CREATING COMMUNITY: PEOPLE PARKS AND PROGRAMS

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MARCH 2020 Volume XXII, Issue I CREATING COMMUNITY: PEOPLE PARKS AND PROGRAMS Olivette residents will be asked to decide on a proposition for Park and Community Center Improvements on April 7, 2020. See page 4 for more details.

Transcript of CREATING COMMUNITY: PEOPLE PARKS AND PROGRAMS

Page 1: CREATING COMMUNITY: PEOPLE PARKS AND PROGRAMS

MARCH 2020 Volume XXII, Issue I

CREATING COMMUNITY:

PEOPLE PARKS AND

PROGRAMS Olivette residents will be asked to decide on a proposition for

Park and Community Center Improvements on April 7, 2020.

See page 4 for more details.

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www.OlivetteMO.com » Follow us on FaceBook @ City of Olivette, MO » March 2020 2

MISSY WALDMAN

Mayor Missy Waldman

Serving the Community City Council Contact Information:

Missy Waldman, Mayor

314-983-5292

[email protected]

Ruth Springer, Chairman Pro-Tem

314-983-5294

[email protected]

J. Gregory Carl, Council Member

314-983-5293

[email protected]

Sidney Clark, Council Member

314-994-2424

[email protected]

Maxine Weil, Council Member

314-983-5290

[email protected]

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Meet the Council Candidates General Municipal Election - April 7, 2020

Maxine Weil

Name: Maxine Weil

Length of residence: Proud to live in Olivette for over 50 years

Occupation: Educator

Prior Experience: I am currently serving my second term as a Council Member for the City of Olivette. During this term, I proudly served as Mayor. In this position, I gained even more insight into the daily business of Olivette and the incredible variety of new and ongoing endeavors in the city.

Platform Statement:

It is an honor to work together with our residents, police, firefighters, and city employees as we move forward together making exciting plans for the future of

Olivette. I am committed to ensuring continued economic development as we begin an array of projects on the Olive Corridor and welcome many new

businesses to our city.

As the liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, I am so pleased with all the changes implemented in recent years, such as expanded programming,

camp opportunities, prairie burns, Weed Warriors and the continuation of Olivette in Bloom. I am excited to see aspects of the Parks Master Plan come to

fruition in the near future. This Spring, we will kick-off the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Olivette. I look forward to the opportunity to continue working

for the betterment of our community as we move into this next decade. On April 7th, I would appreciate your vote as it would be my privilege to continue

representing the citizens of Olivette.

Platform Statement:

Three years ago, my platform statement highlighted Olivette’s positive momentum and as a councilperson, I will continue that momentum. In the December Olivette Life, Olivette’s Planning Director noted four developments nearing construction: Gateway Center (Olive & I-170), City Center (old City Hall, Time Keepers, Jade Garden), EZ Storage (Hardee’s site), Planthaven Farms retail center (old Ponderosa), and there are several others in the pipeline. The City has increased its economic development momentum which brings new amenities to residents, improved streetscape to Olive and additional revenue to the City. I will continue to emphasize economic development in the City. The additional revenue assists in funding the City’s ongoing services and new initiatives while reducing the need to generate revenue by increasing taxes. A few of the newly funded and ongoing initiatives are: Dielman improvements phases 1 & 2, Parks Master Plan, Olivette’s section of the Centennial Greenway, City services (police, EMS, staff) support for Turkey Trot, and Wayfinding

(consistent City-wide signage). To find out about these initiatives visit the City’s website.

I ask for your vote to continue our momentum!

J. Gregory (Greg) Carl

Name: J Gregory (Greg) Carl

Length of residence: 30 years

Occupation: Retired in 2007 after 27 years as a computer consultant with Hewlett‐Packard

Prior Experience: 6 years on City Council; 5 years on Planning and Community Design Commission (PCDC)

The City of Olivette, Missouri, will hold an election on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, for two (2) City Council Member position, to serve for a three-year term. Qualifications and

platform statements have been supplied by the candidates.

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www.OlivetteMO.com » Follow us on FaceBook @ City of Olivette, MO » March 2020 4

Parks and Community Center

Bond Proposition

On April 7, the citizens of Olivette

will decide on a proposition to fund

Park improvements and a new

Community Center. Proposition C

marks the culmination of three years

of data collection, public outreach,

and financial analysis.

