Hotel Tax Abatement, a Health Committee and More on St. Peters Board's November Meeting Agenda

A potential new committee, a proposed tax abatement and a discussion of proposed one-way roads are just a few of the items awaiting discussion at Thursday's St. Board of Aldermen meeting. 

The meaty agenda is not surprising for November's lone meeting—this month is just one four in which the board eschews its regular twice-monthly meeting schedule in favor of a one-meeting approach. The board figures to be at its busiest during the 5 p.m. work session. 

On the work session agenda, the board will be figuring out if a new committee is needed. Changing of the committees has been a topic for much of the year with the St. Peters green committee getting a new name and talks about the dissolution of the youth committee popping up frequently.

This time, Ward 1 Alderman Dave Thomas and Ward 3 Alderwoman Terri Violet have combined to propose a Community Health and Wellness Committee. The goal of the proposed committee is to get people healthier in order to get health care costs down—along with living a healthier life. 

Also on the work session agenda, perspective buyers of the Garden Plaza Hotel (the former Holiday Inn located at 4341 Veterans Memorial Parkway) will return to St. Peters to discuss a Chapter 535 tax abatement. A group, Upper End Properties, has plans to buy the hotel and renovate it, if they can get a tax abatement. The plan calls for an abatement for 25 years. According to the Suburban Journals, the plan would be 100 percent the first 10 years and 50 percent for the remaining 15 years.

Upper End Properties was at the last meeting and the board seemed supportive of the proposal. Currently the hotel is very underused and new ownership could increase tax revenue to the city. 

Also on the agenda, the proposed one-way roads will once again be discussed. The Mayor and Aldermen are still seeking feedback on the proposed change. 

Following the work session at 7 p.m. the board will conduct its regular meeting. Among the items up for vote are:

• Authorizing and directing the issuance, sale and delivery of $4,000,000 principal amount of general obligation bonds.
• The board will be approving easements for the Mexico Road/Salt Lick Road Intersection Improvement Project.
• The board will vote on amended compensation for members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

The work session begins at 5 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the St. Peters Justice Center. Board of Aldermen meetings and work sessions are broadcast on Charter Cable channel 992 and U-Verse channel 99. Replays of the meetings are played periodically throughout the month. Board of Aldermen meetings are also available online to view live or on demand.