SRG BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 2024

Jun 20

Wednesday, May 15, 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, Paula Dostal, Aaron Terry (virtual), Wade Weistreich, Alan Ziegler

REGRETS
None

LOCATION
Soulard Station | 1911 South 12th Street

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

Meeting called to order at 7:05pm by Adriano Martinez

Treasurer’s Report

Debby Brown reported on financials

Revenue: $73,000
Expenses: $75,000
Cash balance: $80,000

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson asked for a motion to approve the April Board Meeting minutes. Neil Putz motioned. Abbey Bethel seconded. The motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)

Chair: Brad Pitlyk | Liaison: Aaron Terry
May 10 Movie Night Recap: About 60 people in attendance. Clean up was light. Overall success.
Next Movie Night, June 14: Alan Ziegler asked for a motion to amend the budget by $500 for the licensing fee of Shrek. Neil Putz seconded. During discussion, members critiqued the cost based on attendance numbers, questioned what would happen to the licensing fee in the case of inclement weather, and suggested that we seek films by independent filmmakers for the third movie event in hopes costs would be lower. Ten people voted in favor of the budget increase. One person voted against. Motion passed.
Soulard Rummage Sale: This weekend!
Bastille Day: July 20 (pushing back a week because of STL City/Cardinals game)

Beautification

Chair: Jeff Weitzel | Liaison: Wade Weistreich
Gazebo painting: Rotting wood will cost an extra $500 to repair/replace, so that line item is over budget. Wade Weistreich motioned to raise the budget by $500. Neil Putz seconded. During discussion, members commented that the Board should put budget processes in place for committee chairs and liaisons to feel empowered and help keep track of committee spending. The motion to approve the $500 increase passed unanimously.
Street pot planting: Over budget by $1,850 due to lack of communication during the chair transition. Wade motioned to raise the budget. Paula Dostal seconded. During discussion, members determined that the budget miscommunication was an honest mistake and that the board/liaisons will do a better job of directing budget conversations for the future. The motion to approve the $1,850 increase passed unanimously.

Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)

Chair: Walker Hamilton | Liaison: Amanda Ramcharan
1506 S. 7th requested an appeal to rezone their parcel for commercial (automotive). It is currently residential. It is a prominent location and entry point to the neighborhood, so the committee is not supportive. The committee will meet to discuss further with the property owner and Alderperson Spencer.

Communications Committee (ComCom)

Chair: Brenton Henry | Liaison: Abby Goodson
New website launched May 1, 2024 and will continue to be updated as feedback rolls in. Activity on social media channels has increased.

Development

Chair: Jim Dallas | Liaison: Alan Ziegler
No updates at this time.

Historical

Chair: Veronica Putz | Liaison: Beth Bennet
No updates at this time.

Membership

Chair: Julie Price | Liaison: Paula Dostal
No updates at this time.

Parlour Tour

Chair: Jeanne Kirby | Liaison: Joy Christensen
Discussed if the committee would be open to splitting the income of the event with the participating homes to help cover the cost of getting better quality homes/decor for the tour. Adriano Martinez recommended taking this suggestion to the committee for consideration.

Properties (Station)

Chair: Bonita Leiber | Liaison: Abbey Bethel
The fence is installed/completed.
We will be using a bike lock to secure the gate.
The garage door no longer works — it was broken during an event. SRG kept the security deposit from the people who rented the Station for an event. Bonita Leiber temporarily fixed the garage door until a full repair can be completed.
In the process of receiving quotes to replace part of the roof (the portion that doesn’t have solar panels). It leaks when it rains.

Safety

Chair: Andrea Maddox-Dallas | Liaison: Wade Weistreich
The committee recently had a meeting to discuss FY25 budget goals, which Andrea Maddox-Dallas will present.

FY25 Budget Review

Safety — Andrea Maddox-Dallas presented:

FY24 goal status:

Developed a section on the new SRG website with safety resources.
Conducted a combined safety meeting with SSBD, SRG, and CID.
Implemented 8–9 neighborhood watch text groups.
Developed dusk-to-dawn porch light program. Purchased 180 bulbs. Distributed 80–90 bulbs at the May 2024 Membership Party.
Continued to work with STL Office of Violence Prevention.
Continued to build out the security camera safety program database.
Organized National Night Out event with 4 neighborhood group hosts.
Hosted fall and spring neighborhood safety walks.
Recognized police officers, firefighters, and first responders at the annual First Responders brunch with the American Legion.

FY25 goals:

Continue/improve FY24 goals.
Develop safety-related handouts/materials.
Increase presence on Nextdoor/Facebook.
Work with SBA to create an awareness campaign reminding patrons to lock cars and not leave valuables inside.
Increase the number of National Night Out event hosts to 8 groups.

FY25 budget proposal total expenses: $5,510

Properties (Station) — Bonita Leiber presented:

FY24 goal status:

Completed fence installation.
Improved visual appearance of the Station with native and perennial plantings.
Maintained small improvements to the building (caulking, painting, etc.)
Encouraged the use of the building for rental income.

FY25 goals:

Replace windows in the foyer.
Replace/repair the side of the roof that doesn’t have solar panels.
Replace/repair the garage door.
Review/rewrite Station rental guidelines for increased usage.
Continue FY24 beautification goals.

FY25 budget proposal total expenses: TBD based on project quotes

Board — Abbey Bethel presented:

FY25 goals: Continue to support initiatives that align with the purpose set forth in the SRG By-Laws and with the goals of the committees within the SRG.
FY25 budget proposal total expenses: $18,605

Increase in some items due to inflation, and an increase in accounting for a full tax audit.

On-going Business

Meeting Speaker Opportunities

Gabe Gore, Circuit Attorney, confirmed for June General Membership Meeting for 15 minute discussion
AmeriCorps St. Louis, in talks for presenting later this summer at a General Membership Meeting

New Business

Soulard/STL Organization Liaisons Discussion

CID: John Durnell
MGI: Margi Koors, Nancy Lambert, Nancy Kelly
SBA: No liaison
SSBD: No liaison
STL Neighborhood Alliance: Neil Putz
8th Ward Consortium: Abbey Bethel/Adriano Martinez
Landmarks Association: Joy Christensen is interested in being the liaison
Board discussed wanting to receive quarterly updates from the liaisons to stay informed and wanted to make sure the liaisons are following the term limits set out in the SRG bylaws.

Adjourn

Paula Dostal motioned to adjourn at 8:47pm. Alan Ziegler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Action Items

Abbey Bethel will create a sign to notify folks that the garage door at the Station is inoperable.
Adriano Martinez will ensure liaisons communicate with their committee chairs about budgeting and expenses.