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1. What is the Citizen Police Academy?

The Citizen Police Academy is a look into the values, philosophy, and operations of the St. Charles Police Department. Designed for the residents of St. Charles, the Academy educates citizens about the how’s and whys of the St. Charles Police Department.

Students are encouraged to share this realistic view of the police department with other citizens to improve the efficiency of law enforcement and bring a closer relationship between the community and the department. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Charles Police Department.

2. What topics are covered?

A wide variety of topics are included in the Citizen Police Academy. The topics will address both parts of the police department, those readily visible by the public and those seldom seen. Some of the topics and divisions that may be covered in the academy are:

• Operational Services to include Traffic Enforcement
• Investigative Services
• Identification and Forensics
• Mounted and Canine Units
• Crisis Negotiations
• DARE and School Resource Officer programs

Included in the curriculum are interactive exposures to Subject Control, and the opportunity to participate in the Ride-Along Program. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Charles Police Department.

3. What is the purpose?

The purpose of the St. Charles Citizen Police Academy is to provide information to the citizens who attend so they may make informed judgments about the St. Charles Police Department. Understanding how and why the police department operates can dispel suspicions and misconceptions, increasing police / community rapport through this educational process. This interaction allows the police department to be more aware of the community’s concerns brought forth by the Citizen Police Academy Students.

This establishes open lines of communication and cooperation in the shared goal of achieving the best professional police service for the citizens of St. Charles. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Charles Police Department.

4. When is the academy?

The Citizen Police Academy meets on Monday evenings for 3 hours. The Academy runs for 8 weeks and is held at the City of St. Charles Criminal Justice Center. Classes meet from 6-9 p.m. There is no cost to the students. Casual clothes are recommended. One academy class is held per year, at the end of January.

If you have any questions, please contact the St. Charles Police Department.

5. Who can apply?

Applications will be accepted under the following provisions. Applicants must be at least 21 years old or older with no felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions within 1 year. Applicants must also be a resident, owner or employee of a business within the city of St. Charles, who can make a commitment to attend the eight week course. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Charles Police Department.

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1. Frequently asked question?

Answer.

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1. Where should I place a carbon monoxide alarm?

Carbon monoxide alarms should be placed according to the manufacturers’ recommendation, much the same as a smoke detector. You should:

• Avoid placing them next to gas fired appliances
• Keep them away from air vents
• Keep them at least 18 inches out from where the wall and ceiling meet
• Place one on each floor of the home
• Place them near sleeping areas

2. I have heard that children may not hear smoke detectors while they are sleeping. Is this true?

Recent reports have shown that many times children do not hear smoke detectors whether their doors are open or closed. Studies have also shown that if children do wake up, even though they may have been taught what to do in case of fire, they freeze. The only way to ensure a proper response from your children is to set up and practice exit drills in the home. This would include setting off smoke alarms at night when children are sleeping as further practice. We recommend at least practicing your exit drill twice a year.

3. My son came home from school today and said that we should be sleeping with our doors shut because it could give us an extra 15 minutes to escape if there is a fire. Is this true?

Sleeping with your door shut can give you up to an extra 15 minutes to escape a house fire. Having the door closed helps keep the smoke out of the bedroom and acts as a short term barrier to the fire. In a fire situation, if you cannot get out the door, go to the window and yell to attract attention. Stuffing sheets, towels, clothing, etc. to block the gap between the bottom edge of the door and the floor will also help.

4. Where can I get information about home fire sprinkler systems?

You can get information about home fire sprinkler systems at the Fire Safe Home website.

5. Why does a fire truck respond with an ambulance for a medical call?

Fire trucks respond for a number of reasons:

• The St. Charles Fire Department staffs each fire apparatus with at least 1 paramedic and advanced life support equipment. Many times these fire apparatus are the closest units to the call.
• The dispatch center in St. Charles County uses an Emergency Medical Dispatch protocol to assign calls. Depending on the severity assigned, a fire truck is sent because the medically trained crew can provide needed assistance to the 2 paramedics on the ambulance. No one truly knows how severe the call really is until they arrive on the scene. For your safety, we work from a premise that it’s better to be safe and send apparatus than sorry that we don’t have the man power on scene to take care of you.
• Man power is another reason fire trucks respond. Many patients are in locations or are of such a size that 2 people cannot get the patient to the ambulance. The stretcher alone weighs 90 pounds. This is a concern for the safety of fire/rescue crews as well as the patient.
• Having fire trucks respond to minor calls for help that do not require transport to a hospital allow ambulances to remain available for more severe calls that require transport.

