O’Fallon Update The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri Summer 2016 • www.ofallon.mo.us
Play often; live better in O’Fallon’s parks Civic Annex to become Saint Charles County Veterans Museum if Prop PARKS passes If voters approve Proposition PARKS on August 2nd, they will open the door to converting Civic Annex to the new Saint Charles County Veterans Museum. The O’Fallon City Council approved a resolution for the project. Civic Annex is located at 410 East Elm Street off Sonderen Road in north O'Fallon.
S
ummer is finally here, along with all of the great activities that come with it. Here in O’Fallon, we have Jammin’ concerts, the great music and fireworks of the Heritage and Freedom Fest, the fun of Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center and, of course, a summer of River City Rascals baseball! This summer, we will host a great new event, too. On June 17–19, our City’s Police Department will host the regional patrol dog trials and certifications for the bi-state area. You’re invited to watch, free, as some of the top canine teams in the region—including our own teams from the O’Fallon Police Department—compete for “top dog” in obedience, agility, suspect search and apprehension, and handler protection. You can get all of the details on our great summer events inside. Whatever you like to do, you can find it here in O’Fallon, and we’re always working to make it even better. Our City is blessed with more than 450 acres of beautiful park land. Whether it’s a quiet walk in the park, beautiful playgrounds or some of the area’s best baseball, soccer and football fields, our parks have a little something for everyone. On the August 2nd ballot, O’Fallon voters have an opportunity to make our parks even better. Voters will consider Prop PARKS, a bond issue that will allow the City to nearly double the size of the Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center and construct a new 55-acre passive park along Highway DD. Please take a few minutes to review the information on page 5 of this newsletter. You’ll find all the details of what’s covered by the bond issue. And, please come out to vote on August 2nd! Thanks for all you do to help make O’Fallon such a great place to live, work and play. Enjoy this wonderful time of year, and please remember to shop and dine at our great local retailers and restaurants all summer PLAY OFTEN; LIVE BETTER long. From the O’Fallon City Council and from my family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy and fun summer!
Bill Hennessy, Mayor PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF O’FALLON
In this issue 2 5 6 9 10 11 12
Heritage & Freedom Fest, July 2–4 Proposition PARKS Upcoming Events Public Works Roscoe’s Den Police Bulletins City Calendar
O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest is July 2–4 O’Fallon’s patriotic celebration, the Heritage & Freedom Fest, kicks off with Family Day on July 2, featuring exciting carnival rides, midway games, concessions and amazing family-friendly shows. On July 3–4, come back for great music by nationally-known artists and stay for fantastic fireworks, extreme stunt shows, Kids’ Zone fun and festival food and brews. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free. See pages 2–4.
Vote August 2 on Prop PARKS. See page 5.
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 Tom "Duke" Herweck 636-379-5583 therweck@ofallon.mo.us
Rose Mack 636-379-5591 rmack@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 636-379-5580 jschwentker@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 5 Councilmembers Debbie Cook 636-379-5588 dcook@ofallon.mo.us
Mike Pheney 636-379-5584 mpheney@ofallon.mo.us
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On July 2–4, it’s America's birthday in O'Fallon!
f you love spectacular fireworks displays, outstanding music by nationally-known artists and thrilling carnival rides, come join in celebrating our country’s birthday at O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Country music’s Love & Theft and Chase Bryant will take the Main Stage presented by OneMain Financial on Sunday, July 3, while KONGOS and Sister Hazel will rock the festival on Monday, July 4. You can hear samples of their hit songs at www.heritageandfreedomfest.com/ entertainment. The Heritage & Freedom Fest will be held at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, 900 T.R. Hughes Boulevard. Admission, parking and shuttles, two nights of fireworks, live concerts, shows by professional stunt artists and Kids’ Zone activities are free.
Family day at the festival The party starts on Saturday, July 2, with family-friendly entertainment from 2–10 p.m. Enjoy carnival rides, a colorful midway with games and carnival concessions, the Bubble Bus and shows by The STRONGMAN, John Beatty, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” For a fee, kids can try Knockerball and the Krazy Kids Bungee Jump, too. Good for July 2nd only, unlimited carnival ride wristbands will be sold on site for $20 each.
