November 2017 General Meeting Minutes

Dec 14

Minutes November 2017 SRG General Meeting

Date: November 1, 2017

Location: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Hall

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President-Elect Venessa Kobrin

Officers and Directors in Attendance: Bill Clendenin, Beth Bennett, Luann Denten, Venessa Kobrin, Scott Plackemeier, Neil Putz, Christopher Schwarz

Officers and Directors Absent: Wade Weistreich, Billy Tomber

Aldermen Present: Jack Coatar (7th Ward) and Dan Guenther (9th Ward)

Committeeman Present: none

Other Officials: none

Board and General Meeting Minutes

October General Membership and Board meeting minutes were available for review. Bill Clendenin motioned to approve the minutes and Paul Kjorlie seconded. The October General Membership meeting minutes were approved.

New Business

Brightside Saint Louis (Rachel Grayhouse)

- Upcoming event at City Hall American Recycles Day
- Offering in-home recycling bins
- The bin can then be taken to your alley (they are a $1 donation) at City Hall Wednesday, November 15th, from 8-2. If you can’t make it, please reach out to Richard Eaton.
- Currently 10% waste diversion, the goal is to increase to 20%
- A volume study was conducted. There is difference between tonnage and volume.
- Soulard – 50-75% full dumpsters within the neighborhood. The weight and tonnage were also analyzed, and we are AWESOME recyclers.
- It isn’t just about recycling but reducing waste overall! This can be done via “pre-cycling,” or how the items you purchase are packaged. (e.g., eggs are packaged in paper, plastic, or styrofoam).
- A great way to reduce waste is by COMPOSTING.
For every ton we divert, the city saves $18.00 – that money goes back into the City.

Star Awards

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to praise fellow neighbors and recognize the time and energy that individuals give to Soulard!

Star Awards will be presented at the December General meeting.

Market Park and Plaza

There is currently a resolution being considered by both the Small Business Association (SBA) and the SRG. This resolution would transfer the physical and fiscal responsibility of Market Park and Plaza to the SBA. The SRG would maintain access and use of the bandstand.

The contract, in its entirety, will be released to the general membership if it is adopted.

Old Business

Secretary Position (Venessa Kobrin)

The secretary position is an appointed position for the remainder of the term (Thru April 2018)

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions to previous Secretaries!

Police Report (Sherdon Douglas)

CAD reports are no longer being generated.

4 robberies, 2 aggravated assaults, 1 burglary, 1 vehicle thefts, 11 larceny. Specific patrols are taking place from 8-11:59 p.m., Thursday thru Saturday nights, patrolling areas where robberies have been occurring

Officer Douglas reminded residents to not leave any visible items in your vehicle!

Committee Reports

Beautification (Richard Eaton)

9th and Sidney triangle

   This project applied for and RECEIVED an outside grant for a rain garden from MoBot and other organizations. The grant amount is $5,000. Another grant is still on the waiting list, and we will update as information is available.
Community Volunteering

   This Friday a group of school children, 20 6th graders, will be planting around 250 daffodils in Pontiac Square.

Communication (Venessa Kobrin)

The next issue of the Renaissance is the Parlour Tour issue.

Movies at the Park have been a huge success. This is measured by both overall attendance and attendance outside of SRG membership. The event is serving to bring neighbors out of the homes as well as raise awareness about SRG programming.

Due to cold weather, Movies at the Park will move to Movies at the Station. November 18th we will be showing the Nightmare Before Christmas.

A community calendar has been created and is in hard copy on the tables, published in the Ren and available at soulard.org.

Code and Zoning (Jay Gibbs)

Whistler Building

The Whistler Building to be built on 7th between Barton and Victor, they are going to build the latest version that included the underground parking. This will alleviate a lots of stress on parking within the neighborhood.

Alley House

The building was already collapsing and a storm brought it down. This building was behind the 7th street barbershop.

Union Barbershop

The owner wants to put out a beer sign, the committee was not supportive of the additional singage as originally proposed.

Henry’s

Henrys’ has an observable history of building modifying without the proper permits and is now attempting to expand his premises to the adjacent building. Stop work orders have been presented.

Fundraising (Christopher Schwarz)

Oktoberfest was a success! We look forward to continuing this neighborhood tradition, as a neighborhood fundraiser, for many years.

Parlour Tour is the first weekend of December!

Tonight is the last night to purchase wreaths!

Membership (Julie Price)

January 13th is wrastling at the South Broadway Athletic Club – this is a FREE event for SRG members.

Welcome bags are being printed!

The membership committee has been meeting regularly.

Residential Promotion (Luann Denten)

The signage project is going to be the cornerstone project of the Residential Promotions for the coming year. Cultural Resources has approved using the signs on Cherokee street as a model example. More details to follow!

Merchandise will be available online working with Left Hand Productions. A small amount will be kept at Left Hand’s Offices, if you want to walk-in and purchased. Cathy Weldon at The Porch will be selling jewelry and wine glasses.

Santa Comes to Soulard is December 15th!

Safety (Scott Plackemeier/Sergio Sevillano)

SSBD is having an open forum on 11/13 at 6:30 p.m. at the SBAC. SSBD switched over to City’s Finest, the new security contractor. Representatives will be present.

MGI (Billy Tomber)

No report given.