DECEMBER 2020 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Soulard Restoration Group, Inc.
DECEMBER 2020 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Meeting Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
This was a Virtual Meeting conducted on Zoom as a videoconference/teleconference
Time called to order: 7:02 p.m.
Date Minutes APPROVED by Membership: January 13, 2021
SRG BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Neil Putz (Pres./ Mtg Chair), Jim Dallas (President Elect), Jeff Roberts (Treasurer), Gary Toribio (Secretary), Scott Plackemeier (Past President), Taylor Bodine, John Durnell, Beth Hoops, Marilyn Morris; Nancy Lambert, Billy Tomber (Editor, Renaissance)
GUESTS/SPEAKERS: 9th Ward Alderman Dan Guenther; Mardi Gras Foundation President, Mack Bradley; MGI Executive Director, Tim Lorson.
1. CALL TO ORDER & OPENING REMARKS: President Neil Putz
· Meeting Duration: 90 minutes maximum
· General Meetings (Outdoor or Zoom); still focused on first Wednesday unless conflict
o January 2021 meeting conflicts with Twelfth Night, so it might be rescheduled to Wednesday, January 13, 2021, but this has not yet been determined.
2. SLMPD LIAISON REPORT
· Officer Douglas was not available to provide a report because of the death of a close family member.
3. UPDATE ON 2021 MARDI GRAS EVENTS: Tim Lorson, MGI and Mack Bradley, MGF
· A detailed slide presentation was provided on “Carnival in the Age of COVID” regarding 2021 Soulard Mardi Gras in St. Louis which included:
o The MGI approach to Soulard Mardi Gras 2021
o Outline of the calendar of events
o MGI’s ongoing planning with the City, SLMPD and other stakeholders
o Addressed other considerations and known concerns.
· A few questions were asked on Zoom and in the chat with the following answers provided by Tim and Mack:
o Informing out of town visitors about 2021 Soulard Mardi Gras: MGI Normally has marketing efforts for areas a few hundred miles away. MGI understands it is their responsibility to inform the public of not only what we are doing but also to take a good amount of time explaining what customary events and activities we are not doing for Soulard Mardi Gras in 2021. MGI’s website will have all the information on 2021 Mardi Gras and normally gets more than 2 million visits annually. MGI also has an extensive email distribution list built up over the years.
o Informing Airbnb owners what is not occurring for 2021 Soulard Mardi Gras: Mack agreed that this was a good idea and will work on getting the message out to Airbnb. MGI also monitors social media to learn what may be privately planned for Soulard during Mardi Gras and then deals with any issues.
o Parking restrictions and "gate" entrance to the neighborhood: Tim explained that controlled entry points are not being planned for the customary Grand Parade day on February 13, 2021. Perhaps there may be a parking program, but it is still under consideration and discussion with the City and SLMPD. If there is a parking program, it would use the traditional yellow zone parking approach for the entire neighborhood that would require hang tags in vehicles and only allow parking by residents on 2/13/21. There will be traffic control and no parking areas at establishments for the Drive Thru Taste of Soulard on Saturday, February 6, 2021
· As always, any additional questions or concerns can be sent anytime to Tim Lorson at:
o Address: 2200 Dolman St. here in Soulard (Zip: 63104)
o Office Phone: (314) 771-5100
· The SRG President was emailed a copy of the slide presentation to share as he thought appropriate.
4. PREVIOUS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES: Secretary Gary Toribio
· The final draft of the November 1, 2020, General Membership Meeting were available prior to this evenings meeting on the SRG website for membership review and comment.
Motion to approve the minutes for the SRG Monthly General Membership Meeting on November 1, 2020, as posted on the SRG website by the Secretary.
Motion by Mark Lambert, 2nd by Beth Hoops
Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.
Motion passed unanimously
· Gary will attempt to have the Draft General Membership Meeting Minutes for members to review posted on the SRG website sooner in future months.
· The SRG Monthly Board Meeting Minutes are not posted on the website until they are reviewed and approved by the Board (normally but not always at their following month’s meeting).
5. FINANCIAL REPORT: Treasurer Jeff Roberts
· At the start of this FY 2020 (7/1/2020) SRG had cash assets of approximately $90,000. To date, income has been approx. $6,000 from Parlour Tour sponsorships, expenses have been approximately $16,000, resulting in a current balance of approx. $80,000
· All expenses have been in the approved FY 2020 budget and mostly consist of fixed costs for Soulard Station, maintenance, repairs, utilities, insurance, annual neighborhood clean-up program, and Membership Committee’s costs for the roster and face masks. Therefore, Jeff reported that the FY 2020 budget is on track.
6. OLD BUSINESS
· FY 2020 Board Goals: President Neil Putz
o Survive the pandemic
- Fully staff our organization with e-voting for President Elect and making appointments for vacancies.
o Establish a repeatable budget process
- Due to the financial circumstances caused by the pandemic, a more deliberate budgeting process was needed and established, but documenting it is in progress for adoption as a Board policy for future years.
o Review and update of SRG Bylaws
- An active group is in the process of working on this, and it will continue into the next President’s term after April 2021.
o Revise Historic Code
- Attention being given to the need for this as some things need to be updated.
· Only 3 months since budget planning guidance, and the Board adopted a procedure for budget amendments: President Neil Putz
o With a COVID vaccine there will be a need to amend the FY 2020 Budget as the future unfolds.
o The budget amendment procedure needs to be followed.
- This procedure will also develop event information which will then be used to identify City requirements for associated submissions, reviews, and approvals.
· President Elect Actions: President Elect Jim Dallas explained that he has been working on:
o Bylaws Revision
- An active working group is considering bylaw comments from currently 2 members.
- There have been two Zoom meetings so far.
