APRIL 2021 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Soulard Restoration Group, Inc.
APRIL 2021 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Time called to order: 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was a video conference conducted on Zoom.
Minutes Approved at May 5, 2021 General Membership Meeting
SRG BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Neil Putz (Pres./ Mtg Chair), Jim Dallas (President Elect), Debby Brown (Acting Treasurer), Gary Toribio (Secretary), Scott Plackemeier (Past President), John Durnell, Beth Hoops, Taylor Bodine, Marilyn Morris, Nancy Lambert, Billy Tomber (Editor, Renaissance). Absent: none
SRG COMMITTEE CHAIRS PRESENT: Richard Eaton (Beautification), Andrea Maddox-Dallas (Safety), Julie Price (Membership), Bonita Leiber (Soulard Station), Christopher Schwarz (Fundraising), Jeanne Kirby (Parlour Tour), Veronica Putz (Historical). Absent: Jay Gibbs (Code & Zoning), Jeremy Mehrle (Communications), Laura Grace (Co-Chair Soulard Station), Res Promo Chairperson position currently vacant.
SPEAKERS/OTHER ATTENDEES: Jack Coatar (7th Ward Alderman), Dan Guenther (9th Ward Alderman), Officer Sherdon Douglas (SLMPD Soulard Liaison), Marty Murray, Jr. (7th Ward Democratic Committeeman).
A. CALL TO ORDER & OPENING REMARKS (President Neil Putz)
1. Recognition of Attendees: Elected Officials, Directors & Officers, New Members
a. Those on the Zoom videoconference were recognized and welcomed.
2. Farewell Remarks
a. Neil Putz said it was an honor to be SRG’s president and help the organization get through the crisis of the pandemic over the past year. Neil also thanked Board Members and Committee volunteers for their assistance and contributions during his term in office. Finally, he expressed the importance of having continuity as SRG can return to normal operations as COVID restrictions are lifted.
3. Transition of Presidency to President Elect Jim Dallas:
a. Neil Putz relinquished the SRG presidency to Jim Dallas at 7:10 p.m. who then assumed the role of the meeting chairperson.
4. New President (Jim Dallas)
a. Jim Dallas said it was an honor to take over as the President and the opportunity to work with Neil during his term of office. He also praised Neil’s leadership and steering the organization on a good course. The direction for SRG and initiatives started by Neil will continue as the organization continues forward.
B. SLMPD LIAISON REPORT (Officer Sherdon Douglas)
1. The crime statistics for the month March 2021 in Soulard were reviewed by Officer Douglas.
2. In the Zoom chat, Officer Douglas provided her email address: sdouglas@slmpd.org
C. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MONTHLY BOARD MEETING (Secretary)
1. Gary Toribio stated that the final draft of the March 3, 2021, General Membership Meeting were available prior to this evening’s meeting on the SRG website for membership review and comment. He reported that both Neil Putz and Jim Dallas had reviewed the minutes before they were posted, but no other comments or revisions were received from members.
Motion to approve the minutes for the SRG Monthly Board Meeting on March 3, 2021, as posted on the SRG website by the Secretary.
Motion by Michael Pastore, 2nd Craig Markham
Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.
Motion passed unanimously.
D. FINANCIAL REPORT (Acting Treasurer Debby Brown)
1. Debby Brown reported, that through March 2021:
a. Current Balance in bank accounts: $80,825.08
b. Due to the ongoing Treasurer transition from Jeff Roberts to Debby, she will report more details on expenses and income at next month’s meeting.
2. Debby said that the return for Tax Year 2019, which ended on June 30,2020, has been submitted within the past 2 weeks.
3. The audit will begin later this Summer after the close of the SRG Fiscal Year 2021 which is June 30, 2021.
a. When asked, Jim Dallas answered that the SRG auditor is Linda Howdeshell, CPA.
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Historic Code Working Group (Past President Neil Putz)
a. Neil Putz explained that the working group has met twice and broke the code into segments or sections with coordinators named as the lead for each section. All members are reviewing the entire code and subsequently providing comments to the appropriate lead for each section.
b. The Historic Code review and updates have a goal of 6 months to produce a completed product for the Board to review and recommend a final draft by Mid-September and subsequently provide it to SRG membership for any comments before it will be submitted to the Soulard Aldermen for consideration.
c. The working group has good volunteers participating who are continuing to move forward and make progress.
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Election Candidates (President Jim Dallas)
a. Jim Dallas listed the current Candidates for the SRG elections that started on the evening of this April 7th meeting:
i) For Director:
(1) Nancy Lambert
(2) Gary Toribio
(3) Craig Markham
(4) Dessi Zaneva
(5) Karen Moske
(6) Margi Koors
(7) Nancy Kelly
ii) For Treasurer: Debby Brown
iii) For Secretary: Chris Currington
iv) For President Elect: Michael Pastore
(1) There was a second candidate for President Elect whose bio was provided to voting members last week, but that candidate has since withdrawn from the election.
