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Paddock Hills Residents Fear Rising Water Whenever it Pours

By Carol Arnett

Several frustrated residents came to the Florissant City Council on May 8 to talk about sewer backups during the recent rains. Residents mostly spoke about the recent sewer backups in the Paddock Hills area. Some mentioned that it seems to be getting worse ech time we have heavy extended rains and they feared that it would continue to worsen.

City Public Works Director Lou Jearls addressed the sewer issues. “The incidents are being documented in detail by the city,” he said, adding that the city would be meeting with MSD officials about the issue. He also urged them to contact MSD directly.

He said that the city wanted to know about flooding so that they could help MSD locate the areas affected.

“To be fair,” he said, “MSD is working on the problem,” he said. “MSD has not ignored our sewer issues.” Audience members asked what the plan was for solving the problem.

“We’ll schedule a meeting in the near future,” with MSD, Mayor Tom Schneider said. He said they would share all the information the city has collected with MSD. He added that the council meeting was not set up as a question and answer forum, and there were no representatives from MSD present to answer questions.

The council also passed a bill that will increase police pay. Councilman Joe Eagan said that Florissant used to be among the top five percent in police pay in St. Louis County, but the pay has not kept up with other municipalities. He also said that interest in law enforcement as a career has gone down. He asked the council to pass the bill, which they did unanimously. (see page 6 for detailed story on Florissant pay hikes.

The council also held a public hearing regarding a request by True Dreams Banquet and Rental Space to have a banquet hall at 47 Florissant Oaks Shopping Center. Kevin and Lisa Jefferson are the center’s owners. “We have worked in the banquet center for years, and now we want to open our own,” Kevin Jefferson said. The center will be open only for events. It will not have any other hours.

The facility is in Tim Jones’ ward. “I’ve been up there and looked around and told them what we expect,” he said. “I’m thumbs up for this business.”

The Jeffersons would like to have hours from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Keven Jefferson said they would get everyone out by closing.

Councilman Jeff Caputa said that there was a banquet center in his ward and the biggest complaint he hears about it is the noise. “I know you back up to a residential area, so just be aware of that,” he said. Kevin Jefferson said that people can bring in their own DJs and bands, but they will have to use his equipment so he can regulate the noise level.

The council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the center and approved a request for a full liquor by the drink license for the center.

In other action at the May 8^th meeting, the council:

• Passed a bill allowing a special use permit for a sign for First Collinsville Bank at 14040 New Halls Ferry Road.
• Passed a bill authorizing an ice machine kiosk in the parking lot at 3524 Patterson Road.
• Passed a bill authorizing new the replacement of 134 banners on N Lindbergh/ Hwy 67 with new banners.
• Approved a request for a full liquor by the drink license for Ture Dreams Banquet and Rental Space at 47 Thousand Oaks Shopping Center
• Approved the transfer of a special use permit from Kolfe, LLC to Parsons Convenience Stores Inc. for the operation of a convenience store, filling station and existing sign at 102785 New Halls Ferry Road. The council also approved a liquor license for the new owners of the store.
•  Approved a request for a full liquor by the drink license for Field Box in North County at 2774-2778 N. Hwy. 67.

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