July 2024 Overland Business Association (OBA) Meeting

Written By John Moyle

This morning's Overland Business Association (OBA) meeting was held at the Overland Community Center, and it included a delicious full breakfast from As You Like It Catering!

The meeting started with Mayor Little introducing City Administrator Jason McConachie, who gave a presentation on the city budget and numerous upcoming projects a little later in the meeting.

Next, Ritenour Superintendent Dr. Kilbride introduced the District's new Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Phil Pusateri. He told us a bit about himself, including that he started his career in education as a substitute teacher at Ritenour about 25 years ago. The Superintendent also told us the District has a new Director of IT, Dr. Rich Wilson. Both of these replacements are due to the well-deserved retirements of their outstanding predecessors.

Dr. Kilbride also spoke briefly about how the many projects funded by Prop S. are coming to an end with some additional security enhancements being added throughout the district. Learn more about the Prop S projects.

Dr. Kilbride also let us know there are evening Spanish language classes available at the School District (we'll share more info on this once we have it).

Next up was Angela Gabel, the new Executive Director of the Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry. She let us know that Co-Care served 3936 people in June alone. She also surprised many of us when she mentioned the Pantry orders 1400 dozen eggs a month!

Today she let us know that the pantry needs the community's help. They continue to need more volunteers, but specifically, there is a considerable need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. If you, or someone you know, can help fill this void in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday or in the evening on Wednesday, please don't hesitate to contact the Pantry at 314-493-6028 to volunteer. Learn more about volunteering at the pantry in general.

She also informed us that the Pantry and the Overland P.D. are partnering to hold an active shooter response training class on August 14th at 4 PM and again on August 16th at 1:30 PM at the Husky Center on Midland. Contact the pantry if you want to attend one of these important safety classes.

Additionally, Ritenour Co-Care will be at the Overland Farmers Market on July 20th (2 weeks away) for a food drive. Donations tend to slow in the summer months, so if you can, please help make up for this by donating to them at the market. If you give 6 or more non-perishable items you'll receive a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich from the OFM (these coupons will only be valid on July 20th).

Norm Merchant of the Community News was next. He shared some fun news about the Best of Northwest County contest they recently held. While the winners will be officially announced in August, he told us about the numerous Overland Businesses that were the best in their categories, including:

Congratulations to all the Overland winners!

The Community News is a free weekly newspaper that has an approximate circulation of 10,000 and growing. In response to the loss of the Localite they've created a monthly, ad-supported, Overland section of the paper in the last edition of every month to help share news, information, and events in our community. They invite local government entities, organizations, businesses, and residents to submit stories and press releases that will run in that section based on space availability. Learn where you can pick up the paper or find out how to contact them

Next, Donna Dill reminded everyone that Weather permitting, Kent Ehrhardt and the Blue Moon Blues Band will be performing live for FREE at Overland, Missouri’s Concert in the Park tomorrow night (Wednesday, July 10th, 2024), 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at Norman Myers Park. Learn more here.

She also reminded us about Overland's Parking Lot Bingo events every 4th Wednesday at the Verona Pavilion in downtown Overland (the same location where the Overland Farmer's Market is held every Saturday).

This month, Donna and John will be retiring from their years of extensive volunteering in our community. If you see them around town, be sure to thank them for being such a big part of what makes Overland a great place to live.

Up next was a new business in Overland. Michele Lester introduced us to the Alternative Beauty Academy (more info on FB here). Their new location at 9415 Lackland is a training academy for cosmetology and more. They've been in their Blackjack location for 18 years and are now coming to Overland. Michele is also a member of the Missouri State Cosmetology Board and seeks to educate those wishing to become licensed members of the profession.

Next, City Administrator Jason McConachie gave an abridged presentation on the next city budget and several upcoming projects. This was an extensive presentation, but here are some highlights.

The City and Ford Hotel Supply Co. have completed a Chapter 100 Industrial Revenue Bond. Ford will be relocating from the City of St. Louis to Overland. They are a food service supplier and have been in business since 1911. 

From their website: 

 "We work with both independent and chain restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, universities, caterers, and anyone looking to make their food service operation a touch above the ordinary." 

  Learn more about Ford Hotel Supply Co.

 They will be renovating the 170,000 square foot warehouse space at 2001 IBC Drive as well as expanding the office space to 15,000 Square foot. Taxing Jurisdictions will gain, rather than lose revenue from this project. l Over the 10-year abatement period Overland is projected to gain over 2.6 million in additional revenue. 

The renovation and improvement of the lake at Wild Acres Park is expected to happen next year. The current projected cost of the project is 1.1 million dollars. Parts of the funding are expected to come from a Municipal park grant and a grant from MSD.

A memorial park has been proposed at 2725 Woodson Road. This property was donated to the city by former Chief of Police Bob Schrader and will be designed to honor military personnel and first responders.

The city is also expecting a municipal park grant to help fund the updating and repairing of several park restrooms, including adding a restroom at the Verona Pavilion.

He also updated us on the County's Midland road project (west of Woodson), which is currently listed as starting this year. This project will include a redesign of the Lackland and Midland intersection.

Additionally, the County is in the planning stages of an intersection change at Brown and Woodson.

The city has about $800,000 in road work projects in the new budget. Additional work has been carried over from last year due to delays mainly related to Missouri American and MSD projects that should be completed before the road resurfacing.

Jason let us know that the Overland Plaza project is near completion, with both the Ross store and the K-Pot Restaurant expected to open this month!

Jason also explained the new MOSIP investment program, which the city started participating in at the start of this year. So far, the city has received about $147,000.00 in dividends while keeping the assets liquid to always be able to meet the city's needs.

At the end of the meeting, Pastor Ed Bialon of the Overland Church of Christ was recognized for serving the community as a Chaplain with the Overland P.D. He is retiring at the end of the month. He has been another big part of what makes Overland a great place to live. Thank him for that and so much more when you see him around town.

This was another great, informative OBA meeting and an excellent opportunity to meet and visit with neighbors, local business owners, and community leaders. The OBA's next meeting will be on August 13th, 2024, at 7 AM. H

Hope to see you all there!

#OverlandMO #OverlandBusiness #RitenourRocks

John Moyle
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