March 2020 General Meeting Minutes

Mar 25

Written By Gary Toribio

Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 4, 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 7:05 p.m.

Welcome & Introductions by 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

☑

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

☑

Mary Pat Carl, Candidate Democratic Circuit Attorney

☑

Billy Tomber (Exec Editor SRG Communications)

⦸

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

Guest: Mary Pat Carl
1. The President allowed Attorney Mary Pat Carl to introduce herself and briefly provide her background and qualifications for Circuit Attorney in the August 4, 2020 Primary Election.
Police Report: Officer Sherdon Douglas
1. The crime statistics for the month of January 2020 in Soulard were reviewed by Officer Douglas.
Treasurer’s Report: Scott Plackemeier
1. Scott explained that Jeff Roberts, the Treasurer, was out of town; and a financial update and the Treasurer’s report will be made at the next General Membership Meeting.

V. Old Business: Scott Plackemeier

General Membership Meeting Minutes.

Approval of the Minutes for the Wednesday, February 12, 2019 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

New Business: Scott Plackemeier
1. SRG Elections will be held at the next General Membership Meeting, which was scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
  1. Vacancies exist for Two Director Positions, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary positions.
  2. Nominations are open until the day of the meeting when elections will occur.
  3. Nominations can be made at this or the next meeting.
  4. Nominations can also be made via email to board@soulard.org
Announcements: Scott Plackemeier
1. The Presidential Preference Election is on next Tuesday, March 10th.
2. The Primary Elections for St Louis City will be on August 4, 2020
Committee reports
1. Soulard Station:
  1. Nothing reported this month.
2. Membership: Julie Price
  1. Currently there are a total of 426 SRG members
  2. Membership requested Volunteer Star Award nominations to be made prior to the next General Membership meeting when they will be presented.
  3. More members are needed on all SRG Committees
  4. Passed around the sign-up sheet for hosts of the Socials after the General Membership Meeting.
  5. The Social after the meeting was at Soulard Art Gallery—2028 South 12th Street (at Russell)
  6. The Membership Party will be in May.
    1. Payment for membership renewal dues must be made upon check-in for the party. Renewal of Membership Dues can also be paid online at Soulard.org
    2. Lifetime Achievement Awards to also be given at the Membership Party.
3. Beautification: Richard Eaton
  1. Discussing service projects with local companies, firms and universities to assist with beautification efforts in Soulard.
  2. Pontiac Park clean-up will be scheduled in April.
  3. Planting of large pots on corners in Soulard will begin in April with assistance from Riley’s Florist.
4. Residential Promotion
  1. Nothing reported this month.Communications: Billy Tomber

The current Mardi Gras edition of the Renaissance was already distributed and is on the streets.
The next deadline for Renaissance articles will be in May 2020 for the Art in the Garden edition.
Email articles to editor@soulard.org

Parlour Tour: Neil Putz
1. Noting to report this month except that the event in December 2019 was a great success.
Plan Review Team (PRT) / Code & Zoning - Jay Gibbs & Alderman Jack Coatar
1. The Llywelyn's Pub store front was partially replaced with unpermitted garage doors that are aluminum and glass.
  1. PRT and some SRG Board members met with owner the week of 2/24.
  2. PRT voted to allow garage doors but they must be replaced with wooden doors like those at Epic Pizza and Mission Taco.
  3. A letter was sent to the City and owner with SRG’s position on this issue.
2. A new construction house wants a roof top patio, but PRT is awaiting details from the owner.
3. 1001 Russell is progressing slowly with leases of the first-floor store front spaces.
4. Henry’s Bar – PRT is providing a list of concerns to Alderman Coatar regarding continuing alterations and additions without City permits.
5. Vacant property at 7th & Shenandoah - Soil abatement is progressing at the old chrome plant. Once complete it will likely be for sale.
6. Twisted Ranch, 1731 S. 7th
  1. Jack Coatar explained that the awning that was installed was allowed to remain by the Judge due to a technicality despite the Historic Code it needs to comply with.
  2. The sign painted on the exterior brick wall was determined to need removal, but it is still in appeal by Twisted Ranch. Jack will get an update for PRT.
7. Banners remaining on building exteriors throughout Soulard.
  1. Jack will ask the Building Dept to review this as banners are only allowed on a temporary basis for 90 days.
8. BP Station’s car wash building (2001-2045 S. 7th St at Allen) is no longer making any progress with completing its rehab that was a condition for its approval.
  1. Jack to check on its status.
9. Issues with commercial tractor trailers turning from 7th St. onto Russell raised by Julie Price.
  1. Jack to look into additional signage restricting this.
10. Asphalt being placed in brick sidewalks questioned by Gary Toribio.
  1. Neither Aldermen nor other members knew who was responsible for the asphalt being placed except it was not City crews.

K. City’s 50%/50% Sidewalk Repair Program

Jack explained it is still a viable City program.
The City only places stone base to repair sidewalks that are brick.
The City will not provide any bricks or relay them. The bricks are the property owner’s responsibility.
As a part of the program, the City will relevel the sidewalks due to tree root damage. They will remove any necessary bricks, remove the roots, relevel & replace the stone base, but not relay the bricks.

Jay reported that the Landmarks Association of St. Louis is officially relocating their offices into the building on the south side of Sweet Divine on 7th St.

Fundraising: Billy Tomber

Progressing with plans for the Soulard Summer Concert Series.
1. The first in the concert series is the Blues, Brews and Bites Festival (Soulard B3 Festival) which is currently being planned for Saturday, May 9th.

. Partner Organizations

American Legion –Jim Rick.
1. Fish Fry on every other Friday in Lent.
2. Queen of Hearts Raffle on Tuesdays except for March 10th as the Legion Hall is a polling place.
Soulard Business Association (SBA)
1. Nothing reported this month.
Soulard Special Business District (SSBD):
1. SSBD is supported by special taxes
2. SSBD meetings are on the second Monday of every month at Soulard Station and start at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend this meeting.
3. Additional cameras are gradually being added, and other locations are being considered.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI): Gary Toribio
1. Post Mardi Gras Neighborhood Forum is scheduled on Thursday March 5, 2020, 6 p.m. at the Mardi Gras Building, 2200 Dolman St.
Community Improvement District (CID): Julie Price
1. Nothing to report this month.