O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade Get your Independence Day off to a patriotic start by joining your neighbors along the two-mile parade route from downtown O’Fallon to the festival grounds. Be sure to wear your red, white and blue, and come early to get a good seat. This year’s theme is “People, Parks – an American Tradition.” Stepping off from North Main and Third streets at 9:30 a.m. on July 4, the parade will travel north on Main Street and turn east on Tom Ginnever Avenue.
Helpful Numbers
Watch the Jena ‘Dusty’ Mielke Fireworks Spectacular July 3 and 4 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
Gather your family, line up your lawn chairs and blankets and watch the awesome Jena “Dusty” Mielke Fireworks Spectacular on Sunday and Monday nights. Named in memory of O’Fallon’s longtime Heritage & Freedom Fest coordinator, the shows will light up the sky after the final concert of each evening. T.R. Hughes Blvd. and Cool Springs Industrial Drive will temporarily close from 30 minutes before the fireworks, until 30 minutes after the fireworks shows.
Sign up for the O’Fallon Chamber’s 32nd Annual Firecracker Run Monday, July 4 6 a.m., CarShield Field (formerly T.R. Hughes Ballpark) This year’s Firecracker Run features a new route! Get the details and register for your choice of a 10K, 5K or 1-Mile Fun Run at www.ofallonchamber.org/firecracker.
Headline musicians, rides, shows, amazing fireworks and more!
Saturday, July 2 • Family Day Festival grounds open 2–10 p.m. Carnival, midway and vendors open. Bubble Bus, 3–8 p.m. No fireworks display.
The celebration amps up on Sunday and Monday with concerts by nationally-known artists and popular regional musicians, the XPogo Stunt Team, fireworks displays each night and more. For festival FAQs, parking and updates, please visit www. heritageandfreedomfest.com.
3:30, 6, 8:30 p.m.
Country Music on July 3
3, 4:30, 6 p.m.
Love and Theft
3:30, 5, 6:30, 8 p.m. XPogo Stunt Team
One of the country’s hottest young acts, Love and Theft has been nominated for ACM, CMA and CMT awards for their #1 country hit and platinum single, “Angel Eyes,” and the smash hit “Runaway.” With high-energy performances and emotionally-forthright songcraft on their new album, Whiskey on My Breath, the duo is country at its best.
3:30 p.m.
USAF Band of MidAmerica – Roots in Blue
7:00 p.m.
Chase Bryant
9:00 p.m.
Love and Theft
10:15 p.m.
Jena “Dusty” Mielke Fireworks Spectacular
Chase Bryant
The STRONGMAN
Sunday, July 3 Festival grounds open 2–11 p.m.
This 23-year-old Texan is a top-flight guitar player, head-turning songwriter and a recording artist who co-produced his own debut album, Chase Bryant, with the hits “Take It On Back,” and “Little Bit of You.” He’s also toured with country music greats Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington and Tim McGraw.
The STRONGMAN
Rock ’n Roll on July 4 KONGOS This multi-cultural, multi-faceted band of brothers creates an irresistible sound on their foot-stomping anthem, “Come with Me Now” and the hits “I’m Only Joking” and “I Want to Know.” The band’s new album, Egomaniac, features their latest single, “Take It from Me.”
Sister Hazel From the opening notes of “Change Your Mind,” “All for You,” and “Champagne High,” Sister Hazel will take the crowd back to the days of radio-friendly acoustic rock.
Monday, July 4 Parade at 9:30 a.m. Festival grounds open Noon – 10 p.m. 1:30, 3:30, 6 p.m.
The STRONGMAN
The following items are not allowed at the festival:
1, 3, 5, 7:30 p.m.
XPogo Stunt Team
• No fireworks; it is illegal to possess, purchase or light fireworks in O’Fallon.
2:00 p.m.
Trixie Delight
4:50 p.m.
Parade awards
5:45 p.m.
Sister Hazel
8:00 p.m.
KONGOS
9:30 p.m.
Jena “Dusty” Mielke Fireworks Spectacular
• No pets or animals of any kind, except service animals. • No bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates, rollerblades or motorized vehicles including coolers. • No glass containers of any kind. • No guns or weapons of any kind. • Coolers and small backpacks are permitted but all coolers and bags are subject to inspection by police officers, park rangers and parks personnel, including at the festival entrance.
Thank you 2016 Heritage & Freedom Fest Sponsors!
