SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OCTOBER 2024

Nov 7

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 7PM

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

REGRETS
Officer: Abbey Bethel, Past President; Director: Beth Bennett

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.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Membership
Christina Del Azodi, Membership Chair, welcomed three new members to the front to introduce themselves; invited everyone to the social after the meeting at Protagonist Cafe at 1700 S. 9th Street; announced that our membership is 477 members strong; and invited people to join the committee by contacting membership@soulard.org.
Safety
Wade Weistreich, Safety Liaison, shared that there were four successful National Night Out parties on October 1 and thanked the hosts.
Beautification
Susan Weigand and Jeff Weitzel, Beautification Co-Chairs, announced that the Soulard Patio Crawl was postponed due to Hurricane Helene and noted these upcoming events:

Soulard Patio Crawl: October 5 from 4–8pm
Oktoberfest Fundraiser at Molly’s: October 10 from 6–9pm
Pontiac Square Park + Sydney Street Triangle Garden Clean-up: Dates TBD

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.
Developing a “Propertunities” Initiative: The committee is looking to work with the neighborhood to determine 1–2 vacant/nuisance properties each year and shine a light on the issues with the City in hopes to create positive change.

Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)
Brad Pitlyk, CI&E Chair, shared that the Movies in the Park series will conclude for the season on Friday, October 18 at 6:45pm with Hocus Pocus and added that a neighborhood dog walk is in the works for October or November.
Development
Jim Dallas, Development Chair, did not have an update.
Historical
Neil Putz, Historical Member, announced that the committee has begun researching house history for the homes on this year’s Parlour Tour; noted that committee members are researching other neighborhoods’ ghost tours in preparation of a Soulard Ghost Tour in 2025; and added that they are looking for recommendations of what to include in the Soulard Time Capsule.
Parlour Tour
Neil Putz, Parlour Tour Committee Member, announced that this year’s tour will be held on Saturday, December 7; noted that tickets will go on sale November 1; added that they are looking for one more home to add to the tour; and mentioned that interested parties should email parlourtour@soulard.org.
Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)
Walker Hamilton, PRT Chair, reminded people who are working on the exterior of their home or business to contact the committee at prt@soulard.org; shared that 1808 South 9th (9th Street Abbey) is getting a new roof; and added that the most recent submission for the proposed development at 2344 South 18th Street requires variances and will go before the Board of Adjustment (date TBD).
Billy Tomber, PRT member, discussed an incident that occurred at the September 26, 2024 Preservation Board meeting regarding the proposed development at 2344 South 18th Street, which he, Walker Hamilton, and Amanda Ramcharan attended and testified. Billy Tomber expressed concern over a Preservation Board member's suggestion that SRG’s letter of non-support was an attempt to control "who gets to build in Soulard," which he viewed as a mischaracterization. He clarified that SRG’s objections were solely focused on the specifics of the development, not the identity of the developer, and emphasized that all previous discussions had been cordial and professional. Billy Tomber stated that in his 24 years with SRG, discussions had always centered on "what" was being built, not "who" was building. He felt it necessary to formally object to the Preservation Board member's defaming remarks and ensure that SRG's stance was clear in the record.
Properties (Station)
Bonita Leiber, Properties Chair, said the Soulard Station is open for rentals and more information can be found by emailing station@soulard.org; noted that there are three scheduled rentals in October; shared that the first Women of the SRG meeting went well and the second meeting will be on Tuesday, October 8 at 5:30pm; and played the song “It Must be Halloween” by Trout Fishing in America to announce a Halloween Party/trick-or-treating at the Soulard Station on Thursday, October 31 from 5–8pm.

Treasurer’s Report

Neil Putz reported on financials:

Income: $175
Expenses: $3,979,88
Cash balance: $86,481.78

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson announced that a draft of the September 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. Walker Hamiltion moved to approve the minutes. Allyson Whipple seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alderperson Update

Cara Spencer, Ward 8 Alderperson, noted that she is pushing her bill which will come down on reckless driving and street takeovers; said the city reported having a $42 million budget surplus ($30 million of that is driven by personnel vacancies in city departments); added she is working on transparency in our jail system; and said she is working the community to create a path forward for a plan to reopen a shelter for the unhoused in manner that works with the neighborhood. When asked about highway entrance closures, Cara Spencer said she would work with MODOT to get answers as to why it’s been closed.

Crime Report

Officer Gregory McClendon was not present.

Soulard Neighborhood Organization Updates

Soulard Business Association (SBA)
Shawn Caruso, SBA Executive Director, announced that the board will vote on the official Mardi Gras 2025 poster/merchandise soon and announce the winner at Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 12, and invited everyone to Protagonist Cafe for the social after the meeting.
Soulard Special Business District (SSBD)
Terry Hoffman, SSBD Treasurer, invited folks to attend the Safety Meeting on Monday, November 18 at the South Broadway Athletic Club.

Community Improvement District (CID)
Terry Hoffman, CID Chair, said that about 75% of the 58 speed humps have been installed in the neighborhood; added that seasonal banners will be installed next week; and thanked people who signed the petitions for the CID expansion. A community member asked if there was a way the old speed humps could be repainted. Terry acknowledged that the first batch of the speed humps didn’t have the paint etched into the speed humps and will need to be repainted.
Krewe of Vices and Virtues: Levi Cullifer, Krewe Member, announced two upcoming events:

Trunk or Treat (including golf cart parade): October 20 Parade kicks off at 1, event starts at 1:30pm
Santa Comes to Soulard: December 15 at 12pm (take photos with Santa and Santa’s family) at the Soulard Station

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, the liaison between the community and city services, said they are refocusing on the backlog of service requests with the city, especially the Forestry Department requests, and invited folks to email him at simpsonj@stlouis-mo.gov to discuss neighborhood issues.