John White One of the open spac- tie Yahn-Kramer, to the Knowles’ and she the Heritage subdivision. It was previously es that had potential helped them shape their dream by coming known as Mr. Cribbins Restaurant. The cur- was a piece of property that is now bordered up with a plan to preserve their property. Bill rent plan is to make it a museum and a tribute by the Page Avenue Extension (Highway and Nancy, and their to the ancestry of the 364), Upper Bottom Road, and the Mis- four children, decided It has been my pleasure to work citizens of St. Charles souri River. to donate their 100 on two projects that will soon County. With partic- This property is owned by Bill and Nan- acres to the county for become a reality: the Centennial ular emphasis on the cy Knowles. Nancy’s father bought the prop- a future park. Trail and the Heritage Center. diversity of the set- erty in the 1930s and used it as a country The donation tlers and the farming get-a-way. He was very interested in nature, was valued at $11 mil- culture of the area, it especially wildflowers, and brought a myriad lion. This park will be called “Spring Bend.” will include the history of all the cities and of species and planted them on his property. It also has been my pleasure to work on towns in St. Charles County. The property Bill and Nancy have carried on that two projects that soon will become a reality: will also be used as a trailhead for the Cen- tradition. After becoming acquainted with the Centennial Trail and the Heritage Cen- tennial Trail. FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 5 Master Plan Envision 2020 From Page 4 Master Plan identifies two areas in need of additional and more de- . The Economic Development Center of St. Charles County tailed planning. These are the Arena Parkway/Page Planning District has identified several issues that need to be addressed in order to pro- and the Whites Branch Planning District, located along Highway vide a better economic climate. They include preservation of sites for 79. office parks along I-64, development of an intra-county bus system, . In housing, the Steering Committee set goals of encouraging creation of work-force housing, and future transportation improve- creative solutions to housing needs through quality design which is ments to I-70, a new I-64 bridge and completion of the Page Avenue functional as well as livable. A strategy to maintain the county’s exist- Extension project (Highway 364). ing housing stock through aggressive code enforcement and activities . The rapid growth of St. Charles County has been paralleled by to maintain and stabilize existing neighborhoods. Goals of providing increased demand for public facilities and services. Of all utilities, san- safe, stable and attractive neighborhoods in developing areas and of itary sewers are the most critical for continuing future development increasing the supply of workforce (affordable) housing were also in the county. Locations of existing sanitary facilities and where ex- identified. pansions of the systems are planned will guide the direction of physi- cal growth in the county. For a complete version of the Master Plan, go to www.sccmo. . Land uses need to be distributed and balanced, and coordina- org, click on Departments and go to Community Development. tion of land use plans between the county and cities is needed. The Once there, click on Envision 2020 Master Plan. Flood of 2008 From Page 1 Two major levees were topped in St. Charles County in the So the Consolidated North County Levee District was able to June flooding of the Mississippi River. An agricultural levee along shore up its levee and give the district more protection. This is not Silvers Road and Highway C north of Old Town St. Peters was an industrial levee, it is an agricultural levee and 95 percent of the topped, flooding hundreds of acres of farmland, and the Elm Point land in the district is used for farming. Levee in St. Charles also gave way to the water, flooding several soc- This levee district stretches from the city limits of St. Charles cer fields and forcing the closure of Highway 370 for one night. The on the Missouri River, down to the confluence and back up the highway was not flooded, but wildlife, especially deer, fleeing the Mississippi River to just upstream from Portage des Sioux. This le- water caused a hazard on the highway. In addition, Truman Road at vee provides protection for approximately 30,000 acres of farmland Highway 370 was closed for several days. and associated improvements in the Missouri and Mississippi river The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported 514 floodplains. The levee alignment and maintenance of the levee dis- St. Charles County residents registered for damage assistance and trict is approximately 34.5 miles. more than $530,000 had been paid out. The agricultural damage Many spots in the levee were in jeopardy in June along the was significant in the county, with plantings prevented in 10,000 Mississippi River. “Emergency measures were taken from West Al- acres, crops lost in 11,500 acres and an overall estimated loss of $10 ton to Portage in several areas,” Kluesner said. million. But the levee did its job, and the river water receded away from We were hit again, on a smaller scale, in September after tor- the levee. rential rains fell in the St. Louis area as an aftermath of Hurricane “That levee is not going to hold every time, and farmers in that Ike. Flash flooding caused creeks to overflow, damaging homes in area know that,” Ehlmann said. “They’ve accepted that, and they’ve St. Charles City and other areas, and forcing temporary road clo- accepted the responsibility to do whatever they can to make it hold sures throughout the county. in a year like this. They deserve a lot of credit and we the taxpayers This time, the Missouri River rose to 33 feet in St. Charles, well should thank them for saving us a lot of money.” above the flood level, and the Mississippi River also crested above St. Charles County’s Division of Emergency Management flood levels. supplied about 800,000 sandbags and the Highway Department Some highways were closed again and more farmland was delivered 1,297 tons of sand, plus other materials, to fight the flood, flooded. But the crest levels fell below the early projections, and the in June. county again was spared major damage from river flooding.

FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 6 St. Charles County Parks Programs

Hayrides – Broemmelsiek Park Guided Horseback Ride – Indian Camp Creek Park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights through November 23 November 2 Passport to St. Charles County Parks Walk – Bangert Island Natural Wreath-Making – Youth Activity Park October 11 November 8 Wild in the Woods Trail Run – Indian Camp Creek Park Moonlight Mountain Bike Ride – Quail Ridge Park October 18 November 14 Twilight Tour – Klondike Park Passport to St. Charles County Parks Walk – Quail Ridge October 18 Park November 15 Guided Mountain Bike Ride – Broemmelsiek Park October 22 Blind Turkey Toss Disc Golf Tournament – Quail Ridge Park Night of Fright – Youth Activity Park November 22 October 25 Moonlight Mountain Bike Ride – Bangert Island Wild in the Woods Trail Run – Quail Ridge Park December 12 November 1

For a full list of programs, visit www.stccparks.org or call (636) 949-7535 ‘Park It’ for Close-to-Home Fun eeking family-friendly entertainment The third Wednesday of each month pro- riders can also participate in our Moonlight closer to home, an increasing number vides Trail Trekkers with an opportunity to Mountain Bike Rides at Broemmelsiek Park ofS St. Charles County residents has enjoyed continue their morning exercise regime with on Nov. 14 or at Bangert Island on Dec. 12. the wonderful array of programs presented fellow park walkers. Once a month on Sat- Rides are open to all ages, but guests must at little or no cost by our Parks Department. urday nights illuminated by the full moon, bring their own bikes and helmets. This year, more than 150 programs are being Twilight Tour walks at various parks present Hundreds of residents and visitors from offered in the eight St. Charles County Parks, a unique perspective on the evening’s sights around the area spend many relaxing eve- ranging from guided hikes and bike rides to and sounds. nings viewing the heavenly display above at educational lectures and gardening tips. Another opportunity for fun beyond monthly Stars of St. Charles County pro- A great way to become more familiar the shelters and playgrounds of your parks grams held in Broemmelsiek and Klondike with parks near you is to participate in one is to bike along the many miles of natural- parks. Members of the Alliance for Astron- of the guided walks held each month. On a surface trails. On the second and fourth omy and the Astronomical Society of East- Passport to St. Charles County Parks walk, Wednesdays of each month, park staff play ern Missouri provide telescopes, or you can you’ll take a closer look at the amenities, host to free Guided Mountain Bike Rides bring your own, to examine the stars, planets natural beauty, and history of each park. At at Quail Ridge or Broemmelsiek parks. On and galaxies. Paws on Parade, held on the first Wednesday Oct. 4, park staff and Gateway Off-Road Now, it’s easier than ever to register of the month in Quail Ridge Park, walkers Cyclists were to host Take a Kid Mountain for park programs. Found online at www. join with family pets or borrowed dogs pro- Biking Day at Bangert Island to introduce stccparks.org, you can search the activity vided by the St. Charles County Pet Adop- your family to this fast-growing sport. For a schedule and ensure your place at upcoming tion Center to kick off a relaxing morning. special opportunity after the sun goes down, events. FOCUS St. Charles County . Fall 2008 . Page 7

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