JANUARY 2021 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Jan 28

Written By Gary Tee

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Soulard Restoration Group, Inc.

JANUARY 2021 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2021

This was a Virtual Meeting conducted on Zoom as a videoconference/teleconference.

Time called to order: 7:03 p.m.

Date Minutes approved by Membership: February 3, 2021

SRG BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Neil Putz (Pres./ Mtg Chair), Jim Dallas (President Elect), Gary Toribio (Secretary), Scott Plackemeier (Past President), Taylor Bodine, John Durnell, Beth Hoops, Marilyn Morris; Nancy Lambert, Billy Tomber (Editor, Renaissance). Absent: Jeff Roberts (Treasurer)

GUESTS/SPEAKERS: Cathy Weldon, SBA; 7th Ward Alderman Jack Coatar (joined at 7:30 p.m.); 9th Ward Alderman Dan Guenther (joined at 7:15 p.m.).

1. CALL TO ORDER & OPENING REMARKS: President Neil Putz

· Introduced SRG Board members, elected officials, and any special guests.

· Mayoral candidates may join this meeting or the next.

o They will not interrupt the meeting; but after we adjourn, the videoconference will continue so that any candidate can make their presentations for 20 minutes each to which ever members decide to stay on Zoom.

· General Meetings (first Wednesdays of month: 90-minute time limit)

· Welcome new Committee Chairs.

o Andrea Maddox-Dallas as the Safety Committee Chair.

o Soulard Station Committee Co-Chairs Laura Grace & Bonita Leiber.

· SRG’s Smarty Gras virtual Trivia Night coming soon, this Saturday Jan 16th.

· Mardi Gras event update

· April Election Update from Nominating Committee

2. SLMPD LIAISON REPORT

· Officer Douglas was not available to join the Zoom meeting.

3. PREVIOUS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES: Secretary Gary Toribio

· The final draft of the December 2, 2020, General Membership Meeting were available prior to this evening’s meeting on the SRG website for membership review and comment.

Motion to approve the minutes for the SRG Monthly General Membership Meeting on December 2, 2020, as posted on the SRG website by the Secretary.

Motion by Angie Leahy, 2nd by Scott Plackemeier.

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

Motion passed unanimously

4. FINANCIAL REPORT: Neil Putz (on behalf of Treasurer Jeff Roberts who was not available to attend the meeting.)

· In the report Jeff emailed Neil:

o FY 2020 Income to date: $8,959

o FY 2020 Expenditures to date: $22,945

o FY 2020 Net Loss: $13,986

o Current Balance in bank accounts: $79,408.

o All expenditures are within the approved budget.

o All deposits have been made.

o Checks have been cut for all current requests for payments.

5. OLD BUSINESS

· Brief Update on 2021 Mardi Gras (Gary Toribio)

o Details and plans have been coordinated with the City and SLMPD for the 2021 Mardi Gras events as listed on the MGI website.

o Scavenger Hunt will only have the completed packet drop off in a drive thru location on Lafayette at the plaza to Soulard Farmers Market.

o Drive Thru Taste of Soulard plans and details have been prepared by MGI Staff for drive thru vehicle queuing, barricades, traffic flow/control, MGI manning and Police traffic control.

o All other events will be held virtually only online.

o On Saturday February 13 (customary Grand Parade Day):

. - There will not be street closures, parking restrictions, public porta-potties and no outside bars or events on 2/13 to avoid giving the perception that crowds will actually be in Soulard.

. - There will be Police presence in Soulard as well as additional Police response on standby.

. - Participating food and beverage establishments will have an all-inclusive package on 2/13 for their COVID occupancy limits with all tickets sold in advance.

.- MGI will publicize this and make it clear that there will be no purpose for visitors to come to Soulard that Saturday unless they bought tickets before 2/13.

.- Bars/restaurants will be limited to occupancies per the current COVID restrictions in place at that time.

o MGI will make their normal pre-Mardi Gras presentation at SRG’s February General Membership meeting on 2/3/2021.

o More info on the MGI Website: stlmardigras.org

o Questions/Issues: MGI Office: (314) 771-5110 or Email: director@mardigrasinc.com

o Billy Tomber posted the calendar of MGI’s 2021 Mardi Gras Events to the Chat component of the Zoom videoconference, a copy of which is attached at the end of these minutes.

· President Elect Update: By-Laws Working Group (President Elect)

o Eight (8) SRG members have been working on the Bylaws over the past 3 or 4 months.

o There have been 5 Zoom meetings so far with probably 2 more needed before starting on the mark-ups of the Bylaws.

o Approximately 15 to 20 key aspects will be revised.

o Then the mark-upped up version will then be presented to the Bylaw working group for review and comment.

o The final version will then be provided to the SRG Board for review and approval before it is given to the General Membership for final approval.

o In response to a question asked under New Business, Jim answered that the members of the Bylaw working group are Jim Dallas (Chair), Christopher Schwarz, Venessa Kobrin, Luann Denten, Scott Plackemeier, Wade Weistreich, Lisa Otke and Gary Toribio (only through Mid-December 2020).

