AUGUST 2022 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
August General Membership Meeting
Aug. 3, 2022
Approved Minutes
1. Call to order
Michael Pastore called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Board Members present included: Michael Pastore, President; Abbey Bethel, President-Elect, Debby Brown, Treasurer; Chris Currington, Secretary; Margi Koors; Nancy Lambert; Craig Markham; Karen Moske; and Gary Toribio.
Committee Chairs present included: Brenton Henry, Communications; Veronica Putz, Historical; Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety; Julie Price, Membership; and Jay Gibbs, Properties.
Special Guests included: Officer Kevin Dilg, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), Police Liaison to SRG; Captain Joseph Morici, SLMPD; Major Ryan Cousins, SLMPD; and Wilford Pinkney Jr., Mayor’s Office Director of Children, Youth, and Families.
2. Secretary’s Report
Chris Currington, Secretary, said that the June minutes would soon be added to the SRG website, and they’d be voted on at the next General Membership meeting.
3. Treasurer report
Debby Brown, Treasurer, said the fiscal runs from July 1 to June 30. At this point, there wasn’t a lot to report that would be meaningful, and net income is currently negative. The cash balance remains at ~$72,000. Debby asked for questions. There weren’t any.
Michael Pastore said that membership dues were due in May, and he asked everyone to remember that and pay their dues if they haven’t.
4. Police Liaison report
Michael Pastore thanked the police officers from SLMPD for joining the SRG General Membership Meeting to address the recent crime in Soulard.
First to speak was Captain Joseph Morici. He is the Commander of the Bureau of Investigations. In the last 30 days, there was an uptick in crime: robberies up 21 percent, many stolen cars (Kias and Hyundais). However, the major concern is the carjackings. There had been five in the last 30 days. This is a top priority and there have been three arrests. There are more patrol cars in the area on weekends. The department is short on officers (four left in the last week). The department is doing the best with what it has. There was also a meeting this day with the FBI to discuss and get to the bottom of the carjacking problem.
There was a question about a comprehensive plan to address carjackings and crime in Soulard. Next to speak was Wilford Pinkney Jr., Mayor’s Office Director of Children, Youth, and Families, to address the question. Wilford said there is a plan, that “they” get together to discuss crime, the plans to address crime, and the Mayor’s office uses data to develop goals to reduce crime. Crime is seasonal, so they look at previous years’ data and try to improve. Up until the last two months, crime was steadily decreasing.
There was a question about a murder on 13th Street. Apparently, the victim and his girlfriend were followed. It may have been a possible carjacking and the victim ended up being shot. The detectives are working diligently to get the homicide case solved. There was a reminder for everyone in the neighborhood to be vigilant.
There were then a couple of questions about gang-related activity. It was confirmed that a lot of the crime (uptick described above) is related to gang activity.
Karen Moske asked if Soulard could get an increase in patrols. Officer Morici said that the department has looked at the data, and Soulard is currently getting a lot of attention.
Officer Kevin Dilg then gave the overall crime report in Soulard and discussed clubs (on steering wheels) as deterrents. The Soulard Special Business District (SSBD) gives the clubs for free to anyone who lives in the district.
Michael Pastore thanked the officers and Mayor’s director for attending.
5. Camera Program Update
Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety Committee chair, discussed the camera program between the Safety Committee and SSBD, and she referenced the handouts with QR codes (for more information) on the table. This program is patterned after The Hill Neighborhood. Only the liaison officer knows who has a camera and can contact the owner to get information. The owner has to be willing to give the footage. Andrea said it’s highly confidential and no one gets access to the videos. She encouraged meeting attendees to sign up.
Andrea then mentioned a first responder appreciation event that will be held at the American Legion, and the committee would like volunteers for that event.
6. Oktoberfest
Michael Pastore said that Oktoberfest is October 7 and 8. Abbey Bethel will be the volunteer coordinator for this year’s event, and she’s currently looking for volunteers to help. Michael said this is one of the biggest fundraisers for SRG and it’s a lot of fun. Abbey said that last year ~$14,000 was raised for SRG, and it’s the organization's biggest fundraiser.
7. American Legion
Michael Pastore called on Eric Marlinghouse to give the update. The Legion is continuing with the happy hours the third Friday of the month. This has reasonably priced drinks, dinner, and live music.
The Legion is also trying to put together a Drag Queen Meat Bingo (not suitable for children) for later in August.
Eric mentioned the first responder appreciation breakfast. Back when the Friends of Soulard was started, one of the things done was using the Legion to show neighborhood appreciation for the first responders. This first responder appreciation breakfast will be held toward the end of September.
Michael thanked Erik and said the Legion is run by volunteers from Soulard, and we want to keep the Legion in Soulard.
