The Vision - City of Wentzville - Sept/Oct 2014

September/October 2014

The Vision WentzvilleMissouri – USA

The Crossroads Of The Nation

Concern Center Gets an Upgrade and an App!

The City recently launched a brand-new, interactive Citizen Action Center that enables residents to submit a concern online. While residents have been able to complete a short form in the past, the new site allows users to ask a question, post a photo of a concern, browse through frequently asked questions and answers, track the status of their concern, and more. Residents may also report a concern by calling (636) 639-2121.

A mobile app is now available, which allows residents to communicate concerns through their Apple or Android devices. Download the “Wentzville Concern Center” app today from the App Store or Google Play Store.

INSIDE: Halloween Happenings, Citizen of the Year Nominations and More!

Ready in 3: Plan, Prepare and Listen

Emergencies can strike anytime. Being prepared can save lives.

The City of Wentzville encourages residents to follow the “Ready in 3” program from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

1. Make a Plan.Your family might not be together when an emergency happens; so it’s

important to have a plan in place. Sit down and discuss how you will reach each other in different situations.

Make sure everyone in the family can get to a safe place and find each other in the event of an emergency. It’s a great idea to designate two family meeting places, one in the neighborhood and one farther away.

Plan to contact the same friend or family member by phone or email. Consider choosing an out-of-town family member or friend, as it may be easier to make long-distance calls rather than local calls during an emergency.

You should plan for two situations ― staying home or leaving. Deciding whether it is best to stay or go depends on the type of emergency. In more serious situations, officials may tell you what you need to do. Know where to go and how to get there if you have to leave your home. 2. Prepare a Kit.During an emergency, you may not be able to get food or water for days or even weeks, and your electricity may be off. Prepare an emergency kit with the following items; and put everything in a portable container in case you need to leave.

• Water ― Set aside one gallon of water, per person/per day; with enough to last three days.

• Canned or dried food ― Set aside a three-day supply of food per person. The food should be nonperishable items that don’t need to be cooked, such as tuna and crackers. Remember to include a manual can opener. If there’s an infant in the house, include formula and baby food.

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries for both• List of prescription medications • First-aid kit

3. Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency. It is important to stay calm during an emergency. Get as much information about

the situation as possible. If there is no electricity, make sure to have a battery-powered radio with extra batteries so you can listen for updates and instructions. Learn more about preparing for emergencies at http://on.mo.gov/1pJiNJM.

Your Source for City of Wentzville News

Wentzville NEWS

The

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Get Connected!The City reaches out to its residents in a number of

ways. If you aren’t already, follow us on any one of our social media outlets and stay in-the-know about upcoming events, City services, programs and more.

Archived copies of the City’s newsletters ― The Vision and Noteworthy ― can be found on the City’s website. In addition to forms and general information, the website, at www.wentzvillemo.org, is also full of timely news and updates.

Don’t forget about W.I.N.D., the City’s emergency notification system. Sign up at http://bit.ly/WINDAlert to have up-to-the-minute notifications and emergency announcements delivered right to your cell phone, email, home phone or all three.

New Businesses• CPR Cell Phone Repair

1828 Wentzville Pkwy.

• SpeedPro Imaging 145 Hamilton Industrial Ct.

• Hanke Constructors 100 Midland Park Dr., Suite B

• Timber Warriors 100 Midland Park Dr., Suite 207

• Bridget’s Country Crafts & Home Décor 124 E. Pearce Blvd.

• Great Location Bar & Grill 1799 Mall Dr.

Affordability and a growing population make Wentzville an excellent choice for homeowners, according to a new study by NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website. Wentzville residents only spend 27.7 percent of their household income on homeowner costs—below the 30 percent standard of affordability set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “When people choose to build or buy in Wentzville—they are choosing more than just a house, they are choosing a home,” said Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione. “They are putting down roots and becoming part of our

growing community. We’ve worked hard to build a community that offers exemplary schools, affordable and diverse housing, and expanding employment opportunities.” Wentzville is poised to welcome new residents to our growing city. With plans in place for new thoroughfares, street repairs, new parks and park improvements, waterline expansions, and more—the City is continually looking for ways to be proactive in its approach to growth.

Wentzville Recognized as #2 Place forHomeownership in Missouri

Get a permit, pay a bill, read an agenda?

For a list of frequently asked questions, look no further than the “I Want To ...”

pull-down tab on the City’s website at wentzvillemo.org.

Mayor’s MESSAGE

Nominations for Wentzville’s 2014 Citizen of the Year award are open until Oct. 15. Forms are available

online at www.wentzvillemo.org, at City Hall or by calling (636) 327-5101 to request a copy be mailed. Nominators may include any photos or documents that support the nomination.