The Lawrence Group

In June of 2017, the

City kicked-off a Parks

Master/Vision Plan.

Led by the Lawrence

Group, the Olivette Parks Master/

Vision Plan utilized public meetings

and on-line surveys to hear from

residents regarding what

improvements they would like to see

in the City’s five parks. Residents

showed strong support for park

improvements, including fields, play

structures, and water play areas.

The Olivette Parks Master/Vision

Plan was approved by the Park and

Recreation Commission and

accepted by the City Council in July

2018.

Proposed improvements were

identified as short-term and

long-term visions to assist with

implementation and planning.

Improvements proposed under

Proposition C include those items

listed as short and long-term.

Navigate Building Solutions

In January of 2019, the

City Council hired

Navigate Building

Solutions to continue the

momentum of the plan. The first

step was to plan for the Community

Center (formerly Grandview School

purchased by the City in 1976).

Ballard*King was hired to assist

with the feasibility study. Like the

process used for the Master/Vision

Plan, Ballard*King held public

meetings, focus groups, and

surveys. Residents showed strong

support for a new Community

Center with amenities including a

fitness area, full gym, esports, and

multipurpose rooms.

KAI

Following the two studies,

the City hired KAI to begin

conceptual engineering

and project costs for the park

improvements and new Community

Center. The total cost for

improvements in all five City Parks

and a new Community Center is

$16.2 million. The City currently has

a unique opportunity to fund the

project with minimal impact to the

property tax. For the owner of a

home valued at $250,000 the

$16.2M improvements would cost

less than $6/month.

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Wednesday, March 18th 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 28th 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 31 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 5th 3:00 p.m.

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More information, including links to

the two studies, can be found at

www.olivettemo.com/PropC.

Public Meetings

Find out more about Prop C:

Creating Community at one of the

four upcoming public information

meetings at the Olivette Community

Center.

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Barbara Sondag, City Manager

[email protected]

David Wolf, Chief of Police

[email protected]

Steve Carman, Fire Chief

[email protected]

Denise Mandle, Human Resources Mgr.

[email protected]

Carlos Trejo, Planning/Comm Dev Dir.

[email protected]

Bruce McGregor, Public Works Dir.

[email protected]

Beverly Tucker Knight, Parks/Rec Dir.

[email protected]

Darren Mann, Finance Director

[email protected]

Kiana Fleming, Communications Mgr.

[email protected]

Sarah Runser, Court Administrator

[email protected]

Paul E. Martin, City Attorney

Mike Ferguson, City Treasurer

John Frisella, Municipal Judge

Krista Peyton, Provisional Judge

Ross Davis, Prosecuting Attorney

City Center: 314-993-0444

Community Center: 314-991-1249

Serving the Community City Administration Contacts:

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FREE SUMMER CONCERTS Join the City of Olivette as we welcome back summer concerts in

Stacy Park!

SATURDAY JUNE 6TH | 4:00-9:00 p.m.

The Tumbleweed Union & The Deadbeats

Final Veil & Kelly’s Heroes

THURSDAY JULY 23 | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Aqua-Holics Band Classic Rock

THURSDAY AUG 20TH | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fanfare featuring Kittie Moller

The June 6th concert will have food & drinks available for purchase.

Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs & coolers!

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Science Center. This link is part of

the 39-North innovation district

plan.

9398 OLIVE BOULEVARD (OLIVETTE 66 –FIRESTONE)

The redevelopment of Olivette 66

Service station at the southeast

corner of Dielman and Olive is still

under review. A 6,200 square foot

service station is proposed to

replace the existing. The new

building and site improvements will

reflect the City’s 2006 Strategic

Plan vision: the building built along

the street, a wider pedestrian

streetscape, and new corner

improvements.

GATEWAY CENTER

Demolition and preliminary grading

permits have been issued. Site

clearing should begin in March.

The developer will initiate building

removal along Olive Boulevard,

followed by the homes along

Locust Lane. Tree clearing will be

conducted simultaneously.

