SEPTEMBER 2022 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

September General Membership Meeting

Sept. 7, 2022

DRAFT Minutes

1. Call to Order and Opening Remarks

Michael Pastore called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Board Members present included: Michael Pastore, President; Abbey Bethel, President Elect; Chris Currington, Secretary; Jim Dallas, Past President; Craig Markham; Karen Moske; and Gary Toribio. 

Committee Chairs present included: Richard Eaton, Beautification; Julie Price, Membership; Bonita Leiber, Co-chair, Properties; and Jay Gibbs, PRT. 

Special Guests and Elected Officials present included: Officer Kevin Dilg, Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department and SRG Liaison; Jack Coatar, 7th Ward Alderman; and Dan Guenther, 9th Ward Alderman. 

Michael thanked attendees, gave his opening remarks, and asked if there were any new members. 

New members present included John and Betty Hamilton of S. 11th Street. 

2. Secretary’s Report

Chris Currington, Secretary, said that the draft of the August General Membership Meeting Minutes had been added to the SRG website and he hadn’t received any questions or comments. He then asked for a motion to accept the minutes as final. 

Margi Koors made the motion to accept the August General Membership Meeting minutes as final. Michelle Northington seconded the motion. The draft August General Membership Meetings were accepted as final. 

3. Treasurer’s Report

The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. There have been no fundraisers as of this point in the fiscal year. The cash balance is currently ~$71,000. 

4. Crime Report

Officer Kevin Dilg gave the crime report and discussed Part 1 crimes as well as the handouts he provided. There has been a considerable increase in car thefts of Kias and Hyundais. There was a question about where to get a club (steering wheel security device). Soulard Special Business District may have clubs at no charge. 

There was also a discussion about a program to secure catalytic converters, and a discussion about the increase in graffiti in Soulard. Officer Dilg said he would look into it. 

Kim Eckel introduced herself. She’s a new stabilization officer for Soulard, is part of the City’s public safety, and works with the St. Louis alderpersons. 

5. Policies & Procedures

Jim Dallas said that when the Board passed the updated bylaws, it was put in that a subcommittee would write the Policies & Procedures (Ps & Ps), to be passed by the Board and entered into the manual that’s posted on the SRG website. There are several Ps & Ps that need to be created, and it will be an evolving process as every one of them is drafted and passed. Jim reminded attendees that Ps & Ps can be found on the SRG website. 

6. Safety Committee Update

There were four updates:

  * First Responder Breakfast Oct 1 at 7 a.m. at the American Legion. Attendees can give donations and tips to the first responders. This event is sponsored by SBD, CID, SRG, and the American Legion. 

  * National Night Out is set for Oct. 4. The committee is hoping to get six blocks to participate.

  * The next Safety Walk is set for Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Anyone interested can meet that the Soulard Station at 8 p.m. Attendees will go around the neighborhood, look for lights that are out and other hazards, and they’ll reported. If there’s a rainout, the walk will be held Oct. 21. 

  * For a number of months, the committee has been working on the camera safety program, and a reminder was given about the program and how to join, if interested. 

7. Oktoberfest

Abbey Bethel said that Oktoberfest would be Oct. 7-8. The signup for volunteers was included in The Blaster. Abbey said that in 2021, the event raised ~$14,000. 

8. Committee Reports

  a. Beautification

Richard Eaton, Beautification Committee Chair, said that the annual fundraiser at Molly’s would be Oct. 6…the night before Oktoberfest at Soulard Market Park. Admission is $20, and there will be a live auction. In 2021, this event raised ~$10,000. 

Saturday, Sept. 10 is the Art & Floral Auction at the Soulard Station from 3-6 p.m., featuring art and floral arrangements for auction. Margi Koors said that there was a lovely lineup of artists who have agreed to donate. This event replaced the previous garden tour and art auction. For this event, artists submit two pieces and split the profit 50/50. Not only do the artists benefit, but does SRG. 

  b. Communication

Jim Dallas, Board Liaison to the Communication Committee, said the committee is working on a new point-of-sale system and looking at redesigning the SRG website. 

  c. Parlour Tour

Billy Tomber said the Parlour Tour would be Saturday, Dec. 3. The event will be only one day, and there are conversations about ticketing and prices. 

  d. Plan Review Team (PRT)

Jay Gibbs, PRT Chair, gave an update about a couple awning issues; the lot at 9th and Soulard; and the area at 10th and Emmet. 

  e. Membership

Julie Price, Membership Chair, said that there were currently 456 members, and she gave an update about the Ambassador Contest. Whichever member invites the most new members will be recognized at the next Membership Drive (May General Membership meeting). Eventually, Julie will have cards for people to hand out to new residents about becoming members of SRG. 

There was a discussion about who was able to help put out signs [from the Membership Committee] announcing the General Membership meetings. Michelle Northington offered to help. 

  f. Properties

Bonita Leiber, Properties Committee Co-chair, said they’re always looking for help. Currently, there’s a need for help with planting, cleaning, and figuring out the sound system. Bonita asked anyone interested to contact her. 

8. General

There was an announcement about a memorial service the next Sunday at Llewelyn’s for a former SRG member, Joyce. 

There was an introduction of Judith McDaniel who is one of the Founders of SRG. 

Bonita said that she’s looking for groups who want to get together, march, and be in the Mardi Gras Grand Parade. If anyone is interested, they were encouraged to talk to Bonita. 

9. Adjourn

Julie Dinkelmann made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Margi Koors seconded the motion. 

The vote was taken. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.