To submit a nomination, a person must be:• A resident of the City of Wentzville• A City of Wentzville business owner• An organization within the City of Wentzville• An employee of a business located in the City of Wentzville• A member of the Citizen Recognition Award Committee For a nominee to be eligible, he or she must:• Reside within the city limits of Wentzville at the time the nomination is made• Not be an elected official • Not serve on the Citizen Recognition Award Committee Completed forms and related attachments must be returned no later than

Oct. 15 to Wentzville’s City Clerk, Vitula Skillman, at Wentzville City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385. The Wentzville Board of Aldermen will make the presentation of the award to the winning nominee during a regularly scheduled January 2015 Board meeting.

Growth and Expansion Development at Wentzville Bluffs, a new business development in the southwest corner of the I-70/Highway Z intersection, is moving forward.

First, I’d like to give you a bit of history about this development. The property now known as the Wentzville Bluffs was once dense with trees and had very steep topography. These geographic challenges limited its development potential without substantial modifications. Because of this, incentives ― such as a tax abatement and Community Improvement District ― were put in place to encourage development. This project was significantly impacted by the recession and sat vacant for an extended period of time, with only the Phillips 66 station complete.

Now, thankfully, this once-stalled business development is on the road to completion. In recent months, the project has taken huge strides toward further development. The opening of Hotshots signified a step forward toward growth and expansion. The 6 North Café is currently under construction, with plans to open in September 2014. A movie theater and a 25,900-square-foot fitness center have also been approved.

Public safety is a high priority for the City of Wentzville. We are aware that projects such as the Wentzville Bluffs, while bringing new services and amenities to our residents and the surrounding communities, also bring in more traffic. In the future, to better control the anticipated increase in vehicles in the area, the intersection of Highway Z and Interstate Drive will be outfitted with a traffic signal. This will be constructed as part of the County’s Interstate Drive project, which is currently under construction to the east of Highway Z. Following completion of this new signal early next year, MoDOT has obtained funding to design and build a roundabout to better manage the heavy left-turn movement at the westbound off-ramp from I-70 at Highway Z. The City anticipates that both of these enhancements will be completed in the next two years and will significantly improve traffic operations in this area. These are exciting times in Wentzville! I can’t wait to watch this development as it expands to bring new services and amenities to our residents and the surrounding community.

Mayor Nickolas Guccione

A rendering of the proposed fitness center.

Splash Station Aquatic Centerhas had a very successful opening

year. We’re excited to offer this newstate-of-the-art amenity to our residents,and look forward to seeing the Center

expand in future years.

*These events will be held at City Hall (310 W. Pearce Blvd.). All meetings are subject to change.Please check the Calendar of Events at www.wentzvillemo.org for the most up-to-date information.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1Labor DayCity Offices Closed

2Planning and Zoning Meeting, 6 p.m.*

Pooch Plunge, 7 p.m. Splash Station

3Board of Aldermen 2015 Budget Work Session, 6 p.m.*

4 5H.O.P.P. Night, 7 p.m. Progress Park

6

7Hills of Thrills Soapbox Race, Noon Meyer Road

8Park Board Meeting, 7 p.m.*

9 10Board of Aldermen 6 p.m.*

11Board of Adjustment 6:30 p.m.*

12 13

14 15 16 17 18Dwntwn Econ Dev & Historic Preservation Committee, 6 p.m.*

19 20

21Coffee Talk with Mayor Guccione, 12:30-2 p.m.*

22 Aldermen Town Hall6:30 p.m.*

23 24Board of Aldermen 6 p.m.*

25 26 27Fall Citywide Yard Sale

28 29Large-item pickup runs today through Oct. 3; pickup will take place on your regular collection day

30


1 2 3 4

5 6Park Board Meeting, 7 p.m.*


8Board of Aldermen, 6 p.m.*


10 11

12 13Columbus DayCity Offices Closed

14 15Board of Aldermen 2015 Budget Work Session, 6 p.m.*


17H.O.P.P. Night, 7 p.m. Progress Park

18


20Pickup of Limbs/Shrub Trimmings for residents north of the railroad tracks (see back)

21 22Board of Aldermen, 6 p.m.*

23Stormwater Committee, 6 p.m.*

24 25

26Halloween Happenings, 2 p.m. Progress Park

27Pickup of Limbs/Shrub Trimmings for residents south of the railroad tracks (see back)

Aldermen Town Hall6:30 p.m.*

28 29 30 31Oct

ober

201

4Upcoming EVENTS

HappyFall!

