July 2017 Board Meeting Minutes

Sep 17

Minutes July 2017 SRG Board Meeting

Date: July 19, 2017

Location: Soulard Station, 1911 S. 12th Street

The meeting was called to order at 7:16 p.m. by President Wade Weistreich

Officers and Directors in Attendance: Bill Clendenin, Beth Bennett, Luann Denten, Melissa Irlbeck-Whitson, Venessa Kobrin, Scott Plackemeier, Neil Putz, Christopher Schwarz, Stephen Shuman, Billy Tomber, Wade Weistreich,

Officers and Directors Absent: none

Old Business

Gary Toribio will continue to represent SRG on the MGI Board for another term.

New Business

2222 Menard

The Star Design Group building will have commercial space on the ground floor and residential space upstairs. The property needs a zoning variance.

Rules/procedures Documentation

A plan was set to review minutes from the past 10 years to document rules and procedures that were created. Luann Denten has the previous 6 years of minutes. An attempt will be made to obtain an additional 4 years from previous board members. The Communications Committee will examine a method of digital storing. We will begin dissecting the minutes at the next meeting, August 16.

Projects to use existing funds

Beth Bennett suggested we look at potential uses for the existing surplus of SRG funds. Numerous suggestions were made as follows:

1) LED Street Lights to replace existing street lights. (Beth Bennett) Federal funds might be available for the city to make purchase.

2) Repair bathrooms and bandstand at Soulard Market. (Beth Bennett) MGI/SBA/SRG currently writing grant proposal for improvements on bandstand and to purchase portable stage. Current bids range from $10,000 to $20,000.

3) Bathroom and lighting at Pontiac Park (Luann Denten)

4) Containers to recycle cigarette butts and stands for dog refuse bags (Beth Bennett). Beth Bennett will head a group to explore cost and potential locations throughout Soulard.

5) Annual Scholarships (Wade Weistreich) create two scholarships of $1,000 each for graduating seniors that either live in Soulard or went to the Soulard School or Humbolt.

6) Gene Slay scholarships (Christopher Schwarz) create $50 scholarships to Gene Slay

7) Legion Wrought Iron Fence (Luann Denten)

Projects such as these were called for during the budget process. With the exception of projects to compliment the CID, within Soulard but outside CID boundaries, these projects would require Board approval. Projects such as these should be included, by committee or Board, during the budget process for the coming year.

Tour upper level of Soulard Market. Luann Denten will schedule a time for the SRG Board to tour the upper level of The Soulard Market to access the space.

Treasurer Report

No changes since the general meeting

Committee Reports

Beautification (Beth Bennett)

The fundraiser at Mollys raised $7,275 which is down $3,000 from last year. Richard is obtaining a fourth bid on the fence for the Soulard Station.

(Luann Denten) Garden Tour was a huge success. Friday, September 29, the art from the tour will be auctioned at the Soulard Station. The event will begin at 6p.m.

Communication (Venessa Kobrin)

September 15th will be the last day for contributions to the Renaissance which will be delivered in October.

Movies in Pontiac Park will begin soon. Please email suggestions to Venessa Kobrin.

Luann Asked the Communications committee to update the SRG website with new pictures of events. The committee believes it will slow down the site too much but will explore the addition of an external link.

Code and Zoning/PRT (Beth Bennett)

No new additions

Fundraising (Christopher Schwarz)

The first meeting occurred. Upcoming events will include beer sales at Q in the LOUand Oktoberfest. Wreath sales will begin in October. It was decided to not participate in LOUFEST since it is in Forest Park.

Membership (Stephen Shuman)

There are 270 active members. The new goal of the committee is to retain new members. They will host a new member appreciation gathering.

Parlour Tour (Neil Putz)

Neal will see if alcohol is permitted at Gene Slay. Please send all addresses for ghost signs to Neil Putz.

Residential Promotion (Luann Denten)

Bastille was a success. The next royals will be Leah and Eric Sutphen.

The 2018 V and V Ball will be on Jan 27.

Julie Price will have Soulard merchandise for purchase at the Founder’s Day celebration.

Safety (Scott Plackemeier)

Monday July 24 residents are encouraged to meet for a safety walk. The group will meet at Joannie’s at 8:30p.m.

August 1, 2017 is National Night Out.

Soulard Holiday Decorating (Venessa Kobrin)