November 2019 General Meeting Minutes

Written By Gary Toribio

Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2019

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. 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 John Durnell

SPECIAL GUESTS:

☑

Dave Perry

☑

Officer Sherdon Douglas, SLMPD

⦸

Billy Tomber (Exec Editor SRG Communications)

☑

Chief John Hayden, SLMPD

☑

3rd Dist Public Affairs Officer Khoudian, SLMPD

☑

3rd Dist Captain Ryan Cousins, SLMPD

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

  1. Police Report: Chief John Hayden & Officer Sherdon Douglas 

    1. Chief Hayden discussed current STLMPD issues and answered questioned.

    2. The prior month’s crime statistics for Soulard were reviewed by Officer Douglas.

  2. Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Roberts

    1. Scott Plackemeier introduced Jeff Roberts who has been approved by the Board to fill the Treasurer position for the remainder of FY 2019/2020.

  3. Trick or Treat Soulard: Bill Sheldon

    1. Bill summarized the successful event on 10/31/2019 which will be held again in 2020 with hopes of being larger and even better.

  4. Soulard Special Business District – Safety Forum: Bill Clendenin

    1. Reminded the membership about the Safety Forum being held Monday, November 11, 2019, 7 p.m. at Molly’s. (816 Geyer Ave)

VI. American Legion Update: Jim Rick

  1. The Queens of Heart Raffle fundraiser is starting next Tuesday November 12th at 5:30 in the Legion Hall. Additional information distributed in separate emails.

  2. The next 3rd Friday Happy Hour will be on Friday November 15th.

  1. Old and New Business: Scott Plackemeier 

  1. General Membership Meeting Minutes.

Approval of the Minutes for the Wednesday, October 2, 2019 General Member Meeting as presented with the correction that the Interim Treasurer (Christopher Swartz) actually attended the meeting.

Motion by Marilyn Morris, 2nd by Paul Kjorlie

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

Motion passed unanimously

  1. Announcements

    1. Several announcements were made under their associated agenda item and in the Committee Reports.

  2. Committee reports

    1. Soulard Station: Tracy Laxton

      1. Tracy gave a summary of the status of the maintenance and repair work on the station in this year’s budget as approved by the SRG Board.

      2. Thanks to the efforts of SRG member Clark Shafer, a set of chairs were donated to the Station by Orlando Gardens Catering & Banquet Centers

    2. Safety: Scott Plackemeier

      1. Sergio Sevillano no longer has availability and is stepping down from being the committee chair. Therefore, a new volunteer is needed for this position.

    3. Membership: Margie Koors

      1. Currently there are 286 non-business members, 87 business members for a total of 373 SRG members.

      2. Scheduling happy hours at new apartment complexes to recruit new members.

      3. Tonight’s Social is at the home of Jeff & Paula Dostal, 1215 Sidney St.

    4. Beautification: Richard Eaton

      1. Beautification Fund Raiser at Molly’s held on Thursday October 10, 2019.

        1. Very successful raising over $7,000 thanks to everyone on the Beautification Committee and others who helped with everything.

        2. Special thanks to Luke Reynolds, the owner of Molly’s, for his generosity with this fundraiser and his continued, general support of the Beautification Committee.

    5. Residential Promotion: Luann Denten

      1. Soulard Halloween Decorated Golf Cart Parade and Trunk or Treat was successful on Friday October 25, 2019

      2. “Local Hour” happy hour to be held 5pm, Wednesday November 15th at the Great Grizzly Bear with Rich & Shelly, the new owners.

      3. Santa to Soulard, December 13, 2019

      4. (Refer to the Blaster for more details on upcoming events.)

    6. Communications: Jeremy Mehrle

      1. The next Winter/Christmas edition will be printed on 11/15/2019

      2. The next deadline for articles will be in Mid-January 2020 for the Mardi Gras edition.

      3. Committee is developing a file sharing approach to maintaining an all-digital record of SRG files and information.

      4. Email articles to editor@soulard.org

    7. Parlour Tour: Beth Hoops

      1. Volunteers can sign up for the various 148 spots needed to put on the Tour.

      2. Ticket sales have been strong since they started 5 days ago on Friday, November 1st. The Tour has sold out in the past and is expected to do so again this year although the Lafayette Square house tours are the same weekend.

    8. Plan Review Team (PRT) / Code & Zoning - Jay Gibbs

      1. Minimal issues arise during the late fall/winter months.

      2. 2721 S. 11th St had a retaining wall collapse and the repair/replacement details are under review.

    9. Fundraising: Chris Schwarz

      1. Thanked all volunteers and everyone who helped with the SRG Beer Booth at Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct 11 & Saturday Oct 12. Special thanks to all of Billy Tomber for his efforts coordinating the event.

      2. Smarty Gras Trivia Night will NOT be held in 2020.  A different event will be planned after the Mardi Gras Season.

  3. Partner Organizations

    1. American Legion – Refer to the previous agenda item for the update provided by Jim Rick.

    2. Soulard Business Association (SBA) – Scott Plackemeier

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

    3. Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI) – Nancy Lambert

      1. MGI Board Members Nancy Lambert and Michelle Northington are working to enhance MGI’s Winter Family Carnival on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

      2. They are meeting with our schools to have more local involvement as well as participation in the Family Parade scheduled that day. (Golf carts may be included.)

      3. A request was made to save shoeboxes for the carnival so the kids can make small floats with them. Shoe boxes can be left for Nancy or Michelle.

XI. Adjournment

Approval of Adjourning the Meeting.

Motion by Taylor Bodine, 2nd by Jeremy Mehrle

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

Motion passed unanimously

    1. Meeting Adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

______________________________________________________________________

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

Minutes Approved by SRG General Membership on December 11, 2019

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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