6. NEW BUSINESS

· None.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

· NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Mike Ziemann/Neil Putz

o The committee has been working for approximately 3 weeks on a slate of candidates for the April 2021 elections.

o Almost every position will be up for reelection as follows:

. - President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) At-Large Directors for 2-yr. terms, two (2) At-Large Directors for 1-yr. term.

o A slate of candidates will be introduced to the membership two (2) months in advance of the April election.

o Marybeth Wallace asked who the current candidates are, but Mike said he did not want to give any names at this time while it is being finalized. Several potential candidates have not made their final decision to run, so it would be premature to mention their names.

o Anyone interested in running for a position should contact any member of the Nominating Committee:

. - Mike Ziemann, Nancy Kelly, Bill Clendenin, Veronica Putz, Terry Hoffman, Neil Putz, or Jim Dallas.

· BEAUTIFICATION: John Durnell

o Richard Eaton had nothing to provide this evening.

o John had nothing to report in addition to the last meeting.

· PRT/CODE & ZONING: John Durnell

o Duke’s is planning a new sign on the corner of their building which is still under review.

o Scott Plackemeier mentioned that the vacant building at 10th and Emmet Streets is being cleaned out but there are no active building permits applied for.

. - Alderman Jack Coatar said that The Wood Shack is looking into moving their business to this building.

· COMMUNICATIONS: Jeremy Mehrle

o The deadline for the Mardi Gras issue of the Renaissance is Friday, January 15th.

· FUNDRAISING: Christopher Schwarz and Board Liaison Billy Tomber

o Billy Tomber explained details on the upcoming virtual online Smarty Gras Trivia event.

. - Saturday January 16, 2021, via Zoom, starting at 7 p.m.

. - $50 per team of 5 members.

. - Currently 19 Teams have signed up although the goal was 20.

. - Top 2 teams gets get prizes.

. - There will also be a costume contest for participants with a prize as well as raffle tickets sold.

. - Billy thanked all the volunteers who have been working on the Trivia night.

o Chris Schwarz said that due to the pandemic and COVID restrictions, the Blues, Brews & Bites (BBB) Festival will be postponed this year.

. - Also plans for live music at the Soulard Farmers’ Market plaza are also on hold this summer until it is allowed by COVID restrictions at that time.

o The committee is not currently planning any other virtual fundraisers.

· MEMBERSHIP: Board Liaison Scott Plackemeier

o The Membership committee last met before Christmas.

. - A couple of new members joined the committee.

o Membership is up from last year and is currently at 535.

o It was beneficial that the committee sent out the packets with masks, wellness check letter, and the new membership roster.

o The committee’s current goals are:

. - All existing members are encouraged to reach out to new residents that move into Soulard via social media and Nextdoor.

. - Will try to get out the yard signs about the monthly membership meetings the week before it.

· PARLOUR TOUR: Board Liaison Beth Hoops

o The Virtual Parlour Tour went well.

. - Had 8,100 visitors from 48 states.

. - Received $2,495 in donations and over $4,000 in sponsorship.

· RESIDENTIAL PROMOTION: Luann Denten

o Currently not very active due to the pandemic.

o Wrapping up the Historical Signage program.

. - Getting proposals for QR code stickers to put on the existing signs.

. - Proposals will then go to the Board for approval.

· SAFETY: Andrea Maddox Dallas

o Currently has 4 members for the committee.

o First Zoom meeting will be the week of January 18th.

o . - Anyone interested can email amaddoxdallas@gmail.com

o Working on getting with Officer Douglas on priorities, issues, and interest items.

· SOULARD STATION: Co-Chairs Laura Grace & Bonita Leiber

o The new Co-Chairs started in December and are proceeding with normal ongoing issues.

. - Old chairs no longer used were donated locally and have been moved out.

. - Tree removed.

. - Established system for receiving mail and distributing it.

. - To develop a project list with maintenance and repair issues.

o Committee meeting to be held the week of January 18th.

8. OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS

· SBA: Cathy Weldon

o Cathy works for SBA 1 day per week for SBA at 822 Lafayette.

o Stronger Together so far has raised $43,000.

. - Includes $10,000 from MGF, $2,000 from MGI, and other funds from Oktoberfest, virtual trivia, tee shirt sales.

. - SBA provided $1,260 grants to 34 Soulard businesses

. - With the help of AB InBev, Stronger Together banners have been installed throughout the neighborhood.

o Soulard’s Clean Team program is ongoing with Sts. Peter & Paul Community Services

. - Jointly sponsored by SBA and SRG

o SBA has a generic booth in the Soulard Farmer’s Market to promote Soulard.

. - It is being dressed up and will sell SBA merchandise.

. - Can include promotional information for SRG if desired.

o Soulard’s Honorary Mayor Program

. - Awarded to Tom Murphy with over $10,000 in receipts.

