St. Louis County has announced the Fall 2009 household chemical collection events. Click on the following link to find out collection dates. [Additional info...]

Welcome to our New Website!

The Des Peres website has been redesigned and updated to give it a fresher look, provide more interactivity and to improve on its navigation. We hope it meets your needs and welcome any suggestions for improvement.

The Board of Aldermen and I recognize that people obtain their information and news from varying sources and as a result we try to use multiple methods of communicating, In addition to this website, the city utilizes press releases to the local media to try to get information into local paper, are continuing publication and mailing of a City newsletter; and have recently ventured into use of “Social Media” (Facebook and Twitter) relating particularly to Lodge activities.

The website is probably the best location to obtain up-to-date information especially on meeting agendas and dates. If you want regular notices e-mailed to you automatically about Board meetings or the meeting of any particular board or commission, please use our Notify Me module on the website. We also post signs on properties which have filed petitions for development or redevelopment and encourage you to visit the Zoning Matters segment of the website for information on the plan and up-to-date notices on meetings etc…

One of our primary goals is communication with the community in a timely and accurate manner. We use multiple tools in that effort and are open to any suggestions on how to better meet that goal. Contact me at rlahr@desperesmo.org or our webmaster jgillie@desperesmo.org with any suggestions or comments.

Rick Lahr, Mayor

Frequently Asked Questions
Proposition E-911
November 3, 2009 Ballot

What is Proposition E-911?

This Proposition authorizes a one-tenth of one percent sales tax to fund a county-wide emergency communication system which will include the following:

• Providing up to date 911 technology so that individuals placing emergency calls from cell phones can be located quickly and reliably.

• Improve the Emergency Siren System to replace antiquated equipment and expand coverage county-wide for early weather warning

• Replace Outdated Radio Systems for all police, fire and ambulance providers including county, city and fire district systems to comply with a federal homeland security mandate to upgrade emergency radio systems by 2012

• Improve Public Safety Communications to all police, fire and EMS personnel to communicate with each other to more safely, more efficiently and more effectively respond to emergency situations.

What is my Cost for Proposition E-911?

Passage of proposition E-911 will increase the county sales tax by 1/10th of a percent which essentially adds a dime to every $100 purchase.
Sample Ballot
November 3, 2009
(Simple Majority Required)

Proposition E-911

Shall St. Louis County establish an emergency communications system fund to establish, maintain and operate an emergency communications system and for which St. Louis County shall levy a sales tax of one-tenth of one percent, to be paid into the fund for that purpose?

( )Yes ( )No

How will funds from Proposition E-911 be spent?

It is estimated that the one-tenth cent sales tax will generate $16.0 million annually of which $12.0 million will be spent to retire up to $100 million in bonds issued to construct the system and $4.0 annually for maintenance and operations.

The initial capital cost of constructing a county-wide system is projected at $100 million dollars which will be spent in four major areas:

• $50 million for construction of the infrastructure (towers, microwaves, fiber cable, buildings)

• $30 million to purchase new dispatch equipment and radios for police, fire and EMS agencies

• $10 million to upgrade 911 to deal with cell phone technology

• $10 million to replace the existing early warning siren system

What’s wrong with the Current Emergency Communications Systems?

Over 75% of E-9lll calls received in dispatch centers are generated from cell Phones. Current technology does not allow dispatch to quickly or reliably identify the location of those calls. New 911 technology in use in other parts of the country will resolve this problem.

The current system does not provide police, fire and EMS personnel with the communication tools they need to communicate with central dispatch, each other or with personnel from other departments with whom they work on a daily basis in emergencies small and large. Current systems are not compatible (Des Peres officers cannot talk directly with Kirkwood Police or with other adjoining police & fire agencies). The new 800MHz system will resolve compatibility problems.

Current systems are based on World War II technology and need to be replaced due to age and the lack of availability of parts for maintenance. Current systems do not have the power or capability to penetrate many commercial or institutional buildings nor have sufficient range to allow officers to communicate with the dispatch center when they work in areas outside our city limits.
How will this impact Des Peres Public Safety?

Creation of a countywide radio system does not replace local dispatching. Your 911 calls will still be handled by Des Peres Public Safety.

Passage of Proposition E-911 will allow the department to replace antiquated radio systems which are based on World War II technology and all car and mobile radios with state-of-the-art equipment that complies with federal mandates for upgrades of emergency communications systems by 2012.

Why doesn’t each city and fire district take care of it’s own emergency radio needs?

Current estimates project a cost savings of 20% if the 66 police departments, 43 fire agencies and 25 dispatch centers in the county work together.

