JULY 2023 SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

JULY 2023 SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING July 12, 2023 By Elizabeth Henry Abbey Bethel, President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Opening Remarks Abbey introduced herself along with the other present SRG Board Members: President-Elect Adriano Martinez, Secretary Liz Henry, and directors Aaron Terry, Craig Markham, Margi Koors, Stephen Shuman, and Abby Goodson. 2. Committee Reports A. Membership Julie Price, Membership Committee Chair, asked new members to come forward and introduce themselves. Julie remarked that they have over 300 registered members currently and encouraged membership to participate in the SBA’s Soulard Business passport. B. Safety Aaron Terry, Board member and liaison to the Safety Committee, presented for the Safety Committee. He shared information for participating in the Committee’s security camera program. He also reminded general membership about National Night Out on October 3 rd . C. Beautification Richard Eaton, Beautification Committee Chair, announced the Art and Floral Auction fundraiser on Saturday, August 5t, 3-6 p.m. at the Soulard Station. D. Communication Brenton Henry, CommComm Chair, noted that mock-ups are ready for the new website. He will be reaching out to other committee chairs to review content in the coming weeks. E. Community Involvement & Events Stephen Shuman, Board Member and Liaison to the CI&E Committee, noted that they are looking at some recruits to lead the committee. He updated membership on Bastille Day festivities, which would be held on July 15 th and requested volunteers. He also echoed encouragement to purchase SBA Soulard Business Passports. F. Development Margi Koors, Board member and Liaison to the Development Committee, noted that they are developming a merchandise program. Also, the Oktoberfest Beer Booth will need volunteers on October 13 th and October 14 th . G. Historical Craig Markham, Board member and Liaison to the Historical Committee, presented. He said in the Committee’s June meeting, Joy Christenson shared updates on their restoration project. He also provided updates on their interview series and home research books. H. Soulard Station Abbey Bethel, Liaison for the Committee, noted some projects and maintenance line items in the proposed budget. 3. Annual Budget Abbey provided some high level remarks on the proposed budget for FY24. Multiple members made the motion to approve the budget, and then multiple members seconded. One member voted to oppose approval. Three members abstained. The rest of the membership voted to approve the budget. The motion passed. 4. Soulard Neighborhood Organizations A. Community Improvement District (CID) John Durnell of the CID announced that Phase 1 of the speed hump installation was complete. Phase 2 would be a nine-month process, so members are encouraged to reach out to get a hump. The CID is also replacing sixteen lights at Pontiac Park to the tune of $2,000 each. Luke Reynolds will paint existing fixtures so that everything matches. They are also getting prices for street signs and plaques. B. Crime Report Officer Kevin Dilg of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Third District Police Liaison, reviewed his crime report. He said his Captain asked him to stress what they know about firearms: that criminals are getting their firearms exclusively from breaking into cars. Please tell visitors to the neighborhood to not bring / leave firearms in their vehicles. General membership had concerns about unauthorized fireworks going off in the neighborhood around July 4 th . Officer Dilg noted that regulating that is simply a manpower issue and considered Code 4 (lowest priority). The number to call for low level crime with no suspect information is 314-231-1212, prompt 1. Officer Dilg also provided an update that the homeless who usually slept at St. Vincents have been spreading out around the neighborhood after experiencing crime there. Being homeless is not a crime, so the best they can do is offer resources to the homeless. C. Alderwoman Update Cara Spencer noted there is a special session coming up. She plans to advocate for AirBNB regulations. She agrees with the sentiment that the pathway to securing liquor licenses could be smoother but with the caveat that it also needs to be easier to revoke those licenses. She agrees with remarks that fumes coming from Illinois are a big problem. A small working group is coming together around the fume issue and engaging Cori Bush. D. Neighborhood Improvement Specialist Qiana Baxton introduced herself to SRG members who may not know her and made the general membership aware of the services her group provides. Abbey requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Brenton Henry made the motion. Craig Markham seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.