O'Fallon Update newsletter - Autumn 2015 by City of O'Fallon

O’Fallon Update The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri Autumn 2015 • www.ofallon.mo.us

Thank you for shopping and dining in O’Fallon Stay informed with O’Fallon’s e-newsletter and notification system If you want to stay up-to-date on everything going on in your hometown, sign up for our electronic version of O’Fallon Update. This e-newsletter is delivered for free to your inbox every week, filling you in on all of the events and activities O’Fallon has to offer. Also, our new free resident notification system, Code Red, will notify you via phone, text or email of emergencies and important information, such as road closures, important City meetings, major traffic issues and more. Just visit www. ofallon.mo.us to register for both the e-newsletter and Code Red.

In this issue 2

Candidate Filing

Fall Fest

Homeowner Tips

Upcoming Events

Police Bulletins

Roscoe’s Den

eep It in the 'O!' In 2010, we launched this campaign to help remind our residents to look to their own hometown for shopping and dining opportunities. The slogan, which was actually suggested by a local business owner, serves as a reminder to all of us to shop locally and support our local businesses. Did you know that when you shop in O’Fallon, your sales taxes are used to fund the City services we all depend on? That means every time you shop in a local store, you help fund the police department that helps keep your neighborhood safe. Or when you go out to eat at one of our wonderful restaurants, you’re supporting the parks where you take the kids every weekend. And when you buy gas at a local station, you fund the repairs that keep our streets in great shape. Additionally, by keeping your tax dollars in O’Fallon, you also help create jobs! As you drive through just about any part of O’Fallon, you can see and hear construction all around you. New national retailers are choosing O’Fallon as their next – or first – location in St. Charles County and the St. Louis Metro Area. These new stores not only give us new shopping and dining options, but they provide even more job opportunities close to home. This cycle of economic development has fueled the incredible growth of our City over the past 50 years, and it continues today. Of course, your support also allows us to provide you with all kinds of fun activities and recreational opportunities, and I encourage you to check out all of them in this edition of O’Fallon Update. You can get the full information on the annual Fall Fest and Fall Fest Run on page 3. And, check out all of the other great events we have coming up on pages 6–8. Thank you for keeping O’Fallon a great place to live, work and play! Thank you for “Keeping it in the ‘O!’” Sincerely,

Bill Hennessy, Mayor

O’Fallon again rated one of Missouri’s safest cites Drawing on F.B.I. statistics, the website OnlyInYourState.com recently recognized O’Fallon as the fifth safest city in Missouri. With nearly 83,000 residents, O’Fallon is the largest City to be named among the “Top 10” safest cities, and it is the only St. Charles County municipality on the list.

11 Watch O’FallonTV 12 City Calendar

Watch O'FallonTV on the go. Turn to page 11.

Elected Officials

Mayor Bill Hennessy 636-379-5500 bhennessy@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 1 Councilmembers Dave Hinman 636-379-5581 dhinman@ofallon.mo.us

Rick Lucas 636-379-5582 rlucas@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 2 Councilmembers Rose Mack 636-379-5591 rmack@ofallon.mo.us

Jim Pepper 636-379-5583 jpepper@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 3 Councilmembers Richard “Rick” Battelle 636-379-5586 rbattelle@ofallon.mo.us

John Haman, Jr. 636-379-5585 jhaman@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 4 Councilmembers Bob Howell 636-379-5587 bhowell@ofallon.mo.us

Jeff Schwentker

Candidate filing to open for City Council seats If you are an O’Fallon resident interested in serving on the O’Fallon City Council, you can start the process by filing a Declaration of Candidacy for the April 5, 2016, municipal election. On election day, registered voters in Ward 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 will select a City Council representative to serve a three-year term. The first day of filing a Declaration of Candidacy will be Tuesday, December 15, 2015, beginning at 8 a.m. As a candidate, you will submit to the City Clerk a filing fee of $25 and a written Declaration of Candidacy with your name, age, address, length of residency and the office for which you are filing. The final day to file for office will be January 19, 2016.

