SRG BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2024

Written By Abby Goodson

April 17, 2024

PRESENT
Officers: Abbey Bethel, Past President; Adriano Martinez, President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Debby Brown, FY24 Treasurer; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Abby Goodson, Secretary

Directors: Beth Bennett, Joy Christensen, Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich

REGRETS
Directors: Paula Dostal, Alan Ziegler

LOCATION
Soulard Station  |  1911 South 12th Street

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

  • Meeting called to order at 7:04pm by Joy Christensen

  • Board member welcome/introductions

  • Adriano Martinez presented his expectations for the Board

Treasurer’s Report 

  • Debbie Brown reported on financials

    • Revenue: $68,000

    • Expenses: $64,000

    • Cash balance: $84,000

Secretary’s Report

  • Abby Goodson had no update

Round Table — Committee Updates & Liaison Assignments

  • Beautification

    • Meetings: Monthly from 4–5pm at Molly’s

    • Chair: Jeff Weitzel  |  Liaison: Wade Weistreich

    • Beth Bennet and Abby Goodson noted upcoming events: 

      • Art & Floral Auction  |  August 24

      • Patio Crawl  |  September 28, 3–8pm

  • Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)

    • Meetings: Third Tuesday of the month from 6:30–7:30pm (usually virtual)

    • Chair: Brad Pitlyk  |  Liaison: Aaron Terry

  • Communications Committee (ComCom)

    • Meetings: Third Monday of the month from 7:15–8:15pm at iTap

    • Chair: Brenton Henry  |  Liaison: Abby Goodson

  • Development

    • Meetings: Monthly on Monday or Tuesday evenings

    • Chair: Jim Dallas  |  Liaison: OPEN

  • Historical

    • Meetings: Monthly the week before the general membership meeting in the evening

    • Chair: Veronica Putz  |  Liaison: Beth Bennet

  • Membership

    • Meetings: Monthly the week before the general membership meeting in the evening

    • Chair: Julie Price  |  Liaison: OPEN/Adriano Martinez?

    • Abbey Bethel noted upcoming events: 

      • Blood Drive  |  June 25, 2024, 2–6pm  |  816 Allen Avenue

      • Fabulous Fox Theatre Tour  |  May 25, 2024, 10:30am–12:30pm

  • Parlour Tour

    • Meetings: As needed

    • Chair: Jeanne Kirby  |  Liaison: Joy Christensen

  • Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)

    • Meetings: As needed

    • Chair: Walker Hamilton  |  Liaison: Amanda Ramcharan

  • Properties (Station)

    • Meetings: As needed

    • Chair: Bonita Leiber  |  Liaison: Abbey Bethel

  • Safety

    • Meetings: Monthly from 7–9pm

    • Chair: Andrea Maddox-Dallas  |  Liaison: Wade Weistreich

New SRG Website

  • Brenton Henry presented a draft of the new SRG website

    • ComCom will meet on April 22 finalize the content and finish the design

    • Phase one is set to launch by the Membership Party on May 1, 2024

    • Ongoing phases will roll out as historical documents/additional content and pages get developed 

    • Amanda Ramcharan asked about the phrasing of “Neighborhood Association” vs “SRG” on the website. Abbey Bethel noted the phrasing matched the existing website. Brenton Henry said he was open to revising if necessary

    • Joy Christensen commented on the page hierarchy and Brenton Henry said that was still being tweaked

    • Brenton Henry welcomed feedback once the website is launched and promised to make updates as needed

On-going Business

  • SRG Planning Meeting

    • Abbey Bethel presented survey results from the Board about which project they’d like to see each committee prioritize for the remainder of FY24 and into FY25

      • Beautification: Repainting/repairing Aboussie Park Gazebo

        1. Estimated timing: April–May 2024

        2. Estimated amount: $2,000

        3. Status: Board approved via email in April

      • Development: Summer Concert Series

        1. Estimated timing: June–August 2024

        2. Estimated amount: $3,100

        3. Status: Board approved at March board meeting

      • CI&E: Movie Series at Pontiac Square Park

        1. Estimated timing: May–October 2024

        2. Estimated amount: $1,500

        3. Status: Wade Weistreich motioned to approve a budget of $900 (projector, movie screen, two bathrooms for FY24). Aaron Terry seconded. Wade Weistreich asked if we needed to look into a moving screening/licensing fee. Aaron Terry commented that the committee said licensing isn’t necessary since it will be a free event. The motion passed unanimously. 

