AUGUST 2023 SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

AUGUST 2023 SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING August 2, 2023 By Elizabeth Henry Abbey Bethel, President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

1. Opening Remarks Abbey introduced herself to General Membership as well as the Board members present.
2. Committee Reports A. Membership Julie Price, Membership Committee Chair, asked new members to introduce themselves. She mentioned the membership roster and the SRG magnets, which are nice to hand out to new neighbors. She encouraged members to recruit and announced special events are coming back post-COVID. B. Safety Andrea Maddox-Dallas, Safety Committee Chair, noted that four subcommittees are tackling dedicated issues identified back in March. The Social Issues subcommittee met with the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, who helps interface with homeless, youth, et cetera. The Infrastructures, Streets & Lighting Team is working to provide dusk-to-dawn lights to Soulard residents. The Education & Awareness Team is working with the Communications Committee and developing content to put on the new SRG website. National Night Out will be an opportunity to develop neighborhood watch text groups with an app called GroupMe. Andrea noted that committee has accomplished more in the past five months than it has in the past two years. C. Beautification Richard Eaton, Beautification Committee Chair, invited Margi Koors and Veronica Putz to share details about the upcoming Art & Floral Auction. They reminded everyone it will be at the Soulard Station on Saturday, August 5 th , 3-6 p.m. D. Historical Veronica Putz, Historical Committee Chair, invited members to please let them know if they would like home research done. In the fall, they will become busy researching for homes in the Parlour Tour. E. Community Involvement & Events Abbey Bethel thanked general membership for attending Bastille Day. F. Development Jim Dallas, Development Committee Chair, had two updates. 1) Merchandise program is moving along. 2) Oktoberfest is the 13 th and 14 th , and the beer booths are one of the SRG’s biggest fundraisers, so volunteers are needed. G. Parlour Tour Nancy Lambert presented for the Parlour Tour. She said it will likely take place the first Saturday of December. H. Mardis Gras While she had the floor, Nancy presented for Mardis Gras, Inc. as well. She noted we are halfway to 2024 Mardis Gras, which will take place February 10 th , and the theme will be BY THE NUMBERS. I. Plan Review Team Walker Hamilton, PRT Committee Chair, said he had no updates for this meeting. J. Soulard Station Bonita Leiber, Soulard Station Chair, mentioned the upcoming Beautification Committee fundraiser and noted that the Soulard Station loves to host events and be rented out. She requested help for any volunteers interested in joining the work.
3. Treasurer’s Report Debby Brown, Treasurer, noted that the SRG has $78,000 in cash presently and hasn’t seen a lot of activity so far this fiscal year.
4. Soulard Neighborhood Organizations A. Community Improvement District (CID) Terry Hoffman of the CID said requests for Phase 2 of the speed hump installation should be sent to info@soulardCID.org. The trash pick-up update is that a street clean-up crew is contracted to work 8 hours a day, 4 days per week to cover streets and alleyways. Bulk trash pick-up will supplement the city’s monthly pick-ups as well. Please notify cleanstreets@soulardCID.org regarding overflowing trashcans and other similar clean-up needs. The CID has planted 80 trees and pays to maintain them. 250-300 more trees are coming in the fall and spring, and stump removal will be part of that next phase. Historic lighting will be installed in Pontiac Park and Soulard Market park. The goal is to have them all installed by Thanksgiving. B. Soulard Special Business District (SSBD) Billy Tomber, Commissioner on the SSBD, noted that the SSBD purchased steering wheel clubs for the neighborhood and encouraged residents to pick up one for themselves from Julie Price’s office. C. Soulard Business Association (SBA) Abbey Bethel noted on the SBA’s behalf that they are running a school supply drive. D. Crime Report Officer Kevin Dilg of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Third District Police Liaison, reviewed his crime report. He noted that crime is up both year over year and month over month, largely related to vehicles. There were fourteen vehicle thefts, and 21 of the recorded 22 larcenies were from vehicles. He reminded general membership that visitors to this neighborhood need to stop bringing and leaving firearms in their cars. E. Alderwoman Update Cara Spencer noted that the Board is on legislative break. She hopes to have updates soon on firearms proposals and AirBNB regulations. She announced water rates will go up significantly in the near future to address infrastructure needs. She said she is meeting with the Soulard CID soon to collaborate with the City.
5. President Remarks Abbey Bethel noted that the approved annual SRG budget is now up on the website. She also had two bike related announcements: 1, the Naked Bike Ride is coming through Soulard August 5 th . And 2, the Midnight Ramble Bike Race is scheduled for August 26 th . Abbey also informed the general membership that the Metro Toxic Air Force is looking to speak to the them about their findings regarding fumes from the Illinois side of the river. Abbey requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Julie Price made the motion. Margi Koors seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm.