Florissant Council Resolution Supports 2-cent Hike in Gas Tax

By Carol Arnett

The city council Monday passed a resolution supporting Senate Bill 540, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission’s 2+2+2+ Indexing Initiative, which calls for a 2-cent increase in the gasoline tax, from 17 to 19-cents.

“I held a press conference about this on Friday,” Mayor Tom Schneider said. He held the press conference at the Florissant Rd overpass at I-270 because that bridge needs work, he said.   (see photo above)

“A study was started by the Missouri Department of Transportation on the I-270 corridor,” Schneider said. “It was almost done, but

the study has come to a halt.” Schneider said the rationale for halting the study was uncertainty about funding to complete any of its recommendations.

Schneider said that he and other mayors were asking legislators to “put the state above party, put the state above dogma,” and pass the legislation. “This will save $ 230 million dollars of federal matching dollars in 2017,” Schneider said. Without the increase Missouri will forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in matching federal funds beginning in 2017, as well as thousands of construction and other jobs.

Schneider was Joined by representatives from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT), the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, and the St. Louis County Municipal League on Friday supporting the gasoline tax, which hasn’t been raised in nearly 20 years.

Two existing Florissant businesses want to expand, and both came before the city council Monday night to explain their plans in public hearings. Johnny Londoff Chevrolet, a long-time business, wants to expand into the property at 4580 Washington St. The property currently has a homethat has been used as offices, most recently for an insurance agency.

Larry Walker spoke for the dealership. “We plan on removing the existing structure and parking fields and replacing it with a stand alone structure,” he said. The new building would be roughly 4,200 square feet and would hold six new service bays.

Councilwoman Jackie Pagano said that she had spoken with John Londoff last week about the project. She asked Walker if the curb cuts from the property onto Washington St. would remain and if some trees on the property would stay.

“We’re moving the curb cuts,” Walker said. “It will be closer to the trees, but the trees are staying.”

Councilman Joe Eagan asked about the hours of operation. They will be the same as the current operating hours at the service department of the dealership: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. – noon.

Walker also stated that there would be no painting at the facility and the dealership would put up fencing.

New York Grill also came before the council with expansion plans. The restaurant is located at 41 Flower Valley Shopping Center. Mohamad Yaacoub spoke to the council. The restaurant, he said, wants to take over the adjoining space in the center. They will use it for storage and for some additional seating.

Eagan asked if there would be any change in hours. Yaacoub replied that there would not.

No one spoke in opposition at either hearing and the council held first readings on bills approving each plan.

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