SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DECEMBER 2024

Jan 8

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7PM

PRESENT
Officers: Adriano Martinez, President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Abby Goodson, Secretary; Director: Alan Ziegler

REGRETS
Officers: Abbey Bethel, Past President; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Directors: Beth Bennett, Paula Dostal, Joy Christensen, Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich

LOCATION
Saints Peter & Paul Parish Hall in the Rose Room | 816 Allen Ave

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

Meeting called to order at 7:03pm by President Adriano Martinez.

Crime Report

Officer Gregory McClendon reported that Soulard experienced 19 crime incidents over the last 28 days, which is down compared to last year with 21 incidents; shared that the Soulard Crime CompStat report is listed on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police department website; took note of an abandoned vehicle location at Ann and 11th Street when notified by a community member; reminded people to not leave personal belongings in vehicles and added that a camera was placed at 9th and Geyer to help with auto break-ins and thefts; and listened to concerns from community members about reckless driving/burnouts happening during weekend afternoons/evenings in the Kosicusko neighborhood.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Membership
Ashley Wickenhauser, Membership Committee Member, welcomed six new members to the front to introduce themselves; invited everyone to the social after the meeting at American Legion at 2601 South 11th Street; distributed a sign-up list for 2025 socials; and announced they are looking to schedule a new member happy hour in February.
Safety
Andrea Dallas, Safety Chair, did not have an update.
Beautification
Jeff Weitzel, Beautification Co-Chair, thanked the volunteers for their hard work over the year and announced the 2nd Annual Street Pot Decorating Contest for the winter. If you’re interested in adopting a pot, send an email to beautification@soulard.org with a picture of your decorated pot. The winner will be announced in March and will win a $100 cash prize.
Communications Committee (ComCom)
Brenton Henry, ComCom Chair, thanked Billy Tomber for managing the Parlour Tour ticket sales on the website and Abby Goodson for recognizing the Parlour Tour sponsors on the website and in the blaster.
Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)
Brad Pitlyk, CI&E Chair, did not have an update.
Development
Jim Dallas, Development Chair, shared that a new round of merchandise will be available for purchase at the Holiday Party on Sunday, December 8, and shared the link to the merchandise catalog.
Historical
Veronica Putz, Historical Chair, did not have an update.
Parlour Tour
Billy Tomber, Parlour Tour Committee Member, announced that the Parlour Tour is sold out; noted that volunteers are meeting Thursday, December 5; and reminded everyone that the Jingle Mingle event is on Sunday, December 8 from 4–7pm at The Franklin of Soulard ($30 each or 4 tickets for $100).
Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)
Walker Hamilton, PRT Chair, noted that there are three active projects (1857 South 9th Street with Soul Wine Bar; 1800 South 10th Street; 221 South 7th Street townhomes were approved by the Preservation Board), and reminded folks to email prt@soulard.org with any zoning questions.
Properties (Station)
Bonita Leiber, Properties Chair, played the lyrics to “Percy, The Puny Poinsettia”; announced that the Station is becoming active with rentals ($100 for members, $400 for non-members); and noted that they plan on painting/cleaning the inside of the Station this winter.

Treasurer’s Report

Adriano Martinez reported the financials on Neil Putz’ behalf:

Checking: $97,375.96
Savings: $10,118.23
Money Market: $12,676.37

Total assets: $120,170.56

A community member asked about the status of the public art money donated by Luke Reynolds to the Beautification Committee, and Jeff Weitzel noted that the committee’s leadership transition had stalled progress and that there were no updates to provide.

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson announced that a draft of the November general membership meeting minutes was attached to the Blaster email that went out today and asked for a motion to approve the minutes so that they could be posted to the website. Becca Gilberg moved to approve the minutes. Brenton Henry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alderperson Update

Cara Spencer, Ward 8 Alderperson, did not have an update.

Soulard Neighborhood Organization Updates

Soulard Business Association (SBA)
Laura Leister, SBA Director, announced that Heaven Ross was the winner of the Mardi Gras 2025 poster contest; added that the two runner-up artists will get to display their designs on some of the CID’s street banners; shared that merchandise (shirts/hoodies) will be on sale online through SBA or in-person at many Soulard establishments. A community member asked if there was a plan to auction off the Mardi Gras 2025 street banners once Mardi Gras is over, and Laura Leister said that decision had not yet been made yet.
Soulard Special Business District (SSBD)
Terry Hoffman, SSBD Treasurer, did not have an update.

Community Improvement District (CID)
John Durnell, CID Commissioner, announced that the Soulard CID Expansion received a thumbs up from the Assessor’s office with an upcoming meeting on December 13; added that winter street banners have been installed throughout the neighborhood; and shared that the CID has worked with lawyers to help sort out confusion among tax collection details and noted that information will be listed on their website.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI)
Nancy Lambert, MGI President, distributed flyers with the upcoming Mardi Gras dates; highlighted that Anheuser-Busch will be hosting the Mayor’s Ball for the first time; and shared that additional Mardi Gras information can be found at stlmardigras.org.
St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)
Lisa Otke, Neighborhood Manager for SLDC, shared that the proposed MetroLink Green Line will run north/south along Jefferson Avenue and there is a community workshop on Saturday; added that the Northside Economic Empowerment Center is great resource for small businesses; announced that the Citizens for Modern Transit is redoing the bus stop at 13th and Gravois and construction will be starting soon; and reminded neighbors that Americorp is a winter shelter and to call 211 for cold/inclement weather housing.
Krewe of Vices and Virtues (KVV)
Levi Cullifer, KVV Liaison, welcomed families and pets to their Santa Comes to Soulard event on Sunday, December 15 from noon–2pm and noted they are looking for a cookie sponsor or donation; invited people to their Mardi Gras Ball on February 15 with the theme of Dark Decadence; and announced that that KVV is looking for grant applicants to apply for one of their $500 grants given out to nonprofit organizations.

South Broadway Athletic Club (SBAC)
Julie Price, SBAC Member, announced SBAC’s 125th Gala on Saturday, December 7 with a 1920s theme and noted that Funky Butt Brass Band will be the live music entertainment with tickets priced at $70, or $100 for all you can drink bar package.

Neighborhood Stabilization Update

James Simpson, our Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, shared that he is working to get abandoned vehicles towed and mentioned if you are someone you know requires rental assistance there is an organization called Forward STL that can help.