Vision - November/December 2019

The Vision November/December 2019

your source for

CITY OF

wentzville news & events

Ice, Ice Arena

Have you visited the newly acquired Wentzville Ice Arena, yet? The Wentzville Ice Arena, which is located at 910 Main Plaza Dr., offers skating and hockey programs, party packages, public skate, professional skate sharpening and much more! The Ice Arena recently received some upgrades including: fresh paint, front desk/concession area updates, upgraded video/arcade games in the lobby, LED message centers and more. Check out our schedule and learn more at www.wentzvilleicearena.com. Don't miss the upcoming Ice Arena activities happening in November and December!

Nov. 27 SKATE ON YOUR CAN Bring a canned food donation and skate free during public skate from 7-9 p.m. Skate rental not included.

Candidate Filing Opens Dec. 17

Nov. 28 SAVE A TURKEY, SHOOT A PUCK Enjoy Stick 'N' Puck on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to noon for just $10 per person.

Dec. 22 SKATE WITH SANTA! Who knew Saint Nick was so great on skates? Skate with Santa from 1-4 p.m.

Skate rental is included with $6 paid admission.

Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m., candidates may begin filing for the elected municipal offices that will appear on the April 2020 ballot. Candidates must file at City Hall, located at 1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd. The filing period will remain open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Positions open for filing include one Alderman from each of the three Wards and the Mayor. There is a $25 fee, due when filing. Additional information is below. If you have further questions, please call the City Clerk’s office at (636) 327-5101.

• Alderman: City ordinances state that candidates running for Alderman must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and an inhabitant and resident of the City for at least one year prior to the election. Candidates running for Alderman must also be a resident, at the time he/she files and during the time he/she serves, of the Ward from which he/she is elected.

• Mayor: City ordinances state that candidates running for Mayor must be at least 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the City at the time of and for at least one year preceding the election.

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Save the Date

Making Memories

The Annual Tree Lighting will start at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. The tree is located at the intersection of Pearce and Luetkenhaus boulevards, across from Pete’s Drive-In. Gathering for the Tree Lighting will begin at 5:30 p.m., with holiday musical entertainment to kick off the festivities.

Mayor Nick Guccione will officially light the tree, just prior to the start of the Annual Christmas Parade.

The parade will begin at approximately 6 p.m. in Historic Downtown Wentzville, near the intersection of Linn Avenue and Pearce Boulevard; it will travel east on Pearce Boulevard and north on Luetkenhaus Boulevard, ending at the Wentzville Fire Station #1 at 502 Luetkenhaus Blvd.

At the fire station, following the parade, attendees can enjoy cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Electronics Recycling + Personal Document Shredding

If you have any questions, or plan to have a float in the parade, please contact Donna-Marie Pierre, parade coordinator, at (636) 332-8801. Please note, staging for the floats will take place at Pearce Hall at 317 W. Pearce Blvd.

Do you have electronic waste – old phones, broken laptops, worn-out power tools? You can recycle them all during the City’s next Electronics Recycling and Personal Document Shredding event.

Aside from keeping electronic waste out of our landfills, electronics recycling helps conserve our natural resources and save money. Help us keep our local landfills free of electronic waste and join us for this electronics recycling event.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 23 — This FREE* drive-thru and drop-off event will run from 9-11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Our 2019 event location is Holt High School, located at 600 Campus Dr. WHO: The event is open to individuals and families; no businesses, please.

WHAT: Almost anything with a plug is accepted FREE* for this electronics recycling event. To view a list of accepted (and not accepted) items, please visit bit.ly/ERE2019.

SHREDDING LIMITS: Personal shredding is limited to six “Bankers Boxes” (or the same size) OR three 13-gallon (kitchensized) garbage bags, per vehicle. NOTE: Please only shred items with personally identifiable information. Items that DO NOT contain personally identifiable information should be recycled at a drop-off site or in your FIBER recycling cart.

ITEMS WITH A FEE: While the majority of items are accepted FREE, some items (including TVs and items containing Freon) will incur a fee. Fee-based items include: • CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs 26” or less: $30.00 • CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs 27” or greater (This includes Console TVs, True Big Screen TVs and Projection TVs): $50.00 • Flat Screen TVs - All sizes (LED, LCD, and Plasma): $20.00 • Freon Containing Items (Freezers, Refrigerators, AC Units, Dehumidifiers, etc.): $10.00 • Tanning beds with lamps: $150 • CRT Monitors: $5

Holiday

Events

Experience Wentzville's Holiday Traditions Holiday Night Lights Drive-Thru | Beginning Nov. 29 • 5:30-9:30 p.m.