NOTICE OF ELECTION AND OF THE OPENING AND CLOSING FOR FILING DECLARATIONS OF CANDIDACY FOR ELECTIVE OFFICES IN THE CITY OF O’FALLON, MISSOURI, FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD APRIL 5, 2016. Pursuant to Section 3.2, Article 8 and Section 14.5 of the Charter of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri, an election will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, for the purpose of electing one (1) Member of the O’Fallon City Council from each of Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a term of three (3) years. Pursuant to Section 115.347 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri, and the O’Fallon City Charter no candidate’s name shall be printed on any official ballot unless his/her written, signed and sworn Declaration of Candidacy, including, address, age, length of residency, and the office for which he or she is running, has been filed in the office of the city clerk within the time allowed by law. You are hereby advised that the first day for filing a Declaration of Candidacy for the April 5, 2016, election is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Filing will close on the last day for filing for this election at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. A filing fee of $25.00 shall accompany each Declaration of Candidacy filed with the City Clerk. Candidates will appear on the ballot in the order they have filed. If you are the first candidate to file for a given position you will be the first candidate on the ballot for that position. The candidate or a person at least 18 years of age designated by the candidate may sit in line in the West City Hall entrance area prior to the opening of filing. At 8:00 a.m. on December 15th applications will be accepted in this location. After December 15th filing will be in the City Clerk’s office. The candidate must be the person in position at 8:00 a.m. on December 15th. All candidates must file in person; no one else can file for you.

636-379-5580 jschwentker@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 5 Councilmembers Debbie Cook

Pamela L. Clement, CMC/MRCC - C City Clerk

636-379-5588 dcook@ofallon.mo.us

Mike Pheney

Helpful Numbers

636-379-5584 mpheney@ofallon.mo.us

Citizens First Center 636-379-5553

City Hall 636-240-2000

Police (Non-emergency) 636-240-3200

Trash and Recycling 636-272-0477

O’Fallon Water & Sewer 636-281-2858

The O’Fallon Senior Center gets a makeover for easier access This past summer, construction upgrades were made to walkways and the parking lot around the O’Fallon Senior Center to make the facility more ADA-accessible. Located on the east side of the O’Fallon Municipal Centre campus (behind City Hall), the Senior Center is designed for residents ages 60+ and offers free activities and socializing over card and bingo games, billiards and more. Plus, get a great lunch for only $4. (Call 636-272-4180 the day before to make your lunch reservation.) The center, which is operated by the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA), is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

O’Fallon’s Fall Fest Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Autumn.

www.ofallon.mo.us/FallFest

Celebrate fall with shopping, crafts, family fun and games at O’Fallon’s Fall Fest

’Fallon’s beautiful Civic Park will be bursting with fall colors and fantastic crafts, art and fun on Saturday, October 10th as the annual Fall Fest provides unique shopping and live entertainment from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring the family out and get a start on holiday shopping or just spend the day experiencing country-style fun and the upbeat sound of acoustic music. Shop for original art, crafts, unique jewelry and accessories, fall flowers and colorful home and yard decorations for fall and winter. The event features free admission and parking, and delicious food and beverages will be available for purchase. Fall Fest music – From 10 a.m. – noon, fiery fiddle and bass music will fill the park as George Portz & the Friends of Bluegrass take the stage with old-time country, Cajun and of course, bluegrass. Then, from 1–4 p.m., it’s time for classic country, classic rock and some homespun comedy, too, with Helen Russell & Company. Based at the Lake of the Ozarks, Helen was a vocalist with Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry. Free tours – Be sure to stop in at the O’Fallon Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum for a tour and a few good stories from O’Fallon’s 159 years of history.

Saturday, October 10 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Musical Entertainment 10 a.m. – Noon

George Portz & the Friends of Bluegrass

1–4 p.m.

Helen Russell & Company Country, classic rock and comedy

All Day

Patricia McMenomy Dulcimer player

Shows 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Madame Rosa’s Museum of Natural Oddities

Free Activities • All day Home Depot Kids' Workshop Pumpkin Decorating Pumpkin-themed Games

www.ofallon.mo.us Autumn 2015

Fall Fest Scarecrow-Making Contest gets O'Fallon set for autumn

Fall Fest Run (5K/10K) and runners’ Zombie Costume Contest

With prizes of up to $300 for the winners, businesses, clubs, individuals and organizations can enter their own unique scarecrow in the City’s Scarecrow-Making Contest. The scarecrows will be displayed along Main Street in Downtown O’Fallon or in front of an O’Fallon business. The community will decide the winners by voting for their favorite scarecrow on the webpage www. facebook.com/visitofallon from 8 a.m. on October 6 through noon on October 8. To get started, visit www. ofallon.mo.us/FallFest for rules and regulations, fill out the entry form and submit it with a $10 entry fee by Friday, September 18.