July August September October

City Council

Planning & Community Development Developments

CENTENNIAL GREENWAY AND 39-NORTH CONNECTIONS

The Great Rivers Greenway (GRG)

is completing engineering work for

the extension of the Centennial

Greenway. The Greenway will

extend from the Olive/I-170

interchange through the Olivette

Gateway, north along North Price

Road to Dielman Road, extend

along Indian Meadows Park onto

Warson Park and connect to the

north end of the 39-North innovation

district.

The GRG has also approved a new

greenway extension from Stacy Park

to the Donald Danforth Plant

2020 Census: Counting Everyone in Olivette 90 Years and Counting

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. By

mid-March, homes across the county will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. You can

respond by one of three ways: online, phone, or mail. Census counts are not only important to Olivette, but also

to the Ladue School District, St. Louis County, the state of Missouri, and various organizations.

CITY CENTER REDEVELOPMENT AREA (FORMER CITY HALL SITE & 9495 AND 9499 OLIVE BLVD)

In January, Ridgehouse Capital

completed the purchase of the

former Time Keepers retail building.

In February, the developer closed

on the vacant restaurant and

former City Hall. Demolition is

anticipated to commence by

mid-spring or early summer.

9514 OLIVE BLVD (FORMER PONDEROSA SITE)

The Planning Commission

approved development plans for a

15,000 square foot, 1.5 story

commercial building. The primary

tenant will be Planthaven Gardens,

who annually operate a summer

garden center at Olivette Lanes.

Deer Creek Watershed Alliance

Deer Creek Watershed Alliance

has facilitated community-wide

1930s

Incorporated as a village in May 1930, Olivette consisted of 1.5 square miles with a population slightly less than 500.

Given the size of the newly formed village and considering the 1930 Census began in March, it is difficult to extract exact demographic data. In review of early ordinance history, the first officially installed water hydrant took place in 1937 and the village’s first plan commission was established in 1939.

1940s

The first full Census was in 1940. With the land area and boundaries remaining much the same, the City doubled in population to 987. Yet, given the size of the community, additional demographic data, such as number of homes, ethnicity and gender, were not provided. Olivette’s first zoning ordinance was adopted in February 1941.

1950s

In the 1950, with roughly the same geographical area, the population exceeded 1,000, recorded as 1,761. For the first time, Olivette was large enough to have detailed demographic information. Analyzing the data, there were 557 housing units, with nearly 81% being owner occupied. Of the 557-housing units, only 5-units, less than 1%, were occupied by non-white owners. 27 homes had no running water.

The village had its first formal agreement to provide fire services in Elmwood Park in 1951, granted the St. Louis County Water Company, now Missouri-American Water, the rights to provide water services in 1952. In 1957, the village voted to become a Third-Class City and annexed several areas to become today’s 2.78 square miles. 1960s

Elmwood Park. During the late 50s and early 60s, Olivette annexed portions of a subdivision know as Elmwood Park, a 46-acre subdivision platted in 1893 and a majority African American neighborhood. Olivette areas included 18 acres of Elmwood Park, the area mostly west of Dielman Road and north of present-day Indian Meadows Park. In Olivette, there were 94-parcels and 26 identified households. The City and St. Louis County entered in an agreement to establish a Land Clearance Authority to redevelop the whole 46-acre area. All remaining property owners were relocated. Today, much of the redevelopment consist of industrial property, public housing, and owner-occupied housing.

In 1960, The population count was 8,257, with 2,391 housing units. The number of homes without running water reduced to 20. In 1964, the City adopted its first agreement with the City of St. Louis for the use of Stacy Park.

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November

City Council &

Building Codes

The Building division will submit a

recommendation to adopt the 2018

International Code Council (ICC)

building codes this summer. The ICC

is an organization dedicated to

building safety and fire prevention.

The building codes are used to

construct residential and commercial

buildings, including homes and

schools.

Olivette currently uses the 2015 ICC

Codes, adopted in June 2016. The

ICC issues new codes every 3

years, and communities are

encouraged to utilize building codes

that are within 5 years of publication.

For residential properties, changes

include the increase in efficiency for

installed lighting fixtures, windows

and waivers for an emergency

ingress and egress if the basement

is equipped with an automatic fire

sprinkler system.

