November 2014 General Meeting Minutes

SRG General Membership Meeting Minutes

Nov. 5, 2014

Meeting started at 7:01 p.m.

Board members in attendance: Nancy Kelly, Beth Bennett, Luann Denten, Jeremy Mehrle, Jackie Parker, Steve Parker, Michael Pastore, Jill Weissgerber, Mike Ziemann.

Absent: Sean Cochran, Alicia Stellhorn.

Aldermen in attendance:  Ken Ortmann, Phyllis Young.

Nancy Kelly shared the sad news that Jim Young of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church staff is receiving hospice care for stage 4 liver cancer. Michael Pastore agreed to express SRG members’ concerns and well-wishes.

Jim Price, whose house is the site of tonight’s Social, asked to speak early. He encouraged volunteering for the Parlour Tour and noted that people can sign up via Google Docs.

Four people identified themselves as new members and introduced themselves.

One of them was Mark Packer, who said that he was the owner of the old Clementine’s site and that it is being turned into a “true sports bar” named “Shelly’s.” Rumors that it will be a gentlemen’s club are false, he said. He hopes to reopen by Jan. 1, certainly before Mardi Gras. He said the establishment would be a “good neighbor.” It will have more usable space inside and use of the second floor as a spillover bar area, place for meetings or banquet site.  He said the targeted customer market is age 30-plus.  In response to questions, he said that he had no plans for bands to play music outside and that he would keep the old Clem’s jukebox.

Secretary’s minutes: John Durnell motioned they be approved. Luann Denten seconded. Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s report: None was given.

Police report: Officer Brian Min was on vacation and no report was given. Daphne Allen, Problem Property Officer for District 3, identified herself as the person to see about nuisance behavior and criminal violations concerning properties that are occupied. Her phone number is 314-444-2563 and her email address is dmallen@slmpd.org

Paul Kjorlie asked if there would be a Mardi Gras Inc. report and was told it would be presented at the Dec. 3 meeting.

Announcements by SRG President Nancy Kelly:

1. Julie Dinkelmann was recognized for her excellent work in posting the signs that inform the neighborhood about SRG general membership meeting dates.
2. Linda Kurdi, John Durnell and Richard Eaton were recognized for their excellent work with the Pontiac Park fence project.
3. Judith Howard has purchased the old Hi-Way Bar and is renovating it.
4. The SRG Board sent a letter supporting Touchstone Transportation’s conditional purchase of the property at 2207 South 12th Street, which hinges on getting an occupancy permit.

Other announcements:

1. Phyllis Young said the city used a cease and desist order to shut down an “ad hoc garage bar” that was operating out of a property adjacent to Sonny’s bar, which is at 1026 Geyer Ave.
2. In response to a question from Paul Kjorlie about a KMOV news report, Alderman Young cautioned everyone to “use common sense, especially during the holiday season” to avoid becoming a crime victim. “Don’t fight to keep a purse, don’t leave items in cars, don’t park in dark areas.” She urged everyone to “help the police, help ourselves and help our neighborhood.”
3. Jackie Parker noted that she and Bill Clendenin are attending the Neighborhood Leadership Academy and that the Oct. 25 meeting had been held at Soulard Station, 1911 S. 12th St. Bill Clendenin noted how impressed attendees were with Soulard Station. Jackie Parker thanked George Grove and Tony Range for discussing the landscape work there, and Nancy Kelly for serving on a panel at the Academy’s meeting. Jackie Parker also thanked John Durnell, Linda Kurdi, Vickie and Jay Morris, Julie Dinkelmann, Michael Pastore, Barb Marlinghaus, Luann Denten and Sandy Shubert for bringing their golf carts to the station so that attendees could get a tour of the neighborhood. Barb Marlinghaus was thanked for hosting a patio party for attendees afterward.
4. “Mr. Bill” Wirtel of the Legion said Lisa Otke had helped procure a $20,000 grant from the city to landscape the legion parking lot. Bids for the work are running $15,000 to $20,000 above the grant figure, he said.  He said the Legion would be holding “mouse races” Jan. 10 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1408 S. 10th St. He said that his wife, Marlene, and others would next week be mailing out their 400th box of goodies (razors, granola, puzzle books, etc.) to soldiers in Afghanistan.  Donations are appreciated to help make purchases and pay postage.  500 U.S. flags will be given out at Soulard Market from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 8, to help commemorate Veterans Day. 
5. Phyllis Young said that volunteers would spend about 45 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, bagging fruit on the parking lot of the Church of St. Vincent De Paul, 1408 S. 10th St.

