The state auditor looks into TDD bonds! Dated March, 06
It could be the Alderman should look into this before voting on the TDD bonds? Seems to be a lot of issues with this type of bond that we may not wish to get into.
Tom Ford
YELLOW SHEET
Office of the State Auditor of Missouri
Claire McCaskill
Report No. 2006-12
March 2006
The following problems were included in our audit of Transportation Development Districts.
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Transportation development districts (TDDs) are separate political subdivisions established and organized for the construction of roads, bridges, interchanges, or other transportation-related projects, financed through the issuance of notes, bonds, or other debt securities and governed by a board of directors. These boards have the authority to impose sales taxes or tolls, or levy property taxes or special assessments within the boundaries of the respective TDDs to pay those transportation-related project expenditures.
TDDs are initiated by the filing of a petition in the circuit court of the county where the proposed district is located. For TDDs established as of December 31, 2004, 96 percent of the petitions initiating their establishment were filed by the owners of the property located within the proposed district. In many instances, it appears only a single property owner/developer petitioned for the creation of a district.
Although the Transportation Development District Act was enacted in 1990, the first TDD was not established until 1997, apparently the result of statutory changes the General Assembly made that year. These changes have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of TDDs established. As of December 31, 2004, 69 TDDs had been established in the state. This significant growth has continued in 2005, with 18 additional TDDs being established as of October 2005.
In a survey of the 69 districts, officials of 68 of the TDDs reported total estimated transportation project costs of over $578 million. In addition, 62 of the 69 TDDs reported total estimated revenues of over $787 million would be collected during the lives of the respective TDDs. All of the districts established as of December 31, 2004, have imposed a sales tax, with rates ranging from one-eighth of one percent to one percent on retail items sold within the districts' boundaries. As a result, all retail establishments located within a TDD charge a higher total sales tax than the retail establishments that lie outside the district's boundaries.
Our audit disclosed various issues regarding the TDDs in the areas of public awareness/involvement, and accountability and compliance, including:
· There is no requirement for the public to be notified when a property owner(s)/developer files a petition with the circuit court to form a TDD. In addition, public hearings regarding the establishment of TDDs are not required to be held.
· Neither registered voters nor their elected representatives are involved in the decision to levy taxes for most TDDs.
· There is no requirement the petitions filed with the circuit court include any information regarding estimated transportation project costs or the anticipated revenues that will be collected over the life of the TDD.
· There is no requirement for an independent review or oversight of TDD transportation project costs or other expenditures.
· There is disagreement over whether the construction of a TDD-funded transportation project(s) can be started prior to the legal establishment of the applicable TDD.
· Most TDD sales taxes are not collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue, creating less assurance over the controls and monitoring of such revenue.
· Many TDDs had not filed annual financial reports with the State Auditor's Office (SAO), as required, and the current audit requirements related to TDDs need to be reconsidered.
· In many cases, significant project costs were initially paid by the private developer(s), who were then subsequently reimbursed by the TDD after bonds or other debt had been issued. Such reimbursement process weakens the accountability over project-related costs.
· The revenues of TDDs located in TIF areas are being handled in different manners, and in some instances there is not adequate assurance TDD sales tax revenues are only used to pay the TDD's share of bond financing costs.
The audit recommended the General Assembly review the issues addressed in the report and work with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the State Auditor's Office, and other governmental entities to make necessary revisions to the TDD-related statutes.
Complete Audit Report
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Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@auditor.mo.gov
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Tom Ford
No.150
Tom Ford
YELLOW SHEET
Office of the State Auditor of Missouri
Claire McCaskill
Report No. 2006-12
March 2006
The following problems were included in our audit of Transportation Development Districts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation development districts (TDDs) are separate political subdivisions established and organized for the construction of roads, bridges, interchanges, or other transportation-related projects, financed through the issuance of notes, bonds, or other debt securities and governed by a board of directors. These boards have the authority to impose sales taxes or tolls, or levy property taxes or special assessments within the boundaries of the respective TDDs to pay those transportation-related project expenditures.
TDDs are initiated by the filing of a petition in the circuit court of the county where the proposed district is located. For TDDs established as of December 31, 2004, 96 percent of the petitions initiating their establishment were filed by the owners of the property located within the proposed district. In many instances, it appears only a single property owner/developer petitioned for the creation of a district.