September 2014

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

*These events will be held at City Hall (310 W. Pearce Blvd.). All meetings are subject to change.Please check the Calendar of Events at www.wentzvillemo.org for the most up-to-date information.


1 2 3 4

5 6Park Board Meeting, 7 p.m.*


8Board of Aldermen, 6 p.m.*


10 11

12 13Columbus DayCity Offices Closed

14 15Board of Aldermen 2015 Budget Work Session, 6 p.m.*


17H.O.P.P. Night, 7 p.m. Progress Park

18


20Pickup of Limbs/Shrub Trimmings for residents north of the railroad tracks (see back)

21 22Board of Aldermen, 6 p.m.*

23Stormwater Committee, 6 p.m.*

24 25

26Halloween Happenings, 2 p.m. Progress Park

27Pickup of Limbs/Shrub Trimmings for residents south of the railroad tracks (see back)

Aldermen Town Hall6:30 p.m.*

28 29 30 31

Large-Item Pickup The week of Sept. 29-Oct. 3, the City will offer free

large-item pickup. During that week, residents may place bulky items out for pick up on their regularly scheduled collection day.

This large-item pickup service is free for Wentzville residential customers only. Place items at the curb by 6 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day that week.

Please limit large-item disposal to four items per free pickup. Additional large-item pickups may be scheduled in advance, but there is a fee for this service. To schedule a large-item pickup, please call (636) 639-2049.

Free Pickup of Tree Limbs and Shrub Trimmings

For residents living north of the railroad tracks, the fall collection of tree limbs and shrub trimmings will be the week of Oct. 20-24. For residents living south of the railroad tracks, the free pickup will be the week of Oct. 27-31.

Please have your tree limbs and shrub trimmings stacked at the curb by 6 a.m. on Monday of your scheduled week. Tree limbs must be less than eight inches in diameter and less than four feet long. Tree limbs and shrub trimmings should not be bundled or placed in bags.

Questions? Call Public Works at (636) 639-2049, Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Programs & SERVICES

Volleyball LeaguesEnroll now to participate in a variety of

volleyball leagues offered by Wentzville Parks and Recreation. To learn more, visit http://bitly.com/Wentzville.

Girls’ Volleyball League: This fun but competitive volleyball

league is for girls ages 10-14. Players will be divided into separate leagues based on age. Each team will play a minimum of six matches. Register as a team, or individually, by Sept. 21. Games will be played on Saturdays beginning on Oct. 11.

Co-Rec Volleyball League: This league is for all skill levels. Teams

will play a minimum of seven matches at Progress Park Gym followed by a single elimination playoff. Matches will be played on Sunday afternoons as early as 2 p.m. Games begin Oct. 19.

Women’s Volleyball League: This is a Tuesday-night

league for all skill levels. Each team will play a minimum of seven matches, as well as a single elimination playoff. Games begin Oct. 14.

Tales on the TrailJoin us at Rotary Park to spend some

quality time with your child. This class will combine exercise, family time and reading. We will walk the trail stopping to read the pages of the chosen book stationed along the trail. At the end of the book, each child will get to create their own fall craft to take home. A snack and drink will conclude the class. What: Tales on the TrailWho: Children ages 4-7When: Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.Where: Rotary ParkCost: $5

Don’t Forget!

The week of Sept. 1,

trash collection

will

move forward one

day, due to t

he Labor

Day holiday.

Around TOWN

Board NEWSThe Story of Wentzville “If we do not honor our past, we lose our future. If we destroy our roots, we cannot grow.” Austrian artist and architect, Hundertwasser

Wentzville – named for Erasmus L. Wentz, who was responsible for the construction and building of the city’s railroad line – has deep roots in St. Charles County. In 1795, frontiersman

Daniel Boone, a pioneer and trailblazer from Kentucky, and his family were among the first Americans to settle in the county. They were followed by trappers and settlers from Virginia and Kentucky, who followed Boone to this area. During the 1830s, German craftsmen and farmers began to arrive, and, in turn, fostered the development of the county’s communities.

In the mid 1850s, Wentzville’s primary industry was growing tobacco. The original building of the Wentzville Tobacco Factory Company stood on E. Fourth Street. The tobacco industry declined in the late 1800s and many of the tobacco factories converted to flour mills. A few years later, in March of 1872, Wentzville was incorporated as a fourth-class city. Throughout its early years, Wentzville continually saw slow and steady growth. The dawn of the

superhighway, which entered town from the west and north, set the stage for additional growth.

