SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOVEMBER 2024

Dec 5

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 7PM

PRESENT
Officers: Adriano Martinez, President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Abby Goodson, Secretary; Directors: Joy Christensen, Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich, Alan Ziegler

REGRETS

Officer: Abbey Bethel, Past President; Directors: Beth Bennett, Paula Dostal

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

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

Meeting called to order at 7:01pm by President Adriano Martinez.

Crime Report

Officer Gregory McClendon reported that Soulard experienced 18 crime incidents over the last 28 days, which is down compared to last year with 21 incidents. He also shared that the Soulard Crime CompStat report is listed on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police department website. A community member mentioned that there is an abandoned vehicle without plates on Ann and 11th Street, and Officer McClendon took note.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Membership
Christina Del Azodi, Membership Chair, welcomed six new members to the front to introduce themselves; announced that our membership is 437 members strong; and invited everyone to the social after the meeting at Allyson Whipple and John Kline’s home at 1100 Lami.
Safety
Andrea Dallas, Safety Chair, announced that the First Responder Brunch was being combined with the American Legion’s Thanksgiving Day meal for veterans on November 28 from 10:30am–1pm; asked if anyone was interested in volunteering or donating a side dish/dessert for the meal; and invited two folks from the American Legion to discuss their latest fundraising efforts. The American Legion is struggling financially and their membership is aging. The monthly cost just to keep the doors open is about $2,200. They are looking to renovate the space to allow for event rentals to help generate revenue and are reaching out to the Soulard community to ask for help raising funds.
Beautification
Wade Weistreich, Beautification Liaison, announced that the Soulard Patio Crawl and Oktoberfest Fundraiser at Molly’s were both a success and raised more than $15,000.
Communications Committee (ComCom)
Brenton Henry, ComCom Chair, reported that the committee is working on two new projects:

Transitioning the SRG payment processing company from Square to Stripe for in-person events, which will allow committee chairs to run their own committee reports.
Developing a “Propertunities” (Property Opportunities) Initiative, where the committee will determine 1–2 vacant/nuisance properties in the neighborhood each year and shine a light on the issues with the City in hopes to create positive change. The committee’s first focus property was 1222 Allen Avenue (the church on Gravois), which is currently in the City’s purview and the committee is working with the City to support them in trying to keep/rebuild the building (versus demolishing it).

Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)
Brad Pitlyk, CI&E Chair, did not have an update.
Development
Jim Dallas, Development Chair, shared two fundraising updates: new merchandise will be available for purchase at the Holiday Party on December 8, and the Oktoberfest beer booth made over $4,000 in cash tips.
Historical
Neil Putz, Historical Member, shared that the committee’s October meeting included a presentation from a local historic furniture expert and enthusiast; announced that the committee is in the thick of researching house history for the seven properties on this year’s Parlour Tour; and noted that committee members attended other neighborhoods’ ghost tours in preparation of a Soulard Ghost Tour in 2025.
Parlour Tour
Jeanne Kirby, Parlour Tour Chair, announced that seven properties are on this year’s tour on Saturday, December 7; noted that tickets are on sale for $50 online and that they are 55% sold out already; added that they are looking for volunteers to help with a smooth event and to email soulardparlourtourvolunteer@gmail.com if interested; and shared that tickets are on sale for the Soulard Holiday Party 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, reminded people that fences are part of the historic code and to email prt@soulard.org with any questions; shared that the Preservation Review Board allowed the chain link fence at 911 Barton Street to move forward against the committee’s recommendation; noted that there are four active projects the committee is aware of (1001 Russell, 1031 Lami, 930 Sydney, and 2221 South 7th); and mentioned that as a neighborhood association, we have legal standing to take neglectful property owners to court over their derelict properties, if we so choose.
Properties (Station)
Amanda Ramcharan reported on Bonita Leiber’s behalf asking for volunteers to help clean up leaves at the Soulard Station on the morning of November 16, and referenced The Beatle’s song, “Help”.

Treasurer’s Report

Neil Putz reported on financials:

Checking: $69,228.88
Savings: $10,118.23
Money Market: $12,613.05

Total assets: $91,960.16

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson announced that a draft of the October 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)
Shawn Caruso, SBA Executive Director, did not have an update
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 CID expansion petition was submitted and the signatures are being reviewed; shared that holiday banners will be installed soon; noted that the CID applied for a $25,000 grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation for a tree audit/recommendation for tree plantings and received it; and added that speed hump installation is ongoing.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI)
Nancy Lambert did not have an update.
St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)
Lisa Otke did not have an update.

Neighborhood Stabilization Update

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

President’s Report

Adriano Martinez said that SRG is part of the 8th Ward Consortium, and noted that other neighborhoods in the consortium have used legal action to tackle their derelict properties.