6. Why do I, as a city resident, pay for medical transport?

All tax supported ambulance services charge nominal fees to cover the cost of equipment that taxes can not cover. Medicines, advanced medical equipment, stretchers, medical liability insurance, and training are all very expensive. Therefore, the fire department charges your insurance company a fee for transport. The fee charged by the St. Charles City Fire Department is less than the other agency in the county.

7. How much does the fire department cost me in taxes each year?

The St. Charles Fire Department, which provides emergency medical services to our citizens, is paid for out of your $0.97 per $100 of assessed valuation general fund tax. On average, the 4 other major municipalities in St. Charles County pay $1.53 per $100 of assessed valuation. The fire districts that service those communities do not provide advanced emergency medical services like the St. Charles City Fire Department. So, the citizens of St. Charles actually pay $0.56 per $100 of assessed valuation less for more services.

8. What is the difference between a fire department and a fire district?

Fire departments are funded by the general fund revenue of a city and are a department of that city. They are over seen by the same municipal council that over sees all city departments. Districts are special taxing agencies that service 1 or more municipalities and unincorporated county areas. They are over seen by a specially elected board. They are not accountable to any municipality our county government agency.

9. Is the St. Charles Fire Department a department or a district?

The St. Charles Fire Department is a municipal department.

10. Why do firefighters perform fire prevention inspections of commercial occupancies?

Business inspections are performed in an effort to cut down on the loss of life and property within the city. Additionally, inspections give firefighters an opportunity to become familiar with buildings in their areas before they respond to one for an emergency.

11. What do firefighters do when they are not fighting a fire?

When not fighting fires, firefighters have fire and rescue training, emergency medical services training, hydrant testing, fire hose tests, business inspections, station tours, community presentations and displays, and station maintenance to name a few things.

12. Will the fire department provide a fire safety or disaster preparedness presentation to my business?

Yes, contact 636-949-3250 for information or to schedule a presentation.

13. Do firefighters rescue cats stuck in trees?

No, because cats are not stuck and do not need to be rescued, they will come down when they’re hungry.

14. Which way should I move if an emergency vehicle is approaching?

When an emergency vehicle is approaching, move your vehicle to the right of the road.

15. Is a storm warning siren meant to be heard from inside my home?

No, storm warning sirens are for outdoor notification. We recommend all homes have a NOAA weather radio for alerting in their home.

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1. What purpose do these guidelines serve?

The purpose is:

• To develop a unified spirit of cooperation (door to door and block to block) to present the best Historic District image to our neighbors and visitors. We want to develop a unified practice of cleaning and maintaining all the exterior spaces that are open to the view of others, and to present an attractive image.
• To present a clean and uncluttered Historic District in keeping with the historic period that is a valuable attraction to visitors and shoppers. To present a memorable and positive image that will lure each visitor to return, and speak well of our “St. Charles Historic District.”
• To protect the status and value of our unique district as an attraction. To protect the huge investment of our labor and money spent to save and restore the architectural assets that make the district attractive.
• To cooperate in a helpful spirit among ourselves to continue to enhance the Historic district. To cooperate by joining the initiative to self-police the exteriors of our individual properties. To cooperate by learning and employing the “19th Century Test” for appropriateness.

2. How is appropriateness judged?

Appropriateness is judged by the use of the 19th Century Test.

3. Who will judge the appropriateness?

The unified district neighborhood should be the judge.

4. What is the 19th Century Test?

The 19th Century Test is a simple method of judging appropriateness for exterior display. The 19th Century Test (1800-1899) allows a generous array of choices for benches, planters, colors, materials, decorations and themes that are appropriate for our Historic District. The 19th Century Test would limit, among other things, some lighting, some fencing and seating, etc. One simple example of inappropriateness would be plastic. Obviously, any items made of plastic would not pass the 19th Century Test.

The goal of the 19th Century Test is to enhance the district by avoiding the display of anything contemporary.

5. What about advertising devices and sidewalk merchandising?

Advertising devices and sidewalk merchandising is strongly discouraged and is in some cases specifically prohibited by St. Charles city ordinances. Each property owner and merchant should acquaint themselves with these city laws. Beyond the limits of city ordinances, the primary purpose of this guideline is to establish a simple self-policing process that will avoid the likelihood of a city prohibition of exterior display. Successful self-policing will allow us to avoid the process of appeals, presentations, petitions, and the expense of permits or the frustration of denials.

6. Where do I go for information if I am in doubt about what I’m doing or thinking of doing in regard to outside display?

