APRIL 2022 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MINUTES
April General Membership Meeting
April 6, 2022
Approved Minutes
1. Call to Order + Opening Remarks
Jim Dallas called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rose Room of Sts. Peter & Paul parish.
a. Recognition of Attendees: Elected Officials, Directors & Officers, New Members
Board Members present included: Jim Dallas, President; Michael Pastore, President-Elect; Debby Brown, Secretary; Chris Currington, Secretary; Neil Putz, Past President; Margi Koors; Nancy Kelly; Nancy Lambert; and Gary Toribio. Billy Tomber arrived late.
Board Members absent included: Karen Moske.
Committee Chairs present included: Richard Eaton, Beautification; Brenton Henry, Communications; Veronica Putz, Historical; Julie Price, Membership; Jay Gibbs, PRT; Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety; and Laura Grace, co-chair, Soulard Station.
Speakers and Special Guests included: Dan Guenther, St. Louis Alderman for Ward 9.
Jim welcomed everyone and said he was glad they could make it. The meeting was being livestreamed via Zoom and Jim thanked Brenton Henry, Communications Committee chair for testing out new technology.
Jim asked if there were any new members. Margi Koors said there weren’t any present. Jim said he would recognize departing Board members later in the meeting.
Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety Committee chair, was putting handouts about the camera program on the tables.
2. Secretary’s Report
Chris Currington, Secretary, said that the Board Approved minutes from the February Board Meeting, and the draft of the minutes for the March General Membership Meeting were added to the website March 25. He hadn’t received any changes to the draft of the General Membership Meeting minutes. Chris asked for a motion to accept draft of the March General Membership Meeting minutes as final.
Brenton Henry made the motion to accept the draft of the March General Membership meeting as final. Michael Pastore seconded.
The vote was taken.
All voted in favor. No votes opposed it.
The motion to accept the March General Membership Meeting minutes as final passed.
3. Financial Report
Debby Brown gave the financial report and said that year-to-date income was ~$51,000, with a net profit of ~$17,000, and current cash of ~$81,500. Debby said that given the upcoming membership drive/community party, more expenses are expected.
Debby asked if there were any questions. There weren’t any.
4. Election
Jim Dallas said that a vast majority of SRG members understand that the elections for the following Board year are held at the April meeting. The last few years there have been competitive elections (more than one person running for a position(s)) and the elections were held electronically (because of the pandemic). This year, there are just enough candidates for each position available (running uncontested), so the Board has recommended the slate of candidates be accepted. Jim said he wanted to thank departing Board members, those staying on the Board, and new candidates.
Departing are:
* Nancy Kelly, Board member: Nancy was a director for a year but had served previously as President of SRG.
* Neil Putz, Past President: Neil was on the board for three years as President-Elect, President, and Past President; he also served as a director for five years prior to that. Neil will remain active with the Historical Committee.
* Billy Tomber, Board member: Billy was on the board for ~20 years and served many terms as editor/editor emeritus of The Renaissance (Soulard newspaper). Billy will continue to be active in the Communications Committee.
There was applause for all departing members.
Jim said that returning Board members are: Jim Dallas as Past President; Gary Toribio (Director); Nancy Lambert (Director); and Karen Moske (Director). The current directors occupy odd calendar year elections, and their seats will be up in 2023. The additional remaining Board member is Michael Pastore, who will be President by the end of this meeting.
Up next were the candidates for office:
* Running for President-Elect is Abbey Bethel
* Candidate for Treasurer is Debby Brown (two-year term beginning with 2022/2023)
* Candidate for Secretary is Chris Currington (one-year term for 2022/2023; Secretary will then be a two-year term after that)
* Candidates for Director (three positions open):
- Margi Koors (elected for one-year for 2021/2022)
- Craig Markham
- Stephen Schuman
Jim said that the Board has recommended the slate and there are no competitive positions. Jim asked for a motion to accept the slate of candidates by acclamation.
Scott Plackemeier made the motion to accept the slate of candidates by acclimation. Nancy Kelly seconded.
Jim asked for a show of hands from those who approve the slate of candidates.
All voted in favor. No votes opposed it.
The motion to accept the slate of candidates by acclamation passed.
5. President’s Update
a. Covid protocols for indoor events
Jim said that, using the email process allowed in the bylaws, the Board recently suspended checking COVID-19 vaccination cards or negative COVID test results for indoor events. This requirement was also suspended for this meeting, and it is intended to be suspended for the foreseeable future (including Smarty Gras, scheduled for April 30). The Board will continue to monitor the situation with COVID-19 and modify checking for vaccination status/negative tests if the situation calls for it.
