OCTOBER 2022 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
October General Membership Meeting
Oct. 5, 2022
Approved Minutes
1. Call to order and opening remarks
Michael Pastore called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and thanked everyone for attending. He also introduced the SRG Board members.
Board Members present included: Michael Pastore, President; Abbey Bethel, President-Elect; Debby Brown, Secretary; Chris Currington, Secretary; Jim Dallas, Past President; Margi Koors, Nancy Lambert, Stephen Shuman, and Gary Toribio.
Committee Chairs present included: Richard Eaton, Beautification; Brenton Henry, Communications; Veronica Putz, Historical; Julie Price, Membership; and Bonita Leiber, Soulard Station.
Special Guests and Elected Officials present included: Officer Kevin Dilg, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Michael started the meeting by publicly acknowledging that someone from STL Barcycle was insulted by something that happened at the previous General Membership meeting. What happened was not directed at STL Barcycle. Michael made it clear that STL Barcycle is welcome to any SRG General Membership meetings, and he wants them to be part of the neighborhood. He wholeheartedly apologized for what happened.
2. Secretary’s report
Chris Currington said that the draft minutes for the August General Membership Meeting had been added to the SRG website. He did not receive any comments or questions about the draft minutes and asked for a motion to accept the minutes as final.
Margi Koors made the motion to accept the draft of the August General Membership Meeting as final. Jay Gibbs seconded.
The motion passed.
3. Treasurer’s report
Debby Brown reminded meeting attendees that the fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. SRG just filed the tax return for the previous fiscal year. For the new fiscal year, net income is zero, but there was a very successful beautification fundraiser (floral and art auction). Oktoberfest – another fundraiser for SRG – would be coming up soon. The cash balance at this point was ~$69,000.
Michael Pastore then thanked volunteers who hosted or came out for the National Night Out (held the previous evening). It’s not an SRG event, but SRG and the Safety Committee helped sponsor food/party items. There was a round of applause.
4. Committee reports
a. Beautification
Richard Eaton, Beautification Committee chair, said that the Oktoberfest kickoff (Beautification fundraiser) would be the next evening at Molly’s. This is the biggest fundraiser for the committee. The previous year, this fundraiser raised ~$10,000, and this will be the goal for this year’s event. There’s a $20 donation at the door to enter.
Margi Koors talked about the event’s balloon pop and items on the menu. For the balloon pop, there will be 39 balloons with gift cards. The cost is $20 per pop, and the person will get at least $20 in gift cards back. There will be three worth $50.
There will also be a new wine pick with more than two cases of wine; six good bottles and the rest decent bottles. The cost for the wine pick is $10 per bag.
Finally, there will be a live auction at the event with several great things up for auction. Richard Eaton then went over the list of auction items.
The date and time of the event will be Oct. 6 from 6-9 p.m.
b. Membership
Julie Price, Membership Committee chair, recognized new members: Trent Davis; Gregory Pevela; Dylan and Valerie Ackerman; John Cline and Allyson Whipple; Sergio Pentoja and Arina Radomyselsky; and Joe, owner of Social Bar and Grill.
Julie asked if anyone present had invited new members and talked about the new Ambassador contest (to recognize, at the May Membership Drive, whomever brings in the most new members each year). In the future, she will have a whiteboard at General Membership meetings and note who asked new guests to SRG. Julie will have business cards made up and available at future General Membership meetings to be given to new residents who move into the neighborhood.
Julie said that the committee finally figured out an Off-the-Island Event. There will be a bonfire and hayride at former SRG members’ home who have since moved to Illinois. There will be a bus for 25 people. If there are more than this number, then other arrangements will need to be made. The event is to be held Oct. 15 from 5-9 p.m. The plan is to meet at 1860s around 4:30 p.m. There will be some drinks on the bus, but attendees will need to bring their own drinks for the evening events. The hosts will supply chili and cornbread.
Julie announced the social after this General Membership meeting would be at her Star Agency insurance office.