For commercial properties, changes

include the calculation for occupancy

loads, allowing for an increased

capacity. Ventilation standards for

enclosed garages have changed,

and standpipes, which provide water

supply for fire hose connections in

multi-story businesses, will now be

mandatory. Previous codes provide

an exemption based on vehicle

equipment local fire departments

owned.

efforts to protect and improve water

quality through plant-based

solutions since 2008. The primary

goal of retaining stormwater on the

site must include a plant-based

solution. The Deer Creek

Watershed Alliance assists with

solutions to your stormwater

drainage issues through its

rainscaping cost-share program.

The City of Olivette primarily falls

within two watersheds, the River

Des Peres and the Deer Creek

Watershed. Properties primarily

south of Old Bonhomme fall within

the Deer Creek Watershed. The

City of Olivette will continue to find

and promote funds for all Olivette

properties.

CONDITIONS: Deer Creeks

Rainscaping Cost-Share Program

will accept applications until May 1,

2020. Project implementation

timeline is Fall 2020 or Spring

2021. Only projects to be installed

after the award deadline will be

considered. All reimbursable costs

must be completed by firms on the

approved Deer Creek contractor list.

There are program requirements

which note eligible plants and

minimum size requirements. The

Deer Creek Watershed Alliance and

the Missouri Botanical Garden

websites contain a wealth of

stormwater management resources

and events. Visit Deer Creek

Watershed Alliance for additional

stormwater management and

rainscaping solutions at

deercreekalliance.org/ cost-share.

In 1965, The City of Olivette appointed its first

Parks commissioners. In 1967, the residents

of Olivette approved $100,000 in park bonds.

1970s

The peak population was in the 1970 Census with a total population count was 9,341. At this time, Olivette had 2,833 housing units, with nearly 84% owner occupied. Nonwhite owners accounted for 34 homes (1.2%) and 3-rentals. The number of housing units without running water reduced to 3.

2010s

By the 2010 decennial census, Olivette was part of a handful of St. Louis County municipalities that increased in popula-tion, totaling 7,737 in 3,275 housing units. The City had significantly diversified from its earlier years, with a popula-tion consisting of 60.9% White, 23.9 Black or African Ameri-can, 10.7 Asian, and 2% consisting of American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, or other.

Today, the estimated population for Olivette is 7,830, and Olivette is deemed as the county’s most diverse community. According to website Areavibes, which provides livability data for real estate purposes, Olivette is the 4,778th largest city in the United States. 52% of Olivette residents are born in Missouri, 26% are born out of state, 1% are born outside of the United States and 20% are foreign born (the highest concentration of foreign-born residents in the St. Louis Region according to St. Louis Mosaic Project). Olivette also ranks as the 16th most livable City in Missouri and 306th in the nation, listed as 98% better than all other areas within the site.

2020

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Battle of the Badges

The Olivette Fire Department has

issued a challenge to the Olivette

Police Department to see who can

recruit the most eligible blood

donors during Olivette’s first ever

American Red Cross Battle of the

Badges blood drive competition!

RESPOND TO THE CALL.

GIVE BLOOD.

Tuesday April 7, 2020

2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Olivette City Center

Need to dispose of prescription

drugs, unwanted firearms or

ammunition? The Olivette Police

Department aims to address

crucial public safety and public

health issues in our community.

April 25th, 2020

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Olivette City Center

To learn more about the DEA

National Take Back Day visit

takebackday.dea.gov/.

Drug & Gun Take Back Day

New Assignments in the Olivette Police Department The Olivette Police Department has assigned three patrol officers to

new positions within the Department. These new roles will allow officers to

use their various skill sets and desire to seek innovative and proactive ways

to carry out the Department’s mission and vision statements, positively

influence and serve the community as leaders amongst regional partners.

Bureau of Investigations

Officer Jeff Cummins has been assigned to the Bureau of Investigations where

he will be a Detective reporting to the Bureau Detective Sergeant.

Community Engagement Officer

Officer Dane Lincoln is the new Community Engagement Officer. His duties will

include: representing the Department and instruction of the Citizen’s Police

Academy, coordinating community outreach (i.e. Olivette Night Out,

Neighborhood Watch, Coffee with a Cop), coordinating with the City’s

Communications Manager, Kiana Fleming, and assisting with Department

recruiting efforts among other duties.

Traffic

Officer Dan McBride will serve as the Traffic Officer. His duties will include

directed traffic enforcement, crash investigation and reporting, DWI enforcement,

traffic equipment maintenance, as well as, additional related duties.

