Commission hears updates on Safe Streets survey, KVC public hearing, Project Clear work and tree inventory

Commissioners received several operational updates affecting Webster Groves' green infrastructure and outreach, including a request to complete a city survey tied to a Safe Streets for All demonstration grant, notice of an upcoming public hearing on a proposed project at the KVC campus, and a status update on local infrastructure work and the city's tree inventory.

Emily Hickson Shepherd, the city council liaison, reported there is a community survey for the Safe Streets for All demonstration grant and urged commissioners and residents to complete it. She also said the city council will hold a public hearing the following day on a St. Louis Children's/KVC project proposed on the KVC campus; Shepherd said the current meeting was a public hearing only and any council vote would occur at a subsequent meeting.

Sinan Beard, who identified himself as a recent hire with the public works department, described planned work connected to Project Clear: removal of several traffic islands on Kirkham and placement of a trail along the east side of the corridor as part of a phased project that will coordinate with MSD utility work. Beard said he had requested project plans and timing but had not yet received full documentation from the agencies managing the work.

Staff and commissioners discussed the status of a federal grant for Shady Creek. A staff member reported they had been told verbally the grant was approved but that the city had not yet received the funding and therefore could not sign formal documents; the grant's status remained "in limbo" at the time of the meeting.

Carrie Coyne and other commissioners raised the tree inventory database, noting that some newly planted trees appear to have been added but that the public-facing inventory is currently offline. City staff said responsibility for managing the inventory is shifting among departments and that they would provide an update on when it will be restored and who will manage updates.

Commissioners asked for follow-up at the next meeting on the timing of Project Clear work, the Shady Creek grant status and the inventory update. The meeting record also shows staff is compiling pricing for park improvements funded by Prop W and continuing standard maintenance tasks (snow removal, leaf pickup, playground surfacing).