Creve Coeur City Council Wrap Up: Olive Blvd. TDD Resolution Passes

Creve Coeur's controversial Olive Blvd. Transportation Development District (TDD) took at least a symbolic step toward the finish line Monday.

City Council unanimously passed a resolution directing the city administrator to "promptly commence negotiations" with all involved parties to "reconcile the scope of the projects of the Olive Boulevard Transportation Development District to available sources of funds and achieve completion of such projects as soon as practical and feasible. The TDD has been mired in controversy for years as concerns about escalating costs and project management issues grew.

Creve Coeur Patch will be following up in more detail with city leaders about what the resolution means as a practical matter moving forward, what portions of the project are likely to be completed and when. Monday's resolution did not include a timeline for when the projects should be completed or otherwise describe how the mechanics of closing the TDD would work. Also Monday,

• Council members held a public hearing and passed a resolution approving a Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2012-2016.
• Council voted in favor of a resolution for new signage at the corner of Craig Rd. and Olive Blvd denoting the . The nearly $20,000 project with Adler Signworks could be completed by July.
• Council members held further discussion about a bill making its way through the Missouri House that could have sales tax implications for the city of Creve Coeur. would alter a shared sales tax revenue arrangement that's been in place in St. Louis County for more than a decade. Under the legislation, the city would have kept more than $900,000 in sales tax revenue which is currently sent to county coffers. Council members learned that the city of Chesterfield has hired a lobbyist to help push for the bill's passage in Jefferson City. City Administrator Mark Perkins told council members that the mayor of University City had approached Mayor Harold Dielmann about signing a letter in opposition to it, but that Dielmann had declined. The city of Creve Coeur has taken no official stance on the measure.
• Mayor Dielmann officially informed council that he intends to return to his duties at the next council meeting.

Monday's meeting marked the last meeting before newly elected council members are officially sworn in April 25.

Ward 3 Councilman Robert Haddenhorst, who, took time at the end of the meeting to thank city residents and staff. Haddenhorst, who served four terms, told Patch last week he hoped to continue with some form of service on an appointed city board or commission. 

Ward Four Councilwoman Laura Bryant is also leaving the council, having served the maximum five terms allowed under city term limits. She will be succeeded by  Bryant has already announced her intention to be a c, as has former councilman and current planning and zoning commission member Barry Glantz. 

Both Saunders and D'Alfonso were in the audience Monday. The next time council meets, the pair will have different seats inside the Creve Coeur Government Center.