Saturday, October 10 7 a.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

2014 Scarecrow-Making Contest winner, Twin Oaks Estate

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Sign up for an exhilarating 5K or 10K run through City streets on a crisp fall morning! Register for either the 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles) race and get a runner’s shirt and race packet with goodies. The race will be digitally-timed and feature brand new routes that start at the O'Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), run along Main Street and then loop through the neighborhoods of north O’Fallon and Westhoff Park before finishing back at City Hall. Then, help yourself to some healthy snacks and beverages just for participants. The 5K awards ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. 10K awards begin at 8:30 a.m. Add to the fun by joining the horde! Dress as a zombie for a chance to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the runners’ Zombie Costume Contest for all race participants at no additional charge. The contest will be judged by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. Costumes must be family-friendly and worn throughout the race.

Street Dance brings fun and music to Civic Park Friday, October 9 7–10 p.m., Civic Park Dance to the beat of O’Fallon’s free Fall Fest Street Dance in Civic Park on Friday, October 9, from 7–10 p.m., as the City kicks off the season with one of the best rock ’n roll cover bands in the St. Louis area, Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys Band. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys Band set to rock October 9

Fall Fest Run divisions are: 14-and-under, 15–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+, the Baby Stroller Division (5K only), Athena (females 150 lbs. or more), and Clydesdale (males 205 lbs. or more). For FAQs, maps and online registration (available through October 4, only), visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ FallFest#run. The cost for registration is $18 per person for the 5K and $23 for the 10K through October 4 (online) or October 8 (in-person). Race day registration will be held on site from 6–6:45 a.m. at a cost of $20 for the 5K and $25 for the 10K. Call 636-379-5614 for more information. To volunteer for the race, email volunteer@ofallon.mo.us or call 636-379-5417.

Get updates: @visitofallon

Homeowner Tips Important Information and Programs for O'Fallon Homeowners Help keep your storm drains working properly If you are a homeowner with a storm drain located on or near your property, the City needs your help in keeping it working properly. Typically, storm drains are located at the curb or in privately-owned back yards. They’re designed to help prevent flooding by allowing excess precipitation to drain into the City’s storm sewer system. If the drain inlets are blocked, they won’t work properly. With hundreds of storm water inlets, box culverts and miles of storm sewer lines, property owners are asked to perform basic maintenance around “their” storm drains. Doing so helps prevent your yard and neighboring yards from flooding. To keep your storm drain working properly, simply keep the openings free of obstructions.

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Clear away trash, debris, sticks and twigs. This is especially important during the fall months!

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Remove brush and weeds that have grown up in and around the drain. Removal will be easier if the plants are just starting to grow and can be pulled up instead of cut to prevent regrowth. Tip: If the area is dry, use a hose to briefly soak the soil, which will make it easier to pull weeds up, roots and all.

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Keep landscaped plantings away from storm drain inlets. Never dump leaves or grass clippings, oil or anything else into the storm drain. Storm drains do not flow into the City’s treatment plant; they empty directly into local streams and the river. To keep our waterways healthy for wildlife and recreation, please keep our City’s storm drains free of pollution.

Finally, if a larger concern arises regarding maintenance, please contact the City for assistance. You can reach the Stormwater Maintenance Division at 636-379-3808.

O’Fallon’s Sewer Lateral Insurance Program offers residents funding for expensive repairs Did you know that lateral sewer line repairs typically cost thousands of dollars? The good news is that O’Fallon homeowners can get help through the City’s Sewer Lateral Insurance Program. Homeowners already have the insurance, which is funded by a fee that is collected with annual property taxes. Lateral sewer lines connect your house to the public sewer main beneath the street. The line extends from your home’s foundation to the sewer main. Because lateral sewer lines belong to the property owner or homeowner, cleaning, repairing and replacing the lateral sewer line is an owner’s responsibility. The City’s lateral line insurance program provides up to $7,500 in coverage, should qualifying repairs be needed. If you suspect that your sewer lateral could be the cause of sewage backup in your home, the City’s lateral repair program may be able to help. To find out, take the following steps: pick up a copy of the Sanitary Sewer Lateral Application at City Hall or download the application at www.ofallon.mo.us/SLIP. You will need a copy of last year’s paid property tax receipt from St. Charles County and a $300 application fee. With that in hand, the City can authorize a video inspection of the sewer lateral to determine the nature and location of the problem. If the problem is covered by the Sewer Lateral Insurance Program, City staff will guide you through the entire process, and your application fee will be refunded once the repair process is complete. For more information, call 636-2402000 or visit www.ofallon.mo.us and click on “Sewer Lateral Insurance.”