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Officer of the Year– Sergeant Garrett Wood

Each year, the Creve Coeur – Olivette Chamber of Commerce holds a

gala event where first responders from Creve Coeur, Olivette and St. Louis

County are honored as Officer/Firefighter of the Year. Olivette Police

Department’s Sergeant Garrett Wood was selected by his fellow officers as

this year’s recipient!

During the nomination process for the Officer of the Year award, Sgt.

Wood’s colleagues had wonderful things to say about him.

“Sgt. Wood shows great leadership by example.”

“Sgt. Wood shows self-motivation, a tenacious work ethic,

unquestionable integrity and is a consummate professional.”

“Sgt. Wood put himself in harm’s way to evacuate a resident

during a fire, causing himself to be in need of medical

attention.”

Sgt. Wood started his career with the City of Olivette in 2008, joining us

from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. Since then, Sgt. Wood has

become an asset to Olivette and the Police Department.

In September of 2019, Sgt. Wood received the Olivette Police Department’s

Award of Excellence for his expedite actions during a house fire. During

that incident, Sgt. Wood displayed great courage, putting in his own life in

peril to save a life.

This past winter season, Sgt. Wood collaborated with the St. Louis County

Pet Adoption Center on an initiative called Cops for Pets. The initiative

provided pet supplies for the center and their affiliated organizations.

The City of Olivette and Police Chief David Wolf are proud to have Sgt.

Wood on the team!

On January 14th, the Olivette Police Department dropped off the pet supplies collected during the Cops for Pets

Initiative to the Saint Louis County Pet Adoption Center, located at 10521 Baur Blvd in Olivette. Approximately $200

worth of supplies were donated including dog food, dog treats, leashes, collars, and life-enrichment toys! Donations

were accepted during the winter months of December 2019 and January 2020. This is the first initiative of its kind

created by Olivette Sergeant Garrett Wood. Sergeant Wood looks forward to this being an annual event!

The Saint Louis Pet Adoption Center is always accepting donations. Drop off new pet supplies anytime at their location.

If your donation cannot be used by the Center, it will be provided to a partner organization.

The Olivette Police Department extends a huge thank you to the Olivette community for their donations and efforts

towards this great cause. To learn more about the Saint Louis Pet Adoption Center, visit the Animal & Care Control

section on the St. Louis County website at stlouisco.com.

Cops For Pets

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The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science

and Technology) Robotics program encourages students to

work collaboratively to solve robotics challenges. The 2019

mission, City Shaper, is a twofold robotics competition and

problem-solving challenge. The brilliant LNKT FLL Robotics

team won 1st place for best robot engineered design at the

FIRST Robotics competition. Congratulations to team

members Naomi Moore, Terrell Collins, Katie Myckatyn, and

Lilah Faron of the LNKT FLL Robotics Team!

The problem-solving component challenged teams to

develop a solution to a city problem they identified. The LNKT

FLL Robotics Team met with Police Chief David Wolf and

City Planner/GIS Coordinator Jonathan Roper to discuss

city issues. The team presented to the Olivette City Council

on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, solutions to improve electric

scooter safety in the City of Olivette. In utilizing the City of

Olivette Walk/Bike map, the team identified desired routes to

incorporate a scooter/pedestrian/bicycle network around

Olivette.

Celebrate 90 Years With Olivette

Local Robotics Team Wins Big

Party in the Park

Friday May 15, 2020

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Stacy Park

A family-friendly event the entire

family can enjoy with live music from

Vote for Pedro, inflatables, food and

drink trucks, face paintings, balloon

artists, and OMG Josh

Open House

Saturday August 29th, 2020

2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Olivette City Center

Come mix and mingle with

your Olivette neighbors and

City Staff as we add a new

photograph to our history wall.

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Olivette will celebrate its 90th Anniversary with three signature events in 2020. We hope you

will join us for this momentous occasion. For more information on the 90th celebration, visit

olivettemo.com/celebrate90.

An Affair to Remember Dinner & Dance

Saturday April 18, 2020

6:00 p.m. Tours & Cocktails

7:00 p.m. Dinner Dance

Danforth Plant Science Center

Cocktail Attire

To purchase tickets and to register for

a tour of the Danforth Center, visit:

olivettemo.com/celebrate90

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Join Olivette for a non-competitive

1K and 3K Run or Walk with your

favorite four-legged friend!