      • Membership

        1. Membership Party

          1. Timing: May 1, 2024

          2. Estimated amount: $1,400

          3. Status: Abbey Bethel motioned to increase the Membership Drive budget by $1,400 for the May party from $5,500 to $6,900 to cover enhanced catering from Bogarts. Wade Weistreich seconded. Neil Putz endorsed the increase stating the importance of the quality of food to keep members engaged, satisfied, and feeling appreciated. Abby Goodson recommended taking RSVPs to better plan/order/budget for the event and offered ComCom’s help. The motion passed unanimously. 

        2. Membership Welcome Wagon Bags

          1. Timing: TBD

          2. Estimated amount: $1,000

          3. Status: Aaron Terry motioned to increase Membership’s budget to $1,000 for the welcome wagon bags. Neil Putz seconded and commented that the welcome gifts have been successful in garnering new members and growing our leadership in the organization. The motion passed unanimously. 

      • PRT: Site drawings for Gene Slay Girls & Boys Club Proposal

        1. Timing: May–July 2024

        2. Estimated amount: $4,000

        3. Status: Board is supportive of being proactive about the development of that area, but is hesitant to pass a budget until we have a better understanding of the scope of work and develop a relationship with a Gene Slay contact.

      • Safety: Purchase 300 Additional Dusk to Dawn Light Bulbs

        1. Timing: TBD

        2. Estimated amount: TBD

        3. Status: 100 light bulbs have already been ordered and will be distributed at the May membership meeting. The Board would like to gauge the usage of the first 100 bulbs before increasing the budget for additional light bulbs. 

      • Parlour Tour: Additional Funds for Transportation

        1. Timing: December 2024

        2. Estimated amount: $3,000

        3. Status: Board requests three quotes for further discussion.

      • Communication: Modernize Wi-Fi at Soulard Station

        1. Timing: TBD

        2. Estimated amount: TBD

        3. Status: Board requests three quotes for further discussion.

      • Historical: Historical Signage or Visual Glossary

        1. Timing: TBD

        2. Estimated amount: TBD

        3. Status: There was a tie between the two budget ideas among Board members. The Board wants the committee to decide which project to move forward with, receive three quotes, and put it in their FY25 budget. Beth Bennet worried about street signs with historic names becoming confusing next to their current names. Joy Christensen agreed and commented that they would need to have a clear historical designation to help prevent confusion.

      • Station: Irrigation/Watering System

        1. Timing: TBD

        2. Estimated amount: TBD

        3. Status: Board requests three quotes for further discussion.

  • St. Louis GO Marathon

    • April 27, 2024 

    • Soulard Station Cheering Station  |  Theme: Pajama Party/Mimosas/Bubbles

    • Street Closures: 12th Street from Chouteau to Pestalozzi, 6:30–9:30am

  • Meeting Speaker Opportunities

    • Gabe Gore, Circuit Attorney: June General Membership Meeting

    • AmeriCorps St. Louis: August General Membership Meeting

New Business

  • FY 2025 Budget

    • Board decided to divide committee FY25 budget proposals over two Board meetings (May and June 2024) instead of having one long meeting

  • Budget Approval Items

    • CI&E 

      • Soulard Rummage Sale: Wade Weistreich motioned to reimburse $700 of registration fees for the participating sellers. Amanda Ramcharan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

    • Development

      • Abbey Bethel motioned to approve the contract for the sound/lighting. Neil Putz seconded. Aaron Terry mentioned that the Board should have a set of approved templates for contracts that have been read by our attorney for future contracts. The motion passed unanimously. 

    • Membership

      • Aaron Terry motioned to approve $500 for music contract for Soulard Island Dudes at the May membership party. Neil Putz seconded. Aaron Terry requests that committee chairs present contracts in advance of meetings for thorough review. The motion passed unanimously. 

Adjourn 

  • Abbey Bethel motioned to adjourn at 9:02pm. Debbie Brown seconded. 

Action Items

  • Adriano Martinez will send out an email connecting the Committee Chairs to the new liaisons to exchange information and learn about monthly meeting dates/commitments. He will also ask Paula Dostal and Alan Ziegler which committees they would like to serve on.

  • Adriano Martinez will look into potential movie screening fees for the SRG Movie Series from a legal perspective.

  • Adriano Martinez will reach out to committee chairs to see who is available to discuss their FY25 budget at the May vs. June board meeting.

  • Abbey Bethel will post the marathon map on social media so residents are aware of street closures and can help cheer on runners.

  • Abby Goodson will reach out to the Membership committee to see if they want help from ComCom to create a dedicated e-blast requesting RSVPs to the membership event.

  • Abby Goodson will contact Jim Dallas and Julie Price to see if they would like to set up a table at the Soulard Station for the Soulard Rummage Sale to sell merchandise, discuss membership, and pass out printed copies of the Soulard Rummage Sale map.

Next Meeting

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7pm 

Abby Goodson
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