Have a question or concern for City of O'Fallon staff? If so, please visit the Citizens First Center at www.ofallon.mo.us.

www.ofallon.mo.us Autumn 2015

Upcoming Events www.ofallon.mo.us/events

Patriotic Ceremonies

O’Fallon Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum Open September 13 and 27 (2nd, 4th Sundays) 12–3 p.m., Civic Park

Patriot Day Ceremony Friday, September 11 8:30 a.m., 9–11 Memorial (outside the Municipal Centre) Please join in this moving ceremony honoring First Responders and remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

National Days of Service and Remembrance

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Friday - Saturday, September 11–12 O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

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Patriot Blood Drive, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. , Friday, September 11 Citizens United in Service, Saturday, September 12, 9–11 a.m. (Projects supporting first responders and military personnel)

To participate, contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day Friday, September 18 7 p.m., O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk This candlelight ceremony is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces from all wars who remain missing in action or imprisoned on foreign soil.

Explore O’Fallon’s history and chat with the people who know it best! Tours also are available by appointment; email your request to info@ofallonmohistory.org.

RSC Art & Family Festival and Movie in the Park: Jurassic Park • Film is rated PG-13 Friday, September 25 5:15 a.m. – 9 p.m., Open House with free admission to the Renaud Spirit Center (RSC) 4–8:30 p.m., RSC Art & Family Festival 8:30 p.m., Movie in the Park: Jurassic Park, free (bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating outside the RSC) The Renaud Spirit Center’s open house offers free admission and free use of the recreation complex facilities, including swimming for all ages from 4–8 p.m. Purchase a new RSC membership over the weekend and get a 10% discount on the cost. RSC Art & Family Festival activities include live music by That 80s Band, a chance to meet artists and buy original art, kids’ activities (a balloon artist, face painting, a bubble machine) and more. Food trucks will provide delicious food and beverages for sale. Be sure to pick up your free raffle tickets for a chance to win a free annual membership and other prizes. See page 9 in the Parks & Rec Guide for more information.

Veterans Day Ceremony Wednesday, November 11 11 a.m., O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk Join in thanking veterans for our liberty and our country’s freedom. City Hall will be closed in observance of the day.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony Sunday, December 6 1 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

All are welcome to attend this ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of the attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan.

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St. Charles County Senior Fair

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, October 3 9 a.m. – noon, St. Peters City Hall

Wednesday, November 18 6–8 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

This free event will have a little bit of everything for seniors with giveaways, snacks and senior-focused vendors. The Alzheimer’s Association will be speaking from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Help ring in the official start of the season by counting down to the lighting of the tree in City Hall. The evening’s fun includes live choral music, visits with Santa (be sure to bring your camera to capture the moment), holiday games and crafts, face painting and rides on the City Train (weather permitting). Vendors’ booths will be stocked with holiday decorations and hand-made gifts for sale, and concessions will be available for purchase. Admission and parking are free, but in the spirit of the season, please bring donations of canned or boxed goods and personal care items for local food pantries. For more information call 636-379-5614.

Fort Zumwalt Park and the disc golf course temporarily closing to traffic Monday, October 12, through late January 2016 In preparation for the City’s annual Celebration of Lights, Fort Zumwalt Park will close to vehicles. The park’s disc golf course, “The Fort,” also will be closed during this time. Pedestrians are welcome to continue using the walking path around the park during daylight hours, and everyone is invited to see the Celebration of Lights, which will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 27.

O’FallonTheatreWorks presents Wit

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October 23-25, 30-31 and November 1 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays, O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and numerous offBroadway awards, Wit has been called, “the kind of theatrical experience of which legends are made.” Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for general admission and $8 for students (ages 6–17) and seniors (ages 55+). Purchase tickets by phone (credit cards only; call 636-4742732) or in person at the Renaud Spirit Center or the Parks and Recreation Office. For more details, please see page 33 in the Parks & Rec Guide.

Cornucopia of Care Food Drive Monday, November 9 – Saturday, December 19 Drop off canned and boxed food and personal care items for local food pantries. For more information, call 636-379-5417.