The annual Wentzville Holiday Night Lights display at Rotary Park opens on Friday, Nov. 29 for the holiday season. The display is open Thursday-Sunday from Nov. 29-Dec. 12 (daily Dec. 13-29). Enjoy a one-mile light display that features illuminated scenes and tunnels of twinkling lights. This holiday display is a great way to experience the magic and joy of a winter wonderland close to home. Drive-thru admission is only $8 for vehicles holding up to six passengers; $1 per additional person after the sixth. On Saturday evenings at the Kolb Building, you can enjoy a visit with Santa and see beautifully decorated trees on display from various businesses and organizations.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | Starting Nov. 29 • Various Times

New this year: horse-drawn carriage rides through Rotary Park during Holiday Night Lights! Cuddle up with a warm beverage and cozy blanket and get in the holiday spirit while enjoying the beauty of the lights during your personal carriage ride. Carriage rides are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays every half hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. Carriage rides are $50 for two passengers and $5 for each additional passenger.

It’s highly recommended that you reserve your carriage ride ahead of time; four- and six-seat carriages are available. Book your horse-drawn carriage ride today at bit.ly/wprhnl2019 or call Progress Park at (636) 332-9236.

Holiday Night Lights Walk-Thru | Dec. 2 • 5-8 p.m.

During the walk-thru event, attendees will stroll through the one-mile light display, experiencing enchanted scenes, twinkling lights and holiday-themed music. After walking the illuminated route, participants will enjoy refreshments, photo-booth fun, beautifully decorated Christmas trees on display and a photo with Santa. New this year: take your photo with live reindeer! The walk-thru is $3 in advance and $5 day of, per person. Children under age two are free. If inclement weather occurs, the walk-thru will be held Tuesday, Dec. 3.

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Sleigh Hayrides | Starting Dec. 4 • Various Times

Book a wintertime, tractor-pulled hayride through beautiful Rotary Park to tour the breathtaking Holiday Night Lights. Rides are available on Mondays and Wednesdays every 45 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. (except on Dec. 2 and Dec. 25). Sleigh Hayrides are perfect for scouts, church groups, picnics, company parties or family/neighborhood get-togethers. Sip hot chocolate, munch on cookies and listen to holiday music while sitting around the bonfire. The hayride will hold a maximum of 25 people, including lap children. Rides are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be completed two weeks in advance; no refunds will be given, unless the display is closed. Sleigh Hayrides are $130 for residents and $145 for nonresidents.

Holiday Night Lights 5K & Fun Run (All Ages) | Dec. 8 • 4:30 p.m.

Come enjoy our Holiday Night Lights display with a 5K or one-mile fun run! 5K registration is $25 by Nov. 8 ($35 after); Fun Run registration is $20 by Nov. 8 ($30 after). The Holiday Night Lights 5K is a chip-timed race that takes you through the light display at Rotary Park just in time for the holiday season! This race is fun for the entire family. Registration and packet pickup starts at 2:30 p.m.; the race starts at 4:30 p.m. The first-place winners of the 5K in each of the following age groups will receive awards: 10 and under; 11-14; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70 and older. The top three overall males and females will also receive awards, but will not be given age-group awards.

An awards ceremony will be held after the last 5K runner has completed the course. The one-mile race will begin when the 5K route is clear and medals have been awarded.

Holiday Night Light Events are held at Wentzville's Rotary Park (2577 W. Meyer Rd.).

To learn more and view a full schedule of events, please visit bit.ly/wprhnl2019.

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City News Profile by Sanford 1768 Wentzville Pkwy.

Midtown Home Improvements 120 Resource Dr.

Sauce on the Side 1762 Wentzville Pkwy.

Creating deSigns Etc. 606 E. Pearce Blvd.

McAlister's Deli 1772 Wentzville Pkwy.

Sugarfire Smoke House 1101 Lodora Dr.

Seymour Cleaning Service 950 Corporate Pkwy., Ste. 108

Dream of Tiffany's 411 E. Pearce Blvd.

Vector Martial Arts 1447 Wentzville Pkwy.

Pod-Grown 1230 Continental Dr.

