Florissant to Make City Budget Changes

                           By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council at its virtual meeting Monday had a full agenda, with three public hearings and several bills. The meeting was held remotely on Zoom.  The first public hearing was about the proposed budget for the city. The city’s fiscal year begins on Dec. 1. City Finance Director Kimberly Johnson presented the budget to the council. She said that city staff members were working on the budget to align expenses to revenue and will be presenting a revised budget to the council before the next meetingCouncil President confirmed that Johnson had met with Mayor Timothy Lowery had met with Johnson.

“Some changes need to be made,” Lowery said. He added that the city’s finance department recently lost some employees, so they didn’t have time to prepare as they wanted. He added that he and Johnson were in the process of meeting with various city department heads about the budget.

The council closed the public hearing and will take up the budget at the next meeting.

The second public hearing was about a request to approve a subdivision for property located at 3159 N. Hwy. 67. This would separate the Chick-Fil-A at the site from the shopping center. Joe Pfleger spoke for Chick-Fil-A. He said that the restaurant would like to own their lot instead of renting. No one spoke in opposition and the council held a first reading on a bill allowing the subdivision.

The last hearing was for a request for a special use permit for an event center in a B-3 Extensive Commercial District for property at 3421 N. Hwy 67. This is on Lindbergh, across from the Wal-Mart. Salean Williams spoke about the project.

“What I want to do is open a center where people can have small parties,” Williams said. She said she had worked for three years as a wedding coordinator. She said she would like to have her own location and get out of coordinating.

“There is no kitchen,” she said. “All the food will have to be brought in.” There will be no alcohol served at the location, she said.

Councilman Tommy Siam asked Williams when she would be opening. She said she was waiting for the city, but would like to open in the first week of November. She said she was planning on having her own family’s Thanksgiving there.

Councilman Joe Eagan asked about music. She said she would have one speaker that people would use to play music from their phone. Eagan also asked about capacity, and Williams said it would serve 85.

City Attorney John Hessel said that a liquor license was not required if customers brought in their own alcohol. The person who brought the alcohol in would be responsible for any incidents arising from the use of alcohol, Hessel said.

Mayor Lowery asked asked if someone would be there to supervise parties. She said that she and her son would attend all events.

Eagan said that the city had a similar project in Patterson Plaza and it had problems. He said he wanted Williams to be aware that there were problems at the previous business. The council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the project.

               Chase Bank Wants New Building at 57^th Street Grill site

In other action, the council held a second reading on a bill that allows for the redevelopment of a new banking facility for the property at 2895 N. Hwy. 67. This is currently the 57th Street Grill. Chase Bank is moving into the property, and wants a new building at the site.

The council had some discussion about how the building, as proposed, does not meet the city’s masonry ordinance specifications.

Jose Sanchez, speaking for Chase Bank, said that this was the design that was being used throughout the country. “This is similar to what other banks are doing,” he said. “At this point, I don’t think they’d be open to options.” Sanchez said that the proposed changes would change the look of the building.

Councilman Jeff Caputa said he could not support the building as planned.

Councilwoman Jackie Pagano said she also agreed with the current masonry requirement. She said that a business had changed their plan two years ago to meet city requirements.

The new Chase building in Chesterfield has more masonry, several council members said..

Councilman Andrew Harris said that while he would love to see Chase Bank, he would prefer that a newer building like the 54th Street Grill not be torn down. A representative from the realtor who found the property said that the existing building was too big, but he site met the criteria they wanted.

The council unanimously voted “no: on the bill, and it failed. There was no indication what the next step would be and if Chase will offer new building plans for the site.

In other action, the council:

• Approved a request to transfer a special use permit from St. Louis Pizza and Wings to Jive Turkey Eats for the operation of a carry-out/delivery restaurant at 739 A North Highway 67. The council also passed the bill that will allow the transfer.
• Passed a bill authorizing the transfer of $18,000 from the Capital Additions account to the Ice/Snow Removal account.
• Held a first reading on a bill that would add a four-way stop to Jefferson Street at St Antoine Street.

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