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O’Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 North Main Street Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle Lindell Bank O’Fallon, 4521 Highway K Fox’s Pizza Den, 1120 Technology Drive, Ste. 119

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Decorate O’Fallon’s “Giving Trees” with new hats, scarves, mittens, socks Wednesday, November 18 – Friday, December 11 O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), Renaud Spirit Center Hang brand-new mittens and gloves, hats, scarves, and socks of all sizes and for all ages on these special trees, and give a gift of warmth that’s sure to be appreciated all winter long. The “ornaments” will be distributed by the local Salvation Army.

Celebration of Lights Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll Tuesday, December 8 V+ 6–9 p.m., Fort Zumwalt Park, Admission is $3 for ages 3 and older; free parking Experience the beauty of the Celebration of Lights at your own pace at this annual walk-through event. Carolers and choir music will fill the air as you stroll the mile-long path with more than a million twinkling lights. Cap the night off with a visit with Santa, shop for hand-made holiday gifts or just sip a cup of hot cocoa and eat cookies as fireworks fill the skies at 7:25 p.m. New this year – Avoid the lines by pre-purchasing admission wristbands! Wristbands can be purchased in advance at the Parks and Recreation Administration Office, 400 Civic Park Drive, during regular business hours from November 16 – December 4. For free parking and complimentary shuttle service, watch for directional signs. No vehicles or horse-drawn rides will be allowed in the park on this special night. For more information, call 636-379-5614 or visit www.ofallon.mo.us/COL.

indicates opportunities for volunteers. Please call 636-379-5417.

Police Bulletins

Celebration of Lights November 27 – December 30 (Closed December 25) Nightly in Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Drive

Free CERT disaster response training

See Fort Zumwalt Park magically transformed by twinkling lights, holiday scenes and surprises around every corner. You can cruise through the park in your vehicle or book a train ride, Segway ride or sleigh hayride at least two weeks in advance. No reservations are needed for the drive-through. Please note: No vehicles are allowed in the park on November 30, December 7, 8, 14 and 28. Drive-through times, admission (no reservations needed):

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6–9 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday (except December 8)

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Tuesday night special: $7 for all non-commercial vehicles

6–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday Admission: $10 cars, $15 commercial vans, $1 per person in tour buses ($25 minimum) Bring a food pantry donation for $1 off admission (except Tuesdays)

Segway rides – Glide St. Louis will provide Segways at $30 per person; reservations are required; call 314-868-7386. Horse-drawn surrey and wagonette rides – Available Tuesday – Sunday; rides must be reserved in advance by contacting the Carousel Farms and Carriage Company at info@cfcarriage. com or 636-390-4403. Rides last approximately 30 minutes.

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Private surreys (carriages) are $75 for 4–6 passengers.

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Children age 4 and under ride free if seated on a paying adult’s lap.

Private wagonettes are $150 for up to 12 passengers. Community wagonettes are $10 per passenger; passengers will be seated with other parties; limit 12 passengers.

City train – Available on Mondays in December (except 12/21), only; rides must be reserved in advance; call 636-3795606 or email cdera@ofallon.mo.us. Rides leave every half hour. The cost is $10 per person for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 1–11, and free for infants 0–11 months. Sleigh-hayrides – Available Tuesdays (except Dec. 8), Wednesdays, and Thursdays; the cost is $100 per group of 25 people including children on laps; advance reservations are required. To be sure you get the date you want call 636-3795606 now or email cdera@ofallon.mo.us. The Celebration of Lights is sponsored by the City of O’Fallon with participation by local businesses and civic organizations. A portion of the proceeds goes to charity. For more information, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/COL.

O’Fallon Update City of O’Fallon Newsletter

Friday – Sunday, September 25–27 Public Works Building, 1089 Public Works Drive Get your neighborhood association, organization, family, coworkers and future police officers to join in this outstanding opportunity to learn what to do if an earthquake, tornado, fire or hazardous spill threatens your home or neighborhood. A variety of basic disaster response skills will be taught, free, through O’Fallon’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The intensive 20-hour course takes place over a weekend and covers a range wide of skills, from medical to organizational. Get more information and register online at www.ofallon.mo.us/PD/CERT. For additional questions, call 636-379-3816 or email Police Officer Pat Helton at phelton@ ofallon.mo.us.