Although the Transportation Development District Act was enacted in 1990, the first TDD was not established until 1997, apparently the result of statutory changes the General Assembly made that year. These changes have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of TDDs established. As of December 31, 2004, 69 TDDs had been established in the state. This significant growth has continued in 2005, with 18 additional TDDs being established as of October 2005.
In a survey of the 69 districts, officials of 68 of the TDDs reported total estimated transportation project costs of over $578 million. In addition, 62 of the 69 TDDs reported total estimated revenues of over $787 million would be collected during the lives of the respective TDDs. All of the districts established as of December 31, 2004, have imposed a sales tax, with rates ranging from one-eighth of one percent to one percent on retail items sold within the districts' boundaries. As a result, all retail establishments located within a TDD charge a higher total sales tax than the retail establishments that lie outside the district's boundaries.
Our audit disclosed various issues regarding the TDDs in the areas of public awareness/involvement, and accountability and compliance, including:
· There is no requirement for the public to be notified when a property owner(s)/developer files a petition with the circuit court to form a TDD. In addition, public hearings regarding the establishment of TDDs are not required to be held.
· Neither registered voters nor their elected representatives are involved in the decision to levy taxes for most TDDs.
· There is no requirement the petitions filed with the circuit court include any information regarding estimated transportation project costs or the anticipated revenues that will be collected over the life of the TDD.
· There is no requirement for an independent review or oversight of TDD transportation project costs or other expenditures.
· There is disagreement over whether the construction of a TDD-funded transportation project(s) can be started prior to the legal establishment of the applicable TDD.
· Most TDD sales taxes are not collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue, creating less assurance over the controls and monitoring of such revenue.
· Many TDDs had not filed annual financial reports with the State Auditor's Office (SAO), as required, and the current audit requirements related to TDDs need to be reconsidered.
· In many cases, significant project costs were initially paid by the private developer(s), who were then subsequently reimbursed by the TDD after bonds or other debt had been issued. Such reimbursement process weakens the accountability over project-related costs.
· The revenues of TDDs located in TIF areas are being handled in different manners, and in some instances there is not adequate assurance TDD sales tax revenues are only used to pay the TDD's share of bond financing costs.
The audit recommended the General Assembly review the issues addressed in the report and work with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the State Auditor's Office, and other governmental entities to make necessary revisions to the TDD-related statutes.
Complete Audit Report
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Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@auditor.mo.gov
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Tom Ford
No.150
posted by Crestwood Independent at 16:09
58 Comments:
SO WHAT??? All this is doing is recommending that present law be examined by the legislature and that the legislature consider making changes to existing law. This audit does not say that existing TDDs violate current law.
So what? well I will tell you. We do not need another audit / investigation here in Crestwood, so let's get it right for a chnge.
On the other hand, maby we do.
Glad you told me. What makes you think we do not need another audit? I thought they were good for our City in the past, why not now?
Not sure what investigation you are talking about, please explain.
Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 238
Transportation Districts and Transportation Corporations,
Section 238.202
August 28, 2005
Definitions.
238.202. 1. As used in sections 238.200 to 238.275, the following terms mean:
(1) "Board", the board of directors of a district;
(2) "Commission", the Missouri highways and transportation commission;
(3) "District", a transportation development district organized under sections 238.200 to 238.275;
(4) "Local transportation authority", a county, city, town, village, county highway commission, special road district, interstate compact agency, or any local public authority or political subdivision having jurisdiction over any bridge, street, highway, dock, wharf, ferry, lake or river port, airport, railroad, light rail or other transit improvement or service;
(5) "Project" includes any bridge, street, road, highway, access road, interchange, intersection, signing, signalization, parking lot, bus stop, station, garage, terminal, hangar, shelter, rest area, dock, wharf, lake or river port, airport, railroad, light rail, or other mass transit and any similar or related improvement or infrastructure.
2. For the purposes of sections 11(c), 16 and 22 of article X of the Constitution of Missouri, section 137.073, RSMo, and as used in sections 238.200 to 238.275, the following terms shall have the meanings given:
(1) "Approval of the required majority" or "direct voter approval", a simple majority;
(2) "Qualified electors", "qualified voters" or "voters", if any persons eligible to be registered voters reside within the proposed district, such persons who have registered to vote pursuant to chapter 115, RSMo, or if no persons eligible to be registered voters reside within the proposed district, the owners of real property located within the proposed district;
(3) "Registered voters", persons qualified and registered to vote pursuant to chapter 115, RSMo.
