PUBLIC NOTICE

Please take notice that the Washington Avenue Corridor Community Improvement District will be holding a Board of Directors Meeting on November 11th at 11:30 am virtually via Zoom.

This will be an open meeting and all members of the public are welcome to attend via the above Zoom link or in person. A copy of the Agenda for this meeting is below:

agenda

I. Call to order

II. Approval of meeting minutes from 9/11/25 and 10/14/25 Board of Directors meetings (5 minutes)

III. Board of Directors terms (10 minutes)

IV. Downtown Forward related contracts (10 minutes)

a. Revised employment agreement with Matt O’Leary

b. Management agreement with Downtown Forward

V. Security discussion

a. Drug dealing / addiction crisis (10 minutes)

i. Results of SLMPD strategic enforcement initiative

ii. Extended Downtown CID secondary officer deployment

iii. EZ Vape (unlawful detainer action / nuisance action)

b. Mark Twain Hotel / proposed contribution to NIA-DW of $10,000 (10 minutes)

c. Other problem properties / uses (10 minutes)

i. Food vendors

ii. 1128 Washington / Hookah

iii. Nara

d. Discussions with criminal justice officials (5 minutes)

VI. Meeting with Otis Williams (15 minutes)

a. Washington uplighting

b. Redevelopment of Washington between Tucker and 15th

i. Possible expansion of Wash. Ave. CID

ii. Applying for neighborhood implementation grant

VII. Adjournment

meeting minutes

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 11:34 by Executive Director Matt O’Leary

The following Board members were present:

• John Berglund, Chair

• Dan Pistor, Secretary

• Michelle Solie, Treasurer

• Craig Heller, Director

• Steve Stone, Director

• Jeff Campbell, Director

• Matt O’Leary, Executive Director

Also present:

• Brad Waldrop

• Ron Johnson

• Kurt Wiegle

• Lisa Otke

II. Approval of meeting minutes from 9/11/25 and 10/14/25 Board of Directors meetings - All approved the September and October meeting minutes.

III. Board of Directors Terms - The bylaws indicate that we should have Board Members with 1, 2, and 3 year terms. Each Board member can serve another 3 year term as approved by the Board

The current status is:

Steve, John and Dan were on the Board before the CID was created. They were never assigned specific terms for their service on the CID Board

Craig and Jeff were added on November 25 for 3 year terms (so those are set)

Michele was added in March and Julie in April for not specific terms

After discussion we decided on:

Dan (Secretary), Craig and Jeff for 3 year terms (so two years going forward), subject to extension

John (Board Chair) and Michele (Treasurer) for 2 year terms (so one more year going forward), subject to extension

Steve and Julie for 1 year. Steve’s term was coming up on expiration which was extended for another 3 years. All approved. Julie wasn’t added until April so she can be extended in the spring.

IV. Downtown Forward Related Contracts - Michelle met with Matt and refined the documents related to the management, consulting, and employment agreements with Downtown Forward. John also agreed with the changes and the direction. All approved to adopt.

V. Security Discussion

a. Drug Dealing - SGT Charleville conducted the enforcement detail related to the open air drug market which had an impact on reducing the issues in this footprint. The Downtown CID continues to provide support in the way of TCF officers. EZ Vape (unlawful detainer action / nuisance action) moving forward with the suit and hopeful we’ll get a favorable outcome.

b. Mark Twain Hotel - The developer won’t move forward with development plan for hotel. The building is for sale for a large sum. Matt asked owner for a voluntary closure for the property but haven’t heard back. Will have to move forward with protest action through NIA DTW. Wash Ave CID to set aside 10k. All approved the 10k contribution.

c. Other problem properties / uses

i. Food vendors. Discussion with the city on legal interpretation on hours of operation and how to approach. They should bid these contacts every 3 years or secure support from Greater STL.

ii. 1128 Washington / Hookah - have a few years before they can apply for a liquor license. The City doesn’t believe the hookah license is valid since they aren’t operating a retail tobacco store.

iii. Nara building has gotten a public nuisance notification. We will monitor and see how that process goes.

VI. Meeting with Otis Williams - Otis was highly invested with the remake of Washington Avenue and wants to do what he can to help with maintenance issues.

a. Washington uplighting - started a 3 part plan on uplighting. Take existing lighting infrastructure and reactivating it. Otis is interested in this.

b. Redevelopment of Washington between Tucker and 15th - Oliver Properties has invested heavily. Some of the best blocks in STL but have fallen hard between Tucker and 14th. Matt proposed a public private partnership to focus on the revitalization of that stretch.

i. Possible expansion of Wash. Ave. CID

ii. Applying for neighborhood implementation grant - We will have conversations on upcoming grants from the city with the Downtown Neighborhood Association

VII. Meeting adjourned at 1240

Prepared by: Dan Pistor, Secretary