A Better Pizza ★ AFB International ★ Arrowhead Landscaping ★ Bank of Old Monroe ★ Button Auto Body ABRA Auto Body & Glass ★ Chick-fil-A ★ Classic Signs ★ Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe, P.C. Culligan Water ★ Madison's Café ★ Marshall Ford ★ Pantera’s Pizza ★ Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar Papa John’s ★ Qdoba ★ Shop ’n Save ★ SnoBiz
Free sideshows
Parking at the Freedom Fest, July 2–4
XPogo Stunt Team
Premium Parking – Purchase a prime parking spot near the festival entrance for only $10. Available on a first-come, first-served basis at the CarShield field (formerly T.R. Hughes Ballpark) west parking lot, you can pay and enjoy the festivities without the hassle.
One of the world’s most amazing athletic teams is coming to the festival—the XPogo Stunt Team. Touted as the world’s best extreme pogo demo crew and featuring two professional champions performing mind-boggling tricks and flying endover-end through the air on pogo sticks, XPogo will deliver crowd-wowing shows on Sunday and Monday, free!
General Parking – Free parking and shuttles are available off Tom Ginnever Avenue at Fort Zumwalt North and Christian high schools. Air-conditioned buses will drop patrons off near the festival entrance. ADA-Accessible Parking – Free parking for the disabled will be available only at Westhoff Park. Shuttles will be provided from the lot to the festival entrance. A handicapped license plate or tag must be displayed for admission. Please note:
The STRONGMAN, John Beatty Strongman John Beatty's amazing show combines old time strongman stunts with incredible feats from the World’s Strongest Man events. A finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” John’s show is entertaining and fun to watch and includes audience participation. Come see him on July 2–4.
Stop by the Kids’ Zone for FREE fun Kids will love romping on giant inflatables, playing games and face painting, too. See website for hours of operation.
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O’Fallon Update City of O’Fallon Newsletter
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No general parking will be allowed at this lot No ADA-accessible parking will be available at other lots
Get involved as a volunteer To join in the fun as a festival volunteer, contact Volunteer Services at 379-5417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. Learn more at www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer.
Festival District declared for July 2–4 Residents living near the festival grounds can get information about road closings and other restrictions on the City’s homepage, www.ofallon.mo.us. For more information, call the City Clerk at 636-379-5555.
Proposition PARKS O’Fallon residents continuously cite the need for more park space, playgrounds, trails and program space as the top parks priorities. On August 2nd, O'Fallon's voters will be asked to decide on a ballot issue that could help to shape the future of O'Fallon's parks: Proposition PARKS. If approved by the voters, this proposition will allow the City of O'Fallon to issue bonds for the construction of an expanded Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center and the construction of a brand new passive park off of Highway DD called O’Day Park.
O’Day Park In 2001, a local family donated 55 acres of land off of Highway DD, just southwest of the movie theater, to the City for the purpose of building a park on the City’s south side. The land, now dubbed O’Day Park, offers the City the potential for a beautiful nature-themed park with natural trails, fitness trails, pavilions for picnics, a non-traditional adventure playground, a zip line, and an activity/conference area that includes an amphitheater and a small hall capable of hosting community meetings, recreation programs and small events. The natural beauty and rolling terrain of the land means the new O’Day Park would provide a unique park experience allowing residents to get away from it all and experience nature and yet still be close to home here in O’Fallon.
An expanded Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center As the oldest park in O’Fallon and home to Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, O’Fallon’s Civic Park is part of the fabric of this community and one of O’Fallon’s most popular parks. Thousands of O’Fallon children and families have spent their summers enjoying all that Civic Park has to offer. As frequent swimmers know, the park’s popularity leads to Alligator’s Creek being filled to capacity on many hot summer days. Proposition PARKS would more than double the pool’s capacity, adding a new zero-depthentry pool, a larger lazy river, new water features and a splash pad. In addition, a new bath house and entry plaza will allow families more space to change, more lockers for valuables and a more comfortable locker room environment. The new facility also will include space to return popular summer camps to Civic Park and provide recreational program, class and meeting space for northside residents. The current home for these activities, Civic Annex, will then become home to a new Saint Charles County Veterans Museum offering residents of St. Charles County the opportunity to view and learn from the memorabilia of our veterans and their families.