2. Election Procedures (Past President Neil Putz)
a. Neil Putz briefly explained the process being used for the elections being conducted by email voting.
b. Eligible Voter List based on official SRG Membership Database
b. Voting begins at 8:30 p.m. after this 4/7 meeting adjourns with an email being sent to all voting members and lasts 7 days until 11:59 p.m. on April 14th.
c. Ballots by E-Mail
i) Only 1 reply accepted.
ii) Exception for 2 persons sharing same e-mail address
iii) Votes sent to ‘vote@soulard.org’
d. Ballots by US Mail will include stamped return envelope.
e. Deadline for all votes to be received: Wednesday, April 14th.
i. Panel of 4 officials will tally: Past Presidents Tomber, Plackemeier, Putz; President Dallas.
f. Results to be released: Friday, April 16th
g. Board Transition Meeting: Wednesday, April 21st
h. When asked if members joining SRG at the evening’s 4/7 meeting could vote, Neil replied that they could not. The cutoff for new members to be eligible to vote was established by the Board to be last Friday, 4/2, due to the administrative process to prepare for the electronic voting.
i. Neil also explained that five (5) Director positions elected at-large are available between the seven (7) candidates. SRG previously created a system to not have all 5 directors change at one time. Since two current Board members agreed to continue serving an additional year after April 2020 due to COVID, two (2) Directors will be elected for a 1-year term and three (3) Directors for a 2-year term. He also confirmed that members could vote for less than five of the candidates for Director.
j. Jim Dallas added that links to completed bio forms for each of the candidates were emailed as a part of a Letter from the SRG President to all eligible voting members previously on March 31, 2021.
3. Continuing Matters (President Jim Dallas)
a. Jim Dallas reviewed several of the issues that will be continuing forward with the new Board as SRG returns to normal COVID safe activities.
H. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Chairs or Liaisons)
1. Beautification Richard Eaton
a. Richard Eaton mentioned three upcoming workdays.
i) Pontiac Square Park, Friday April 9, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (noon), 3 large compost piles to be spread in the landscaping. Some high school students with 2 adults will be doing volunteer work.
ii. Soulard Station, Saturday April 17. 15 SLU students doing volunteer work to help Bonita Leiber and Chris Koehler. Members were invited to stop by and see the outstanding job Bonita and Chris have been doing.
iii. Street Pots planting, week of April 12
2. Code & Zoning/PRT John Durnell
a. The committee chair, Jay Gibbs, did not participate in this Zoom meeting; so, John Durnell, the committee’s Board Liaison, reported that the developer of the proposed apartment complex at 18th and Barton has changed their concept to be condos with 13 to 15 units.
b. In response to a question, John said no updates were available on the proposed apartments at 9th & Soulard Sts.
c. Landmarks Association has started work on the full rehab/restoration of the building at 1805/1807 S. 9th across from the Abbey.
3. Communications Billy Tomber
a. The committee chair, Jeremy Mehrle, did not participate in this Zoom meeting; so, Billy Tomber, the committee’s Board Liaison, reported that the committee has been busy with the production of the SRG elections. The next edition of the Renaissance will be published in early May.
b. Megan Mehrle, the Co-Editor of the Renaissance, said that the first draft of articles should be submitted to editor@soulard.org by Wednesday, April 28.
4. Fundraising Christopher Schwarz
a. Christopher Schwarz did not have much to report due to the pandemic’s effects on fundraising. They are on standby for instructions for the upcoming budget submission and proposing events as loosening of COVID restrictions develop.
5. Historical Veronica Putz
a. Veronica is excited with getting this committee started and is organizing it, planning possible projects, developing goals, and getting ready for the upcoming submission for next year’s budget that starts July 1, 2021.
b. Al SRG members have been invited to volunteer to be on the committee.
c. The SRG website is to be updated with info on the new Historical Committee.
6. Membership Julie Price
a. Julie Price reported that SRG currently has 441 residential members and 71 business members.
b. The committee is monitoring social media for potential new members. Membership applications are included in the Renaissance.
c. There was a committee meeting on Tuesday March 30th, and they were joined by then President Neil Putz, President Elect Jim Dallas, and Past President Scott Plackemeier, who is their Board Liaison. Some additional members have recently volunteered to join the committee and are contributing new ideas.
d. The committee has developed ideas for some type of themed celebration for the SRG membership in June. It would be in Pontiac Square Park on a Sunday afternoon, box lunches would be provided for members, BYOB, and dues would be collected ($20/person, $30/household, $1 for Seniors.) More specifics to be determined with the Board.
i) There will be a waiver of dues for anyone that may have economic hardships resulting from the pandemic.