O’Fallon’s drug take-back box sets a record for intake Between January 1 and August 1, 2015, residents dropped off 1,167 pounds of unwanted prescription medications in O’Fallon’s Drug Take-Back Box. The amount is over a third more, by 348 pounds, than drop-offs made by that date in 2014. The new record is a good thing. According to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) information, pharmaceutical abuse (using prescription drugs that are not prescribed for the user) is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, the illicit use of prescription drugs can have a “gateway” or stepping-stone affect leading to the use of illegal drugs like heroin. To use the Drug Take-Back Drop Box, just bring your unused or expired prescription medications to the O’Fallon Police Department and simply deposit the medications in the box. The Drop Box is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., for small quantities of 5 pounds or less. If a larger quantity must be disposed of, please make an appointment with Sgt. Robert Kendall by calling 636-379-5680. Please do not bring sharp items, glass, radioactive or biohazardous materials; the Drop Box is not equipped to accept these materials. For more information about prescription drug abuse, parents and kids are encouraged to visit the DEA’s interactive websites, www.JustThinkTwice.com, www. GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.

Communications Director • Tom Drabelle • tdrabelle@ofallon.mo.us Staff Writer • Peggy Whetzel • pwhetzel@ofallon.mo.us Web and Design Administrator • Bryan Wieczorek • bwieczorek@ofallon.mo.us

Roscoe’s Den Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Announcements “America Recycles Day” on November 15 is a nationwide initiative by Keep America Beautiful America Recycles Day on November 15 encourages recycling as one of the best things everyone can do each day to make a difference in our quality of life. Recycling makes good economic sense, too, saving cities like O’Fallon money on trash disposal by diverting recyclable materials from landfills. Recycling also helps make money for the City when materials collected for recycling are sold as commodities for manufacturing. The City of O’Fallon makes recycling easy through curbside service and a “single-stream” recycling program that allows residents to put their empty cans, bottles, boxes and papers (such as paperback books, phone books, newspapers, etc.) in just one container for collection. The City also provides oversized recycling receptacles at the Environmental Services waste transfer station on Hoff Road. The free drop-off containers are available to all residents. Finally, the Free Electronics & Appliance Recycling Events, held every other month, have been very successful! In June, a total of 37,951 pounds of electronics were dropped off for recycling. Thank you to everyone who participated! The next two events are scheduled for Saturday, October 17 and December 12, from 8 a.m. – noon in the west-side parking lot at Tom Ginnever Avenue and T.R. Hughes Boulevard. Now you can drop off one CRT TV, free, per vehicle. For more information about this important program, visit www.ofallon. mo.us/bulk-waste and scroll down to “Electronics and Appliance Recycling.”

Leaves are nature’s perfect mulch Fall leaves can help protect your landscaping from winter’s thawing and freezing action. Use the mower to collect and shred leaves in a clipping bag attached to the mower, and then apply them as mulch. Or, mow the leaves directly into the lawn where they will provide nutrients for the grass.

Holiday trash and recycling collection If you’re a resident enrolled in the City’s trash and recycling program, when there’s no change in service, please put your trash, recycling and yard waste at the curb on your regularlyscheduled day.

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There will be no change in service due to Veterans Day, November 11.

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On Thanksgiving, November 26, and Friday, November 27: Thursday’s trash collection moves to Friday, and Friday’s service moves to Saturday.

Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ES or call 636-272-0477 for more information about O’Fallon’s trash and recycling program.

Free bulk-waste drop-off Saturday, October 24 and December 19 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., waste transfer station at 1572 Progress West Lane If you are a City of O’Fallon trash customer with items for disposal that are too large to fit into your trash container, you can bring certain items to the City’s waste transfer station. Not all items can be accepted — for a list of acceptable/ unacceptable bulk waste items, please visit www.ofallon. mo.us/bulk-waste. The free drop-off service is held every other month. Be sure to bring a photo ID showing your O’Fallon address and be prepared to unload your own items.

Weekly yard waste collection changes to monthly service in December Weekly yard waste collection for 2015 is scheduled to end on Friday, December 11, and resume on March 7, 2016. Oncea-month yard waste collection will be available on the 4th Wednesday of December, January and February. The monthly service is free by request to residents currently enrolled in the City’s yard waste program. To get your address listed on the collection route, call 636-272-0477 in advance.

Project O’Fallon Updates on O'Fallon's transportation projects Getting around O’Fallon gets easier all the time as multiple transportation projects are completed throughout the City. This year, an unusually rainy spring and summer called for working around Mother Nature. Here’s an update on major projects that were completed and more that are still to come.

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The construction of the new Ozzie Smith Sports Complex plaza and concession stand got underway this summer with completion expected by the end of the year.

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Work on O’Fallon’s 2015 crack seal, asphalt and concrete slab replacement programs will continue through fall as crews repair or replace damaged subdivision street surfaces.

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The repaving of Woodlawn Avenue and Civic Park Drive is underway, along with painting of the railroad trestle over Woodlawn. Completion is anticipated later this year.

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Elaine Drive is again open to two-way traffic and the project will be completed this fall. Norfolk Southern railroad will be making improvements to the railroad crossing in the coming weeks.

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Also this fall, construction is scheduled to begin on the Sommers Road and Highway N intersection, with the installation of new turn lanes and sidewalks that include pedestrian facilities.

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LED street name signs were installed last year along Route K at Mexico Road, Feise and Laura Hill roads, Route N, O'Fallon Road and Technology Drive, and they soon will be added along Bryan Road at the intersections of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Feise Road.

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Construction for pavement replacement and sidewalk repair along Knaust Road, Bryan Road, Woodlawn Avenue, Homefield Boulevard and Presidents Landing Drive has been scheduled for 2016. Also, the resurfacing of Mexico Road from Barrington Drive to Belleau Creek Road has been planned for Spring 2016.

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Phase 2 of the Lake St. Louis Boulevard Extension to extend Lake St. Louis Boulevard from Haycastle Drive to Paul Renaud Boulevard is slated to begin in 2016. The project includes a traffic signal at the intersection of Lake St. Louis Boulevard and Highway N and a roundabout at the intersection of Lake St. Louis and Paul Renaud boulevards.

For road construction updates, visit the City Projects webpage at www.ofallon.mo.us/projects.

O’Fallon Update City of O’Fallon Newsletter

Grants and Assistance O’Fallon homeowners can apply for help in keeping their families warm this winter with the City’s Home Improvement Loan Program If you are an O’Fallon homeowner with an unreliable or aging furnace or in need of home repairs on a roof or windows, consider applying for O’Fallon’s no-interest Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP). With winter just ahead, this program can help keep your family safe and comfortable, especially if you have young children or seniors at home. Loans of up to $5,000 may be made to qualified applicants and they will be made on a first come, first-served basis until all loans are filled. Space is limited, so don’t miss this opportunity! To qualify for a loan, applicants must have a low– to-moderate income and meet the following guidelines: • Have owned and occupied the house to be improved for at least one year.

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Be U.S. citizens or legal aliens (but not newly-legalized). Be current on mortgage payments and real estate taxes, with no pending bankruptcies or outstanding federal, state or city tax liens.

More information about applying for the loans can be found at www.ofallon.mo.us/grants, or by contacting Ms. Hawkins in the Public Assistance Department at 636-379-5411 or jhawkins@ofallon.mo.us.

O’Fallon offers Disabled Transportation Program Legally-disabled residents have an option for getting around town to medical appointments and necessary shopping with O'Fallon's free Disabled Transportation Program. The service provides rides to the disabled for essential living needs such as medical appointments, banking, grocery and personal care shopping. To qualify, residents must have legal proof of disability, photo identification and proof of O’Fallon residency (such as an O’Fallon address on their photo ID or Social Security information). To obtain a ride, please contact ZipCare Transportation at least 48 hours in advance by calling 314-2927302, ext. 380, or submit a request to the company’s website, www.zipcaretransportation.com. Wheelchair access is available on request.

Help out by volunteering with STAR O’Fallon’s Senior Transportation and Rides (STAR) program offers seniors free rides to important medical appointments in St. Charles and St. Louis counties. The program is in need of volunteers to serve as drivers for O’Fallon’s seniors. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Megan Ryan with the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging at 636-978-3306 or mryan@mid-eastaaa.org.