There was a question about the number of members in SRG (451) and how many residents there are in Soulard. There are ~2,600 residents in the neighborhood, so there’s a lot of room for SRG membership growth.
c. Development
Abbey Bethel discussed the approaching Oktoberfest at Soulard Market Park October 7 and 8. If anyone volunteers, they will get a t-shirt (similar to what Abbey was wearing). The volunteer shifts for Friday had been filled; there were spots available for the Saturday volunteer shifts. Signup information was provided in the previous Blaster (Soulard email newsletter).
d. Communications
Brenton Henry, Communications chair, said that he’d made some dates available to meet with committee chairs to discuss updating the SRG website. There was a signup sheet on one of the tables for committee chairs to sign up for the meetings.
Regarding the fundraiser at Molly’s (see Beautification updates above), the Communications Committee would have a new point-of-sale system to expedite people paying for the event’s activities. If this works, the committee could start replacing the other payment systems.
e. Parlour Tour
Neil Putz said the Soulard Parlour Tour (held each December) would be Dec. 3 starting at 10:30 a.m. This will be the 47th annual tour, and there will be seven homes on the tour. This event is open to SRG and the general public. Afterward, in the evening, will be the Fete de Noel at the Franklin of Soulard, with dinner, drinks, and entertainment. More details about both events will be in The Blaster, on Facebook, and in the Soulard Renaissance (SRG newspaper). The Historical Committee will be preparing the historical research on each of the homes on the tour. Michael Pastore said this information provided to the homeowners is detailed, informative, and a keepsake.
f. Soulard Station
Bonita Leiber, Soulard Station co-chair, said the station is looking good, but there are things that need to be done every day. Anyone interested is free to call Bonita; her number is in the roster.
Gary Toribio said that the SRG Board is considering how to get the Station used more and it is hoped that some policies and procedures are approved at the next SRG Board meeting. There will be a trial period where members can use the Station for small get togethers. More information about this would be forthcoming.
g. Plan Review Team (PRT)
Jay Gibbs, PRT Committee chair, had two things to report: 1) a building collapse at 916-918 Allen Ave.; and 2) plans the committee received for new construction in the 2400 block of South 9th Street.
h. Safety Committee
Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety Committee chair, said there were six block parties for National Night Out, and the parties in Soulard were featured on Fox 2 News.
October 13 will be the next Safety Walk that will start at the Soulard Station. Anyone interested could email safety@soulard.org. Previously, there were two rainouts for the Safety Walks, but this time, there’s a backup plan for October 20 if there’s rain. The budget for drinks after the Safety Walk has also been increased.
Andrea thanked everyone who volunteered for the First Responder Breakfast, hosted by SRG with the Community Improvement District (CID) and the Soulard Special Business District (SSBD). There were many volunteers who helped.
Brenton Henry reminded everyone about the Safety Committee’s camera program, and Sergio Pentoja offered to help with the program.
5. Community Improvement District (CID)
John Durnell, on the CID board, said the CID is in the process of installing 23 speed humps inside and outside of the CID. (CID money can only be spent inside the CID, but with the help of other nonprofits and Jack Coatar (Alderman, 7th Ward), the speed humps will be installed outside the CID area). There will also be 99 light standards/poles installed promoting the neighborhood. These will be throughout the Soulard neighborhood, too.
This summer, there were several trees planted, and by November, it’s hoped there will be an environmental program with Trinity Lutheran Church, The Clean Team, Bounce Back program, and other organizations in the neighborhood, (CID, MGI, SSBD, SBA, and SRG). It is hoped that the program will pick up trash five days a week, and it is hoped there will be another subsidized, second trash pickup. More information will be made available in the future.
6. Crime report
Kevin Dilg, Officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Liaison to SRG, gave the crime report. He said that, in the 3rd District, there were 26 block parties for the National Night Out.
Officer Dilg then referenced handouts on the tables and gave the crime report. Michael Pastore thanked Officer Dilg when he was finished with the report.
7. Questions/Comments/Concerns
Michael Pastore opened the floor to questions, comments, and concerns. There was a question about any decisions regarding graffiti in Soulard. Michael said there’s not much that SRG can do. Veronica Putz referenced Operation Bright Side that has a crew that will come out and remove graffiti, but they’re currently down on resources. John Durnell gave the phone number for Operation Bright Side. Richard Eaton, who serves on the Operation Bright Side board, said that if anyone calls to be sure to have the address.
8. Adjourn
Michael Pastore asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Stephen Shuman made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Brenton Henry seconded the motion.
The vote was taken.
All voted in favor to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.