• Ask a neighbor who has been here long enough to know the district and whose property exhibits the character of a well-kept and appropriate appearance.
• Call the Department of Community Development at 636-949-3222. Their representatives will be glad to answer questions, particularly those dealing with city ordinances. This is the place to go for information on all matters relating to any change of exterior including building alteration, additions, signage, fences, painting, etc., all of which require approval by the Historic Landmarks Preservation and Architectural Review Board.
• Dan Satterfield, a member of the committee and graphic designer who is a resident of South Main, has agreed to field questions regarding appropriateness. He may be reached at 636-946-3467.

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1. The recycling truck looks like the truck that picks up my trash; how do I know my recyclables don’t go to the landfill?

Haulers going to the landfill have to pay a tipping fee. If instead, he takes his load of recyclables to a recycling center, he does not pay landfill tipping fees. Also, by using trucks to pick up recyclables one day and trash another day, costs are kept down by eliminating the need to purchase or maintain a double fleet of trucks.

If you have any questions, please contact Republic Services at 636-255-6142.

2. Where do my recyclables go?

After Republic Services trucks pick up your recyclables, they head to a processing facility in Earth City, called a Materials Recovery Facility. The processing involves a fast, efficient separation technology which quickly divides materials into separate groups for recycling. If you have any questions, please contact Republic Services at 636-255-6142.

3. Some jars seem to take a lot of resources to clean out for recycling, which seems wasteful; how clean do I need to get them?

A small amount of food left in a plastic jar can easily be removed in processing. But to keep bugs or small animals from rooting around in your bin, please do just a quick rinse of cans and bottles. If you have any questions, please contact Republic Services at 636-255-6142.

4. Do lids need to go inside or outside of the recycle bin?

Leave the lids on. Everything will get recycled and processed appropriately. If you have any questions, please contact Republic Services at 636-255-6142.

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1. How much does coverage cost?

The cost is $12 per year and it is automatically collected on the Real Estate Property Tax bill collected by the St. Charles County Assessor’s Office.

2. How do I know if my house is covered?

The program covers all residential structure types up to 4 units. Examples include single family homes, duplexes, residential triplexes, 4-unit residential structures, and residential condo units with individual water service connections.

3. How do I enroll in the program?

If your house is within the city limits of St. Charles, you will be automatically enrolled.

4. My house is inside the city limits but I have Missouri-American water, am I still covered?

Yes, you are. Any eligible residential structure within the city limits (up to four units) is covered.

5. My house is outside the city limits but I have City of St. Charles water, am I covered?

No, residential structures outside of the city limits are not eligible. The program is for city residents only.

6. When did this program begin?

The program began January 1, 2014.

7. What is my water service line?

Your water service line is the portion of your water line that runs from the exterior building wall to the water meter or to the first shut off valve from the water main line.

8. How do I know if I have a leak?

The obvious answer is, if water is shooting out of the ground or a large pool has formed in your yard, there is a problem. The more common answer is that if you notice your water bill has doubled, tripled, or has gotten a lot larger without you recalling that you used more water, you may have a leak.

9. My water bill has skyrocketed, what do I do?

First thing, contact Collections / Billing at 636-949-3212. We will set up a visit with a service specialist and the water line insurance program administrator and determine if the meter is malfunctioning, if there is a leak within the house, or a leak in the service line.

10. How much of the repair cost does the program cover?

The program will reimburse 100% of the lowest of 3 bids submitted by plumbers to repair the service up to $3,000.

11. Three bids, what’s that about?

The water service program is set up much like the city’s sanitary sewer lateral insurance program. On both programs the resident meets with the program administrator to determine the scope of the repair. The program administrator puts together a repair description for the resident to acquire multiple quotes from plumbers. The resident can choose which plumber they would like to bid on the repair and can choose which plumber they want to complete the repair. The program only reimburses 80% of the lowest bid.

12. Are my irrigation lines covered?

No, only the service line from the water meter or first shut off valve from the water mainline to your exterior building line is covered.

13. Can I opt out of the program?

No, the program was approved by the voters. Therefore, all homeowners of eligible properties are assessed the $12 per year and will be enrolled in the water line program

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1. When did this program begin?

The program began January 1, 2003.

2. What is my sewer lateral?

Your sewer lateral is the portion of your sewer line that runs from the exterior building wall to the city’s sewer main line.

3. How much does coverage cost?

$20 per year will be collected on the Real Estate Property Tax bill collected by the St. Charles County Assessor’s Office.

4. How do I know if my house is covered?

The program covers all residential structure types up to 6 units. Examples include single family homes, duplexes, residential triplexes, 4-, 5-, and 6-unit residential structures, and residential condo units with individual lateral connections.