Economic Impact The total cost of these projects is approximately $22.6 million. The City of O’Fallon already has budgeted $1.9 million for the work, but the remainder of the cost would be covered by bonds. Upon voter approval, these bonds would be issued by the City and paid back using a .02 cent property tax increase (per $100 assessed valuation). The average value of an O’Fallon home is approximately $200,000. Based on that amount, the average O’Fallon homeowner is projected to pay an additional $7.60 in property taxes per year to fund these projects. The additional levy would be available for no more than 20 years, and it could expire sooner if the bonds are paid off in a shorter timeframe. This information was prepared and paid for by the City of O’Fallon solely to educate and inform residents about a question that will be presented at the polls. It is NOT intended to advocate, support or oppose the passage or defeat of the measure. Each voter should vote for or against the question based on his or her own judgment.
www.ofallon.mo.us/PropPARKS Summer 2016
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Upcoming Events www.ofallon.mo.us/events Get rockin’ with free O’Fallon Jammin’ concerts
Discover historic O’Fallon
Tuesdays through August 23 (except July 5) 6:30–9 p.m., Civic Park Bandstand, Civic Park
Tours on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, June through September 12–3 p.m.
Get the most out of summer nights with free concerts by a different band each Tuesday. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating and purchase your favorite cuisine and beverages from food trucks and concessionaires, then sit back and relax or get up and dance to rock ‘n roll, pops, country, R&B, soul and Motown. The ADA-compliant area around the bandstand includes restrooms, paved paths and a playground. For concert and food truck updates, check www.ofallon.mo.us/jammin.
Open in Fort Zumwalt Park
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June 14 – Petty Cash Junction, Tom Petty and Johnny Cash cover band
• • • •
June 21 – Big Rain, current hits
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July 19 – Gentlemen Bandits, blues, rock and country soul
June 28 – O’Fallon Community Concert Band July 5 – No concert July 12 – Magazine, Heart tribute band featuring Kelly Wild of "Trixie Delight" July 26 – Groovethang, 70s and 80s hits August 2 – O’Fallon Community Concert Band August 9 – Memphis Ride, tropical rock, country and more August 16 –Retro Boogie, Motown, disco, pop and rock August 23 – My Friend Mike, Top 40 hits
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Zumwalt’s Fort interpretive center (site circa 1798) Historic Heald Home (circa 1884–86)
Admission is $5 per person to see both attractions; children 10 and under are admitted, free. For private and/or group tours of 10 or more, call 636-379-5614.
Open in Civic Park
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O’Fallon Historical Society Log Cabin Museum (circa 1875)
Admission is free but donations are welcome. The museum is also open during special events in the park. Private and school tours are available by appointment; contact info@ ofallonmohistory.org.
O’FallonTheatreWorks youth summer production The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree June 16–18 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) Thursday and Friday curtain time is 7 p.m., Saturday curtain times are 2 and 7 p.m. Performed on the stage at the O’Fallon Municipal Center (City Hall), this swashbuckling musical comedy features a large cast, chorus, and singing and dancing to an outstanding score by Bill Francoeur. Play synopsis and ticket information can be found on page 24 of the Parks & Rec Guide.
33rd Annual KSHE95 Summer Blood Drive Friday, July 8 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Saturday, July 9, (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Renaud Spirit Center (RSC)
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O’Fallon Update City of O’Fallon Newsletter
Roll up your sleeve and make a life-saving donation that will help keep blood supplies available in our community. If you’re at least 17, expedite your donation with an appointment—call the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at 800-747-5401 or register at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins also are welcome. Donors will receive a KSHE95 T-shirt while supplies last and an incentive to return to the RSC for a day of fun! Be sure to bring your photo I.D. To volunteer as a greeter or to assist with the canteen area, contact O’Fallon’s Volunteer Services at 379-5417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. Want more information? Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer.
Food Truck Frenzy
National Day of Service and Remembrance
Friday, August 5 5–8 p.m., Fort Zumwalt Park
Patriot Blood Drive
Get your Friday night off to a festive start with fresh gourmet food from a variety of food trucks and listen to Motown, R&B, disco, pop, rock, country and standards performed by Fanfare. For a list of food trucks, check www.ofallon.mo.us/foodtruck-frenzy.
