February 2016 General Meeting Minutes

February 2016 SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Feb. 3, 2016

Location: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1919 S. 7th St.

President Mike Ziemann called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

Board members in attendance: Mike Ziemann, Beth Bennett, Bill Clendenin, Sean Cochran, Luann Denten, Jeremy Mehrle, Jackie Parker, Steve Parker, Gary Toribio

Board members absent: Alicia Stellhorn

Elected officials in attendance: Alderman Jack Coatar and Alderman Ken Ortmann

Secretary’s Minutes:
Minutes from the Jan. 13 General Membership Meeting and the Jan. 27 Board Meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer’s Report was approved. President Ziemann highlighted a statement by Treasurer Stellhorn that was reported in the Jan. 27 Board Meeting minutes: “She said that misleading information was being circulated about the SRG’s total assets. The total assets figure of $212,349.93 that shows on the Balance Sheet would only apply if the SRG were to sell Soulard Station and the property it sits upon, fixed assets of about $152,000.”
Ziemann noted that the SRG is about halfway through the year in terms of spending but already two-thirds done with fundraising.

New Members:
Two new members introduced themselves.

Post-Meeting Social:
At the home of Beth Bennett, 2624 S. 12th St.

Police and Safety Committee Report:
President Ziemann introduced Officer Brian Min and Sgt. Kimberly Haley.

Safety Committee Co-Chairman Jim Rick presented the report. He said that January had been a relatively quiet month, with no bad assaults. He said there was one robbery, still unsolved; one carjacking; and a burglary in which entry was made via a forced front window. He said one victim reported a stolen firearm but didn’t know if the weapon was taken from the house or car. GCI issued a summons for panhandling.

Officer Min reported that a suspect was arrested Feb. 1 and charged after a house burglary in Benton Park, and he also has been charged with an October burglary in Soulard. The suspect had been sentenced to seven years in prison after a prior burglary conviction but the sentence was suspended after 120 days of shock time. 

A brief discussion was held on when to call police and when to call Mardi Gras Inc. to report crimes and problems during Mardi Gras. Guidelines are on Page 2 of the Soulard Renaissance and also in the Jan. 13 SRG General Membership Meeting minutes.

Old Business:

SRG Board Positions:
The President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary and two Director positions are up for election. The Secretary and two Directors currently in office have indicated that they will not seek re-election. Anyone with questions about serving on the Board can contact any Board member. Ziemann asked members at the meeting to encourage their friends to serve. People who have served previously are allowed to run again. Preferably, nominations will be made by the March meeting, although they will be taken up until the ballot is printed for the election in April.

New Business:

No Mardi Gras Event at Soulard Station
No beer fundraiser or party will be held this year at Soulard Station on Grand Parade Day. Because beer sales are so dependent on weather, such an event might only break even or could lose money. Ziemann said that anyone who is upset at the lack of an event there should talk to him or any Board member.

Judith Howard said Howards in Soulard, 2732 S. 13th St., would be open on Grand Parade Day for a neighborhood party. Half of the revenue generated will be donated to the SRG.

Mayor Slay at March General Membership Meeting:
Mayor Francis Slay will appear at the March 2 General Membership Meeting to speak on behalf of renewing the City Earnings Tax.

February Board Meeting on Feb. 24:
The next Board Meeting will be Feb. 24 instead of the regular date of Feb. 17.

American Legion Post 422 Report:
Mr. Bill Wirtel reported that:

·         A Fifth Friday Bingo and Buffet was held Jan. 29 for 22 rehabbing veterans at Jefferson Barracks Medical Center. The next one will be April 29.

·         Third Friday Family Happy Hours will resume April 15. Musicians and guest bartenders are being recruited.

·         Despite a threatening weather forecast, a record crowd of 222 people turned out for Mouse Races No. 3 at St. Vincent’s De Paul, 1408 S. 10th St., on Jan. 9.

·         Three Lenten Cod Fish Fries are scheduled: Feb. 12, March 4 and March 25.

·         Post 422 will be serving biscuits and gravy starting at 7:30 a.m. on Grand Parade Day. Brats have been added to the menu. Bloody Marys and coffee also are available. 

Soulard Business Association Report:
No report was given in the absence of SBA President Dan Shields.

Mardi Gras Inc. Report:
Gary Toribio said that parking passes for Mardi Gras are available at the Mardi Gras Inc. building, 2200 Dolman St., for those who didn’t get them in the mail. Free 12-packs of Bud Light and Monster Energy drinks are available at the MGI building for neighborhood residents willing to display a small Mardi Gras poster. A post-Mardi Gras forum is set for March 3 at the MGI building.

Committee Reports:

Residential Promotion Report:
Soulard Star jewelry is now available for purchase: earrings are $10, necklaces are $8.

A Second Line Parade is planned on Fat Tuesday, beginning at 5 p.m. at D’s Place, 900 Barton St.

Reserve the date: Garden Tour on June 25.

Beautification Report:
No report.

Communications Report:
Deadline for the next Renaissance is May 13.

Code and Zoning Report:
A developer has bought the property at 1009-11-13 Allen Street.

A question was raised about temporary tents at several bars and restaurants. Alderman Coatar said the Building Division had been in the neighborhood today to determine whether tents were in compliance with city codes. He said tents generally don’t require a permit if they aren’t connected to a building and are under a certain square footage.

A request for two signs at the Lafayette School Apartments is under review. One sign would be by the front door, the other would be on the east side of the structure on South 7th Street. Dave Perry asked if the developer plans to clean two statues of children that are on top of the old school. Chairman Jay Gibbs said he would ask.

Fundraising Report:
Smarty Gras Trivia Night is Saturday Feb. 20 at the Franklin Room, 816 Allen Ave. Volunteers are sought. Tables are available for $225 at Soulard.org.

Membership Report:
Contact information is being verified prior to the printing of the next membership roster. The next Membership Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Soulard Station, 1911 S. 12th St.

Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.