The Cocktail Catering Comp.

205 E. Allen St.

Pacific Waves 1000 Corporate Pkwy., Ste. 101

Faith Sign Company 1049B S. Callahan Rd.

Family First Insurance Group 147 Hamilton Industrial Ct.

New B u

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US Automotive Protection Svcs.

1459 Wentzville Pkwy.

Business Spotlight

Six + Cypress 205 E. Allen St.

Business Owners: Abby Lang and Kasey Hoag What year did you open? 2018 on Black Friday What influenced you to locate your business in Wentzville? Abby lives in Wentzville; the online part of their business started here; the shoppers are here; they love the small-town feel of Wentzville with big-town amenities.

What do you feel you bring to Wentzville by having your business here?

A place to make women feel good. It’s a place to be comfortable with oneon-one personalized service. We also provide private shopping events for our customers.

What products/services do you offer? Women’s clothing from XS to 3X, accessories, home goods, locally made products such as candles, earrings and bags.

What’s your favorite thing about Wentzville? Its family-friendly environment, the Wentzville schools, and the closeness of the Historic Downtown Wentzville merchants and residents.

What’s next for your business? Perhaps another location with a stronger presence in the Wentzville community.

What do you hope Wentzville will be or evolve into five years from now?

Continuing development of Historic Downtown Wentzville.

Any other comments you’d like to share? There are two other businesses at 205 E. Allen St.: From Scratch Bakehouse where you can order online bakery items, and Generations Revival a DIY paint-party location.

Congratulations!

Abby Lang, Co-owner of Six + Cypress

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Mayor’s Protecting Your Identity at the Holidays (and All Year)

While you’re out shopping here in Wentzville during the holiday season, I’d like to remind you to protect yourself and your identity. During the holidays, in addition to spending more money, we tend to be busier, more stressed and more distracted than other times of the year.

Identity thieves take advantage of our distraction by secretly stealing our identities.

Nothing takes the joy out of the season faster than being an identity theft victim.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, date of birth or other identifying information, without permission, to commit fraud. For example, someone could open up a credit card or get a loan using your information. If you react quickly, you can prevent more damage. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests that you take these three steps as soon as possible: 1. Place an initial fraud alert: Ask one of the three credit reporting companies to put a fraud alert on your credit report; they are required to inform the other two companies. An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. The alert lasts 90 days, but you can renew it.

2. Order your credit reports: Now that you’ve set up an initial fraud alert, you’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies.

A free annual report is a great option – even if you haven’t been the victim of identity theft.

3. Create an identity-theft report: An identity theft report gives you some important rights that can help you recover from the theft. To create one, file a complaint with the FTC and print an identity theft affidavit. Use the affidavit to file a police report and to create your Identity Theft Report.

It can be devastating and stressful to deal with identity theft. To help lessen the threat, here are some simple ways to protect yourself during this busy shopping season.

• Use your credit card: Limit your use of checks and debit cards. When you use either of these, the money is taken directly from your bank account. If fraud does occur, it can be much harder and time-consuming to get the money refunded. Credit cards generally give you a longer period to catch the fraud before you are held liable.

• Leave your purse at home: For women, take a wallet that fits in your coat pocket

Message

Mayor Nick Guccione and leave your purse at home. Forty percent of all identity theft occurs when a purse is stolen. If you must take a purse, use a cross-body style that zips.

• Watch your statements: Frequently monitor your financial statements to help catch theft immediately. Most banks offer account alerts that you can set up online to notify you of unusual spending.

Identity theft can be expensive, not to mention a pain to correct. You don’t want to spend your time during and after the holidays dealing with the hassle. I encourage you to take the steps necessary to protect yourself!

Shop Wentzville Top Five Reasons to Shop in Wentzville during the Holidays

As consumers, we have the power to shape our City. Isn’t that an amazing thought? When you shop in Wentzville, you are pledging to make a concerted effort to impact our local businesses – both big and small. So why should you chose to shop local?

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Tax Dollars

Jobs

Neighbors

Save!

Time for You

Keep your tax dollars working for YOU! The City sales tax you pay funds improvements to parks, roads and services in YOUR City.

Wentzville businesses grow and can create more jobs right here — jobs help local families!

When you do business with local merchants, you’re doing business with friends and neighbors.

You save money and gasoline!

You'll spend less time driving on highways and more time doing things you enjoy, like spending time with your family and friends.