(L. 1990 S.B. 479 & 649 § 36, A.L. 1997 S.B. 303)
YELLOW SHEET
Office of the State Auditor of Missouri
Claire McCaskill
January 29, 2001
Report No. 2001-04
Missouri’s general obligation bond market has been virtually closed to competition and the privately sold bonds have cost taxpayers an estimated $83.2 million in excess interest costs since 1997.
An audit of general obligation bond sale practices disclosed that Missouri taxpayers could be better served. Our audit focused on general obligation bonds rated AA and AAA, which are considered the most secure of all municipal debt. Governments use general obligation bonds to finance services and projects for the citizenry. They pay back the bonds with taxpayer’s property taxes and other general revenue. Unlike revenue bonds (where payment comes from user fees), general obligation bond debt is guaranteed by the government entity that issues the bonds. Therefore, government entities that issue these bonds should strive for the lowest cost, which are generally provided through competitive sales.
Most bonds were not sold competitively
An average of 87 percent of Missouri’s general obligation bonds sold since 1993 were issued without the benefit of competitive bidding. Had these bonds been sold competitively based on the interest rates competitive issues received, the Missouri taxpayers would have saved $83.2 million in excess interest costs.
Political subdivision officials placed reliance on private firms to negotiate sales, which increased costs to taxpayers
Local officials such as school superintendents and city administrators have too often relied upon the advice of familiar bond negotiators instead of seeking open bids assuring the most competitive rate of return for taxpayers. Although Missouri’s general obligation bonds have historically attracted a nationwide market because of the state’s high credit and management rating, officials opted to forego competitive sales and allow private sale bond buyers to negotiate the sales. The exclusion of potential buyers reduces the competition for bonds and results in higher interest rates, and overall costs to the issuing political subdivision. Bond issues of sufficient size and credit standing attract substantial interest in the underwriting market nationwide, which makes them attractive to competition. Nevertheless, Missouri private bond sales are more than double national averages even though it is one of the strongest bond markets in the nation.
Missouri’s private bond sales are going to only a few private bond buyers
Of the 41 underwriters who bought bonds since 1997, 23 bought only in private sales, 9 bought only in competitive sales, and 9 bought in both private and competitive sales. However, 3 of the 41 underwriters bought about two-thirds of the total purchases. The average interest rates fluctuated widely for the 515 bond issues sold since 1997 and included in our study, even when the features of the bonds such as credit ratings, sale dates, and average life were similar.
Appearance of conflict of interest
In most private sales, the bond underwriters who purchased the bond issues also served as the financial advisor to the local officials such as school superintendents and city administrators. This presents, at a minimum, an appearance of a conflict of interest. The best interest of the local community and the bond underwriter are in direct opposition making it difficult for both interests to be served by the same person.
We make several recommendations to help protect the financial interests of both Missouri’s taxpayers and political subdivisions such as school districts and cities. Overall, local officials should more actively strive for a competitive process when issuing general obligation bonds. This includes competitively selecting an underwriter, financial advisor, and bond counsel. Reintroducing open and fair competition for general obligation bonds will more than likely result in significant savings through lower interest costs.
Complete Audit Report
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Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@mail.auditor.state.mo.us
Webmaster: auditor@mail.auditor.state.mo.us
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Look at (2) qualifed voters, which states in part,that
"if no persons eligible to be registered voters reside within the proposed district, the owners of real property located within the proposed district"
become the voters.
Who, if anyone, lives within the district? Maybe I'm missing something but the district looks to me like a parking lot. Since there are no residents in the district, then the voters are the owners of the property of the district. Am I correct so far?
If I am, then when the district "owners" vote, who ever they are, this transaction (TDT) would be legal. Am I correct so far?
Section (5) lists what a "project" can be and in the list is PARKING LOT. So if the voters/owners of the property vote to form a TDT for the purpose of a parking lot what has been done that would cause another audit/investigation?
The City and I guess the Swim Club own the parking lot on then north side of City Hall, while THF I quess owns the rest of the property. So if their representatives vote to approve the TDT, where or where is the BEEF? Or am I missing something?