Friday, September 9 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., O'Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)
Remembrance Walk (one mile) Sunday, September 11 9 a.m.; meet at the 9-11 First Responders Memorial outside O'Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)
Citizens United in Service Sunday, September 11 9–11 a.m.; lend a helping hand to community projects at multiple O'Fallon locations
Labor Day Concert
POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony
Monday, September 5 2 p.m., Civic Park Bandstand
Friday, September 16 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Walk
Pack some refreshments and lawn chairs and head to the Civic Park Bandstand to hear a live concert of swing music, standards, big band classics, pops and music from the movies. The free concert by the O'Fallon Community Concert Band includes the band's signature finale, "Instant Concert."
Please join a candlelight ceremony dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who remain missing in action or imprisoned on foreign soil, and the families who are waiting to welcome them home again.
Patriotic Events Support Our Troops Supply Drive August 11 – September 11 Collection sites for personal care items, batteries and individual snack packages are located at City Hall and the Renaud Spirit Center; additional sites are listed at www. ofallon.mo.us/volunteer. Donations of $16.75 per box are also needed to cover mailing costs. Called a “Stamp of Support,” the donations can be dropped off at City Hall, with checks made payable to H.E.R.O.E.S. Care. Last year, the City shipped 154 boxes to troops overseas.
Patriot Day Ceremony Friday, September 9 8:30 a.m., outside the O’Fallon Police Department Please join us in honoring our first responders and remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Family-Friendly Fun RSC Art & Family Festival and Open House Saturday, September 25 5 – 8 p.m., Renaud Spirit Center (RSC) 8 p.m., Movie in the Park, Hotel Transylvania 2 (Rated PG) Free admission, parking and activities! From 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. come try the Renaud Spirit Center facilities, free! Get a 10% discount if you sign up for a new membership. From 5 – 8 p.m., enjoy free kids’ activities, local artists selling their work, giveaways and raffles, followed by a free showing of Hotel Transylvania 2 on a big screen starting at about 8 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for outdoor movie seating. Vendors will have food and beverages for sale.
indicates opportunities for volunteers. Please call 636-379-5417.
O’FallonTV’s “O’Fallon Matters” monthly newsmagazine informs viewers about local issues. Watch at youtube.com/OFallonTV
www.ofallon.mo.us Summer 2016
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Welcome Fall!
Veterans’ Report
Food Truck Frenzy & Fall Fest Street Dance
O’Fallon’s Veterans Affairs Office
Friday, October 7 6–10 p.m., Civic Park Drive
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., except when City Hall is closed for holidays
Kick off the weekend with a rocking Friday night of music, dancing, food and fun. Food trucks and arts and crafts booths will be open at 6 p.m., and live music begins at 7 p.m. Let the shopping begin! Then, come back on Saturday for more.
Veterans, are you are looking for information regarding your benefits and/or eligibility? Please contact the Veterans Affairs Office at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), third floor. The volunteer staff can provide you with a wide range of information and guidance. Call 636-379-5577, or email veteransaffairs@ofallon.mo.us to get started. We look forward to helping you!
O’Fallon’s Fall Fest 5K/10K Run and Superhero Costume Contest Saturday, October 8 7–8:30 a.m. O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) Start your day with a run, walk or jog through the City on a pretty October morning. Sign up in advance with friends or family and choose either the 5K (3.1-mile) or 10K (6.2mile) race. Both have divisions for all ages, awards, and a fun costume contest with prizes at no extra charge. Race-day registration opens at 6 a.m. For registration and information, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-fest.
Ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Walk The City of O’Fallon’s Veterans Memorial Walk is available for ceremonies for veterans organizations. To reserve a date for your group’s ceremony, please contact Conan Stott at 636-3795550 or cstott@ofallon.mo.us.
O’Fallon’s Fall Fest Saturday, October 8 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Civic Park Admission is free! Shop vendor’s booths for upscale handcrafted and holiday items, and sit down with the kids to listen to music and picnic on delicious food and beverages. This year’s festival has a bluegrass vibe with the ever-popular George Portz & the Friends of Bluegrass headlining the entertainment. Vendors are welcome to apply for booth space; visit www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-fest.
On April 28, 2016, a ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Walk commemorated the sinking of USS Little (DD 803) off Okinawa, Japan, and honored the memory of 62 crew members aboard who perished on May 3, 1945, near the end of World War II. Survivors of this proud ship and their families and friends were present for the ceremony.
Senior Corner St. Charles County Senior Fair Saturday, October 1 9 a.m. – noon, 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. Watch the Fall newsletter for more details.
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O’Fallon Update City of O’Fallon Newsletter
Public Works City Infrastructure Updates O’Fallon’s summer construction work zones Summertime is road construction time in O’Fallon, and drivers may encounter road work that will make it safer and more convenient to get around town when the improvements are done. Please drive safely in and around these work zones and obey traffic signs. Here’s an update for the season:
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Driver and pedestrian improvements to the intersection of Sommers Road and Highway N are complete. The repaving of Woodlawn Avenue and Civic Park Drive also is finished.
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With the City’s improvements to Elaine Drive completed, the railroad crossing is slated to be reconstructed this month (June).
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Construction will begin at the intersection of Waterford Crossing Drive and Highway K, where two left-turn lanes and a shared-through right turn lane will be installed. Improvements for pedestrians include a sidewalk extension and crossing signals.
More information about City projects is posted at www. ofallon.mo.us/projects.
O'Fallon's Sewer Lateral Insurance Program One of your home’s most important features is an underground pipe called a sewer lateral that connects the plumbing in your home to the sewer system. Sewer laterals are considered private property. Sometimes laterals fail to function properly, and it is the homeowner’s responsibility to resolve the problem. These repairs can be very expensive, so O'Fallon homeowners have a Sewer Lateral Insurance Program. If you think you have a problem with your sewer lateral, which can be indicated by sewage backing up into your home, you should contact Vicky Usery at 636-379-5596 to arrange for a video inspection of your lateral sewer line. You will need to submit an application and a $300 application fee. If the sewer lateral meets the criteria for repair, the application fee will be refunded to the homeowner after the repair is made. If the sewer lateral does not meet the criteria for repair, the application fee will be applied to the camera costs and the balance will be refunded to the homeowner. The program will not cover repairs to pools, sprinkler systems, landscaping or damages caused by a contractor.
www.ofallon.mo.us/projects
transmitter. These transmitters are durable and weatherproof, but they can be damaged by strikes from lawnmowers or other machinery. Keep your meter safe by trimming carefully around your meter and never remove or tamper with the water meter lid. If you have questions or concerns about the water meter system, please call the City’s Water Division at 636-281-2858.
Building and Code Enforcement Introducing the O'Fallon Permitting, Licensing and Enforcement Portal If you’re a homeowner wanting to finish your basement, build a fence or a deck or install a pool, you’ll need a permit from the City of O’Fallon before the work can proceed. With the new online Permitting, Licensing and Enforcement Portal, now you can submit an application and pay for the permit online at www.ofallon.mo.us. The portal can be accessed from any device with an internet browser, including a computer, tablet or smart phone. Additional features will be added to the system later this year. Go to www.ofallon.mo.us, and:
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Apply for home improvement permits Apply for commercial construction permits Check the status of your application Make appointments for inspections Get or renew a business license Pay for permits and fees online Report code enforcement issues
Keep hoops and goals off streets and curbs To keep children safe, all basketball hoops, soccer and hockey goals must be kept out of the street and off curbs. Failure to do so is a code violation that could result in a citation. By City ordinance, it’s illegal to put sports goals in the street or at curbs. In addition to attracting kids to traffic areas, goals can interfere with mail delivery, trash collection and in winter, snow removal.
Avoid damaging automatic water meters with your lawn mower Please avoid hitting water meters with a lawnmower, weed whacker or other device. Water meters are typically installed in the lawn near the curb or in sidewalks and include a radio
www.ofallon.mo.us Summer 2016
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Roscoe’s Den Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Announcements There’s no change in City trash and recycling services for summer holidays or the week following For residents enrolled in the City’s trash and recycling program, there's no change in service for the weeks of Monday, July 4 (Independence Day), or Monday, September 5 (Labor Day). Please put your trash, recycling and yard waste at the curb on your regularly-scheduled day. For more information, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ES or call 636-272-0477.