O’Fallon’s Communications Team O’FallonTV: Your window on City government news, meetings and events Whatever you want to know about O’Fallon, O’FallonTV provides a digital window into the City that you can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether it is watching City government in action, keeping up with our local businesses, or hearing about residents’ unique activities, you can find it on O’FallonTV. The channel began as the City’s 24-hour government access channel, which is still available on Charter Communications Channel 991 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. But in the last few years O’Fallon has become a multimedia station with live streaming, on-demand and thousands of YouTube videos, all available at www.ofallon.mo.us/OFallonTV and www.youtube.com/ OFallonTV. With YouTube, O’FallonTV videos can be shared with friends on social media. “The City of O’Fallon has one of the best municipal communications departments in the region, featuring original, professional-quality, highdefinition programming,” said Ken Snoe, Communications Manager. “We want residents to know what’s going on in their City. We want people to be excited about living here, to come participate in our events and have an educated voice in how the City moves forward. We also want to help residents get the most out of City services. And we can do that by showing them all their City has to offer from the comfort of their own home, whether they go online, use their mobile device or turn their television to O’FallonTV.” O’FallonTV provides two main avenues for watching public meetings, such as City Council and board and commission meetings. Residents can simply turn their television sets to O’FallonTV and watch live. Or, they can call up O’FallonTV on their computer, tablet or mobile device and choose to watch meetings live or on-demand. In fact, every City meeting dating back to 2010 is available for viewing. And the broadcasts are accessible from anywhere in the world. Besides public meetings, O’FallonTV’s original programming provides residents with a unique look at their community. “Keep it in the ‘O’” features more than 200 profiles of O’Fallon businesses, including restaurants. The City’s newsmagazine, “O’Fallon Matters,” offers residents a look at all aspects of City life, including events, news and community profiles, while “Energy” focuses on O’Fallon Parks and Recreation activities and programs. “The O’Fallon Update” is a weekly report on current news and upcoming events in and around the City of O’Fallon. “The Scene” keeps citizens updated on City happenings and recaps events that occurred in their community. “Tales from a Small Town” brings O’Fallon’s past to light with historic photos and interviews of residents who remember O’Fallon “back in the day.” “We are proud to have such a wealth of professionally-produced, original programming about our City,” said Snoe. “We provide a level of transparency that is unmatched. O'Fallon is the only City in the region which broadcasts every committee, commission, board and City meeting, both live and on-demand. Plus, our original programming provides a fun and exciting look at the City. Really, if you want to know about your City, O’FallonTV is the place to call home!”

Where to watch O'FallonTV Live & On-Demand: www.ofallon.mo.us YouTube: youtube.com/OFallonTV Charter Cable: Channel 991 AT&T U-Verse: Channel 99

Calendar

All events, public meetings and Municipal Court proceedings are held at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, unless otherwise noted.

www.ofallon.mo.us/events

September

24 National Make a Difference Day, 9am – noon. 28

Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

O’Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau, 3 p.m.

City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.

Patriot Day Ceremony, 8:30 a.m.

Patriot Blood Drive, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., City Hall

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

Senior Resident Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

Wit presented by O’FallonTheatreWorks, 2 p.m.

Public Works Advisory Committee, 7 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m.

POW/MIA Ceremony, 7 p.m.

Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.

Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Cornucopia of Care Food Drive through December 19

City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

RSC Art & Family Festival and Movie in the Park, 4 p.m.

Parks Board, 7 p.m.

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Convention & Visitors Bureau, 3 p.m.

Veterans Day Ceremony, 11 a.m. Veterans Memorial Walk

City Hall CLOSED for Veterans Day

City Council, 7:30 p.m.; workshop 5:30 p.m.

Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

October

30-31 Wit presented by O’FallonTheatreWorks, 8 p.m. Fri. – Sat.

November

Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m.

Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Senior Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

Public Works Advisory Committee, 6 p.m.

Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6–8 p.m.

City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop 5:30 p.m.

City Hall, free

Fall Fest Street Dance, 7–10 p.m. Civic Park, free

Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.

Fall Fest Run (5K/10K), City Hall, 7 a.m.

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Fall Fest, Civic Park, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

26-27 City Hall CLOSED for Thanksgiving

Fort Zumwalt Park closes to vehicles; open to pedestrians

Council Budget Meeting, 6–7:30 p.m.

Parks Board, 7 p.m.

Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.

15 Council Budget Meeting, 6 p.m.

27-30 Celebration of Lights opens, 6 p.m. Fort Zumwalt Park

December 1-30 Celebration of Lights Fort Zumwalt Park (closed Dec. 25 for Christmas)

Free Electronics & Appliance Recycling, 8 a.m. – noon T.R. Hughes Ballpark, west parking lot

Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m.

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

Public Works Advisory Committee, 7 p.m.

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.

Senior Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

Council Budget Meeting, 6 p.m.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, 1 p.m. City Hall

City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop 5:30 p.m.

Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

23-25 Wit presented by O’FallonTheatreWorks, 8 p.m. Fri. – Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.

Old Fashioned Holiday Stroll, 6–9 p.m. Fort Zumwalt Park

Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.

City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop 5:30 p.m.

Bulk-waste drop-off, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. O’Fallon transfer station, free to City trash customers

Visit the City of O’Fallon’s website, www.ofallon.mo.us, for the latest news and meeting agendas. Most meetings are broadcast live and on demand at www.ofallon.mo.us/OFallonTV.