Seriously, other than a strong personal distaste on the part of some citizens of Crestwood for some of the Swim Club owners/membership, why would they be up in arms over City Hall getting an improved parking lot paid for by Sales Tax dollars? Hasn't that been the way Crestwood has operated for over 50 years IE: on revenues from sales taxes? Why then is this time is wrong?
This is a good thing! I am glad to see some of the State auditor's positions on some of these bond's, it helps to clarify them.
Keep it up folks!
Tom Ford
It's not the parking lot, and it's not the voters, it's the aledged use of part of the TDD funding to re pay the developer for the cost of re locating a private enity.
Now if that were not to happen, where's the beef is right, so all they have to do is remove that portion of the parking lot (850,000.00) from the exta tax being charged to pay for the TDD, and I think everyone will be happy.
PROBLEM ALERT!
PROBLEM ALERT!
Word ALEDGED used in previous post, you need to find out IF:
a. it would be illegal to use TDD money for the moving of the Club,
b. money was used for move of Club,
and in closing,
c. who is "everybody" that would be happy?
BEFORE you make your claims.
thank you, thank you very much!
AH, who said CLUB? Where does the Club come into play here?
Pretty sure that you can use TDD money to compensate a private property owner for their property as long as what you are using the purchased property for is a public benefit and the use of the new property is allowed under the TDD statue. I believe a parking lot is allowed. Isn’t it?
Frankly I don’t understand what the beef is? (The City Attorney said those who voted on moving the Swim Club didn't have to recuse themselves- didn't he?) The old swim club property was needed for parking – for Kohl’s which replaced a vacant commercial property that wasn’t generating any taxes and for City Hall parking. Why can’t the TDD pay for these things? No City of Crestwood tax dollars were used in this transaction. The TDD levies its own tax –per state law. If you don’t think you should have to pay for the privilege of shopping at Kohl’s - through an extra sales tax, then don’t. Shop over Famous, Dillard’s and Sears instead! Just don't shop over in Kirkwood at Wal-Mart, Lowes or out in Fenton - they have TDD sales taxes too!
You're right except for one small point 10:00 a.m. poster. True, Crestwood has been operating and continues to operate on revenues from sales taxes. However, in the case of the non-TIF-financed Crestwood Mall for example, none of those sales tax revenues had to be diverted to pay for the development. Those costs were borne by the developer. In the case of the Kohl's TIF, Crestwood must bear some of the development costs up front (in the form of lost sales tax revenues) to pay off the TIF. When the developer is able to keep development costs down, the length of time required to pay off the TIF is reduced, and the city receives the full amount generated by the sales tax a lot sooner. Pretty simple.
Whether anything illegal was done is up for the bond underwriters to determine. Regardless, the city is foregoing the net present value of the money it could have realized from this development due to the costs of the project, one of those being the grossly inflated price of the Swim Club property. I'm sure you can agree that the high cost of the Swim Club property purchase definitely has an impact on Crestwood's ability to pay off the TIF sooner.
Poster 12:22
check out how long the TIF pay off was when it was approved and compair to what the BOA was told it would be at the work session. Seems the pay off now will be completed in 2010, that's 4 years from now! Think that is down from the orginal time for competion when the BOA approved the TIF.
How much of this time is due to the "pay off of the swim club" by the TIF?
You made the claim that the time is longer, can you support it with the math? If so, please produce and then compair that time to the increased monies the City will get in 2010. Do you think it will be worth it in our decling sales tax market, if not, why not? After all we are still getting the taxes the old business produced before KOHL'S got their TIF. With out Kohl's do you really think that the old pre Kohl's business would have held their sales tax levels as we are currently getting and not declined?
I doubt that would have been the case. So like another poster said
"where is the BEEF"?
To Poster 12:22... The TDD actually helps pay the TIF off quicker. One half of the TDD sales tax is captured by the TIF and is used for TIF Debt service. Kohl's was originally supposed to pay off in eight years. Looks like it is doing better than expected. That means the City will get its sales tax revenue sooner rather than later.
As for the amount paid for the swim club property ... $800,000 looks like a bargain compared to what condemnation would have cost. The little cross-access with Watson Plaza cost $250,000+ lawyer fees. Condemnation = playing with fire!
Finally, the City got its City Hall Parking lot at no cost to the City. Given the City's financial picture having to pay even $1 was too much.
To paraphrase Everet Dirkson, "$800,000.00 here, $800,000.00 there, before you know it it's real money".
