Ellisville Mayor: Post-Walmart Relocation Plan Won't Help New Tenants
Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul said the relocation policy will not assist tenants who moved in to the apartment complex after January 1.
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Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul said the city's new relocation policy meant to compensate Clarkchester Apartments residents to be displaced by a Walmart Superstore may not help those who moved in after January 1.
When the project was approved this month, Paul said, the plan allowed up to $1,000 to be given to each household within Clarkchester Apartments in order to compensate for relocation costs; Clarkchester Apartments is one of several business properties that currently occupies the parcels that have been designated for the project.
At the council's last meeting, however, Paul said he recently discovered that the policy may only apply to residents who moved in by January 1, 2012.
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"So my concern was, what about protecting any of the residents who moved in from January 2 on, because they're not eligible for any (compensation). They're pretty much high and dry, is essentially what we're saying," Paul said. "So that's my concern and it was a concern of the some of the apartment owners."
Paul said he did not know how many tenants would be affected because they moved in after January 1.
"I don't have a specific number but I've had various emails with owners stating their concerns about people who moved in after the first, so it's my impression there are several people," Paul said.
City Attorney Paul Martin told the council he would be willing to review the approved plan in response to requests for revisions. Martin suggested, however, that the council wait until Councilmember Linda Reel, who was absent Wednesday, return before making plans around the issue.
"I know that Linda Reel has expressed a long term interest in making sure the tenants are taken care of, so it may be appropriate to wait to continue the discussion until she's here," Martin said.
Councilmember Matt Pirrello said continuing talks over the relocation policy would require consent from the rest of the council, none of whom seconded Mayor Paul's motion to review the issue further.
E. Schmidt
7:03 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
The Patch quoted--
>>>"I know that Linda Reel has expressed a long term interest in making sure the tenants are taken care of, so it may be appropriate to wait to continue the discussion until she's here," Martin said.<<<
Yes, Linda Reel and all of the other "concerned' City Council members took care of us real good. A lousy $1,000 -- the state minimum -- which will hardly get you down the road.
Just remember this come recall time.
Jimmy C
9:35 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Wait, am I reading this right?? Not one alderman/council seconded a request by our Mayor to change the recently adopted city relocation ordinance to protect all residents who are forced to move with this Walmart? Does anyone know how many people this affects? I bet a lot of people moved in after the 1st. If Linda was so concerned, why wasn't this addressed for the 6 years this project was in implementation phase? What is the hold up with linda?!?!?!? Why is the board not protecting ALL its people right now. I have heard it all...........
E. Schmidt
2:47 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Yep. Not even a second from this guy, Troy Pieper...and these 250 people live in his district.
http://ballwin-ellisville.patch.com/articles/ellisville-councilmember-vote-for-recall-not-a-conflict-of-interest
He seems more concerned about saving his own hide.
Michael Rhodes
9:39 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Did the mayor say why he thinks the plan "may" not cover those who moved in after January 1? I didn't see his reason listed in the article. He might have addressed it at the meeting.
Rockwood 25
11:28 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
$1000 is not adequate for the costs and severe disruptions that will be incurred. It will be even more damaging to those who recently moved in; they just went through the distress and costs of moving.
David
4:42 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
This story is such BS, If Walmart wants that location they can pony up the few extra dollars to do this major purchase, This property is costing millions of dollars and if they have 18 or 69 people extra to compensate....... they will not back out of this deal. Or ClarkChester needs to pay these people. ClarkChester is being bought out at a very handsome price. Who is kidding who?
E. Schmidt
5:21 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
The City of Ellisville used Tax Increment Financing, Eminent Domain and Condemnation to launch this Sansone Wal-Mart TIF.
There is a Missouri State Statute that provides for owners, occupants and tenants.
It seems you complaint is with the City Council of Ellisville who decided to use TIF and the State of Missouri that provides some minimal protection to homowners, business owners their occupants and tenants...not with ClarkChester (???)
Go here--
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5230000205.HTM
Chapter 523 Condemnation Proceedings Section 523.205
§ 523.205. Relocation assistance given, when -- definitions -- relocation plans -- contents -- residential payments -- business payments -- advance payments -- waiver -- notice -- report -- ineligibility for tax abatement, when -- additional requirements
Start reading.
Michael Rhodes
9:05 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
ES: I read the statutes and did not see anything that would limit the relocation amounts to leases signed before January 1, 2012. Do you know why the mayor thinks they may not be covered? Did he provide a reason at the meeting that isn't in this story?
E. Schmidt
6:32 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Michael Rhodes--
>>>I read the statutes and did not see anything that would limit the relocation amounts to leases signed before January 1, 2012.<<<
I don't see anything either.
Perhaps it is because they are cheap and mean-spirited. Perhaps it is because they want to feign concern, cry crocodile tears and posture for the press.
Like I said, they took care of us here in Clarkchester Apartments REAL GOOD...
And let's keep in mind that this is just 1 of 5 redevelopment areas target by the city.
They will no doubt use TIF, Eminent Domain and Condemnation for the other 4 as well at some point in the future. So this drama will play out over and over and over and over again.
Of course the problem is that a future City Council will at some point no doubt have to infringe on homeowners and put them under the Threat of Eminent Domain and Condemnation to clear some land as Big Boxes and Big Plans have mighty BIG FOOTPRINTS. Then when the homeowners decide to sell rather than fight, the city can again misrepresent what really happened by saying the didn't use Eminent Domain...just the Threat of Eminent Domain was enough.
And all the homeowners of Ellisville have is a lousy resolution from 2005 to protect them that's not worth the paper it's written on.
Cheap, mean-spirited and duplicitous...This is the Ellisville City Council at work.
Remember this at Recall Time.
Michael Rhodes
7:51 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Were you at the council meeting? Did the mayor say why he had concerns? He was specific in that only those from January 2012 on might not be covered. Was hoping someone knew the answer.
Chase Castle
9:24 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
As soon as we have more info, we'll get it to you. Mayor Paul also can elaborate here in the comments section, as he has done many times in the past.
Michael Rhodes
10:23 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thanks Chase. I think he deleted his account as all his posts are now gone. I was hoping someone at the meeting would recall what his concern was.
Neal Page
9:01 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
I hope there are lawsuits brewing here.. uprooting citizens that had intentions and goals for their children, then maybe to change a school district which maybe unfavorable; $1k is hardly enough to pack up the truck let alone pay deposits plus first months rent and moving costs, not to mention pain and suffering. Walmart has always been a company that leeches off communities, and exhibiting improper business practice at the cost of others. Our family has boycotted Walmart Corp, and will for life. Shame on Ellisville for allowing this to happen, shame on the apartment association (owners), and of coarse shame on Walmart. Another example of big business pushing around wage earning citizens.
Maria
10:33 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
I can't even begin to express how I feel about this whole situation. So really, they think $1000 is all it takes to move? That barely covers the rental for a place here. What about moving costs? Shame on them, shame on walmart. That's why they will never see another dimension of my money.