February 2020 General Meeting Minutes

Written By Gary Toribio

Meeting Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Location: American Legion Barlog-Kuszaj-Zero Post 422, 2601 S 11th St, St. Louis

Time: Meeting was called to order by the President at 7:03 p.m. 

  1. Welcome & Introductions: President Scott Plackemeier

                          (Presence indicated by  ☑  -  Absence indicated by  ⦸)

SRG BOARD OFFICERS:

ELECTED OFFICIALS/REPRESENTATIVES

☑

Scott Plackemeier (Pres./ Mtg Chair)

⦸

Jack Coatar – Alderman 7th Ward

☑

Neil Putz (Vice President) 

☑

Dan Guenther – Alderman 9th Ward

⦸

Jeff Roberts (Treasurer)

☑      Marty Murray – Democratic Committee Person

          7th Ward, Arrived toward end of meeting

☑

Gary Toribio (Secretary)

DIRECTORS / SRG BOARD MEMBERS

⦸     Taylor Bodine 

⦸

Mauria Tomlin – Neighborhood Stabilization Officer (NSO) 7th Ward

⦸     John Durnell 

⦸     Beth Hoops 

⦸

Dena Hibbard – Neighborhood Stabilization Officer (NSO) 9th Ward

☑

Marilyn Morris

SPECIAL GUESTS:

☑

John Durnell

☑

Officer Sherdon Douglas, SLMPD

☑

Dave Perry

☑

Tim Lorson, MGI Executive Director

☑

Billy Tomber (Exec Editor SRG Communications)

⦸

“Soulard Blaster weekly email newsletter” is referred to as the Blaster in these minutes.

  1. Mardi Gras: Tim Lorson

    1. Tim Lorson, Executive Director of MGI, gave a detailed presentation and update on the MGI Events for the 2 weekends following the date of this meeting.

  2. Police Report: Officer Sherdon Douglas 

    1. The January 2020 crime statistics for Soulard were reviewed by Officer Douglas.

  3. Old Business: Scott Plackemeier 

    1. General Membership Meeting Minutes.

Approval of the Minutes for the Wednesday, January 8, 2020 General Member Meeting as presented.

Motion by Carla Arrigo, 2nd by Neil Putz

Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.

Motion passed unanimously

    1. Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Roberts 

      1. Jeff was unavailable as he was out of the Country on the date of the meeting, and a specific report was postponed until the next meeting. New Business: Scott Plackemeier 

    1. SRG Board elections: 

      1. Nominations for 2020 to 2021 SRG Officer and Board positions will be open at the next General Membership on March 4th.

      2. Elections will be held at the meeting on April 1. 2020.

  1. Committee reports

    1. Soulard Station: Marilyn Morris

      1. Marilyn gave an update on the status of the maintenance and repair work on the station which was in this year’s budget as approved by the SRG Board.

        1. Leaking roof repairs

        2. Station painting after roof repaired

        3. New window shades installed

      2. “Smart” system is the preference of the committee.

        1. Ann Austin to receive training on the “Smart” system

      3. Tablecloths in Soulard Station

        1. If absolutely necessary, SRG Committees may use the tablecloths; but the Committee using them MUST have them cleaned (pressed, folded, returned to the Station, etc.) WITHIN 7 DAYS after they are used.

    2. Membership: Julie Price

      1. Currently there are 337 residential members, 84 business members for a total of 421 SRG members.

      2. A list was distributed for members to sign-up to host the post-meeting socials in calendar year 2020.

        1. Hosts are reimbursed $50 plus any tips that are left the night of the social.

      3. May 6th is the membership party, location TBD.

        1. All members will pay annual dues at the party.

      4. This year’s Volunteer Star Award nominations must be submitted by the end of March.

      5. Tonight’s Social is at 1001 Russell Blvd. 

      6. More members are needed on all SRG Committees.

    3. Beautification: Richard Eaton

      1. Annual Garden Tour will be on Saturday, June 20, 2020

    4. Residential Promotion: Luann Denten

      1. Vices & Virtue Ball was held on Saturday February 8, 2020 and was a great success. 

        1. Luann thanked everyone who was involved with the production of the event as well all participants.

    5. Communications: Jeremy Mehrle

      1. By noon on Tuesday, please email any planned events for the weekly “Blaster” that is distributed on Wednesdays.

        1. Email articles to editor@soulard.org 

      2. The next Mardi Gras edition of the Renaissance was distributed on the day of this meeting, 2/12/2020.

    6. Parlour Tour: Neil Putz

      1. Nothing to report until preparations for the next 2020 Parlour Tour.

    7. Plan Review Team (PRT) / Code & Zoning: Neil Putz

      1. Enforcement of the neighborhood’s historical standards for signs.

        1. Twisted Ranch is in court with the City for the sign painted on the bricks of their building.

      2. Llewellyn’s garage doors garage installed in the front of their building in 2019

        1. Two sections of the store front were replaced with 2 garage doors without obtaining any of the required permits from the City

        2. Neil and the PRT asked that members provide feedback to him on the garage door appearance with respect to the historical standards.