I for one am glad the citizens are now paying attention to what's going on in Crestwood. This one got in under the radar, but I hope there will be no next one!
And I am sure that someone will tell me that all this is needed to "help Crestwood". Well, I checked on the TIF/TDD business in California and found over 160 Cities now bankrupt due to these "wonderful tools". I don't think we can stand such prosperity here, but hey, that's just me.
Tom Ford
Tom,
Come on, nothing got under the radar, why would you say that when if you read the stuff on your blog you can see that there was no foul, no crime, no harm?
And Tom, not to over state the obvious, but who cares what happened in Calif., this is Missouri? Who in their right mind would think that the rules for TIF's and the ecomomic situations were the same in CA and MO? Tom, you can do better than this. There was no smoking gun, there was no sweet heart deal, the City is better off now and will be even more so in 4 years because of the TIF and TDT.
It's too nice a day to stay inside and look at the computor and read this blog. Go outside and enjoy your self in the sun and fresh air, pop a cold frosty one and tune in the Cards on the radio. Even our Mayor isnt speaking out against this TIF/TDT, so let it go.
Ok, I'll let it go, but I still think the future deals need a bit more scrutiny.
And, for what it's worth, I didn't mention smoking guns, foul, harm, or crime. Not eaven sweetheart deals.
If the Mayor, and the BOA think it's good for Crestwood, well, they must know more than I do, right, so off to the BUD Light, and the ball game.
Tom Ford
A bit of levity to brighten this beautyfull day eaven more!
From a good friend!
The Little Red Hen-Modern version
Once upon a time, on a farm in Texas, there was a
little red hen who scratched about the barnyard until
she uncovered quite a few grains of wheat.
She called all of her neighbors together and said, "If
we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who
will help me plant it?"
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.
And so she did; The wheat grew very tall and ripened
into golden grain.
"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red
hen.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the
goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and
so she did.
At last it came time to bake the bread.
"Who will help me bake the bread! ?" asked the little red
hen.
"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said
the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen. She
baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors
to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share.
But the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."
"Excess profits!" cried the cow.
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck.
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose.
The pig just grunted in disdain.
And they all painted "Unfair!" picket signs and marched
around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
Then a government agent came, he said to the little red
hen, "You must not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.
"Exactly," said the agent. "That is what makes our free
enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard
can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern
government regulations, the productive workers must
divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy
and idle."
And they all lived happily ever after, including the little
red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now
I truly understand."
But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She
never again baked bread because she joined the "party"
and got her bread free.
And all the politicians smiled. 'Fairness' had been
established.
Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps
no one cared....as long as there was free bread that "the
rich" were paying for
Tom Ford
The county assessor said that the swim club property and old pool market value was worth only $80,000. That was before someone on the free market ernestly wanted to buy it for their new use as a parking lot. Then the market value increased to $850,000 or what the market would bear. Basic economics -- supply and demand.
Good, then my yard barn has really incresaed in value in case a cell phone company wants to put up a tower!
Supply and demand, or screwem and scram? HUUMMMMMMMM!
Poster 1:15 Please re-read my post. You are mixing up a different subject matter (the worthiness of the development) in your rebuttal to my position (lower project costs = positive impact on the amount of time required to pay off the debt).
Yes, the projected payoff time is now shorter than originally proposed, but that has nothing to do with my point. My point is that it could have been shorter still had a specific cost associated with the TDD been lower.
how much shorter and how did you come to that figure?
How could it be shorter without the TDD. The only thing that the TDD does to the TIF is to pay it off quicker? Bessides without the extra parking, Kohl's would not have located at this location.
The folks from Crestwood Swim CLub seem to be the most financially astute people in town. Maybe they should take over the city finances. Sure seems like they are more sophisticated than the keepers of the BINDERS!
The extra land that Kohl's WANTED for their development was over and above the city and county requirements. The BOA could not sway the developer, hence Kohl's purchased the Crestwood Swim Club property. Simple. They paid for the property and relocation expenses. A lot of money, I agree, but that's Kohl's business not mine.
To 8:07 & 8:50 p.m.
Did I provide a specific figure or time frame? NO, that was not necessary for the point that I made. You can't increase the cost of a project and expect that it will have no effect on the time it will take for revenues to exceed expenses.
Did I mention anything about extra parking? NO, Kohl's parking had nothing to do with the point I made.