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6 Community Development Block Grants

Maintaining our neighborhoods and helping our residents are top priorities for the City of Wentzville. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are instrumental in helping us achieve these goals. CDBG funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through St. Charles Urban County, for the purpose of helping low- and moderateincome households. CDBG funding covers several programs, from helping to maintain a home, to receiving transportation. Below is just two examples of the programs available.

• Home Improvement Loan Program – Fiveyear, forgivable, nointerest loan to eligible residents to make repairs and improvements to their owner-occupied property. Low- or no-interest loans to eligible residents to make repairs and improvements to owner-occupied property, including handicapped accessibility. This program can also help residents pay for corrections to their property, which have been cited violations by a Wentzville inspector if qualified.

• First-Time Homebuyer Program – This program works with participants to gain firsthand knowledge about the essentials of getting mortgage-ready to buy your own home and how you may qualify for financial assistance of up to $10,000 OR MORE that can be used for down payment and closing costs. Income eligibility applies.

Various restrictions apply for each of these programs, including income verification.

Applications will be available on our website at bit.ly/WentzvilleCDBG; deadlines may apply.

Questions regarding any of these programs can be directed to Wentzville’s Building Official at Jessica Isaak. Please email Jessica.Isaak@ wentzvillemo.org or call (636) 639-2046.

Citizen of the Year

Shopping Safety Reminders Take time to ensure you have a safe and happy holiday season! These steps may help reduce your chances of falling prey to a criminal act. For more information, please call the Wentzville Police Department at (636) 327-5105. When shopping, take the following precautions.

1. Be aware of your surroundings.

2. Remember where you parked your car.

Take a photo of your car or a nearby landmark.

3. When shopping after dark, park in a well-lit area that is close to the store's entrance.

4. Shop in pairs. Take a friend shopping with you.

5. When returning to your car, keep your key fob in your hand.

6. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; opt to pay for purchases with credit cards.

7. Don’t leave your phone, purse or other valuables visible in your parked car.

8. Hide your bags. Don’t leave purchased merchandise in your parked car where it can be seen.

Buddy the Elf

Between Dec. 2 and Dec. 18, be on the lookout for Buddy, the life-sized elf, at one of Wentzville's parks, City buildings or local businesses.

Buddy will move to a new location every few days. Buddy will post pictures and/or clues about his location on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page (facebook.com/wentzvilleparks).

Simply find Buddy, take creative pictures and email them to BuddyTheElf@wentzvillemo.org.

On Dec. 20, we will award first-, second- and third-place prizes for the most creative photos with Buddy. This contest is open to both residents and nonresidents; enter as often as you like.

Buddy is one-of-a-kind, so remember to be nice to him or Santa will know! Every family that enters will receive a prize. All photos must be submitted by Dec. 19. Photos become the property of the City of Wentzville.

Bingo with Santa

Join Santa on Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. at Progress Park for lunch and bingo! A pasta lunch will be served first with salad, a breadstick and, of course, dessert. All attendees will receive one professional family photo with Santa. Several rounds of bingo will be played including four corners, diagonal, traditional and coverall. There will be gifts for the winner of every round!

Bingo with Santa is $25 for residents and $32 for nonresidents. Save when you reserve a table of 10 for just $210! All attendees must register. To register, please visit bit.ly/wprsantabingo2019 or call (636) 332-9236.

Do you know someone whose service or actions deserve special recognition? Nominations for Wentzville’s Citizen of the Year award are open year-round; to submit an award for 2019 Citizen of the Year, please submit your nominations by Nov. 15.

To learn more and submit a nomination, please visit bit.ly/NominateCOTY. Consider nominating someone today!

The Board of Aldermen will present the 2019 award during a regularly scheduled January 2020 Board meeting.

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From the Board

1 Facade Improvement Grant Program Update

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In February 2016, the Board of Aldermen approved the establishment of a Façade Improvement Grant Program. The purpose of the program is “to permit and encourage the preservation of historic structures and to avoid general neighborhood deterioration through renovation and restoration of commercial and mixed-use structures.”

In 2017, the program was expanded to include properties zoned HD-1, HD-2 and HD-3. These districts are located in Historic Downtown Wentzville.

A total of 17 properties have been approved for program-matching funds.

Property owners may apply for a grant up to 50 percent of the total investment on renovation or restoration of the exterior of the property not-to-exceed a $10,000 grant for eligible projects. To qualify, the structure must be at least 50-years old.

