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Florissant Considers Limiting Off-Site Business Sale Events
BY CAROL ARNETT
The Florissant City Council met in an executive session last week before the regular council meeting to discuss two unrelated items: offsite sales and texting while driving.
The discussion about offsite sales was prompted by a sale that Johnny Londoff Chevrolet recently held at the Flower Valley Shopping Center. Londoff did not have the proper permits for the sale.
Councilwoman Karen McKay told the council that she had been working on a bill that would regulate such off-site sales. “We want to be fair so that any business that wants to have offsite sales can,†she said. However, she added, “we have issues with shopping centers renting out space more than twice a year.â€
McKay said the bill she proposed would allow businesses to have one offsite sale per year. The bill would allow each shopping center to host two sales per year. The fee for a sale would be $100.
“We’re trying to be business-friendly,†McKay said. “But we don’t want shopping centers to lease their lots every weekend.â€
“We’re focusing on car dealers,†said Councilman John Grib. “What if a second hand shop wants to have a flea market?†McKay responded that she was presenting the bill for a first reading, but wanted input from the council.
“I’m in concurrence with Ms. McKay,†Mayor Robert Lowery said. He said regulating the sales was a good idea.
At the regular council meeting, Johnny Londoff, Jr. apologized for the sale, but noted that it was “a tremendous success for us and other businesses in the center.â€
Londoff also stated that the dealer was planning another sale in the same place Sept. 23-26.
Councilman Tim Lee asked Londoff what he would do if the ordinance regulating the sales is not passed. He noted that the police had recently stopped other similar sales because they are not allowed under city ordinance. “You understand that your’ blatantly breaking the rules after apologizing for the first sale?†he asked.
McKay told Londoff that while the city was trying to be business-friendly, you “may end up with consequences, such as a court order to stop.†She added, “we have to let our administration enforce our laws.â€
The council held a first reading on the bill regulating the sales.
Driving While Texting?
The council also took up the issue of texting while driving. The state of Missouri recently enacted a law that makes it illegal for anyone under age 21 to text while driving.
“This affects everyone, not just those under 21,†Lowery said. “Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do.†Lowery asked the council to pass a law that would make texting illegal for all ages.
“Philosophically, I agree with you,†said City Attorney John Hessel. He then explained that there may be some problems with making texting illegal in the city. “State laws regulate traffic offenses,†Hessel said. “You cannot impose any traffic regulations not imposed by the state.†Hessel told the council that by imposing a regulation not imposed by the state, “you may be opening a can of worms.â€
“It’s going to be a challenge,†Lowery said. “We need to do
this, to be the first to do this.â€
Councilman Tim Lee asked if the police could issue careless and imprudent driving tickets to drivers who text.
“That would mean they would have to be endangering others,†Hessel said, “and you would need evidence of that.â€
The council held a first reading on the bill
