October 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
SRG Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday Oct. 20, 2015 at Soulard Station, 1911 S. 12th St.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by President Mike Ziemann.
Members present: Mike Ziemann, Beth Bennett, Bill Clendenin, Luann Denten, Jeremy Mehrle,
Jackie Parker, Steve Parker, Gary Toribio
Members absent: Sean Cochran, Alicia Stellhorn
Guests: Alex Oliver
Alex Oliver outlined plans to renovate the boarding house at 2330 S. 12th St. The building,
nicknamed “the Soulard Hilton,” has operated as a boarding house since it was built in 1896.
Oliver intends to convert the 31 units into 13 one-bedroom apartments, each with its own
bathroom. He hopes for the renovation to begin by the end of 2015 and be completed by mid to
late summer 2016. He will seek historic tax credits.
Treasurer’s Report: Accepted.
Old Business:
Oktoberfest Oct. 9-11 and Q in the Lou Sept. 25-27:
Ziemann asked Board members to share their thoughts about the two recent volunteer
fundraising opportunities. Beth Bennett said that parking can be hard to find at downtown events,
like Q in the Lou. She noted a shortage of volunteers and said that discourages volunteers from
returning. Board members said both events would have benefitted from an earlier, more intense
effort to recruit volunteers. Shift captains were needed. Jeremy Mehrle wondered if our volunteer
corps is aging out and if an effort needs to be made to find more young volunteers. Luann
Denten suggested the Fundraising Committee hold a ‘learn to pour beer” recruitment party. The
location of the SRG booth at Oktoberfest was good.
Upgrades at Soulard Station:
Vicki and Jay Morris had another commitment and couldn’t be present to discuss bids for
improvements at Soulard Station. The matter was tabled.
Holiday Parlour Tour:
Six houses and the Mad Art Gallery will be on the 2015 tour. Holiday wreaths from the wreath
fundraiser will be purchased for each location.
New Business:
None
Committee Reports:
Beautification:
The art auction raised $2,300.
The gazebo at Aboussie Park has been stained. The top still needs to be painted and steps
still need to be installed.
On Oct. 18, Mardi Gras Inc. Board members cleared overgrown vegetation and debris
from the small triangle garden at South 9th and Sidney streets. In the spring, they will
return to kill off invasive plants that were cut back.
A gazebo has been suggested for Pontiac Square Park.
Communication:
An iPad has been purchased and is available for SRG events and fundraisers.
Code and Zoning:
Nothing, other than “the Soulard Hilton” renovation presented earlier in the meeting by Alex
Oliver.
Fundraising:
No report.
Membership:
The Membership Committee will meet Thursday, Oct. 22. A planned Sunday painting party led
by Linda Kurdi will on Sunday, Nov. 8. (Update: This event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15. Check the weekly Blaster for more details.)
Residential Promotion:
The next Local Hour will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday Oct. 22 at Fleur de Lilies, 1031
Lynch St.
The Creepy Cart Crawl golf cart and walking parade and trunk or treat will be Friday,
Oct. 30. It will start at American Legion Post #422, 2601 S. 11th St. Registration begins at
5 p.m. and the slow-moving parade will begin at 6 p.m. Residents along the parade route
will be notified and will be encouraged to give candy to children in the parade.
Possible designs for Soulard-themed magnets were discussed. Jeremy Mehrle said he
would mock-up several designs that were proposed. 2,500 magnets would cost $475.
Mad Art Gallery owner Ron Buechele has offered the SRG use of the building at 2727 S.
12th St. as the site of future monthly SRG General Membership meetings at no cost.
Several Board members said that they thought the current meeting location at Sts. Peter
and Paul Catholic Church, 1919 S. 7th St., is more centrally located. Members’ opinions
will be sought and the matter will again be discussed at the next Board meeting.
Anheuser-Busch, which is paying for the entry marker signs, has asked, for insurance
purposes, who will legally take ownership of the signs. Our insurance rider will be
researched.
Safety:
The working group on the proposed security cameras will meet Thursday, Oct. 22 to
discuss what entity will take the lead on matters like contracts.
A recent purse snatching resulted in serious injuries with the victim being taken to the
hospital.
Mardi Gras Inc.
MGI is looking for a new police staging area in the Mardi Gras Red Zone because the old
Lafayette School is being renovated as apartments and won’t be available.
Renaissance:
The deadline for the next issue, the Parlour Tour Edition, is Nov. 5.
Soulard Station:
New commemoration bricks at Soulard Station will be ordered in early November. Anyone
interested in purchasing a brick should contact Vicki Morris.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.