ST. CHARLES (KMOX) - City council members agreed to help a big local employer expand.
They approved a "resolution authorizing and directing city staff and consultants to take certain actions with respect to a proposed project for the Boeing Company."
That project would be a $70 million upgrade of Boeing's facility where they make missiles and munitions. No new positions would be added, but the manufacturing line would be upgraded to ensure the plant stays open.
Boeing could get about $18 million dollars in city tax abatement, plus use of city-owned land to increase its security perimeter.
ST. CHARLES BARS LOOKING FOR LENIENCY
No changes, for now, to the rules for bars on a busy stretch of Main Street in St. Charles city.
Since the start of this year, bars have had to start making half their money from food and also comply with a new, strict point system.
Crime is down, but some bars have closed.
St. Charles council members had legislation to make changes on the agenda at their meeting Tuesday, but it was taken off the table before a vote.
"There's a lot more that needs to be done on this," councilwoman Mary West said. "We need to do a little more research and homework."
The changes as proposed would've upped the points assessed to bars for violations like serving alcohol to a minor or letting someone leave with an open container. But it would've also lowered the food sales requirement from half of all revenue to 25 percent.
West says they'll keep working toward an update.
"We're trying to make a good bill better. We're on our way," she said. "If it takes us a little while longer, that's okay. It's not going to do any harm. We want to get it right."