Technology Improvements Ahead

The City of Webster Groves is moving forward on large cyber security improvements to the City’s technology by transitioning to cloud data on the Microsoft Government Community Cloud (GCC). With the transition, the City is also moving to a .gov domain name for city email addresses. Cyber security and protection of city data, which has grown exponentially in recent years, is a top priority for the City.

The GCC is the federally mandated platform for the storage of data in the cloud. The City is required to meet this threshold for sharing criminal justice data in the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). In this transition, the City is moving from the current email system, GroupWise, and moving to the Microsoft Office365 suite, including Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint capabilities.

Effective Thursday, September 23, the City email and web domains will transition to “webstergrovesmo.gov” in compliance with the security measures of the GCC. The naming convention for emails will remain the same to reach City staff, “lastname” “first initial”@webstergrovesmo.gov (no spaces). The City’s former domain “webstergroves.org” will remain active to allow communication with the City but City staff will reply or originate emails to outside entities from the new domain. The City encourages those in contact with the City to update your email addresses to the new domain and to carefully review emails from staff for the new domain.

Technology upgrades will continue this year for the city with the transition to the Microsoft Office365 suite, a redesigned city website utilizing the new domain, online permitting and city business applications, meeting room upgrades, and the addition of Wi-Fi at City Hall.

New School Resource Officer

Officer Cassidy Thompson is the Webster Groves Police Department’s newest School Resource Officer (SRO). Officer Thompson has been with the department for over two years and was chosen by the Webster Groves School District during a selection process of qualified officers. She primarily will be responsible for the high school campus.

Douglass Hill Update

The Webster Groves Plan Commission concluded their work on the Douglass Hill Redevelopment Project on Monday evening. The Commission did not issue a recommendation in favor or opposed to the project. The vote resulted in a 4 to 4 tie on the rezoning of the area. The Douglass Hill proposal now advances to the City Council where a simple majority vote of the council is required to approve or deny the zoning change. The Council is expected to begin its hearings and considerations on October 5th.

The Plan Commission vote was in consideration of an application submitted by SG Collaborative, LLC for a Change of Zoning from “A4” Seventy-Five Hundred Square Foot Residence District; “B1” Multiple Family District; “E” Industrial District and “PC” Planned Commercial District to “PC” Planned Commercial District on an approximately 15.1-acre tract of land.

The TIF Commission also continues its discussions on the Douglass Hill project. The TIF Commission will hold its public hearing on October 27th. The commission is composed of community volunteers, six St. Louis County appointees, appointees from the local schools, and the other Tax Districts. The Commission will consider the financial aspects of the project and after hearing public comments, will submit a vote and recommendations to Council.

The City Council is charged with reviewing all of the information from the Plan and TIF Commissions for a final decision on the project.

Sustainability Survey

The Webster Groves Sustainability Commission is seeking resident opinions as they build a Sustainability Plan for our city. Listening to the members of the community will help them create a relevant plan for those who live, work, and play in Webster now, and will help protect our community for future generations.

Please click here to fill out the survey .

Free Wood Chips

Summer storms did a number on area trees and the Webster Groves Public Works department did a great job cleaning up the branches and chipping them. The department is now offering free wood chips for area residents.

Keep in mind that wood chips and mulch are not the same. Chunky wood chips come directly from trimmed trees. Uses for wood chips include:

Covering large areas of your yard or making a good surface for foot traffic between garden rows.
Mulching around trees and shrubs. Do not pile them up against tree trunks – that can lead to potential problems with insects and fungal diseases due to the constant moisture on the tree trunks - spread them like a donut around the tree.

Please bring your own tools (pitchfork, spade, rakes, etc.) and something with which to collect the wood chips. The wood chips are located outside of the Public Works gate at 145 E. Waymire.

Upcoming Events

Old Orchard Gazebo Series - The People's Key
Friday, September 17
Gazebo Park
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Old Orchard Gazebo Series - Jake's Leg
Friday, September 24
Gazebo Park
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Parking Lot Bingo
Friday, September 24
Blackburn Park
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
$25, Pre-Registration Required

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.