Did I say that there should be no TDD to help pay down the TIF? NO, I guess you'll need to read my posts again.
Did I imply anywhere that I was opposed to the Kohl's development? NO once again.
I have yet to see anyone specifically address the point I made. All I've seen so far is a lot of bluster.
Poster 10:41
"My point is that it could have been shorter still had a specific cost associated with the TDD been lower."
"I have yet to see anyone specifically address the point I made. All I've seen so far is a lot of bluster."
SHORTER IS YOUR CLAIM, THE QUESTION YOU HAVENT ANSWERED IS HOW MUCH SHORTER AND HOW MUCH LESS COST.
Didn't the mayor just get a TDD for his campaign contributor Grewe? Nice little perk.
11:14 p.m.
The "how much" is immaterial, and you will understand why if you concede the following:
Given two different projects with two different sets of project costs, one set of costs being greater than the other and projected revenues for both being equal, the project with the lower costs has a greater chance of being paid off more quickly.
That was the focus of my point. You can disagree if you like, but I won't belabor the point anymore.
Thanks for the debate:)
Has anyone reviewed the Petition and Judgment order filed in St. Louis Circuit Court on May 15, 2003 and signed by a Judge?
The "acquisition of swim club property" is missing from the list of Transportation Development District projects but yet Armstrong Teasdale has this listed as a separate entry for the Kohl's TDD bonds.
How can you add to the St. Louis Circuit Judgment order?
There seems to be a pattern of leaving out the details of Crestwood Swim Club and Rosebrook Real Estate.
If Crestwood Swim Club and Rosebrook Real Estate obtained their permits for their new pool from a Creve Coeur Project, is the City of Creve Coeur liable for all of the work and for the TDD public funding!
Is it true that Ellen Daily, an Economic Development Specialist for the City of Crestwood, used to work for the City of Creve Coeur?
Is it true that the assistant to Diana Madrid worked in Creve Couer as an accounting clerk?
Has anyone read the Redevelopment Plan by PGAV dated in 1998 for the Kohl's project?
The first page states which properties will be included in the TIF boundry.
It is amazing to see the Crestwood Swim Club pool and parking lot was originally included in the Master Plan for Kohl's.
If the BOA included the Crestwood Swim Club property within the TIF boundry then the BOA would have to use "eminent domain". The Crestwood Swim Club would only receive $30,000 for their land.
After the BOA used a TDD for the Sam's project to help Novus or Jonathan Brown, now the Crestwood Swim Club could get a new pool by giving Kohl's more parking spaces!
The real issue of the Kohl's project, new Crestwood Police Building, building of a new Crestwood Swim Club is what is under this land?
How many buried gas tanks were on the Wuellner's Service Station property? Was this ever cleaned up by the Kohl's TIF, TDD, and CID public monies as stated in the Crestwood ordinances and in the Kohl's Redevelopment Plan?
Has anyone read the bore sample reports from the Crestwood Police Building dated 2002?
Benzene, Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and Ethylbenzene shows up under the City of Crestwood Parking Lot and in the grassy knoll next to the parking lot!
Is this a "LUST" or "UST" field which stands for Leaking Underground Storage Tank or Underground Storage Tank?
Is this why the new Crestwood Police Station could not be built? The ground is too soft and full of contaminants that will radiate an order when excavated.
If the contractor distrubs the ground, will this be another "Times Beach". How large is this contaminated area?
Is it true that the Crestwoood Swim Club/Rosebrook Real Estate built a septic tank sytem to drain their raw sewage?
Have you read the report by PGAV on the old pool with the septic tank and "backwash" system that allows everything into the storm sewers that could drain into the ground?
Is this according to Creve Coeur codes or Crestwood codes or Crestwood Swim Club codes?
So why did former Mayor Pat Killoran investigate in 1972 and in 1982 on the high cancer rate in Ward II?
Mayor Pat Killoran brought in Kansas City Government personnel to interview Crestwood residents along Sanders Street, Briarton, Clover, and Grover.
Is this due to the buried gas tanks and to the air pollution from a printing company behind the Sappington House?
Is this due to the illegal dumping between 1938 and 1950 on the land next to Sanders Drive from the City of St. Louis?
How many children and adults under the age of 40 had or has leukemia, bone cancer, breast cancer, throat cancer, thryoid cancer, cervical cancer, Hopkins lymphoma, MS and brain cancer?