6. Soulard Golden Ale Party
Billy Tomber said that the past SRG Board voted in favor of pursuing a partnership with O’Fallon Brewery to produce a Soulard Golden Ale, use SRG’s name and logo, SRG gets a say in how to promote the ale, and introduce it. Billy said that in the most recent version of The Blaster (SRG email newsletter), there was an invitation to a party to be held at Boo Coo, from 5-8 p.m., for a tasting of the Soulard Golden Ale. Everyone who enters gets a taste, and every time someone buys Soulard Golden Ale, a portion of the proceeds goes to SRG.
7. Committee Reports
a. Soulard Station
Laura Grace, Soulard Station co-chair, asked to go first. She said the Station is bare and the committee is looking for resources or people to hire to do things like window washing, cabinet sanding, painting, yard work, and installing engraved bricks. There will be a cocktail party to recruit volunteers. If there are any handy people, please let Laura know so the work can be done at the station.
b. Beautification
Richard Eaton, Beautification Committee chair, said there was a committee meeting the upcoming Saturday at 9 a.m. There will be a quick agenda.
Richard said he wanted to talk about another study done in Soulard—the Mississippi River Plastic Initiative. This is a case study of Soulard done by a professor at Washington University and six college students. They considered Soulard for their study of plastic trash but weren’t sure if Soulard was the right place because it was pretty clean. The study runs from Minnesota to Louisiana, including many towns along the Mississippi River and their plastic trash. They did decide to evaluate Soulard. The professor/students provided the Beautification Committee a 22-page report.
Richard talked to them about what Soulard has done and how SRG has partnered with Peter & Paul to clean trash. (Soulard used to be cleaner, but The Clean Team, of Peter & Paul, stopped for a while because of COVID-19.) They also discussed the trash cans, in cooperation with the Community Improvement District (CID), within the neighborhood to keep trash off the streets. The professor/students said that after their analysis, there were a couple of hot spots (with plastic trash) including: 1) the north side of Carol and Lafayette, and 2) near Molly’s and 1860s.
The professor/students’ recommendations, based on the case study, will be that other towns do something similar to Soulard: strong neighborhood association and tax incentives.
Jim Dallas asked what the timeframe was for the study. Richard said he wasn’t certain, but was between October and November 2021 (needed to be completed by the end of the semester).
Michael Pastore asked Richard if he could speak about the number of trees coming down in the neighborhood. Richard said all he knew was that ash trees are being removed because of the emerald ash borer (pest that invades and kills ash trees). Chris Currington asked if the trees being removed are marked with a pink marker. Dan Guenther said they’re marked in blue. The city had to get a contract, the trees will be removed, and then a truck will come and remove the limbs/debris.
c. Communications Committee
Brenton Henry, Communications Committee chair, said his only update was testing the livestreaming of the General Membership Meeting using Zoom. For now, there is one-way communication capabilities; the committee will try for two-way communication but there aren’t any promises.
d. Community Involvement & Events
Jim Dallas said this committee was formed about three or four months ago, and the Board is trying to get it kicked into gear. Jim asked Ken Turner to talk about the upcoming Concert Series.
Ken said that he’s excited to be part of the CI&E committee, and speaking on behalf of Shenna Berry, they’re excited to be part of the concerts for 2022. They will be held in Soulard Market Park at 6 p.m. on June 25 and Aug. 20. These are completely free to the neighborhood, people can bring their own food and drinks, and alcohol will be sold. Ken and Shenna are looking for volunteers.
e. Development Committee
Andrea Maddox-Dallas discussed the upcoming Smarty Gras event, set for April 30, upstairs at The Franklin of Soulard. Billy Tomber said there’s room for 10 more tables, and includes beer, wine, and snacks, but attendees can bring their own “extravagancies.” Anyone interested can visit SRG’s website, and Smarty Gras has been advertised in The Blaster.
Jim Dallas asked how much the tables cost. Billy said that for anyone in the room, the Development Committee will honor the $250-per-table price. Michael Pastore asked if someone had two or four interested people, could they put with someone else who doesn’t have a full group of 10. Andrea said that this can be accommodated.
Andrea, Safety Committee chair, then gave the Safety Committee report and referenced the handouts on the table that explain the security camera program. This is a database that keeps track of a list of security cameras in the neighborhood (such list maintained through people volunteering to have their camera on the list) so that when a crime happens, the police liaison can contact people in the vicinity of the crime and ask if they’ll share footage of the crime. The website takes visitors directly to the form, but there were also forms on the tables. The program is confidential and voluntary. There is no access given to anyone’s camera; it just helps solve a crime faster.
The next Safety Walk is Thursday, May 19. Attendees can bring their golf cart, cruise the neighborhood, and look for lights that are out and areas that need work. Attendees meet at the Soulard Station, divide into groups, take zones, scan for areas that need work, and report back. Andrea then takes the information to the Citizen Service Bureau or Ameren. Nancy Kelly asked what time the Safety Walk starts. Andrea said it has to be dark, so around 8 p.m.
f. Historical Committee
Neil Putz gave the report. Neil said that Veronica Putz, Historical Committee chair, put an article in The Blaster about the work the committee has done to archive artifacts. There are beautiful posters from Mardi Gras and Parlour Tour, but there are things that are missing in the data collection. If anyone has an old poster, it may be one that’s missing.
