March 2008 Meeting Minutes

The following are the meeting minutes from March.

GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth
March 5, 2008 Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions and roll call
   Eight people present for meeting
   Two new members
   Obtain contact information from all present
   New contact info added to file.
2. Discuss future goals
   Review and critique the Comprehensive Plan proposal for Glen Carbon
   Comprehensive Plan was passed unanimously by the Village Board (Moggio was absent for vote). The plan is worded vaguely; maps are not explained with verbage, only legends; little or no citizen input was taken into consideration.
   Very disappointing
   Will request that new administration revise the 2007 CP upon taking office; include intense citizen survey.
   Research the Edwardsville Comprehensive Planning Process
   Date(s), process, citizen involvement
   Anyone with information on the E-ville or any other communities CP, please email the information to GlenEdCitizens@gmail.com
   Begin planning for the Glen Carbon 2009 elections, up for re-election are:
   Mayor
   Clerk
   Trustees, three
   4-yr terms
   Volunteers and recommended nominees
   Several names were discussed; our members will approach these individuals to discuss the possibility. Names will not be circulated outside of meetings at this time.
   Campaign manager
   Anyone with experience and/or an interest in this activity, please let us know and join us for the next meeting.
   Other community election cycles not discussed
   Edwardsville
   Troy? Maryville? Pontoon Beach?
   Other citizen positions available
   Resident’s Advisory Board in Glen Carbon, 3rd Wednesday
   Five areas, each with one representative
   Terms end April 30, 2008
   Applications still not available from Mayor’s office. We encourage all members and concerned citizens to apply for these positions so we can have more access to the Mayor.
   We will email everyone when the applications are available.
   Commitment is one meeting a month
   Disaster Preparedness
   We would like to see members of our group get involved with this activity. Jenny Hinckle is the head of the Resident’s Advisory Board and will be working with Chief Bradford to create a series of disaster preparedness seminars to present in the GC/E area. Please contact Ms. Hinckle directly if interested, her phone is 288-4312.
   Fundraising
   Monetary needs
   Business cards announcing meeting dates, times, web info
   This is needed immediately. Are members willing to donate $1 to $3 per person to help print these?
   Money for ads in papers regarding our actions
   Campaign funds
   Monetary goal
   We will determine a goal after discussing our future action in GC with an attorney; attorneys fees will be our biggest expense at this time.
   Fundraising ideas
   Please share any ideas you have. Some thoughts are T-shirt sales, benefit concert, chicken and beer dinner…
   Need a dedicated webmaster
   Still need this position filled. If you are interested or know of someone who would be appropriate, please contact us (email)
   Google website or blogspot.com
   No programming needed
   Update info periodically
   Keep track of emails and subscriber list.
3. Other actions or issues to consider
   Lou Juan Hills
   Brought to our attention was a situation in Lou Juan Hills. Many properties have been increasingly affected by storm runoff eroding land. The result is a former creek now nicknamed the Glen Carbon River, massive erosion, death of vegetation and trees.
   The issue was addressed at the P&Z meeting in November 2007. The presenter was ridiculed by Terry Bruckert and blown off by Will Shashak and the P&Z commission. Joe Hagerty insisted that the Comp Plan would not affect private property, as they would never approve a plan with less than adequate run-off protection. Joe didn’t seem to see the irony that obviously a great deal of building had been done in just such a manner.
   Cottonwood
   Two residents of the Cottonwood Village V area informed us of a reprehensible situation that is being ignored, if not exacerbated, by Village of Glen Carbon officials. While last on the agenda, this was our most discussed issue and is likely to be our next action.
   This section of Cottonwood contains 38 homes. The Village claims that although the area is annexed to Glen Carbon, the Village is not responsible for street maintenance.
   As such, the streets are not paved regularly, are not swept, are not plowed except for one section of the main road, potholes are not repaired.
   These residents pay the same tax rate as any citizen of Glen Carbon, yet are expected to pay for their own street maintenance.
   We created a list of action items to accomplish. After we have gathered enough facts to address the issue properly, the GlenEd Citizens will be taking this issue to the Village Board, Mayor and other appropriate officials.
   Regarding the new car wash on 159 in Maryville. A rather significant number of trees were cut down and green space decreased in order to build the car wash. The developer, Osbourne, has a history of lack of concern for aesthetics, environment and community. It is recommended that we not support this business.