October 2016 General Meeting Minutes

Date:             October 5, 2016

Location:        Sts. Peter and Paul Church Parish Hall

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Bill Clendenin

Officers and Directors in Attendance: Beth Bennett, Bill Clendenin, Luann Denten, Neil Putz, Wade Weistreich

Officers and Directors Absent: Venessa Kobrin, Jackie Parker, Scott Plackemeier, Christopher Schwarz, Gary Toribio, Mike Ziemann

Alderman Present:        Ken Ortmann    

Committeeman Present:     Marty Joe Murray Jr., 7th Ward Committeeman

Guests:            Gregory F.X. Daly, Collector of Revenue

Board and General Meeting Minutes

    September General Meeting minutes were available for review. Ron Seabaugh motioned to approve the minutes and Jim Senyard seconded. The September General Minutes minutes were approved. 

Police Report (Officer Min)

    September: 2 assaults, 1 domestic assualt, 4 stolen automobiles, 3 robberies, several auto break-ins. 1 robbery, 6 larcenies (4 vehicle break-ins), 1 disturbance. Of total incidents in September, two were related to the Social House (1 robbery and 1 disturbance).

    October (to date): 3 stolen automobiles, 1 car-jacking. In the car-jacking the suspect approached from behind with a gun. Officer Min reminded residents to be aware of their surroundings, especially when entering and exiting vehicles. 

    The Soulard Special Business District (SSBD) holds the contract with GCI security. GCI security cannot issues summonses but can issue traffic tickets. Questions specific to GCI security and the contract between GCI and SSBD should be addressed to the SSBD. 

    The Soulard “Creeper” has not yet been apprehended. He resides in Ballwin and is a suspect in three separate incidents in Soulard. He used to be employed at a bar in Soulard. The police are aware of the incidents and proceeding as the law allows. 

    Julie Price announced that her younger brother, Tim Hollman, just graduated from the police academy and has been assigned to Soulard. 

Guest Speaker (Gregory F.X. Daly)

    Mr. Daly spoke about the personal property and real estate bills that will be issued November 10, 2016. This is not a re-assessment year. There are several methods of payment that are available this year including in-person at area banking establishments, online and Downtown. Information regarding appropriate billing, fees and payment methods can be found on the Saint Louis Collector of Revenue website. 

    Mr. Daly has served the city as the Collector Revenue for 10 years and focuses on customer service, collecting in a professional manner and increasing the methods available for payments. 

New business 

United Games (Julie Price)

    Julie Price presented information on a potential fundraising opportunity available to SRG. She is scheduled to present the information, in depth, to the SRG Board at the next meeting. The general information presented regard how the SRG could take part multi market advertising revenue via a new gaming application. 

Legion Report (Bill Wirtel)

    The Legion continues to serve as a polling location. The October Happy Hour, October 21, will be held as usual! The post installation of officers will took place on September 14. The Legion will also serve as the starting point for the Decorated Golf Cart Parade. 

MGI (Gary Toribio)

    No report given.

Committee Reports

Beautification (Richard Eaton)

    The Art Auction Fundraiser raised $2333.00. The total funds raised for Beautification, between the Garden Tour and the Art Auction, was over $4000.00. 

    The Terra Madonna statue will be dedicated on October 16 at a picnic potluck held at Pontiac Square Park. Additional details will be available via FaceBook and NextDoor. Margi Koors was thanked for reaching out to the botanical garden and acquiring the donation of 30 beauty berry shrubs for the bed surrounding the Terra Madonna. 

Communication (Jeremy Merhle)

    The deadline for the Renaissance is November 11, 2016. Submission can be sent to soulardeditor@gmail.com

Code and Zoning (Jay Gibbs)

    The 14th and Russell development has additional modifications: the addition of 8         apartment units and 17 parking spaces by extending the building to the Ann property line.     The Planning and Review Team approved these changes and submitted their suggestion of support to the Board, who also approved the changes. 

    The 7th and Victor Development also wants to make changes to the approved         building plans: more parking spaces (underground) and lowering the overall height of the        building. An Open House on September 29, 2016 for the neighborhood at large and, after attending the open house and seeing the revisions, the Board agreed to provide a letter of support for the revisions to the development. 

Fundraising (Rick Dungey)

    Red Moose Winery is advertising and holding wine tastings at Vincent’s Market. For the Month of October 15% of all Red Moose wine sales will be donated to the SRG. 

    A thank you was given to all who volunteered at Q-in-the-Lou. The total earnings have not yet be tabulated. 

Oktoberfest at Soulard Market is October 21-22 and we are looking for volunteers to run a beer booth. 

    The Christmas Wreaths will return as a Soulard fundraiser! Pricing is as follows:

        24 inch plain:        $22.00

        24 inch decorated:    $24.00

        28 inch plain:        $28.00

        28 inch decorated:    $30.00

    You can order your wreath online at soulard.org under upcoming events and click on the         wreath!

    You can buy more than one. You do not need to live in Soulard to order one but you will         need to come into Soulard to pick it up. If you are not in town on the designated pick-up         date you can arrange logistics with Rick Dungey. 

    If you do not want to purchase online and you want to write a check, you will need to         submit it prior to the order date of October 15.

    The goal is to raise at least $1500. 

All questions regarding fundraising, as well as inquiries for fundraising participation, can be made to Fundraising@soulard.org

Membership

    Scott Plackemeier is hosting the social this evening. Julie Dinkleman is unable to host the social in November and is looking for a volunteer. 

Residential Promotion (Luann Denten)

    Halloween Festivities will be held Oct. 28, 6 p.m. at B-K-Z American Legion, 2601 South 11th Street. Festivities will include the Decorated Gold Cart parade and costume contest and the kid-friendly agenda will culmination with Trunk-or-Treat. Adults are welcome to participate in the costumed pub crawl once the Trunk-or-Treat concludes. More information to follow.

    Santa Comes to Soulard has been scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. at Soulard Station. More information to follow. 

    Soulard’s Vices and Virtues Mardi Gras Ball will be held Feb. 11, 7 p.m. at the South Broadway Athletic Club, 2301 S. 7th Street. More information to follow.

Parlour Tour (Julie Price)

    6 homeowners have committed to being on the Tour this year. The committee would like 1-2 additional homes. Jeanne Kirby is serving as the Parlour Tour chairperson, Neil and Veronica Putz are conducting historical research, Neal Thompson and John Wallace are serving as homeowner liaisons, Billy Timber is responsible for tickets and Julie Price is coordinating volunteers. Heated shuttles will be utilized for the tour and Julie P. is seeking 100 volunteers. 

    If you would like to volunteer your home for the tour, your time and energy for volunteering or have questions, you can email tour@soulard.org. 

Safety (Jim Ricks)

    The semi-annual safety walk will take place after the general membership meeting this evening. The task tasks between 30-40 minutes. 

Adjournment

    Motion to adjourn made by Julie Dinkleman and seconded by Richard Koors, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.