8. Upcoming Concert Aug. 20
Michael Pastore said the next concert would be Aug. 20 at Soulard Market Park, starting at 6 p.m. SRG members were encouraged to bring chairs and snacks. There will be a beer and wine stand with drinks to be purchased. The Ben Franklin Effect will be the band. This will be the last concert for 2022. Michael then asked for volunteers to help at the event.
9. Bastille Day
Michael Pastore said the Bastille Day event was a huge success. This is a joint effort between SRG and the Soulard Business Association. Next year, SRG will be picking the king and queen. Michael then thanked Stephen Shuman for all of his hard work on the event.
10. Vote to approve Budget
Michael Pastore said the SRG Board approved the FY 2023 budget the previous Wednesday, and a notice was sent to all voting members that the budget had been posted on the SRG website. SRG is starting out the year with ~$75,000, and the budget projects getting the cash balance down to ~$34,000. The fundraising that’s been included in the budget is very conservative, and hopefully more will come in than what’s budgeted.
Neil Putz asked about the Membership Committee putting the roster online and protecting any personal information. Margi Koors said that when the Membership Committee discussed this, it talked about password access. It would like to get rid of the paper roster and go electronic, but there will need to be security control to make sure confidential information stays confidential. Brenton Henry, Communication Committee chair, said that the committee is exploring what the options are. If it’s a matter of cost, the committee is also talking to the publisher of The Renaissance, and they may be interested in printing the roster if there’s ad space. Nothing will be put on line before there’s a lot of discussion about security.
Michael asked for a motion to pass the FY 2023 budget.
Billy Tomber made the motion to accept the FY 2023 budget. Margi Koors seconded.
Michael asked if there was any additional discussion. There wasn’t any.
The vote was taken.
All voted in favor of approving the FY 2023 budget, except for one vote not to approve it. The motion passed.
Michael thanked Jim Dallas and Abbey Bethel for their hard work on getting the budget put together.
11. Committee Reports
a. Beautification
Margi Koors gave the update for the Beautification Committee. The Art and Floral event at the Soulard Station will be September 10. The committee has invited local artists to donate a piece that will be auctioned off at the event. In October, the committee will have its annual fundraising event at Molly’s.
Margi said that if anyone knows any artists or floral designers, talk to her or Veronica and they’ll work to get something donated.
b. Communications Committee
Brenton Henry, Communications Committee chair, discussed the change in The Renaissance (SRG neighborhood newspaper) publication schedule. Starting February 2023, the publication dates will be February, April, August, and November.
Brenton mentioned a handout on the tables. The sheet is for members and committee chairs to sign up and see how the SRG website could help everyone.
c. Membership Committee
Julie Price, Membership Committee chair, said that SRG currently has 453 members. She discussed the Ambassador’s Program for those who bring the most new members to SRG.
Julie then introduced new member, Justin Strohm, who used to run a business in Soulard. Justin’s current line of work is real estate.
The committee recently had a wine tasting event at the Soulard Station, and Muddy Arch was the wine vendor. This was to get new members for SRG, and there were six new members who joined. The committee is going to try and continue these wine tasting/recruiting events.
Julie then referenced the new blue-covered rosters.
d. Parlour Tour
Nancy Lambert, Board Liaison to the Parlour Tour Committee, gave the update. The committee is gearing up for the holiday Parlour Tour. The first step is trying to find those who are willing to volunteer their homes. Prior to the pandemic, the event was a two-day event. During the pandemic, there was a virtual-only tour (2020), then a one-day event with the Fete de Noel (2021). The committee has not yet decided if it will be the two-day or one-day event for 2022. Nancy did ask if there are any interested homeowners interested, please contact Jeanne Kirby or Nancy.
e. Plan Review Team
Jay Gibbs, PRT Committee Chair, said that he was approached by the owner of The Drunken Fish about opening a new place in Soulard. He’s only looking for SRG’s support at this time. Jay is waiting to see what plans the owner brings forward.
f. Properties (formerly, Soulard Station Committee)
Gary Toribio, Board Liaison to the Properties Committee, said that the commemorative (engraved) bricks had been installed at the Station’s patio the previous weekend. The committee is looking to have an open house to see the engraved patio bricks in September.
g. New Restaurants
Michael Pastore said that the former Harpo’s has been purchased by Patrick Webster, who’s renovating it now. This will be a step up from a typical bar, with live music on the second floor.
Michael then mentioned the new Eat Crow that recently opened, and said that he’d been there, the service was nice, the food was good, and it’s beautiful outside. He highly recommends going there.
h. Adjourn
Karen Moske made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Scott Plackemeier seconded the motion.
The vote was taken. All voted in favor of adjourning the meeting at 8:31 p.m.