e. Star Awards nominations for volunteers.
i) The Membership Committee will work with Communications Committee to email the nomination forms out but will need submissions back by Friday, April 23. Only 5 bullet points need to be included on the nominee’s volunteer contributions.
ii) Past recipients and current Board members cannot be nominated. The form will include the names of the past recipients.
f. When in person membership meetings resume, there will also be post-meeting socials. Instead of being in individual’s homes, they are trying to get more businesses to host the socials.
g. The Membership committee will be bringing back special membership events and are discussing new ideas that can be emailed to membership@soulard.org
f. Approximately 120 SRG face masks are still available for sale. Approximately 300 masks have already been sold. Masks can be purchased at Julie’s office, J. Price Insurance, 2020 S 12th St.
h. Veronica Putz added that dues can be paid online.
7. Parlour Tour Jeanne Kirby
a. Jeanne Kirby said the committee will be working on the upcoming budget for next year and understand that they will be meeting with Jim Dallas by June 8, if not earlier.
8. Residential Promotions
a. Jim Dallas explained that the Chairperson position is currently vacant, and the Board Liaison has been Taylor Bodine whose term expires later in April.
b. Jim explained that there has been direct communication with members of the Res Promo Committee as well as an email to all voting members last week of March 29th seeking a volunteer to be the Committee Chair as it evolves over the next year.
9. Safety Andrea Maddox-Dallas/Nancy Lambert
a. Andrea Maddox-Dallas said the committee is making terrific progress.
b. A community safety survey is ready to go out to members after the online elections are completed. The survey will obtain input from members on safety and security issues in Soulard.
c. A Safety Walk which is planned for Thursday May 13 and is being done in conjunction with SSBD. Another Safety Walk will be held in the Fall.
d. The committee is developing a Safety Section of the SRG website with content on the various points of contact for different types of problems and issues.
10. Soulard Station Bonita Leiber
a. Bonita Leiber reported that the Station is starting to look good as there has been a significant amount of work accomplished.
b. They have received advice and input from George Grove, Tony Range, and Jay and Vicki Morris who have all provided significant efforts on the Station in the past.
c. They are looking forward to the help from SLU students doing volunteer work on Saturday, April 17th.
d. The stream that is a part of the landscaping is being renovated.
e. There are many excess limestones at the site that are available for anyone to pick up.
f. Michael Pastore recognized Bonita and Chris for their hard work on the Station and leadership of the progress being made.
I. Other Neighborhood Organizations
1. American Legion
a. Nothing reported.
2. CID (Terry Hoffman)
a. Terry Hoffman explained that the trash receptacles started being installed this week of April 5th. To date, 16 receptacles have been placed within the remaining 55 receptacles being installed within the next 2 weeks.
i) The CID did work through the 45-to-60-day approval process to obtain the necessary City permits for placing the receptacles along public rights-of way in Soulard.
ii) Receptacles will be marked to indicate they have been provided by the CID.
iii) The weekly service will also begin to maintain and empty the receptacles after they are installed.
b. The CID will also be sending out a survey in the next 45 days to obtain input and guidance on what the CID should focus on and spend their revenues.
i) The survey will include residents, businesses, and visitors to Soulard.
c. CID meetings are open to the public on the first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
i) Zoom link is on the website: http://soulardcid.org/
d. In response to a question on Traffic Calming, Terry Hoffman said that the CID has met with the City Board of Public Service. They have submitted a formulation request to BPS for them to prepare a request for proposal for private consultants to prepare a traffic calming plan for Soulard.
i) The proposal will focus on certain thoroughfares in Soulard including Russell, 12th, 9th, Lafayette, and Geyer Streets.
ii) The fees for the study are anticipated to range from $60,000 to $70,000 and be co-funded by CID and SSBD as well as some possible City participation that Alderman Coatar may be able to obtain for the project.
3. SSBD (Terry Hoffman)
a. Terry Hoffman reminded everyone that their annual Soulard SBD Safety Forum will be on the second Monday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. SSBD, SLMPD and others will have representatives participating.
i) Zoom link is on the website: http://www.soulard-sbd.org/contact-us/
b. All SSBD meetings are open to the public on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
4. SBA
a. Although SBA did not have a representative to provide a report, Beth Hoops did mention that the SBA’s next general meeting and elections are on Monday May 3 at 2 p.m. Farmer's Market Park Plaza. Details at www.HistoricSoulard.com
5. Others
a. 7th Ward Democratic Committeeman (Marty Murray, Jr.)
i) Marty Murray thanked everyone who turned out and voted in the Municipal elections on April 6, 2021.
b. Michael Pastore thanked Neil Putz for his diligence during the pandemic and his leadership of the organization during his term as President. He said Neil needs to be recognized for how well he ran things and gave him a big thanks.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn the SRG General Membership Meeting.
