November 2015 Board Meeting Minutes

Dec 1

Written By Steve Parker

SRG Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 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, Sean Cochran, Luann Denten, Jeremy Mehrle,

Jackie Parker, Steve Parker, Alicia Stellhorn, Gary Toribio

Members absent: Bill Clendenin

Guests:

Dan Shields, owner of D’s Place, 900 Barton St., and president of the Soulard Business

Association.

Tom Schmidt, owner of Franco’s, 1535 S. 8th St., and past president of Mardi Gras Inc.

Dan Shields outlined plans for rehab work at D’s Place, which he purchased eight years ago. He plans to rehab four apartment units above the tavern. Six apartments in an adjacent structure will be rehabbed as four units. Because D’s Place will become a non-smoking establishment Jan. 1, Shields wants to have a patio behind the building on the south side to accommodate smokers.

Otherwise, he said, smokers would go outside the front of D’s Place. The patio requires a variance from residential zoning to mixed use, and Shields asked the SRG Board for a letter of support for his Dec. 9 appearance before the Rezoning Board. (Later in the meeting, the Board voted to write a letter of support for the rezoning request.)

Tom Schmidt, whose term on the Mardi Gras Inc. Board ended three months ago, appeared to explain the relationship and roles of Mardi Gras Inc. and the Mardi Gras Foundation.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Alicia Stellhorn reported that the Tap ‘N’ Run revenue did not yet reflect a check that the organization mistakenly sent to the Soulard Preservation Hall, 1921 S. 9th St., an error that has occurred in previous years.

The Board discussed ways of spending what is now a $71,000 surplus in the SRG budget.

Several Board members expressed sentiment for allocating more funds for new security cameras.

President Ziemann asked Board members to bring ideas to the next SRG Board Meeting, Dec.

16.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted.

Old Business:

Security Cameras Working Group:

The Board authorized President Ziemann to act on behalf of the SRG in matters dealing with the security cameras working group. Board members also discussed possible qualifications and requirements of an SRG representative if an official security cameras group is formed.

Trops Neighborhood Impact Statement:

Jeremy Mehrle reported that he had filed a petition Nov. 18 at City Hall requesting the revocation of the liquor license for Trops, 1800 S. 10th St. He said that 51 percent of the homeowners had already signed the petition. He also noted that police have characterized Trops as a problem property. The SRG Board unanimously voted to provide a letter supporting the effort being made by a majority of neighbors affected by Trops to revoke its liquor license.

New Business:

January SRG General Membership Meeting:

The January SRG General Membership Meeting date was moved to Jan. 13 from Jan. 6 to avoid a conflict with the 12th Night Mardi Gras celebration.

Entry Marker Representative:

Luann Denten will be the SRG Board’s contact person in matters dealing with the new entry markers. Denten said that the city’s Board of Public Service had granted permission for the markers project to proceed, with the requirement that a banner permit be obtained. She said an issue concerning identifying an insurance carrier for the markers had been resolved.

Liquor License Approval:

The Board unanimously voted to require that any entity seeking a liquor license in the name of the SRG either be on an approved list or appear before the Board to request a license. Alicia Stellhorn will inquire if the SRG can have on file with the city a list of people who are officially authorized to request a liquor license on behalf of SRG.

Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Cheer Station:

Jackie Parker discussed this fundraiser. On Sunday, Dec. 13, the SRG will have a cheer station at the Hot Chocolate 15K/5 and will hand out chocolate marshmallows and water. The station will be between mile points 7 and 8, at Lafayette Avenue and Tucker Boulevard. The race will start downtown at 7:30 a.m. We expect runners to reach our station about 8:15 a.m. For more information, contact Billy Tomber at 314-374-4653. Ziemann urged the Fundraising Committee to “talk up” this event at the Dec. 9 SRG General Membership Meeting.

Committee Reports:

Beautification:

Weed Warriors finished clearing out plants from street pots on Nov. 14, except for those belonging to bars.

Communication:

Jeremy Mehrle says he is talking with Vicki Morris on ways to get dependable internet service at Soulard Station.

Code and Zoning:

Beth Bennett says she will check on a report that the Polar Wave apartment project has installed metallic siding that doesn’t meet code.

Star Awards for outstanding rehab work or new construction will be awarded in the spring.

Fundraising:

Wreaths sold for the fundraiser can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in the plaza of Soulard Farmers Market.

Luann Denten said “second tier” tickets to the Jan. 16 Vices & Virtues Mardi Gras Ball are being sold. Tables are sold out. Second tier admission will start at 9 a.m. and include open bar, costume contest, silent auction, live band and dancing.

Membership:

The Sunday Funday Paint Brunch Nov. 15 was a success, with 27 painters attending, including some non-SRG members. Some memberships were sold that day. More such events are planned.

Residential Promotion:

Local Hour will be held at Thursday Nov. 19 at Shelley’s in Soulard, 2001 Menard St.

Luann Denten requested opinions on several design options for the Soulard Star magnets that will produced and given away. She also said she has received an offer for a company to produce Soulard-themed jewelry.

Safety:

Nothing to report other than the safety cameras discussion earlier in the meeting.

Mardi Gras Inc.

The route for the 12th Night Mardi Gras event is not yet set.

The police staging area for Mardi Gras will be at Gene Slay’s Boys Club of St. Louis,

2524 S. 11th St.

No further discussion on Mardi Gras Inc. Director Tim Lorson’s contract will be held until after

Mardi Gras season.

The St. Louis Blues will have a Mardi Gras section and the Blues will have a Mardi Gras

sweater.

Mardi Gras Inc. is seeking a part-time bookkeeper.

Next MGI Board meeting is Dec. 3.