The cancer cluster exists but can this be fixed by evaluating the water and sewer lines.
Are the water lines under the sewer lines which allows the contamination? Or is this hazardous waste in the ground?
Today, there are ways to clean up the hazardous waste.
Sounds like all those chemicals are making people paranoid.
So, get out your check book and pay for the clean up.
I'm not paying for it, you pay for it.
"Finally, the City got its City Hall Parking lot at no cost to the City. Given the City's financial picture having to pay even $1 was too much."
1:42 PM, May 21, 2006
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WELL, WELL, WELL ... IMAGINE THAT. "GIVEN THE CITY's FINANCIAL PICTURE HAVING TO PAY EVEN $1 WAS TOO MUCH." DOES THIS, THEREFORE, MEAN THAT "GIVEN THE CITY's FINANCIAL PICTURE A $14.5 MILLION DOLLAR CITY HALL RETROFIT WAS "not" TOO MUCH?" BEST YOU FOLKS AND YOUR FRANTIC ATTORNEY MEMBERS TRYING SO VERY HARD TO MAKE THE POOL DEAL SOUND ABOVE BOARD QUIT CROSSING YOUR WIRES.
Ask the original Crestwood Swim Club and Rosebrook Real Estate members about the buried underground gas tanks next to the two water towers that is next to the main water line to Crestwood Citizens?
Ask American Water Company about the underground water tank on the city hall parking lot next to the mailbox?
The Brownfield funds will allow for the cleanup, bore samples, and evaluation of the land.
The Kohl's project was allocated money to clean up the hazardous soil and the removal of asbestos by EPA standards.
Ask where are these receipts?
Were the Bali Court neighbors and surround properties properly notified of this hazardous soil?
A letter was typed but was it sent?
Type in Benzene, Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and Ethylbenzene in yahoo to get the facts.
Call Missouri Cancer Registry to check out the seriousness of Ward II.
How about handing out a flyer to the Kohl's shoppers about their 1% sales tax?
Better yet, let's hand out the same flyer on Memorial Day to the Crestwood Swim Club members to help them understand how their pool was paid by the Kohl's shoppers paying the additional 1% sales tax.
Can the Kohl's shoppers swim for "free" at the Crestwood Swim Club?
I am sure that Kohl's would like that. Why don't you go hand out those flyers? And while you are at it, gather a whole team of people to travel throughout St. Louis county to all the various municipalities and point out all of the various taxes just like the one at our Kohl's for any number of things. You could hand out fliers in Kirkwood and Brentwood and Maplewood and Webster Groves and Fenton and Florissant---just about everywhere. In fact, this is so commonplace, you might fill up many thick binders with detailed information about all of the special taxing districts around town. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!
I will be the first to admit that I have no idea what's under the City hall, tanks, pool, or parking lot! I will however tell you that both my wife and I have had cancer. We have lived along the "creek" since 1970, and, as you know that is Ward Two!
Before you dismiss this poster who asked the questions about tank's, ETC. you may want to look into this a bit further.
Four years ago my wife and I were both diganosed with cancer. Since then,I now have an 8mm nodule on my left lung that's up for grabs, cancer wise, as we speak. Three more months before we look at it again.
The cancer center can show you a "pattern"? of various cancer's that have followed the old creek bed in Ward two, and as the poster said what if it's true, what then?
Folks, we owe it to our children, and grandchildren to find out if we have a problem, don't we? I would tell you that if in fact we do, we must do something about it now, if not, well, it's just the luck of the draw.
I don't believe that, and I doubt you do either. Let's get a couple of bore samples, and find out just what is under there. Why not, it might just save a child or two.
While I am at it, to those who decry the "binders", if your not concerned about their content, forget about it! If you would like to look at the information, well, call me at 314-341-2307, make an appointment to stop by, and I will show them to you, simple as that.
Tom Ford
Poster 5:29 PM, May 22, 2006 "You could hand out fliers in Kirkwood and Brentwood and Maplewood and Webster Groves and Fenton and Florissant---just about everywhere." I know you are being sarcastic, but I've talked to some officials in Fenton. With all of the tax giveaways, they too are trying to stay afloat. Brentwood is in debt. Webster Groves real estate taxes are sky high. These giveaways, TIFs, TDDs, etc are not the panacea they're sold to be. They only help one entity - the developer. Look at the balance sheet-since these giveaways started, municipalities have gotten into bidding wars for development, only to find themselves in debt - still.
