Clarkson Valley News
October 2002

As the year moves into fall with Thanksgiving and Christmas not far away, a quick review of City activities shows it has been a busy year.  And of particular interest are three issues yet to be resolved.  These are discussed in this Newsletter.  Many of you answered the surveys concerning Clarkson Road sound walls and the wildlife control issues.  The City Council appreciates your input - it is very helpful to us.  Let me provide you a little more information as you read these updates, hopefully to enhance your understanding.  Specifically they are:  Clarkson Road Sound Walls, Kehrs Mill Road Recommendation and Wildlife Management Program.  It is important you understand these issues and express your opinions to me and or to your Alderpersons.  Let me provide a little more information on each.  Clarkson Road Sound Walls:  The City Council has received the MoDOT proposal.  We believe these are numerous requirements by federal law and MoDOT policy that have not been met.  We have requested the project be stopped until such requirements can be satisfied or the project be cancelled.  Proposed Recommendations on Kehrs Mill Road:  The preliminary plan for this project would mean an intrusion of approximately five to twenty-five feet into the two neighbors lots south of Kehrs Mill Road.  We have asked for more information, i.e. any other possible design options, specifically where the retaining wall would be located, staking the area for a visual review and a time line for the project.  The county has been very cooperative in the effort.  If no other alternative can be found, the question is "does the hill removal and lessening of the severe curve worth the neighbor intrusion and a ten feet (10') retaining wall?    Let us know how you feel.  Wildlife Management Program:  The survey results indicate a majority of you want something done to control the deer population.  There are some things that do not work and some that do.  Give it some thought and let us know.

Sound Barriers on Clarkson

Two meetings have been held on MoDOT’s proposal for sound abatement along Clarkson Road.  A town meeting was held at City Hall ion July 30th and State Representative Neal St. Onge organized an area meeting at Marquette High School on September 24.  At both meetings, although some residents spoke in favor of the construction of three sound walls along Clarkson between Kehrs Mill and Clayton Roads, the majority voiced their opposition. A survey taken by the City on this issue showed that 78% of the 448 respondents were opposed to the walls (see www.clarksonvalley.org for the complete results of the survey). The City has taken a negative position on the construction of the sound walls, but a committee is currently working with MoDOT to investigate sound abatement alternatives.

Proposed Recommendation for Kehrs Mill Road

A working session was held on October 1 to discuss the St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic’s recommendation for the section of roadway just west of the Marquette High School Kehrs Mill entrance.  The hilly, curvy section has been the site of many traffic accidents.  The plan that was presented would require the installation of a 10-foot retaining wall and the acquisition of property from the lots of two Clarkson Valley families.  At the open meeting, residents asked the County Highway Department to look at other alternatives, such as just reducing the hill or taking land from the high school side of Kehrs Mill Road.  An area meeting is being planned by the County Highway Department sometime later this fall.

Wildlife Committee

 After receiving numerous complaints from City residents on the property damage caused by wildlife, a committee has been formed to study the problem and implement a wildlife management Program.  The committee consists of Alderperson Susan Shea, who is the chair, Alderperson Mary Ann Gatto, and residents Gregg Bogosian and Cathy Fraser. A survey was taken to obtain resident input.  Of the 414 respondents, 48% believed that the white-tailed deer population was a problem that needed to be addressed.  47% stated that they had property damage caused by the deer.  57% would like the City to develop a wildlife management policy.  Although 65% were opposed to allowing residents to use archery equipment to hunt deer on their property, 55% would support the use of law enforcement or contracted experts to control the deer population.  The results can be viewed on www.clarksonvalley.org.

Fall 2002 Household Chemical Collection Program

 The St. Louis County Department of Health (DOH) is co-sponsoring several one-day collection events with different communities within St. Louis County. One will be held at Marquette High School on Saturday, November 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Acceptable items include paints, stains, varnishes, pesticides, herbicides, poisons, gasoline and other fuels, solvents and strippers, aerosols, motor oil and filters, gas cylinders (BBQ-pit size or smaller), fluorescent tubes, household batteries (rechargeable), anti-freeze, brake and transmission fluids, pool chemicals and other acids and bases, car batteries, wood preservatives, drive sealant, and mercury-containing items.  For more information, visit the Household Chemical Recycling Schedule link on www.clarksonvalley.org.

New Definition of Home Occupation

At the July 16th meeting of the Board of Aldermen, the municipal code was amended by adding a new definition of home occupation.  The new definition is the following:

Any occupation, trade, or profession carried on by a member of the immediate family, residing on the premises; in which

(a) no person is employed other than a member of the immediate family residing on the premises,

(b) no goods are stored on the premises or shipped from the premises except those prepared on the premises,

(c) no mechanical equipment is installed or used except such as is permissible for purely domestic or household purposes,

(d) no pedestrian or vehicular traffic is generated near the residential dwelling as a direct result of the occupation, trade, or profession, other than immediate family members residing on the premises,

(e) no exterior display, no exterior alteration of the property including expansion of parking, no exterior sign, no exterior storage of materials and no other exterior indication of a home occupation or variation from the residential character of the premises,

(f) no use shall require structural alterations to the interior or exterior of the building which changes the residential character thereof, and

(g) there shall be no demand for parking beyond that which is normal to the neighborhood and no visual or excessive traffic to and from the premises.  Provided further, that no display or other activity shall be permitted to indicate from the exterior that the residential dwelling is being utilized in whole or in part for any purpose other than that of a residential dwelling.

Residents are required to apply for a home occupation permit and pay the $25 permit fee.

 Notice of Election

Declaration of Candidacy

 A municipal election will be held in the City of Clarkson Valley on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, to elect a Mayor to serve a four (4) year term and one Alderperson from each of the three wards, each to serve a two (2) year term. Declaration of Candidacy for said offices must be received by the City Clerk, Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.  Filing begins on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. (City Hall will close Christmas Eve day at 12:00 noon).  The closing date for filing is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2003.  Qualifications for an Alderman require candidates to be at least 21 years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the City for one year prior to their election and a resident of the ward from which they are to be elected.  Qualifications for a Mayor require candidates to be at least 25 years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant of the City for one year prior to their election.  For additional information, please call the City Clerk at 636-227-8607 

Mosquito Spraying

Due to the recent outbreak of the West Nile virus, arrangements have been made to have the City sprayed weekly for adult mosquitoes.