Motion by Michael Pastore, 2nd by Veronica Putz
Those present voted in favor of this motion. No votes opposed it.
Motion passed unanimously.
1. Meeting Adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________
These minutes summarizing this meeting were prepared by SRG Secretary, Gary Toribio.
Minutes APPROVED at SRG General Membership Meeting on May 5, 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 March SRG General Membership Meeting on 4/7/2021.
18:58:46 From iPhone to Everyone : Officer Douglas - sdouglas@slmpd.org
19:00:30 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : Reminder to please mute yourself
19:09:59 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Anyone interested in joining the 7th Ward Democrat organization please go to Facebook.com/7WDemocrats or contact me 314.425.9259
19:10:37 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Officer Douglas what’s your contact? This is Marty Joe, MissouriForMurray@outlook.com
19:10:42 From Karen to Everyone : Thanks Neal for everything you do for the neighborhood
19:11:24 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Neal you Rock!! Thank you for your service for Soulard
19:11:27 From Venessa Schwarz to Everyone : Thanks to our fabulous fundraising committee as well!
19:12:05 From iPhone to Everyone : Thank you Neil!
19:12:25 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Neil*
19:12:56 From Scott Plackemeier to Everyone : Thanks Neil for keeping the course in a crazy year!
19:15:52 From Jack Coatar to Everyone : All, I have to jump for one more meeting tonight. Thanks again everyone for your support in the March and April elections! I’m looking forward to continuing to represent the 7th ward and work with the SRG!
19:25:55 From Karen to Everyone : Neil if a person wants to join SRG can they do so tonight and still vote? A neighbor was asking. ..
19:29:10 From Brenda to Everyone : which board candidates are running for 2 year terms and who is running for 3 years
19:31:41 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Nancy K/All - You may vote for 0 to 5 Directors.
19:35:52 From Karen to Everyone : Richard if high schoolers need service hours can they help yiou>
19:37:14 From Karen to Everyone : Can anyone update us on what is going on at 9th and Soulard?
19:37:28 From Lisa Otke to Everyone : how many units?
19:37:36 From Lisa Otke to Everyone : 18th & Bsrton
19:37:57 From Jen Loughman to Everyone : Is there any opportunity to get the “no overnight stay” restriction removed from the church’s property for sale on Ann and perhaps get someone to develop as housing or a boutique hotel?
19:38:16 From Lilli to Everyone : Please clarify - I think you're talking about Barton and 7th? Where is 18th? You said near the Athletic Club which is 7th?
19:40:05 From Lilli to Everyone : thx john!
19:42:00 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : editor@soulard.org for any article ideas for the summer Renaissance (publishing mid-May)
19:42:05 From John Durnell to Everyone : what is the deadline Gin
19:42:35 From Megan Mehrle to Everyone : For the renaissance, we’re looking for first drafts by April 28, so we’d love to have a pitch in advance of that.
19:44:07 From Megan Mehrle to Everyone : Veronica, could we get a general sense of the new committee’s goals?
19:49:20 From Karen to Everyone : Julie on that line is there a financial hardship exemption re membership dues
19:51:31 From John Durnell to Everyone : is there a list of who have been awarded
19:51:59 From Billy Tomber to Everyone : Julie/Membership - ComCom is here for you!
19:53:38 From Bonita Leiber to Everyone : Mad art has large space for social distance
20:05:25 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Where can I get one Bonita? Are they at the station?
20:05:34 From Lisa Otke to Everyone : Thanks, Bonita and Chris and others!!
20:06:04 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Yup
20:06:08 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : Sentimental value lol
20:11:10 From John Durnell to Everyone : any update on the traffic calming
20:11:29 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : Soulard SBD Safety Forum
Monday, May 10 at 6:30pm
link and details at www.soulard-sbd.org
20:13:23 From Karen to Everyone : Thank you to whoever was instrumental in getting a stop sign at Soulard & 10th street
20:14:57 From Soulard Restoration Group to Everyone : SBA general meeting and elections are Monday May 3 at 2pm. Farmer's Market Park Plaza. Details at www.HistoricSoulard.com
20:15:19 From Marty Murray Jr to Everyone : I have an update
20:15:43 From Samantha Kirby to Everyone : I remember Stephen of Doghaus said he requested that stop sign? Billy would know..
20:17:03 From Debby’s iPhone to Everyone : Absolutely! Thank you, Neil!
20:17:40 From Samantha Kirby to Everyone : Great campaign Shedrick! Looking forward to seeing more from you in the future :-)
20:18:08 From Daniel Guenther to Everyone : Great campaign Nato!
20:18:25 From Nato Caliph to Everyone : Thank you
20:18:46 From Ian Barrett to Everyone : Thanks to everyone who volunteers and leads.
