HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995- Mayoral VetoMAYORAL VETO
The following ordinance was passed on December 19, 1995, and
is now before me for signature as Mayor:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF RIVERSIDE,
MISSOURI, APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT
AREA, THE RIVERSIDE-QUINDARO LEVEE REDEVLOPMENT PLAN AND
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT I; AND SELECTING THE DEVELOPER TO
IMPLEMENT THE PLAN."
By the authority vested in me by the Missouri statutes
including 79.140, I veto the bill and return it to the Board
of Aldermen with the following objections:
a. I have had a deep interest in seeing the Riverside
Quindaro Bend Levee District become a reality and
have spent many personal hours in the hope of pro-
moting that goal..
b. Conversely, schools are one of the most important
elements in the quality of life in this community.
The possibility of a large amount of tax money
generated by the Argosy being taken from the local
schools is unacceptable. I understand the present
district's interest but the promise is not binding
on the subsequent Boards of Aldermen because it
could be amended or revoked at any time by a subse-
quent board.
c. This issue was carefully considered by the TIF Commission
appointed by the City and the TIF Commission elected not
to recommend the project. The present action by the
Board of Aldermen in effect overrules the considered
decision of the Riverside TIF Commission who had the
opportunity and time to carefully study the project.
d. It appears that the proposed ordinance may violate the
notice requirements of Sections 99.830 and 99.825
because the persuasive evidence was that the City, County,
other taxing entities and school district did not receive
the mailed notice of changes in the plan which were
apparently generated by the developer. The ordinance
unquestionably made substantial changes in the original
plan.
e. The proposed ordinance contains the Argosy property
which is nearly complete and doesn't need the redevelop-
ment money and is not substantially benefited. It does
not seem to me, from my past background of serving on
the County TIF Commission, that the TIF statute was
intended to include projects of this kind.
- 2 -
f. Inclusion of the Argosy project mandates the December
31, 1995 passage but the redevelopment plan has
changed so significantly from the initial plan that
it is difficult to determine with accuracy what it is
that the Board of Aldermen is really approving and
will not be known until a development agreement is
negotiated.
g. The ordinance proposes to take millions of dollars of
City tax money from utility taxes, sales taxes, and
initial contributions of $2,300,000. and effectively
transfers the control of those funds to an entity
controlled by the developer (the Levee District)
from which by statute the developer, because of the
size of its holdings, may be able to control.
h. The Board of Aldermen on December 5, ]995 advised the
developer and the taxing entities that they dial not
want to consider this matter further. In view of the
findings of the TIF Commission, and all of the other
reasons stated by the ordinance this appeared wise. I
very reluctantly find it necessary to veto the only
ordinance that I have vetoed in my 8 years as Mayor of
the City of Riverside.
,c,: ~
Date: /~ ,?~~,/i~S_ ,,.,~1~~, /_'.[~4_r'~~', ~~).~`~
Mayor ~ tty Burch
./
Witness
,.
i -:'
s11~:. w ,,,;
iw~~,
+'
j~