5. How do I enroll in the program?

If your house is within the city limits of St. Charles you will be automatically enrolled.

6. My house is outside the city limits but I pay my sewer bill to the City of St. Charles, am I covered?

No, residential structures outside of the city limits are not eligible. The program is for city residents only.

7. Can I opt out of the program?

No, the program was approved by the voters therefore all homeowners of eligible properties are assessed the $20 per year and will be enrolled in the sewer lateral program.

8. How much of the repair cost does the program cover?

The program will reimburse 90% of the lowest of 3 bids submitted by plumbers / drainlayers to repair the sewer lateral up to $7,500.

9. Three bids, what’s that about?

The program administrator will put together a repair description for the resident to acquire multiple quotes from plumbers / drainlayers. The resident can choose which plumbers / drainlayers they would like to bid on the repair and can choose which plumber / drainlayer they want to complete the repair. The program only reimburses 80% of the lowest bid.

10. My sewer is backing up and there is water on my basement floor, what do I do?

First thing contact a plumber / drainlayer to have your sewer lateral line cabled. Then contact the Department of Public Works to secure an application (PDF) (PDF) and instructions for participating in the insurance program.

11. The plumber cabled my lateral and it’s working better, what now?

Return the completed Sewer Lateral Program Application (PDF) (PDF) to the Department of Public Works. The program administrator will contact you to schedule an appointment to run a camera through the sewer lateral to determine the scope of the repair. After the camera investigation the program administrator will put together a bid package which includes an Approval Letter, a Contractor Procedures Letter, several copies of the Repair Description, and a list of the approved plumbers / drainlayers.

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1. Is this an official tax bill?

No, this is not a bill, do not send money. This is the approximate potential projected tax liability for the coming year. The intent is to notify the taxpayer of the potential tax liability due to the change in the assessed value of their property. Actual bills will be issued later in the year. The City Council will set the Actual Tax Rate for the year in August of each year.

If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department.

2. How was the assessed value of my property determined?

St. Charles County Assessor’s Office provides the Assessed Value (AV) for your property. By state law, the AVs are to be a specified percentage of Fair Market Value based on the property type. For more information on the AV of your property please call 636-949-7431 or visit the St. Charles County Assessor's website.

3. What factors determine my tax bill?

There are 3 factors that go into determining your tax bill:

1. The Assessed Value
2. A Tax Rate set by the City Council
3. The Tax Rate is then applied to the Assessed Value

View a sample of a valuation (PDF) online. If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department.

4. Where can I find a copy of my 2008 Assessment?

Your 2008 taxes and assessed value are on St. Charles County website. You can find last year’s tax information online by using the St. Charles Property Database Search. This will give you an opportunity to compare the amount paid last year and the amount that is on the Projected Tax Liability Notice. If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department.

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1. Where do I pay or obtain information concerning my personal property or real estate taxes?

Personal property and real estate taxes are paid to St. Charles County. Payments may be made at the St. Charles County Collector’s Office located at 201 N. 2nd Street. This office can be reached by phone by calling 636-949-7470.

Questions regarding personal property and real estate taxes may be addressed to the St. Charles County Assessor's Office, also located at 201 N. 2nd Street. This office can be reached by phone by calling 636-949-7425. Additional information is available at the St. Charles County website.

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1. Does a SCAT bus go to Mid Rivers Mall?

Not at this time. The City of St. Charles currently provides transportation within the corporate limits of St. Charles and also to the North Hanley Metrolink station.

2. If I am going to dig in my yard, whom do I need to contact?

Call 1-800-DIG RITE (1-800-344-7483). Missouri One Call personnel will take all pertinent information regarding your excavation work and forward that information to the appropriate utility companies for locates.

3. I have a streetlight out by my house, whom do I call?

Contact the Public Works Department at 636-949-3237. It is helpful if you can provide to the city with the exact location of the light and the streetlight number. This number is found on a silver metal band on the newer fiberglass streetlight poles in residential areas. They typically have an SX designation. The city will then contact Ameren UE to investigate the outage and take the steps necessary to repair the streetlight. In addition to notifying Public Works, we also encourage residents to contact Ameren UE. Their number is 800-552-7583.

4. Whom do I contact when I have a question relating to traffic?

Contact the Public Works office at 636-949-3243.

5. Whom do I contact regarding snow removal?

Contact the Street Division at 636-949-3363. Their after-hours emergency number is 636-949-3366.

6. Whom do I contact regarding regular maintenance issues such as pothole repairs, storm sewer repairs, and creek bank cleaning?

Contact the Street Division at 636-949-3363. Their after-hours emergency number is 636-949-3366.