SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 2025

Feb 5

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 7PM

Minutes prepared by Abby Goodson, Secretary

PRESENT
Officers: Adriano Martinez, President; Abbey Bethel, Past President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Abby Goodson, Secretary
Directors: Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich

REGRETS
Directors: Beth Bennett, Joy Christensen, Paula Dostal, Alan Ziegler

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

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

President Adriano Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:03pm, noted that microphones are not available for the meeting, and asked for everyone to move forward to hear the speakers.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Membership
Christina Del Azodi, Membership Committee Chair, welcomed two new members to the front to introduce themselves; announced that our membership total is at 424 members; distributed a host sign-up list for 2025 socials; encouraged people to join the membership committee and to contact membership@soulard.org; invited everyone to the social after the meeting at Christina and Dominic Del Azodi’s house at 1018 Allen; and shared they are looking to schedule a new member happy hour after Mardi Gras.
Safety
Wade Weistrich, Safety Chair Liaison, shared that the committee is always looking for new members and to contact safety@soulard.org to join.
Beautification
Adriano Martinez announced the 2nd Annual Street Pot Decorating Contest for the winter and said that voting is live on the website. 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, did not have an update.
Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)
Aaron Terry, CI&E Liaison, shared upcoming events:

Saturday, January 18: Soulard Small Business Day
Saturday, January 25: Soulard Winter Haiku Walk
Mardi Gras House Decorating Contest—information to be posted on the website soon.
Bastille Day Royalty Nominations coming out soon on the website.
Soulard Rummage Sale will be back in the Spring — more details to come.

Development
Jim Dallas, Development Chair, shared that merchandise sales were strong at the Jingle Mingle event, with the hottest item being the Mardi Gras scarf; announced merchandise was available for purchase at the meeting; and shared the link to the merchandise catalog.
Historical
Neil Putz, Historical Chair Secretary, said that they were busy researching house histories for the Parlour Tour at the end of 2024 and will resume their monthly committee meetings in the new year.
Parlour Tour
Jeanne Kirby, Parlour Tour Chair, did not have any updates.
Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)
Walker Hamilton, PRT Chair, said he did not have any updates and reminded folks to email prt@soulard.org with any zoning questions since we live in a historic district.
Properties (Station)
Bonita Leiber, Properties Chair, played “Keep on the Sunny Side”’ by the Carter Family to share updates about the Station: Ladies of Soulard monthly meetings at the Station have been successful; the number of rentals has increased; and they are in the process of getting quotes to repair the leaky roof and garage doors. Bonita also announced that someone left their Samsung phone at the Station about a week and half ago and is looking for the owner.

Treasurer’s Report

Neil Putz reported on financials:

Checking: $84,233.14
Savings: $10,124.58
Money Market: $12,708.76

Total assets: $107,066.39

Neil Putz added that he is in discussion with our bank to move some money from our savings account into a money market account.

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson announced that a draft of the December 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. Theresa Schafer moved to approve the minutes. Allyson Whipple seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Crime Report

Officer Gregory McClendon did not have an update.

Alderperson Update

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

Soulard Neighborhood Organization Updates

Soulard Business Association (SBA)
Laura Leister, SBA Director, shared that Mardi Gras merchandise (posters/shirts/hoodies) are on sale online through SBA or in-person at many Soulard establishments; and encouraged everyone to visit at least two Soulard businesses on January 18 for Soulard Small Business Saturday. When asked a question about Pieces Board Game Bar & Restaurant moving, Laura announced their relocation to 2727 South 12th Street is in process with a scheduled opening in February.
Soulard Special Business District (SSBD)
No updates.

Community Improvement District (CID)
Terry Hoffman, CID Chairperson, announced that the CID Expansion Bill has a public meeting January 21 at 11am at City Hall regarding the passage of the bill, and added that the three different Mardi Gras banner designs will be installed within the next week, once the weather warms up.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI)
Adriano Martinez shared that Mardi Gras event information can be found at stlmardigras.org.
St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)
Lisa Otke, Neighborhood Manager for SLDC, did not have an update.
Krewe of Vices and Virtues (KVV)
Levi Cullifer, KVV Liaison, thanked everyone for attending their Santa Visits Soulard event (about 100 attendees); invited people to their Mardi Gras Ball on February 15 with the theme of Dark Decadence; and announced that KVV just elected a new slate of board members.

South Broadway Athletic Club (SBAC)
No updates.

Neighborhood Stabilization Update

James Simpson, our Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, did not have an update.

President’s Report

Adriano Martinez announced they are looking for new board members, and to contact him at president@soulard.org. If you want to join a committee, visit soulard.org and reach out to the chairs to get involved and help the neighborhood prosper.