October 2019 General Meeting Minutes

Oct 2

Written By Gary Toribio

Meeting Date: Wednesday, October 2, 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 7:05 p.m.

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

☑

Christopher Schwarz (Interim 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:

☑

Dave Perry

☑

Officer Sherdon Douglas, SLMPD

☑

Billy Tomber (Exec Editor SRG Communications)

⦸

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

President’s Report: Scott Plackemeier
1. The Circuit Attorney’s Office would like to attend SRG Meetings from time to time.

Scott told them they were welcome anytime.

A representative was scheduled to attend but ended up not being available for the meeting on 10/2.

The new owners of the Great Grizzly - Rich & Shelley McMahan- wanted to introduce themselves but were not able to make the meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Christopher Schwarz
1. Copies of the Profit & Loss Statement for July1 – October 2, 2019 was made available to members at the meeting.
2. The new Treasurer will be Jeff Roberts assisted by his wife, Lynn, which is greatly appreciated.
Police Report: Officer Sherdon Douglas
1. The prior month’s crime statistics for Soulard were reviewed, and any questions from the membership were answered.

V. Old and New Business: Scott Plackemeier

The Soulard.org website has some of the completed minutes for previous monthly meetings (Genl Membership & Board Meetings).
1. There are still a few missing minutes which are being assembled/prepared after resignations of previous Board members. Neil Putz is helping to do this as his time allows.

SRG Donation for Parish Hall Elevator, Sts. Peter & Paul Church

Neil Putz explained the proposed donation including the review of the Fact Sheet he prepared on September 18, 2019 based on Fr. Bruce Froman’s letter dated July 18, 2019. (Copies attached to the SRG Board Meeting Minutes for 9/18/2019)
The SRG Board passed two motions regarding this proposed donation at the Board Meeting on September 18, 2019:
1. Motion that there be a vote at the next General Membership Meeting on October 2, 2019, for the Members to consider approving: SRG providing up to $5,000 to Saints Peter and Paul Church to be used for the new ADA compliant elevator for access to the second floor of the Church’s building and the Franklin Room (816 Allen Ave.)
2. Motion that the SRG Board is in favor of and recommends to the Membership the donation to Saints Peter and Paul Church for the elevator fund.
There were questions, answers and general discussion of this donation.
The SRG Donation would be made via check which would be held by Fr. Froman and not cashed until the funding goal for the project is met. If enough funds are not raised, the Pastor will return the checks from SRG and other donors.

MOTION: SRG Membership to adopt and approve the SRG Board’s motions to donate $5,000 to Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Motion by Billy Tomber, 2nd by Carla Arrigo

A clear majority of those present voted in favor of this motion.

Motion passed

Announcements
1. Terry Hoffman: Chairman, Soulard Community Improvement District (CID)
  1. Reviewed the basic details regarding the CID again as was done at the September Meeting.
  2. The vote on the CID passed with 80% of voters in favor of it and approximately 12% of voters responding.
  3. The CID Board Meetings will be the 1st Monday of every month at Soulard Station, except for the meeting on Tuesday, October 1.
Committee reports
1. Soulard Station:
  1. In response to a question regarding the Soulard Station Utility costs, SRG Board member Billy Tomber confirmed the solar panels are in service.
2. Safety: Scott Plackemeier (for Sergio Sevillano)
  1. National Night Out on 10/1/2019 was successful with at least 4 block parties receiving the $100 support from SRG.Membership: Margie Koors

Currently there are 275 non-business members, 27 business members for a total of 304 SRG members.
The goal is to have 100 new members for FY 2019 – 2020.
Nominations for the Volunteers’ Star Awards can be made any time of the year.
Recruiting efforts continue at new apartment complexes to recruit residents for new members.
Tonight’s Social is at Terry and Marybeth Walace’s Home, 2336 S. 11th St.
A request was made to include the Social’s address on future Meeting Agendas.

Beautification: Richard Eaton
1. The auctioning of Artwork from the Garden Tour was a successful fund raiser on 9/27/2019.
  1. Special thanks to Luann Denten and Margi Koors for coordinating the event as well as Wade Weistreich who was the Auctioneer.
2. Committee made progress on the lawn and landscaping at Soulard Station due to the efforts of Marilyn Morris.
3. Beautification Kick-Off for Oktoberfest Fund Raiser at Molly’s, Thursday October 10, 2019, 6pm. Suggest $20 donation at the door. There will also be a silent auction.
  1. Molly’s is donating all beverage sales from the cash bar for the event. (Not tips.)
4. “Soulard Community of Gardens” wine glasses are available for purchase.
Residential Promotion: Luann Denten
1. Soulard Halloween Decorated Golf Cart Parade and Trunk or Treat, Friday October 25, 2019
2. Michelle Northing noted that SRG’s support for the Mardi Gras Costume Carnival was greatly appreciated.
Communications
1. The next Fall edition of the Soulard Renaissance newspaper is in printing and will be distributed by Friday, October 4th.
Parlour Tour: Neil Putz
1. Houses for tour – 7 homes are desired, 4 homes committed, need 3 more.
2. Anyone interested in having their house on the tour should contact Neil.
Plan Review Team (PRT) / Code & Zoning - Jay Gibbs
1. 9th and Soulard Sts, Northwest corner, proposed 16 Apartments with 1st Floor commercial: Still waiting for plans to be completed and provided by the Developer. The Developer will be scheduling an open house scheduled for public input.
2. Kathy Barkey made the presentation for the Soulard Star Awards for outstanding renovation and new construction to the owners or developers of 9 properties.
Fundraising: Billy Tomber
1. Volunteers are still needed for the SRG Beer Booth at Oktoberfest – Soulard Market Park, Friday, Oct 11 & Saturday Oct 12.

IX. Partner Organizations

American Legion – Jim Ricks
1. Planning to raise additional funds for repairs to the Legion Building.
  1. New Queen of Hearts Raffle on Tuesdays, opening at 5/5:30 pm with raffle at 7pm.
  2. Emails will explain how the raffle works in more detail.
2. Next 3rd Friday Happy Hour, October 18, 2019
Soulard Business Association (SBA) – Nothing reported.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI) - Gary Toribio
1. MGI Board Meeting on Thursday October 3rd.
2. Mardi Gras 2020 is starts with 12th Night, Monday January 6, 2020 and Grand Parade on Saturday February 22, 2020.