January 2018 General Meeting Minutes

Jan 15

Minutes January 2018 SRG General Meeting

Date: January 3, 2018

Location: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Hall

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 P.M. by President Wade Weistreich

Officers and Directors in Attendance: Beth Bennett, Scott Plackemeier, Taylor Bodine, Bill Clendenin, Wade Weistreich, Billy Tomber

Officers and Directors Absent: Stephen Shuman, Neil Putz, Christopher Schwarz, Venessa Kobrin, Luann Denten

Aldermen Present: 9th Ward Alderman Dan Guenther

Committeeman Present: None

Other Officials: Officer Sherdon Douglas

Guest Presentation

Mardi Gras Inc: Tim Lorson

Informational packets will be delivered to Soulard residents at their door. It will include parade routes, your parking information and more. If you do not get your parking pass, come to the Mardi Gras office wit proof of residency and proof of the number of cars that you own. For parking, you cannot park in red zones from 3AM February 10th - 2AM February 11th. You may park in the yellow zones if you have a parking permit.For questions contact the Mardi Gras office: 314-771-5110

Treasury Report

Christopher Schwarz is out of town. No treasury report or board meeting minutes for approval as they are still out for edit.

Police Report (Officer Sherdon Douglas)

-21 total crimes this month

-1 reported rape: Occurred on 12-2-17 at 1:45 PM at a park area behind the gas station at Gravois and Russell. The Police have investigated this incident, but the victim knew the rapist and is not cooperating. This has become an inactive case.

-2 robberies: both were committed in the early morning between midnight and 2:30 AM.

1) Occured at 700 and Allen. A man arrived home and was approached by a male. His car was taken. The investigation is still ongoing with some leads.

2) A double robbery occurred at the 1700 block of South 8th street. The victims were home and opened their door after someone knocked, believing it to be their friends. Suspects robbed them and then left. On their way out they saw another group and robbed them as well. They were last seen traveling south on Broadway. There are good leads in this case as well.

-13 larsonies:

-8 vehicles had items stolen and have no current suspects. 2 vehicles had no items stolen.

-Imo’s pizza driver had pizza stolen during a delivery

-Tires were stolen from a company on Broadway Street. The suspect was arrested on scene.

-There was a wallet accidentally left on the counter at D’s bar and was stolen.

-Larcenies are happening during the weekdays in the afternoon to the late evening on Monday, Thursday or Tuesday. Electronics are being stolen. Remember to be smart and do not leave valuables in your car.

-There were 4 stolen vehicles. 3 were not residents of Soulard. All 4 have been recovered. Times and trends were sporadic.

-1 aggravated assault: Suspects were driving a dark grey or black Toyota. Victim saw 2 males driving slowly at the 1000 block of Barton Street at 5:20 AM. Victim began running and they cornered him with a gun and robbed him. There were no injuries.

-They have increased patrol in areas where the crimes occurred. Officer Douglas goes to the area every time there is a crime and patrols the area.

-The Detectives assigned to these cases will be at next month’s meeting to give us more details.

Old Business

Parlour Tour recap: Jeanne Kirby

Both tours were sold out this year. Income and expenses will be announced at the next meeting when Christopher is back.

Donation: Wade Weistreich

A $1,000 donation has been made by Jim and Julie Price from the Crab Boil to continue with the Mom Howard camera program. Wade will be managing that initiative.

***At the conclusion of ‘old business’ Paul Kjorlie stood up and began to speak. He referenced handouts he distributed prior to the meeting containing a segment from the by-laws regarding membership voting. Wade told him that if he wanted to present at a meeting he needed to be on the agenda. Wade reminded Paul that this isn’t the first time he has been told this and additionally he has invited Paul on several occasions to reach out to him or another board if he wants to discuss SRG related matters not on the agenda. Paul tried to continue despite being told to stop disrupting the meeting until finally several members were able to convince him to sit down.

New Business

SSBD Forum update (Bill Clendenin)

A forum will be held this Monday at 7PM at South Broadway Athletic Club on 7th Street

Harassment of Neighbors (Wade Weistreich)

Wade recently learned that a resident of Soulard had trash thrown in their yard as well as other forms of harassment committed against them including “shaming” on Nextdoor.com. This was due to “no parking” signs that the city had approved for a golf cart. Alderman Jack Coater and Wade were addressing the situation with the city since the curb cut violated the historical code. Wade wanted to remind everyone that the way the residents were harassed and intimidated was unacceptable and that it is his sincere hope that no members of the SRG were involved in any way.

Survey (Wade Weistreich)

There will be a digital comment box on the website and sent out with the blaster from now on to make it easier for members to provide feedback, ask questions or make suggestions. The President and President-elect will both receive the feedback and present to the board or respond if they deem necessary. A physical comment box will be at all SRG general meetings and will be taken home by Wade. There will also be an annual survey sent to all SRG members and passed to the next board in February.

SRG Committee Reports:

Safety (Scott Plackemeier and Sergio Sevillano)

Nothing new to add. If you are free on Monday please attend the forum at South Broadway

Beautification (Richard Eaton)

No report

Residential Promotion (Luann Denten)

No report

Communications (Jeremy Mehrle)

No report

Parlor Tour (Jeanne Kirby)

No report

PRT/Code and Zoning (Jay Gibbs)

-It’s winter so there are not many current projects or current construction.

-Update on the potential building being built on the corner of Menard and Lami/2325 Menard Street: Jay has sent plans to the committee. Their comments have been collected and sent to the architect and the owner.

Fundraising (Christopher Schwarz)

Smarti Gras: February 24th.

Meeting next week at some point

Look at recording

Membership (Julie Price)

No report. Additional Star Awards will be presented tonight.

Holiday Decorating (Venessa Kobrin)

No Report

Partner Organizations

The Legion Report (Bill Wirtel)

-The Mouse Races will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 7PM at St. Vincent De Paul. Doors will open at 6:30PM. Children under 17 can attend for free. Adults can purchase tickets at http://www.soulardamericanlegion.org for $25 in advance or at the door for $30. Your ticket includes beer, wine, soda, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, a silent auctions, games and much more. This family friendly event will benefit Veterans.

-There will be 4 Fish Fry’s this year. More details to come!

Soulard Business (Tom Gullickson)

No report

Mardi Gras Inc (Billy Tomber)

Everyone is welcome to Twelfth night!