FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2006 Contacts:

Mark Perkins, city administrator,
(314) 872-2511

David Kreuter, task force chair,

(314)727-2488

Eminent Domain Task Force to Hold Second Public Forum
January 26 (7 p.m.)

CREVE COEUR - The Creve Coeur Eminent Domain Task Force will hold its second public forum January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Government Center. Public comment is encouraged.

About a dozen individuals spoke at the first public forum last Thursday giving two hours of testimony. The task force will hold meetings in February, but at this time, dates are not set. Meetings will include inviting experts to provide input as well as reviewing the findings and recommendations of the state’s task force. The city’s task force expects to conclude its work by the end of March.

On November 28, the City Council passed Resolution 661 calling for a moratorium on the use of eminent domain and creating a 12-member task force to make recommendations on eminent domain policy in Creve Coeur. David Kreuter is chair of the task force.

As a result of the Supreme Court's 2005 decision in Kelo vs New London to uphold eminent domain powers, states and cities across the country have been discussing the use of eminent domain, especially in the case of economic development. This summer, Governor Blunt created a task force at the state level to review the use of eminent domain in Missouri.

Creve Coeur’s Resolution 661 also informed the Governor’s task force that residents, business persons, and officials have concerns regarding the current status of condemnation law in Missouri, and that the city supports the Governor's task force examination of these issues. In addition, the city’s resolution pledges to partner with state and federal representatives to better protect the rights of Missouri property owners.

For more information on this topic, visit the city's Web site at www.creve-coeur.org/.

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