    8. Fundraising: Christopher Schwarz

      1. There will not be a Smarty Gras Trivia Night this year.

      2. Soulard Concert Series in 2020

        1. Revised dates for the 2020 concert series are:

          1. May 9 - Soulard Blues, Brews and Bites Festival (Soulard B3 Festival)

          2. June 20

          3. July 3 (revised date)

          4. August 22 (revised date)

      3. Oktoberfest 2019 success

        1. SRG received $6,175 or 20% of the profits from the event produced by Soulard Business Assoc. plus $590 in tips at the SRG Beer Both.

      4. The next Fundraising Committee meeting is on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 7pm in the Soulard Station.

      5. Additional committee members are needed.

  2. Partner Organizations

    1. American Legion: Christopher Schwarz

      1. Thanked everyone that participated in the Mouse Races in January

      2. The Legion Hall will be open for breakfast the morning of the for the Soulard Mardi Gras Grand parade day on 2/22/2020.

      3. Queen of Hearts raffle continues to be held on Tuesday evenings.

        1. Happy Hour 5:30 – 7pm.

        2. The jackpot is $1,800

      4. Friday evening Fish Fry starts on February 28th and continues through Lent

      5. The Third Friday Happy Hours to begin after Easter.

    2. Soulard Business Association (SBA): Billy Tomber

      1. SBA is attempting to hire a part time employee to assist their organization and this person will also attend SRG meetings.

      2. SBA planning a “Sample Sunday” in June 2020

      3. SBA Board elections will be held in May 2020.

      4. A volunteer is still needed to be to be the SRG representative attending the SBA meetings.

    3. Soulard Special Business District (SSBD) – Billy Tomber

      1. Nothing special reported this month

      2. SSBD meetings are on the second Monday of every month at Soulard Station and start at 6:30 pm.

        1. The next meeting is on 3/9/2020 and is open to the public.Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI) – Scott Plackemeier, Gary Toribio, Billy Tomber

      3. Many details for this year’s Mardi Gras events were previously addressed by Tim Lorson in his presentation at the start of the meeting.

      4. Scott mentioned that SRG contributed funds for the art supplies provided to schools to participate in the Winter Family Carnival held on 1/11/2020.

      5. Gary said that MGI is attempting to get the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to approve pedestrian crossovers on 7th St for the Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade. 

        1. Crossing the parade route would be allowed during gaps in-between floats.

        2. The crossovers of 7th St would be at Geyer and Shenandoah

        3. This may also improve the residents view of the parade on the less crowded, east side of 7th Street.

      6. Billy reminded everyone that there will be various street closures the weekend of February 15 & 16.

    4. Community Improvement District (CID): Julie Price

      1. For information regarding the CID, refer to their website at:      http://soulardcid.org/ 

      2. The CID Board can be contacted at info@soulardcid.org 

      3. CID meetings are on the first Monday of every month at Soulard Station and are open to the public.

      4. Annual revenues can potentially be $500,000.  

      5. The top 3 initial projects are under consideration.

        1. Public input on potential projects can be emailed to info@soulardcid.org 

        2. As a CID Board member, Julie is emphasizing street scape projects such as sidewalks and tree wells. 

      6. No revenues are expected to be available to the CID until after the 2nd quarter of 2020.

  3. Announcements: 

    1. Cats Meow Washer Tournament: Marlene Ortman

      1. The tournament will be on Saturday February 15th.

      2. 11th St will be closing from Sidney St to the first alley south of Sidney.

    2. Update from 7th Ward Democratic Committee Person: Marty Murray

      1. Today, 2/12, is the deadline to register to vote in the March 10th Democratic Presidential Preference (Primary). Register online at the Secretary of State website.

      2. April 6th is the Ward 7 meeting for delegate selection.

      3. There is still a need to fill the vacant position for the Ward 7 Democratic Committeewoman. Filing will be open at the end of February if interested in running.

  4. Adjournment

Approval of Adjourning the Meeting.

Motion by Billy Tomber, 2nd by Jeremy Mehrle

Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.

Motion passed unanimously

    1. Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

______________________________________________________________________

These minutes summarizing this meeting were prepared by SRG Secretary, Gary Toribio.

Minutes Approved by SRG General Membership on March 4, 2020

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.

______________________________________________________________________________

Gary Toribio
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February 2020 Board Meeting Minutes
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