Separately, we can replace old equipment and meet technical FCC mandates. However, acting separately does not ensure that police and fire departments will be able to talk with each other during a normal day or especially in major emergencies where working together is critical to success.

Working separately does not resolve issues of E-911 cell service or the emergency early warning siren systems.

This information is for educational purposes only. Residents are encouraged to cast an educated ballot on Proposition E-911 on November 3, 2009.
Have other jurisdictions implementing integrated communications systems?

There are numerous examples nationwide where regional communication systems have been developed and are in operation including Minneapolis, Washington DC. Omaha and in Springfield and Kansas City in Missouri.

St. Louis County is behind the curve in the metro area with St Louis City are already under construction and Jefferson County with funding in place to proceed. St. Charles County is now moving forward. The state is in process of designing and constructing a state-wide system for the Highway Patrol that will also tie into the local system. St. Louis County is among the last areas to move forward to solve these issues.

Why is Proposition E-911 on the Ballot Now?

It is estimate that it will take 3 years to design and construct a county-wide system which requires that we must start now.

Police and Fire agencies are facing a 2012 mandate from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to narrowband existing radio systems with an even more restrictive federal enhancement mandate expected after 2015.

We are past due in upgrading our radio systems to give our police and fire-ems personnel the tools to safely and effectively do their jobs to protect us. When they cannot talk to each other, lives are at risk.

What will happen if Proposition E-911 fails?

Failure of this proposition will not excuse any police, fire and EMS agency from complying with FCC mandates by 2012. In Des Peres, this will require that we find $500,000 to $600,000 from local taxes to fund mandated communication system upgrades – money taken from other city services or projects.

Equally important, we will have lost an opportunity for all emergency agencies to work together to create an integrated radio system that works and saves money.

Finally, the Emergency Communications Commission will likely lose the frequencies that have been recently secured for St Louis County in the 800 MHz range from the FCC. Departments who do not narrowband will lose licenses for their current frequencies and face daily fines for non-compliance.

How do I get more information?

Contact Chief Keith Krumm at the Des Peres Department of Public Safety, (835-6200), Douglas Harms at the Des Peres City Hall (835-6100), Mayor Rick Lahr or any of your other elected officials. They will be happy to speak to you individually or to meet with trustees, neighborhood groups
or civic organizations to answer questions.

For more information go to:

www.desperesmo.org
www.citizensfore911.org
www.PropE911.com
[Additional info...]

The next census will be conducted in 2010. Click on the following link to learn more about the 2010 census. [Additional info...]

For months, a rumor has been floating around the community about Dierberg’s. As a rule, the city does not comment or speculate on rumors. However, Dierberg’s has now approached the city and confirmed that it does intend to open a new store in the City. In an effort to keep the community advised, we will continue to provide information on our webpage as plans are filed and the review process moves forward.

Representatives of Dierberg's met with city staff recently and indicated that they have an option to purchase all of the land along Manchester bounded byTallie on the east, Manhattan on the south and Lindeman on the west. It is their intention to pursue approvals to demolish all existing structures on the land and to construct a 75,000 sq ft Dierberg’s store. They have expressed their intention to file the required zoning applications required under the City Code in late September including a Lot Consolidation Plat under chapter 400, a Master Development plan under Section 405.090(j); a CUP for operation of a 24 hour grocery store under Section 405.130(A)(1) and a permit to construct parking in an adjoining residentially zoned area under Section 405.180(F)(3) of the zoning Code. The initial presentation of this plan is expected to be made to the Planning & Zoning Commission at their October 14th meeting (7:00 P.M at City Hall) .Following the normal review process utilized by the city, we would not expect those applications to reach a vote until some time next year.

The City of Des Peres has a process for considering development petitions that is designed to be fair to all parties including the community and developer. That process has served the community well over the years.
Our process is a very public one and includes a review by the Planning & Zoning Commission which also includes using a committee to do a detailed review. After Planning & Zoning has completed their review and made recommendation, a Public Hearing is held by the Board of Aldermen before a final vote is taken. That process is followed whether the end result is a vote to approve or a vote to deny the project.

All meetings of the Planning & Zoning Commission and its committee and the Board of Aldermen are open to the public. Notices of meetings will be posted in advance of the meeting date on both the city bulletin board and on the city website. When the petition is formally received, a ZONING MATTERS sign will be posted on the property and details of the plan posted in the ZONING MATTERS portion of the city website. Interested parties can visit the website at any time to check for updates.

Rick Lahr, Mayor

Updated 8-24-09