The state, the country, needs massive reform when it comes to corporate welfare.
As a Crestwood resident, I go out of my way NOT to shop at Kohl's. I don't want my money to go to corporate welfare and a private swimming pool.
Crestwood should abolish its TIF Commission.
Crestwood should cancel the Watson Plaza TIF and TDD. We need more businessmen like Ken Boegaman in Crestwood.
The issue of the underground tanks has been brought up at past BOA meetings. I suggest that you ask staff what became of those allegations. I am sure they will know. Since it was never publically addressed, I doubt it should be a concern. Of course I could be wrong. Let us know.
How about handing out a flyer at Kohl's about Crestwood's Capital Improvements Sales Tax, the Fire Sales Tax, the Park Sales Tax and the 1/4 Cent Sales Tax. Let's make sure everyone who shops at Kohl's know how they pay for our police, fire, streets and parks. Every Crestwood resident should be ashamed how we make others pay for what we enjoy! Can't wait to take a dip in the lazy river at the Aquatic Center that somebody else paid for!
I agree... Ken Boegaman for Chamber of Commerce President and John Browne from NOVUS for Vice-President!
"How about handing out a flyer at Kohl's about Crestwood's Capital Improvements Sales Tax, the Fire Sales Tax, the Park Sales Tax and the 1/4 Cent Sales Tax. Let's make sure everyone who shops at Kohl's know how they pay for our police, fire, streets and parks. Every Crestwood resident should be ashamed how we make others pay for what we enjoy!"
I don't think we need to. I shopped there and a few were complaining at how high the sales tax rate was. We stuck it to our shoppers and now we are sticking it to ourselves with increasing real estate taxes.
Yes, all because of the incompetence on display at City Hall the past 7 years.
12:11pm May 22 A group of people only today discussing so much new cancer here. Your statement that the chemicals are making people paranoid, didn't you mean cancer patients? Anytime you have buried USTs some of that stuff keep coming up to the top and out, it does not mix. Is it true there have been some coyotes seen quite close to the lids at the bottom of the swim club. Some gasses have the smell of dead animal thus drawing coyotes looking for food. People have seen these, some are afraid to talk. Why would they be afraid unless they fear the buried tanks are belching toxic gasses up. We need to wake up here. Noone gets excited enough to do anything in these matters until it is your child or mine. Thank God, so far it is not mine.
Where's the beef??? Isn't the State Auditor a sufficiently independent outside TDD legal evaluator. The Kohl's TDD was audited by the State Auditor in 2004 as part of the State Petition Audit. The only problem found was the amount of the administrative fee charged by Crestwood.
Poster 9:43... You are right on! The issue with the adminstration fee concerns the 1% collection fee that the City took (As per the State Statute) for collecting the Sales Tax for the TDD. This is the same fee that the Missouri Department of Revenue charges all political subdivisions that levy sales taxes. The State Auditor wanted the City to justify the 1% fee. Silly for the City to have to justify it when the State DOR doesn't.
When, and if the bonds are sold I think you may find a brand new audit by several State and Federal agency's taking place.
Will it happen? None of us knows, but I think it's better than a 70 / 30 chance that it will, hold onto your hat's, this could be quite a ride if it does.
I know it is a memorial and I cerainly appreciate that, but I still hav to wonder what was said on the previous post by Mr. Ford. It had to be about someone serving their country or their city. Either way, hopefully people appreciat all of of these servants.
I wish it was gentle blogger! The post's I deleted on the previous thread were about the swim club!
As I said then, find another spot to be hatefull, this is not it!
The swim club people, or the swim club detractors will not use a memorial site to argue on as long as I have this blog!
Some day we may have a "memorial site for the swim club", and if that happens, well you all can post the remarks there!
Tom Ford
I may be wrong on this one, but I am told Crestwood will have another audit by no less than the State Auditor, the State Atty. General, and the Fed's. when the bonds for the Crestwood Point Development are sold!
I am told by a reliable source that State, and Federal agency's are waiting for the sale of these bond's to commence prior to launching their investigations.
Let us hope that the source, and I am wrong for the sake of the City, and all involved. The BOA has chosen a firm to sell the bonds, and when, and if they do, we shall see.
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