Video Presentation by City Manager, Craig Owens - 'Proposals To Sustain The Quality Of Our City"

Informational presentation was given at Shaw Park's ice rink building on March 5th, 2014.

News Release: Residents Come Together To Form Yes4Clayton Committee

Contact: Robyn Frankel 314-863-3373, rfrankel@frankelpr.com
OR  Ira Berkowitz 314-547-0014, imberk@inlink.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESIDENTS COME TOGETHER TO FORM YES4CLAYTON COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CLAYTON

March 3, 2014, Clayton, MO – To encourage voters in Clayton to approve four propositions on issues that are critically important to the future of the city, Clayton citizens formed the Yes4Clayton committee. This group of more than 15 community volunteers are working to gain passage of the four proposals on the Tuesday, April 8, 2014 ballot.

“These proposals will provide the funding to maintain the quality of life Clayton residents have come to expect,” said Yes4Clayton committee co-chair Ira Berkowitz.

The two bond issues would provide funding to re-do many of Clayton’s aging neighborhood streets, alleys and street lighting and replace and renovate the antiquated 53-year old Shaw Park ice rink facilities with a year-round, multi-use venue. In addition to a new high school regulation size ice rink that would extend the season from three months to four, the facility would be converted to a turf surface for cultural events, field sports and other activities the rest of the year. The outdoor space also would feature a translucent, open-air, pavilion to provide protection from rain and snow, and a new field house to support the tennis courts, ice rink and field sports.

“Our family has lived in Clayton for 23 years. Outdoor skating at Shaw Park has been one of the special charms of living in Clayton. The current facility is out-of-date and deteriorating. I support the proposed beautifully-designed, open-air new facility, which maintains the best features of the current structure, yet brings many new advantages including year-round opportunities for our community," said Dr. Stacey L. Smith, a Clayton resident who is a former ice dancing champion and Olympian.

The investment for the owner of a $500,000 home would be less than $20 a month, or $219 a year if both bond issues are approved.

If approved by voters, two ¼ cent sales taxes would help the City maintain current fire and EMS levels and continue economic development programs to retain and recruit businesses, keep Clayton competitive and sustain the City’s vitality. The additional ½ cent sales tax would mean a 25-cent increase on a $50 dinner bill.

These four proposals are the result of years of comprehensive planning that involved residents, business leaders and City officials. The City has reduced expenditures by more than $1 million a year and reduced staffing levels by ten positions, but limited revenue growth and rising expenditures continue to present a challenge to maintaining City service levels. The last bond issue for streets was more than 20 years ago, and the last sales tax increase was 16 years ago.

The Yes 4 Clayton committee is co-chaired by Ira Berkowitz and Robyn Frankel. More information about Yes4Clayton and volunteer opportunities is available at www.Yes4Clayton.com.

For Immediate Release regarding Maryland School - from School District of Clayton

Free History Lecture on Wednesday, January 22

Click image to view enlarged.

Downtown Clayton Mobile App has launched!

The City of Clayton just launched the new Downtown Clayton mobile app available in the Apple iTunes App Store and Google Play Store. The app provides listings for all Clayton retail shops, restaurants and services. The listings include contact information, hours of operation, store description and social media links. Business locations are indicated on the directory map and business names appear on the list view. City maps, special event calendar and social media integration are also available.

December Events in Clayton

All That Glitters
Friday, December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Clayton and Shaw Park Ice Rink

Clayton ends its centennial year with a spectacular holiday celebration. All activities are free and open to the public. Besides the festivities at The Crescent from 6 to 9 p.m., guests are encouraged to Skate with Frosty from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Shaw Park Ice Rink, and watch the fabulous fireworks display at 8 p.m.  

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Cat Works exhibition and reception
Friday, December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Clayton Fine Art Gallery, 21 N. Bemiston

The gallery will host a reception to introduce The Visual Storytelling of Cat Works by Jay Thompson. The exhibition continues through January 6. Click here for more information.  
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Clayton Farmers Market
Saturdays, December 7 and 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Avenue

The Clayton Farmers Market hosts its Winter Market at The Center of Clayton from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month: December 7 and 21, January 4, February1 and 15, March 1 and 15, April 5 and 19. The same high quality products you enjoyed all summer will be available - farm fresh products, winter and greenhouse varieties, locally grown, hand-crafted artisan foods, selected goods for hearth and home.
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Candlelight Holiday Tour
Friday, December 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hanley House, 7600 Westmoreland

Do not miss this chance to view the Hanley family home through the glow of candlelight and traditional decorations. Enjoy live music and tours led by guides dressed in period attire. Children 5 and under are free. Register at The Center of Clayton or by calling 314.290.8500.
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Ward III Coffee
Saturday, December 14 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Starbucks on North Central Avenue in downtown Clayton

Aldermen Mark Winings and Alex Berger III will host the monthly coffee for their Ward III neighbors.
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City Hall and The Center of Clayton closed
Wednesday, December 25

Announcement - New private social network for our Old Town neighborhood

Dear Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association,

Our neighborhood has a new and impressive online communication tool called 'Nextdoor' which launched this week for Old Town. I wish to thank Old Town resident Lauren Herring for informing me about this free and exciting concept that will vastly improve our neighborhood communications. This is not Facebook....it's better because it is designed to be private.

Learn all about it and sign up at https://nextdoor.com/ .  Some of you have already received an invitation to join by email or postcard.  I highly recommend that all Old Town residents consider joining.  Share this information with your neighbors. You are easily able to opt in on how you want to be alerted to news, etc. once you join.  There's even a free Nextdoor app to download for smart phones.

It takes just a few minutes to sign up.  I met with a 'Nextdoor' rep today and asked that our neighborhood's boundaries be made accurate...so you may need to wait and try again in a few days if your address is not immediately recognized as an Old Town Clayton address.

Let's stay in touch with 'Nextdoor'!

Regards,
Cheryl Verde
President, Old Town Clayton Neighborhood Association

Clayton citizens created new Facebook page -' Keep Clayton Green'

Disclosure: This posting is for information purposes only, and does not imply any official position from the Old Town Board.

If interested, you may wish to visit the following link to keep informed:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeepClaytonGreen/

Statement from Ward III Aldermen regarding Maryland School Property

We have been contacted recently by several residents about the Clayton School District’s potential sale of the Maryland School property to a developer.  The property has been on the market for some time, but we do not have any information about a pending sale.  Please note that the City’s approval is not required for the sale of this property by the Clayton School District.

The property is zoned single-family residential.  To date, nobody has requested a zoning change.  A zoning change would require a public hearing before the Plan Commission and the approval of the Board of Aldermen, which would involve another public hearing.  All meeting agendas for the Plan Commission and the Board of Aldermen are posted on the City’s website in advance, and you can also register on the website to automatically receive emails containing the agendas when they are posted.  In addition, notice of the Plan Commission hearing would be mailed at least 10 days in advance to the last known address of all owners of property located within 200 feet of the boundaries of the property for which a rezoning is being considered.

We appreciate and welcome your input, and also encourage you to participate in any future meetings and/or public hearings involving the property. 

Mark Winings

Alex Berger III

Clayton Ward III Aldermen

November 1, 2013

You are invited to workshop regarding North Central Avenue enhancements - November 19th