The 2019 program included two application periods — one in April and one in August. Recently, the Downtown Committee for the City of Wentzville reviewed projects at five new locations (pictured to the left): 1. Lowrey's Streetside Pub 8-12 E. Pearce Blvd.

2. Sweeten's Concrete 308 E. Koenig Ave. 3. Trinity Executive Building 24 W. Main St. 4. The Blue House 302 Whitehead St. 5. Wheel Sports 402 S. Church St. The projects include a variety of requested improvements, such as new awnings, exterior paint, lighting and canopies. Money for the program is appropriated annually by the Board of Aldermen, and a total of $50,000 was set-aside in the 2019 budget to support the program.

Wentzville Board of Aldermen (from left to right): Michael Hays (Ward 3), Brittany Gillett (Ward 2), Robert Hussey (Ward 1), Bryan Harr (Ward 1), Mayor Nick Guccione, Jeff Ottenlips (Ward 2), and Matt Swanson (Ward 3)

Protect Your Packages

Keep your packages safe from "porch pirates" this holiday season (and year-round) with these tips.

• Schedule deliveries when you will be home, or have packages delivered to a trusted friend, family member or a commercial locker.

• Request a signature to receive your package.

• Increase your home security with surveillance cameras.

• Report any suspicious activity to the Wentzville Police Department (WPD) by calling (636) 327-5105.

If you have a surveillance system, WPD would love to partner with you! Our “Video Surveillance Camera Registration Program” is a voluntary program that allows you to partner with WPD to assist during investigations. If you register your surveillance system and a crime occurs, WPD can quickly identify anyone that has cameras nearby. This helps us to collect video evidence and follow up on leads to solve the crime.

WPD is NOT asking for access to your system. This voluntary program simply provides us a way to know where video surveillance systems are located throughout the community. Many times, we have an incident that’s not captured on video, however, a system around the corner or on another street might have captured the suspect and/or vehicle driving away. To register your surveillance system, please visit bit.ly/wentzvillesurveillance. If you have any questions, please contact Detective Sergeant Maddolin at (636) 639-2105.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID St. Louis, MO Permit #495

1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd.

Wentzville, MO 63385

ECRWSS Postal Customer

Holiday Trash Collection Schedule For questions, please call (636) 327-5102, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VETERANS DAY

The Veterans Day holiday will not affect your collection schedule.

from the City of Wentzville

THANKSGIVING

For the week of Nov. 25, collection will be as follows:  Trash collection will remain the same on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, trash collection will run a day late. Thursday’s collection will move to Friday and Friday’s collection will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30.

CHRISTMAS

For the weeks of Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, collection will be as follows:  Trash collection will remain the same on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday's collection will move to Thursday, Thursday's collection will move to Friday, and Friday's collection will move to Saturday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 4, respectively.

Holiday Hours

City offices will be closed on the following holidays: • Veterans Day, Nov. 11 • Thanksgiving, Nov. 28 & 29 • Christmas, Dec. 24 & 25 • New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 Progress Park Recreation Center Holiday Hours: Veterans Day, Nov. 11, open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, closed Day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, open 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25, closed New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, open 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, closed Wentzville Ice Arena Holiday Hours: To view public skate and Stick 'N' Puck hours, special events and more, please visit www.wentzvilleicearena.com.

Upcoming Meetings: Save the Date Parks and Recreation Board 6:30 P.M. | NOV. 4 AND DEC. 9

Board of Adjustment 6 P.M. | NOV. 14 AND DEC. 12

Planning and Zoning 6 P.M. | DEC. 3

Board of Aldermen 6 P.M. | NOV. 6 & 20 AND DEC. 11

Parks and Rec Board Tree Committee* 5 P.M. | NOV. 21 AND DEC. 19

Friends of the Wentzville Parks 5:30 P.M. | DEC. 5

Parks and Rec Board Art/Program Committee* 4 P.M. | NOV. 12 AND DEC. 10

Downtown Committee 6 P.M. | NOV. 26

Stormwater Committee 6 P.M. | FEB. 27

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at City Hall (1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd.). *The Tree Committee and Art/Program Committee both meet at Progress Park (968 Meyer Rd.).

MEETING DATES AND HOLIDAY HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. For up-to-date calendar items, please visit the City’s website at www.wentzvillemo.org.