- This will carry on to the term of the next Board.
o Historic Code Revision
- A laborious process that will need City approval.
- To identify items needing changes, obtain SRG concurrence and then submit all recommendations to the City for its adoption into law.
- Getting ideas from anyone who can help, especially those previously involved with review of the provisions of the Historic code as well as anyone within or outside of SRG with expertise such as developers, builders, architects, attorneys, etc.
o Future of Soulard Station
- A special subcommittee is to study alternatives for the Station and then develop a long-term plan.
. - The first Zoom meeting is planned the week of December 7th.
7. NEW BUSINESS
· Nominating Committee: President Neil Putz
o Seeking 5 SRG members as volunteers to get candidates for all next year’s SRG Officers and general at-large Directors except for the President, who will be our current President-Elect, Jim Dallas. Terms of office will be staggered.
o The Nominating Committee is being formed in accordance with the Bylaws.
- It is not for people interested in running for a position, but it is to help develop a slate of nominees.
Individuals volunteering to be on the Nominating Committee can decide to run for any position during the process of trying to find candidates, but they must resign from the Committee no later than the March membership meeting.
o When asked, Neil replied that only voting members can be on the Nominating Committee.
o The deadline for expressing interest in being a member of the Nominating Committee is prior to the next Board Meeting on December 16th when the committee will be appointed.
o Neil mentioned that we will probably need to do an electronic voting process for the elections in April 2021 due to COVID although we would like to do it in person.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
· SOULARD STATION: Board Liaison Marilyn Morris
o Two members have stepped up to be the Committee Chair, so a decision will be made at the 12/16 Board meeting.
o Jim Dallas discovered another roof leak after the last time it rained, so more repairs will be needed.
o Jim Dallas has gotten the old, existing alarm functional with a monitoring service.
o Ann Austin continues to maintain the calendar for the use of the Station.
- There is evidence that groups are using the Station without letting Ann know.
- To avoid conflicts, SRG Committees are asked to please keep Ann informed by simply texting her or emailing the date and time they intend to use the building to StationCalendar1911@gmail.com.
· SAFETY: Board Liaison Nancy Lambert
o Nancy has been named the Board liaison for this committee.
o She is rebuilding the committee and needs volunteers.
o Scott Plackemeier will be on the committee and will be a big help with his experience.
o The Committee will:
- Two safety walks of the neighborhood to identify dark areas, broken streetlights, and any other hazards/safety concerns.
- Meetings with other neighborhood groups to coordinate safety efforts
- National Night Out
- Perhaps revitalize the Neighborhood Watch Program that has become dormant.
- The committee can also develop new ideas and programs.
o Interested volunteers are asked to please email Nancy at board@soulard.org
· MEMBERSHIP: Board Liaison Scott Plackemeier
o Not much to report after the November 1, 2020, General Membership meeting.
o The Membership Roster and SRG face masks took a significant amount of effort throughout early fall until the 11/1 meeting.
o Veronica Putz asked that if a member’s contact info changes, it would be appreciated if they could keep the committee informed by sending an email with the revisions to membership@soulard.org
· BEAUTIFICATION: No report as everything is dormant for the winter
· RESIDENTIAL PROMOTION: Board Liaison Taylor Bodine
o Nothing to report.
· COMMUNICATIONS: Jeremy Mehrle
o The Committee doing significant work this year for the Parlor Tour since it is virtual this year including videography and creating a new website for it.
o The Renaissance Christmas/Holiday Parlour Tour issue has been completed and distributed.
o Neil expressed his appreciation for the Committee/Jeremy doing such a good job getting information disseminated in the Blaster.
· PARLOUR TOUR: Board Liaison Beth Hoops
o The committee has been working extremely hard over the last several weeks to do nine separate photo and video shoots of the homes as well as an additional history shoot featuring Neil and Veronica Putz.
o Neal Thompson is doing several interviews this week with local news outlets.
o The Parlour Tour website will go live at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
o No cost to view the virtual tour on the website, but we will be accepting donations.
· PRT/CODE & ZONING: John Durnell
o There will be only two rather than the originally proposed three new townhouses at 912 and 916 Geyer next to Coffee Garden.
- A model example was found.
- They are making some adjustments to the layout of windows on the east and west sides.
o 9th & Soulard Sts, 20 Apartment units with store fronts on first floor.
o 7th and Shenandoah at old plating plant.
- Jay Gibbs is meeting with developers to address scale and size.
- Following Historic Code guidelines to fit in with adjacent properties.
· FUNDRAISING: Board Liaison Billy Tomber
o There will be a virtual online Smarty Gras Trivia event on Saturday January 16, 2021, via Zoom.
- $50 per team of 5 members.
- Details are available on our website: soulard.org
9. OTHER REPORTS
· CID: John Durnell, CID Board Member
o CID meeting next Wednesday December 9, 2020, at 5:30 pm, virtually via Zoom, and is open to the public.
o Their first main project will be the installation of 65 trash cans like those at Pontiac Square Park as well as a service to empty them on a regular basis.
o They are then considering custom street signs like those in Lafayette Park with branding for our neighborhood.
· Democratic Committeeman: Scott Plackemeier for Marty Murray
o On behalf of Marty, Scott thanked everyone for the great voting turnout for the November 3rd general elections.
o Also thanked all workers who helped at the polls.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Approval of Adjourning the Meeting.
Motion by Billy Tomber, 2nd by Jeff Roberts.
Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.
Motion passed unanimously
· Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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These minutes summarizing the meeting were prepared by SRG Secretary, Gary Toribio.
Minutes APPROVED at the SRG General Membership Meeting on January 13, 2021
Note: The above information is the Board Secretary’s understanding of the motions, votes and general issues that were discussed but are not intended to be a verbatim transcript of the meeting.
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