$6 for your first dog, $3 for each

additional dog! Register your pups

for a chance to win a 3-month Bark

Box Subscription!

Visit olivetteparksandrec.com

Sunday, April 26th

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Stacy Park

www.OlivetteMO.com » Follow us on Twitter @CityofOlivette » March 2020 11

Olivette in Bloom Volunteer an hour or two to beautify Olivette with Olivette In Bloom

(OIB) one Saturday in the month! Olivette in Bloom will have a kick-off

breakfast at the Olivette Community Center on April 4, 2020 at 8:30

a.m. The breakfast will be followed by garden clean-ups at Stacy Park

(8:00 a.m.), Veteran's Garden (9:00 a.m.), and the Community Center

(9:00 a.m.). UPCOMING WORKDATES

April 25, 2020

June 6, 2020

July 11, 2020

Aug 1, 2020

Sept 5, 2020

Oct 3, 2020

Nov 7, 2020

Join (OIB), for their sponsored Native Plant Sale on

May 2, 2020 at Stacy Park. If you would like to be

added to the mailing list, please contact

[email protected] with the

subject “Olivette-In-Bloom Mailing List.”

For additional questions, contact Jan Fitzgerald at

[email protected] or 314-991-4954.

Gardens of Merit

OIB will award certificates & yard signs for Gardens of Merit for front yards

between May - October 2020. Nominate yourself or an Olivette neighbor! Please

send 2 photos and a brief description of the garden and the name of the recipient,

address, and contact information. Please send the nomination information to

[email protected] with the subject “Olivette in Bloom.”

BRUCE McGREGOR

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Paws in the Park

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Olivette City Center

1140 Dielman Road

Olivette, MO 63132

Olivette City Center

1140 Dielman Road

Olivette, MO 63132

2 Message from the Mayor 3 Council Candidates 5 Summer Concerts 7 2020 Census 9 Officer of the Year

www.OlivetteMO.com » Follow us on FaceBook @ City of Olivette, MO » March 2020 12

2 PAFR 4 Creating Community 6 Planning Department 8 New Assignments in OPD 10 90th Anniversary

11 Message from Public Works 11 Olivette in Bloom 12 Save the Dates 12 Bamboo Fencing

Bamboo Fencing —Yay or Nay? Save the Date! Coffee with the Mayor

Wednesday, March 4 The History of Olivette with Barbara Kodner 8:45 AM

Election Day

Tuesday, April 7 Olivette Community Center, 4:00 PM

Coffee with the Mayor

Wednesday, April 15

Guest: Greg Yawitz

8:45 AM

90th Anniversary Dinner & Dance

Saturday, April 18

Danforth Plant Science Center 7:00 PM

90th Anniversary Party in the Park

Friday, May 15

Live Music from Vote for Pedro Stacy Park, 6:00 PM

Bamboo plants have many unique qualities that make them an appealing solution choice for privacy fences, screenings and landscaping. However, planting bamboo can be controversial! Cities nationwide are grappling with questions about enforcement, property rights and the role governments should take. Many cities across the U.S. have banned all planting of bamboo or are dealing with issues between neighbors when the rapidly spreading plant takes over yards.

Bamboo can be classified into 2 groups: invasive and non-invasive. Invasive bamboo, running bamboo, tends to spread quickly. Did you know that the roots of bamboo, identified as rhizome, grow both vertically and horizontally and can spread over 20-feet from its original placement, as tall as 50 feet. Given its root system, it can also take years to fully eradicate planted bamboo. Non-invasive bamboo, clumping, grows in tightly formed clumps. This type is easily maintained and sculpted into the desired size and shape. Bamboo can be controlled if it is planted responsibly, in a concrete or high-density polyethylene barrier and pruned regularly (see image).

Olivette does not currently have prohibitions regarding the planting of bamboo. Before considering the planting of bamboo, do your research. Make sure proper barriers are in place, routinely monitor and cultivate, avoid planting along property lines, and keep into consideration the impact it can have on your neighbors. Be courteous, talk to your neighbor and consider alternative natural barriers. Good fences make good neighbors!

For more information, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website at missouribotanicalgarden.org.