SRG BOARD MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 2024

Oct 24

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 7PM

Minutes prepared by Abbey Bethel, Past President

PRESENT
Officers: Abbey Bethel, Past President; Adriano Martinez, President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer

Directors: Beth Bennett, Paula Dostal, Aaron Terry, Alan Ziegler, Wade Weistreich

REGRETS
Abby Goodson, Secretary; Joy Christensen, Director

LOCATION
Soulard Station | 1911 South 12th Street

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

Meeting called to order at 7:02pm by Adriano Martinez.

Secretary’s Report

Abbey Bethel reported on behalf of Abby Goodson that a draft of the August board meeting minutes had been circulated with the board for review via email and asked for a motion to approve. Neil Putz motioned to approve. Aaron Terry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Neil Putz shared that the SRG is operating three separate bank accounts:

Carrollton Bank Checking: $65,962.88

Carrollton Bank Savings: $10,111.88

Carrollton Bank Money Market: $12,582.03

Cash balance: $88,656.79

CID Expansion Update – John Durnell

John Durnell gave an update on two meetings that were held with CID representatives and various employees across Legal, Government Affairs, the Tour Center, and Facilities departments to discuss the recent neighborhood efforts, collaboration across the SRG, SSBD, SBA, and CID.

Anheuser-Busch was impressed about the collaboration across the neighborhood organizations and efforts made to keep the neighborhood clean and safe, especially as there are thousands of visitors to their Tour Center. Anheuser-Busch would like to support the non-profits of Soulard (SSBD, SBA, SRG) and there are hopes for a sizeable and recurring donation. There will be a follow-up meeting for continued discussion and to finalize the donation amount. There is also an organization within Anheuser-Busch that is interested in partnering with the neighborhood to organize a clean-up event.

Committee Roundtable

Beautification: Wade Weistreich shared that Beautification is meeting to finalize details for the Oktoberfest Beautification Fundraiser on Thursday October 10. Wade also reminded everyone of the Soulard Patio Crawl on Saturday September 28 4-8pm.
Community Involvement & Events (CI&E): Aaron Terry reported that the most recent Movie in the Park on Friday September 13 happened without issue. Final Movie in the Park for 2024 will be on Friday October 18th. Aaron shared that Allyson is continuing to plan for the seasonal Haiku Hike through Soulard.
Communications (ComCom): No updates.
Development: Alan Ziegler reported on final Concert Series financials – based on Jim’s reconciliation, showing that SRG only had a loss of $1865 on the Concert Series versus the $3100 loss that was budgeted. Regarding merchandise, there has been a $956 profit from apparel sold May through August and the Bricks/Plaque program has made a $406 profit.
Historical: Beth Bennett shared that at the most recent Historical Committee meeting, Joy Christensen gave a talk regarding the Nabisco Mansion in the Central West End.
Membership: Paula Dostal reported that the first meeting of the Membership Committee with new chair Christina Del Azodi will be on Monday September 23 at 6pm at Soulard Station.
Parlour Tour: Neil Putz (Parlour Tour Committee Member) provided an update for the Parlour Tour. He shared that there are six confirmed homes for the tour. The committee is working with a Soulard business in order to secure a non-residential, historical building to have on the tour. Once the list of locations is finalized, the Historical Committee will begin their research.
Planning Review Team (PRT): Amanda Ramcharan reported that there is a Preservation Review Board meeting happening on Monday September 23 and that the proposal for construction on the land at 18th Street and Barton will be on the docket. The PRT has reviewed the updated plans and is supporting the plans based on the purview of the PRT in terms of compliance to the Soulard Historic Code.
Properties/Station: Abbey Bethel discussed the revised Station Usage Protocols that were developed by Bonita Leiber and Abbey Bethel. Abbey is hoping to get feedback from the Board over the next couple of weeks so that Bonita and Abbey can make final edits before requesting approval from the Board.
Safety: Wade Weistreich reminded the Board about National Night Out happening on Tuesday October 1. The Safety Committee is working with Captain Dickerson and the Park Rangers regarding loitering at Pontiac Square Park and ensuring folks are vacating the park at curfew. Wade presented an idea for the SRG to start a Camera Program for SRG members to receive low-cost camera hardware through the SRG, either for free or through a 50/50 program; Wade to work with Andrea on a proposal for the program.

Old Business

Shelter inside Sts. Peter & Paul Church: A follow-up meeting is being organized with Father Bruce, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, and representation from various neighborhood organizations (CID, SSBD, SBA, SRG) on Wednesday October 2 at 4pm.

New Business

Soulard School Donation Request: Request was made for the SRG to contribute $200 to the Soulard School for their “Reach for the Stars” event happening on Friday October 11 at McGurks. The Board discussed and agreed to the donation of $200 using the $1000 donation line item of the approved Board budget.
8th Ward Consortium: The quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday September 17 at 7pm at Soulard Station. Cara Spencer was not in attendance but there was representation from several 8th Ward neighborhoods including Soulard, Benton Park, Downtown and Downtown West, McKinley Heights, and Lafayette Square. The neighborhood representatives shared updates on upcoming events and recent/current initiatives to improve neighborhood safety.