· SSBD: Terry Hoffman

o Current priorities include:

o Security patrols by off-duty SLMPD officers through the surveillance contractor The City’s Finest, LLC (TCF).

o Expansion of the camera program that goes through the SLMPD Real Time Crime Program (RTCC).

o SSBD meetings are open to the public on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

. - Zoom link is on the website: http://www.soulard-sbd.org/contact-us/

· CID: Terry Hoffman

o Trash Program

. - 60 new trash receptacles will be placed in Soulard and any existing receptacles that are broken.

. - John Durnell and Stephen Hale did a lot of work on the locations for the receptacles.

. - Also hiring a trash porter service to empty on a regular basis with the frequency based on trash generated in different locations ranging from 1 to 3 times per week.

o CID meetings are open to the public on the first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

. - Zoom link is on the website: http://soulardcid.org/

o In response to a question from Julie Price regarding dash cams in the TLC patrol vehicles, Terry said there are not any currently; but it will be discussed at the next CID Board meeting.

· American Legion: Christopher Schwarz

o Most social activities are curtailed due to COVID and the risks to older members.

o Main fundraising is the weekly Queen of Hearts raffle

. - Current jackpot is $16,200

. - To buy tickets, visit their website: https://www.facebook.com/bkzsoulard/ or https://www.goraisedough.com/tickets.html?raforg=298&seller=268531

9. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to Adjourn the Meeting.

Motion by Billy Tomber, 2nd by Nancy Lambert.

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

Motion passed unanimously

· Meeting Adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

______________________________________________________________________

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

Minutes approved at SRG General Membership Meeting on February 3, 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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CHAT from the Zoom videoconference for the SRG General Membership Meeting on 1/13/2021.

19:16:44 From Soulard Restoration Group (Beth Hoops who was hosting the Zoom Meeting) to Everyone : This is the first time our meeting has been punked. How exciting! Jennifer Harris has been removed and screen share has been restricted. Thanks!

19:17:43 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : https://stlmardigras.org/events

19:17:58 From Billy Tomber to Everyone :

JAN 23 / SHOEBOX FLOAT PARADE (VIRTUAL)

JAN 23 / CAJUN COOK-OFF @ HOME (VIRTUAL)

JAN 30 / SCAVENGER HUNT

19:18:20 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : FEB 6 / DRIVE THRU TASTE OF SOULARD

FEB 1 - 13 / MISSOURI LOTTERY RUN FOR YOUR BEADS VIRTUAL 5K (VIRTUAL)

FEB 13 / BUD LIGHT DERBY DAY FEATURING THE TITO’S WIENER DOG DERBY

FEB 16 (REGISTRATION OPENS DEC 28) / PURINA PET PARADE (VIRTUAL)

FEB 16 / FAT TUESDAY

19:26:43 From Megan Mehrle to Everyone : Who is on the committee reviewing the bylaws?

19:27:45 From Megan Mehrle to Everyone : Thanks!

19:33:11 From Marybeth's to Everyone : are you allowed to name the candidates so far ?

19:38:17 From Mike Z. to Everyone : Mike Ziemann (Nominating Committee Chair): hydraviper@rocketmail.com

19:39:41 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : The Buel Street Tavern!

19:41:17 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : If you have something for the Renaissance, please just email editor@soulard.org

19:44:48 From Ann Austin to Everyone : are you limited to 20 teams

19:47:51 From Samantha Kirby to Everyone : Joanie’s to go

19:50:49 From Marybeth's to Everyone : yea Joanie

19:53:36 From Marybeth's to Everyone : can we buy more masks?

19:56:17 From Lisa to Everyone : great job on the parlor tour!

19:56:51 From Jack Coatar to Everyone : on the subject of signs...I’ve got a garage full of yard signs for my re-election. Susan wants them out of our garage...if you’d like a yard sign, please shoot me a quick email at jack@jackcoatar.com or text me at 314-374-0691

19:57:38 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : From 12/5 through 1/5, Parlour Tour:

- 8100 unique visitors

- Visitors from 48 out of the 50 states (everywhere except AK and WV)

- International visitors from Ireland, Italy, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, France, UK, Netherlands, Barbados, China, Czech Republic, Mexico, Romania, Korea, South Africa, Vietnam.

19:58:00 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Parlour Tour donations = $2495.

19:58:28 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Not including $4000+ in sponsorships

19:59:15 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Parlour Tour DVD - Historian's Cut

20:02:08 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Safety Comm email - safety@soulard.org

20:02:35 From Ann Austin to Everyone : is there a hyphen in Andreas email addy.

20:02:48 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Safety Comm email - safety@soulard.org

20:03:06 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : it's amaddoxdallas@gmail.com No hyphen in the email address

20:03:32 From andreamaddox-dallas to Everyone : amaddoxdallas@gmailcom, no hyphen

20:04:08 From andreamaddox-dallas to Everyone : amaddoxdallas@gmail.com, no hyphen

20:13:31 From iPad to Everyone : how many trash containers?

20:13:49 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : Also, for Parlour Tour -

https://www.soulardparlourtour.org/