Webster Groves Gets the Goats

We have some new neighbors in town thanks to Goats On The Go - St Louis West. These little goats are eating the invasive honeysuckle and wintercreeper at the Shady Creek Nature Sanctuary for Webster Groves Parks Recreation. Thirty-nine goats are eating the invasive plants and they'll be staying in Webster Groves for a few days (or until they're done eating) as a part of a targeted grazing project.

Targeted grazing is the application of a specific kind of livestock at a determined season, duration, and intensity to accomplish defined vegetation or landscape goals. It is also known as “conservation grazing,” or “prescribed grazing" or "RX grazing." The controlled and monitored nature of targeted grazing separates it from the overgrazing that has, ironically, acquired a reputation for environmental damage in some parts of the U.S. While some of the vegetation will grow back, the goats can reduce the production of seeds by consuming seeding stems; the seeds they eat do not survive passage through their digestive tract. They can also reduce woody vegetation through debarking, which kills the invasive plants.

The goats attracted quite a bit of media attention this week. They were covered in the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Webster Kirkwood Times along with TV appearances on KSDK, KMOV and Fox 2.

Mask Mandate

While the St. Louis County Circuit Court has issued a temporary restraining order stopping enforcement of the County’s Face Covering (Mask) mandate, which was issued on July 26, the City of Webster Groves will continue its face covering (mask) requirement in City buildings.
Regardless of vaccination status, all employees and guests must wear a face covering (mask) when indoors in Webster Groves properties. This has been our policy since the County order and will continue to be despite the absence of the County order until the COVID-19 pandemic improves and the threat of imminent harm and illness are reduced.
Face Coverings are not required to be worn by:

Children under the age of 2;
Children between the ages of 2-5 who are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear a Face Covering while under the direct supervision of an adult;
Persons with health conditions that prohibit wearing a Face Covering;
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or someone who is communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
Persons who are alone in a separate room, office, or interior space;
Persons who are consuming food or drink, including for religious purposes.

Fire Chief Community Input Survey

After nearly 30 years with the City of Webster Groves, Chief Tom Yohe will be retiring and the city is beginning the search for a new Webster Groves Fire Chief. As a part of the search, the City is seeking input from the community on the qualities and attributes they would most like to see in the next Fire Chief. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts.

Prop 1 Update

Webster Groves residents voted with a 59.93% margin to overturn Ordinance 9145 at Tuesday’s General Election. The Ordinance would have amended the existing zoning code to allow for additional opportunities to provide smaller-scale housing within the community. With Tuesday’s results, the ordinance will not be effective and the change to City Code not codified.

TIF Commission Interviews

The City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 10 to conduct interviews with residents interested in being appointed to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission for the Douglass Hill project proposal. The TIF Commission will review the proposed redevelopment plan and make recommendations to the City Council. The City Council adopted Resolution #2021-33 convening the TIF Commission at the July 6, 2021 meeting. There were 17 applications to commission and there are 3 seats to be appointed by the City Council. For more information on the TIF Commission, please visit our website.

Congrats to Our Parade Winners

A number of the honorees from the 2021 Community Days Parade received their awards at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 3. You can view the complete list of awardees on our website.

Outstanding Children's Entry:
Cub Scout Pack 303 & 305

Best Children's Entry:
WGHS Statesmen Stars Dance Team

Best Civic Entry:
Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge

Outstanding Classic Entry:
St. Louis Corvette Club

Best Classic Entry:
Show Me Corvette Club

Commercial Entry:
Jay B. Smith Funeral Home/Cell Phones for Soldiers

Outstanding Commercial Entry
Southwest Auto Parts

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Novelty Unit
Helfenstein Lawn Chair Brigade

Upcoming Events

Electronics Recycling
Saturday, August 7
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Moss Field Parking Lot
Please click on the link for details

Webster Arts: Chalkfest
Saturday, August 7
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Old Webster Groves

Missouri 2021 Ice Cream Social at Serendipity
Tuesday, August 10
12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

World Peace Concert
Saturday, September 4
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Webster Garden Cafe
Nine outstanding local music performers - from soloists to 5 member bands - will each play a 20-minute set of songs of peace, harmony and understanding. Food and drink will be available for sale at the Cafe.

Join the list at webstergroves.org/thefridaypage. The Friday Page is published at the end of each week online at www.webstergroves.org/thefridaypage and is distributed to subscribers via webstergroves.org/notifyme.