O’Fallon’s Electronics and Appliance Recycling events Saturday, June 18, and Saturday, August 13 8 a.m. – noon, west parking lot, CarShield Field (formerly T.R. Hughes Ballpark) If you’ve got outdated or broken electronics and appliances— basically anything with an electric cord or that takes a battery —drop them off free of charge, except for certain televisions which can also be dropped off but with the following fees:
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$20 per 26-inch or less cathode ray tube (CRT) TV $40 per 27-inch or larger CRT TV $50 per wooden console or true big screen/projection TV No charge for LED/LCD TVs
Please do not bring smoke detectors, glass lamps, light bulbs, VHS tapes or alkaline batteries. For more information, please refer to www.ofallon.mo.us/ES.
Free bulk waste drop-off in August Saturday, August 20 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., O’Fallon Waste Transfer Station, 1572 Progress West Lane If you’re an O’Fallon trash customer, you can drop off certain items that are too large to fit in your trash container, such as carpeting or furniture, at the City’s waste transfer station. The service is free. For a list of acceptable items visit www.ofallon. mo.us/ES. Be sure to bring a current photo ID with your O’Fallon address and be prepared to unload your own items. Only one load per household can be accepted and only cars, pickup trucks and small trailers (10 feet or less) will be allowed. For questions, contact staff at 636-272-0477 or ofallonrecycles@ ofallon.mo.us.
Keep your costs low by checking your recyclables To help keep the cost of City trash disposal low, one of the best things we can do is recycle. In general, you can recycle paper, boxes, cans and bottles. Recyclable plastic items like food containers will have a recycling symbol with a number, but Styrofoam, even with a recycling symbol, cannot be recycled. Unfortunately, if items that are not recyclable are put into the recycling cart, it can contaminate the load. The City sells its recyclables to manufacturing suppliers, which keeps your rates as low as possible. Loads that include a high number of contaminants are rejected and sent to the landfill. So, please be careful and keep these items out of your recycling cart:
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Toys (all kinds, even plastic) Garden hoses Plastic bags (please return these to the grocery store) Brooms and mops Wooden items Napkins or diapers For more about recycling, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ES.
Communications Director • Tom Drabelle tdrabelle@ofallon.mo.us Staff Writer • Peggy Whetzel pwhetzel@ofallon.mo.us
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Web and Design Administrator • Bryan Wieczorek bwieczorek@ofallon.mo.us
Police Bulletins Police Department Briefs
www.ofallon.mo.us/PD
O’Fallon’s Police Department Canine Unit to host the U.S.P.C.A. Region 16 Field Trials
Canine Courier magazine highlights O’Fallon K-9 team apprehensions
See the top police canine teams from Missouri and Illinois compete in the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 16 (MO & IL) Field Trials and Certifications. O'Fallon's own canine team will be paricipating in the event. The trials will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 17–19, at Fort Zumwalt North High School, 1230 Tom Ginnever Ave., and Christian High School, 1145 Tom Ginnever Ave. In addition to the trials, Saturday, June 18, is Family Fun Night from 5–7 p.m. Enjoy special demonstrations, see the St. Charles County Metro Swat van, meet police and fire representatives and more. Commemorative T-shirts and raffle tickets for various prizes will be available for purchase. Teams will be tested with the dogs off-leash and must pass Friday’s basic obedience tests to qualify for certification and to proceed with competitions on Saturday and Sunday. During each phase of testing, teams will be assessed for obedience and task completion times to determine their rank in the trials. Winning teams will proceed to national trials. Visit www. ofallon.mo.us/PD for a schedule of events.
For their actions in safely resolving serious crimes, two O’Fallon Police Department canine teams were spotlighted in the March 2016 issue of Canine Courier magazine. O’Fallon Police Officer Michael Aronson and his partner K-9 Talos came to the assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, which had arrested a suspect believed to have committed several burglaries involving stolen firearms. Talos, who specializes in locating explosives, detected the odor of explosives outside the suspect’s house. His discovery led officers to a pile of stolen firearms and ammunition hidden in a crawl space beneath a window. The find, which included evidence of other crimes, helped lead to charges of burglary and stealing of a firearm. Officer Tom Thompson and his partner K-9 Ares came to the assistance of a Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper pursuing a suspect driving a stolen vehicle through O’Fallon. The driver resisted attempts to get him to pull over, but finally stopped, exited the car and pointed what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol at both the trooper and Officer Thompson. Thompson ordered Ares to apprehend the suspect. Ares subdued the suspect, allowing officers to secure the scene. The suspect was then handcuffed and taken into custody. Congratulations to Officer Michael Aronson and Talos and Officer Tom Thompson and Ares for their roles in safely stopping serious crimes!