More than 100 years later, Wentzville was poised for more growth. In 1979, the Wentzville Crossings shopping center was completed. This was the first large shopping center development in the community. And, in 1980, the General Motors Corporation began construction of its largest and most modern auto assembly plant at the time.

The last 20 years, Wentzville has continued to embrace growth – with expanded thoroughfares, new residential and commercial growth, additional parks, as well as major expansions and extensions of public water and sewer infrastructure. In hopes of preserving its home-town feel, the City – while modern and proactive – has continued to hold fast to its roots.

In the spirit of preserving the past, the City is currently in the final stages of creating a History Trail Map, which will include historic sites important to Wentzville’s history. Look for a final copy

of the map coming soon to www.wentzvillemo.org. In the meantime, you can learn more about Wentzville’s past, by watching this video: http://bit.ly/WentzvilleHistory. And, follow the City on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/wentzville) for a flashback to the past each week with “Throwback Thursday” historic photos.

Board of Aldermen: Linda Wright (Ward 3), Robert Hussey (Ward 1), Michael Rhoades (Ward 2), Mayor Nick Guccione, Chris Gard (Ward 2), Cheryl Kross (Ward 1) and Mike Hays (Ward 3).

Watch a video about Wentzville’s past at http://bit.ly/WentzvilleHistory.

The Board on: “The Importance of Wentzville’s History”

Wentzville is rich with interesting history, most of which is forgotten. It is up

to each of us to rediscover and learn more about what has made Wentzville so great for all the years people have

called it home.

“

”Mike HaysAlderman-Ward 3

Going back in history, our founders ― everyday citizens ― shed blood, sweat and tears to protect not just their investment but many other’s investments, making Wentzville what it is today. Preserving history demonstrates appreciation

for our founder’s passion, vision and dedication. [We should] take great pride and appreciation in what our founders were blessed to do, and develop Wentzville into a great place to live, work and play.

Wentzville’s history is a story filled with tales of industrious and interesting characters. It’s a story of tobacco farms, trains, westward expansion, reinvention, and, yes, even slavery. Throughout Wentzville’s rich story, the common thread is a strong sense

of civic pride, and the sense that we were all Wentzvillians, willing to come together in good times and bad. I hope that everyone today who calls himself or herself a Wentzvillian

takes time to explore our town’s history, and to realize that the spirit of civic pride is still alive in Wentzville today.

Cheryl Kross, Alderman-Ward 1

As we experience the amazing growth of our great city, it is important to recognize and appreciate the rich history that Wentzville has to offer.“ ” Michael Rhoades

Alderman-Ward 2

Chris Gard, Alderman-Ward 2

WentzvilleMissouri – USA

The Crossroads Of The Nation

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWentzville, MO

Permit #14310 W. Pearce Blvd.Wentzville, MO 63385

Fall Citywide Yard SaleTurn your trash into treasure by hosting a yard sale at

your home. For $6 you can list your sale in our City yard-sale guide, or get together with three of your neighbors and list all of your sales for $15. Each listed sale will receive an official “City Yard Sale” sign. For only $2, shoppers may purchase booklets beginning Sept. 24 at City Hall, Progress Park or the Utility Service Center drive-thru.

H.O.P.P. NightsHanging Out at Progress Park (H.O.P.P.) is a fun and safe

place for kids to spend some time with friends. Dance the night away listening to some of your favorite songs under the supervision of Wentzville’s recreation staff, volunteers and police officers. Pay $5 at the door and bring money for refreshments. Kids must stay the entire time, unless signed out by an adult. Please leave backpacks and hats at home.

Upcoming H.O.P.P. events for 6th-8th graders: Sept. 5, Oct. 17 and Dec. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m.

8th Annual Hill of Thrills Soapbox Race

The Hill of Thrills Soapbox Race is a community event, which features cars donated by businesses and organizations. Racers are randomly placed in the cars. This race isn’t fueled by gas or electronics ― it’s just simple gravity as the racers compete against the clock. Racers must be between 4 and 5 feet tall, weigh between 55 and 120 pounds, and fit comfortably in the car (height and weight restrictions are due to the construction of the car). A maximum of 200 racers are accepted, so register early! The child must be present at the time of registration, no mail-in registrations accepted.

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 7; Races begin at noon (rain date is Sunday, Sept.14)

• Location: Meyer Road (in front of Progress Park)

• Fee: Early Bird - $5 resident; $8 nonresident (before Sunday, Aug.24)Regular Registration - $10 resident; $13 nonresident

Documents

The Vision - City of Wentzville - Sept/Oct 2014