As for Soulard publications, the Soulard Restorationist began in 1976, and thanks to Jay Gibbs, the committee now has every issue from the first year. The committee is looking to find additional issues and put them on the cloud. The historical information in this publication is incredible.
For house history research, the committee is providing this service for members only to assist them with researching the history of homes. Neil referenced a brochure and where to find additional information. People can also email history@soulard.org.
Neil then discussed his work with the Soulard historical code review. As Past President, he began the last year by leading the working group of historic code for homes built before 1929. SRG needs to preserve that. Another value-added service and plug is for the Plan Review Team (PRT)—they provide a great value to the neighborhood. If anyone in Soulard is planning a project for their home, they’re encouraged to check with PRT; they’ll help with code. Jay is involved in the historical code review, and others contribute skills to modernize the code. Neil will continue on this working group.
g. Membership Committee
Julie Price, Membership Committee chair, said that there are currently ~350 members of SRG. The membership drive will be held May 4, and it’s being called the “Quatro de Mayo.” There will be a buffet and all you can drink, and it will last from 6-9 p.m. It will be held at the South Broadway Athletic Club—indoors so it won’t be rained out. There will be a special gift for the first 300 members who attend. There will also be a “thinning tree” where people can donate unwanted koozies. The Star Awards will also be given. Julie said the committee will put more than 2,000 flyers on doors, and there will be a separate party for those who want to help distribute the flyers. Soulard Golden Ale will be available at the membership drive.
The committee is planning a recruiting wine tasting from 4-7 p.m. on June 10. The last one (November 2021) was successful with 11 new SRG members.
Finally, the social after this meeting would be held at Matt Risser’s house. Everyone is welcome.
h. Plan Review Team
Jay Gibbs, PRT chair, said this committee looks at architectural drawings for new construction. During the pandemic, things were very quiet, but that has now changed. Jay went over a list of new projects planned in Soulard, including new houses on Menard and Lami; Fiesta Chicken next to The Island; Goshen Coffee (previously, Soulard Coffee Garden); Big Daddy’s (bar extension); a Twin Rivers church; and a proposed development on the vacant lot next to iTap at the intersection of 9th St. and Soulard St.
There were then many questions and discussions about these new or planned developments in Soulard.
8. Other Neighborhood Organizations
a. CID/SSBD
Terry Hoffman gave the update for CID (Community Improvement District) and SSBD (Soulard Special Business District). For the past few months, CID/SSBD, in coordination with Jack Coatar, St. Louis alderman, have been working on traffic calming and recommendations for hot spots. Information has been boiled down into three broad groups of recommendations to try and slow traffic in Soulard, including: 1) entry traffic; 2) intersection-based traffic; and 3) mid-intersection traffic. Many things at this point are preliminary, but the objective is to have another round of meetings with the consultants. Then, there would be a public meeting(s) to present ideas. Terry is hoping to do this by the end of May or early June.
Terry said that there was some chatter on NextDoor about removing the pet-waste stations. They’re being removed to be painted, and it is hoped that they’ll be back from the painter so they can be put back up. For the existing pet-waste stations, people are actually using them—2,500 bags have been replenished.
CID/SSBD have also worked with the City on ~120 empty tree wells in the neighborhood by identifying which trees to plant. CID just planted 30 trees last month and it’s hiring a water service to water them. The plan is to get another 90-100 planted in the fall of 2022.
Terry is also working with Jack Coatar to get power supplied to Pontiac Square Park; hopefully there will be two power feeds so Soulard can easily have events and social functions in the park. Ameren has chosen a contractor and work should start soon.
Specific to the CID, Terry said there are public meetings, and he would love more people attend.
Specific to SSBD, Terry said it’s having an annual forum Monday, May 9. Mailings will be sent reminding residents about that.
Gary Toribio asked if, when he has the presentations/meetings for traffic calming, Terry can delineate parking spaces that will be lost due to the traffic calming. Terry said the neighborhood will be losing spaces and that’s an unfortunate tradeoff.
9. Adjourn
Before adjourning the meeting, Jim Dallas said that Michael Pastore wanted to say something.
Because Billy Tomber was late to the meeting, Michael openly recognized Billy and his hard work. There was a round of applause. Michael said he would be remiss if Jim Dallas wasn’t recognized for his hard work as President of SRG for the past year. Because of Jim’s diligence, he did a good job of turning the Board into a well-oiled machine with policies and procedures, by-laws revisions, the budget process, and manuals for committee chairs. There was a round of applause for Jim. Jim said it was an honor serving SRG, and he’ll be sticking around for another year as Past President; SRG is a fun organization representing a fun community.
Nancy Kelly made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Julie Price seconded.
The vote was taken. All voted in favor of adjourning the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.