Construction of the Justice Center is underway The Bryan Road corridor is getting a whole new look as construction for O'Fallon's new Justice Center is progressing with ground clearing, site preparation and utility work. The first phases of the actual building construction will take place this summer, as well. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the building will be held on Sunday, July 10, at 5 p.m.
Free Community Emergency Response Team disaster response training Friday – Sunday, September 23–25 Public Works Building, 1089 Public Works Drive Don’t miss an outstanding opportunity to learn basic disaster response skills, free, through O’Fallon’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The O’Fallon Police Department’s 20-hour course will cover disaster preparedness, disaster psychology, basic medical treatment, terrorism, fire safety and light search and rescue. The hours will be 6–10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Get more information and register online at www.ofallon. mo.us/PD. Questions? Call 636-379 3816 or email Officer Pat Helton at phelton@ofallon.mo.us.
www.ofallon.mo.us Summer 2016
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Calendar June 11 Bulk waste drop-off, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. 14 Jammin’ concert with Petty Cash Junction, 6:30–9 p.m. Parks and Recreation Board, 7 p.m. 15 Municipal Court, 9 a.m. Senior Resident Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m. Public Works Commission, 7 p.m. 16-17 The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree, 7 p.m. 18 Free Electronics, Appliances Recycling, 8 a.m. – noon CarShield Field parking lot west The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree, 2 and 7 p.m. 20 Municipal Court, 6 p.m. Veterans Commission, 7 p.m. 21 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m. O’Fallon Jammin’ concert with Big Rain, 6:30–9 p.m. 23 City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m. 28 Jammin’ with O’Fallon Community Band, 6:30–9 p.m.
July 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 25 26
Family day, Heritage & Freedom Fest, 2–10 p.m., Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, free admission Heritage & Freedom Fest, 2–11 p.m. Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade, 9:30 a.m. Heritage & Freedom Fest, noon – 10 p.m. Alligator’s Creek OPEN, noon – 6 p.m.; City Hall and RSC CLOSED for the holiday No Jammin’ concert tonight Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m. Municipal Court, 9 a.m. Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. Municipal Court, 6 p.m. Jammin’ concert with Magazine, 6:30–9 p.m. Parks and Recreation Board, 7 p.m. Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m. City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m. Veterans Commission, 7 p.m. Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m. Jammin’ concert with Gentlemen Bandits, 6:30–9 p.m. Municipal Court, 9 a.m. Senior Resident Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m. Public Works Advisory Commission, 7 p.m. Municipal Court, 6 p.m. Jammin’ with Groovethang, 6:30–9 p.m.
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All events, public meetings and Municipal Court proceedings are held at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, unless otherwise noted. Meeting times and dates are subject to change; for the most current information, check www.ofallon.mo.us/events.
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O’Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau, 3 p.m.
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City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.
August 2
Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m.
Jammin’ with O’Fallon Community Band, 6:30–9 p.m.
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Municipal Court, 9 a.m.
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Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.
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Food Truck Frenzy with music by Fanfare, 5–8 p.m. Fort Zumwalt Park
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Municipal Court, 6 p.m.
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Jammin’ concert with Memphis Ride, 6:30–9 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Board, 7 p.m.
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Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.
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City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.
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Free Electronics & Appliance Recycling Event, 8 a.m. – noon, CarShield Field parking lot west
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Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.
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Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.
Jammin’ concert with Retro Boogie, 6:30–9 p.m.
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Municipal Court, 9 a.m.
Senior Resident Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.
Public Works Commission, 7 p.m.
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Bulk-waste drop off, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
22 Municipal Court, 6 p.m. 23
Jammin’ concert with My Friend Mike, 6:30–9 p.m.
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City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.
September 1
Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.
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Labor Day, City Hall and RSC CLOSED; Alligator’s Creek OPEN, noon – 6 p.m.
Labor Day concert, Civic Park, free, 2.p.m.
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Historic Preservation Commission, 6 p.m.
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Municipal Court, 9 a.m.
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City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.
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Patriot Day Ceremony, 8:30 a.m.
Patriot Day Blood Drive, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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National Day of Service & Remembrance Walk and Projects, 9–11 a.m.
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Municipal Court, 6 p.m.
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Parks and Recreation Board, 7 p.m.
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Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.
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.