Committee reports:

Beautification: A $1,300 Brightside Grant has been received for a new garden at 13th Street and Gravois.  Weed Warriors will be focusing on clearing out street pots this Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Linda Kurdi was again recognized for her work with the artist on the Pontiac Park fence. Luann Denten said that sales for the Vices and Virtues Ball are brisk and that she wanted to give people in the neighborhood the chance to get tickets first.

Mardi Gras Inc.: No report. Meeting is tomorrow night. In response to a question about a rumored change in the route of the Mardi Gras Parade, both Gary Toribio and Michael Pastore said they weren’t aware of a change.

Code and Zoning: Jay Gibbs said the committee had approved with minor changes the plan for the house at 10th Street and Allen. The owners are now seeking tax relief from Jefferson City, he said.

Residential Promotion:

1. Almost 25 decorated golf carts took part in the Halloween parade, Luann Denten reported. 
2. Local hour will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Good Luck Bar & Grill, 2501 S. 9th St.
3. Three bids have been received for the entry marker project. Four artist concepts will be displayed at an upcoming reception at Soulard Station at 5 p.m. Nov. 20.
4. Soulard merchandise will be offered at the Parlour Tour.
5. Luann Denten asked for a show of hands for how many people would like to order the historic Soulard-themed afghan.

Membership: 

1. New rosters are out.
2. No meeting in November.
3. Next meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 11 at Soulard Station.

Communication:

1. Vices and Virtues and Parlour Tour tickets can be ordered on soulard.org.
2. Deadline for articles for the next Renaissance is Thursday, Nov. 13. Delivery will be Nov. 28-29.

Safety Committee:

1. Bill Clendenin thanked those who participated in the Fall Safety Walk. He noted that only two or three streetlights were out.  The situation with alley lights isn’t as good. He asked that people report alley lights that are out to Ameren.
2. Next Safety Committee meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.
3. In response to a question from Paul Kjorlie, Bill Clendenin said that he has no new information about the Sept. 27 killing at Cuz’ Bar & Grill, 1530 S. 7th St. It was again noted that Officer Min has been on vacation.
4. Bob Hiscox, the owner of the Bastille, 1027 Russell Blvd., described the effectiveness of street cameras in identifying vehicles and people involved in crimes. He said the SBA had installed many cameras but that they are now “abandoned” and not working.

Fundraising:

1. Jackie Parker relayed a report from Rick Dungey that Soulard Oktoberfest had raised about $5,000 and $1,400 in tips.
2. Paul Kjorlie asked if “runs” that go through our neighborhood are donating money to it. Billy Tomber responded that the neighborhood received money from Tap & Run and the GO! St. Louis Marathon. Dave Perry said that his employer, Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 Soulard St., was “financially impacted by lost donations” because of street closures for runs. Billy Tomber said that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon had put up door hangers informing effected homes of street closures, though some questioned how much advance notice was given. Luann Denten said that her home had been blocked in by street closures, allowing no way to get in or out. Nancy Kelly said that the SRG Board would discuss the matter. Phyllis Young encouraged people to file concerns with the Office of Special Events, specifically Ann Chance.  After some of the concerns were reiterated, Nancy Kelly repeated that the SRG Board would discuss the topic.
3. Jackie Parker and Billy Tomber performed a pithy one-act play that assured the audience that Smarty Gras will indeed be held again this year, on Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Franklin Room.

Final Announcements:

1. Lisa Otke asked that emergency calls be made to 911 and that matters of less importance be reported to 231-1212. She said this allows police to track how calls to the neighborhood are routed.
2. A lost jacket was displayed.
3. Nancy Kelly announced that St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex M. Burlison today ruled that Missouri’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.  “John Durnell and Richard Eaton are officially no longer living in sin,” said joked, with much applause from the audience.

Adjournment:

Gary Toribio motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Paul Kjorlie seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.