SRG Board Meeting Minutes March 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7PM
Soulard Station | 1911 South 12th Street
Minutes prepared by Abby Goodson, Secretary
Present
Officers: Abbey Bethel, Past President (virtual); Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Abby Goodson, Secretary
Directors: Beth Bennett, Joy Christensen, Paula Dostal (virtual), Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich, Alan Ziegler
Regrets
Officer: Adriano Martinez, President
Agenda
Call to Order/Opening Remarks
Amanda Ramcharan called the meeting to order at 7:02pm and welcomed two visitors to present on their new business concept.
Aubrey Cocktail Lounge at 1300 Sidney
Marcus Johnson and Spencer Strode presented their new business concept, Aubrey Cocktail Lounge, to be located at 1300 Sidney. They outlined plans for an upscale cocktail lounge with a full kitchen, noting a 45-person occupancy. The owners shared interior renderings and architectural drawings of the layout and mentioned that patrons would utilize both the Sidney Street bridge and street parking.
Wade Weistrich inquired about the dumpster location, emphasizing that alley space is limited. The owners acknowledged that they had not yet determined a location but were actively working to secure one as part of their permitting process. Wade reiterated that the dumpster could not be placed on the public sidewalk along 13th Street.
After the owners left, the Board continued discussing the proposal. Aaron Terry made a motion for the Board to write a letter of support for Aubrey Cocktail Lounge, contingent upon securing a dumpster location on private property that does not obstruct the public way. Abby Goodson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Secretary’s Report
Abby Goodson reported that a draft of the February board meeting minutes was circulated with the board for review via email and asked for a motion to approve. Neil Putz motioned to approve. Aaron Terry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Neil Putz shared our current financial status:
Carrollton Bank Checking: $59,209.98
Carrollton Bank Savings: $1,000.00
Business Premium Money Market (Molly’s Donation): $12,028.79
Business Premium Money Market (SRG Growth Acct): $44,186.77
Total: $116,425.54
Neil Putz reported an upcoming $1,800 expense for accounting services provided by Bethsaida Consulting Group in Indianapolis, Indiana, for tax preparation. Abbey Bethel noted that the organization's insurance payment is due in May.
Committee Roundtable
● Beautification: Wade Weistreich shared that the committee held its first meeting of the season at Jeff Weitzel and Susan Wiegand’s house on March 13 and completed a cleanup at Pontiac Square Park on March 14. Plans are underway to relocate street pots for better use, organize patio crawls in June and the fall, modify the art auction to better support artists, and host a Molly’s Oktoberfest fundraiser. Additionally, a subcommittee is being formed to select a sculpture for Luke Reynolds/Molly’s donation at the park’s northeast corner.
● Community Involvement & Events (CI&E): Aaron Terry provided updates on upcoming events:
● Soulard Rummage Sale – May 17; 9 AM–2 PM (6 registrations so far).
● Health & Wellness Day – June 21; seeking business participants.
● Bags Tournament – July (date TBD).
● Bastille Day – July 12. For Bastille Day Royalty nominations, all names from the online submission form were placed on paper and selected at random. Three couples were chosen to ensure backups (1) Megan and Jeremy Mehrle; (2) Ryan Wilkey and Becca Gilberg; and (3) Abby and Dillon Goodson. Aaron Terry will inform Brad Pitlyk, who will contact Megan and Jeremy Mehrle.
● Movie Nights – September/October (dates TBD, possibly pairing October’s event with the KVV Trunk or Treat).
● December Events – Holiday house decorating contest and tree lighting
ceremony at Soulard Station.
● Communications (ComCom): Abby Goodson shared that Veronica Putz is writing a historical overview of the SRG for the website, which will be released by the May membership party; noted that John Cline’s historical archival process is still in progress; and announced that the committee is pausing their focus on 1222 Allen (the church at Gravois) for now, and plans to redirect their attention to their next “Proportunity” — 917 Russell. Abby Goodson noted that the property owner is Russell Soulard Properties LLC, who owns three neglected properties in the neighborhood; shared a list of documented property violations; informed the board of the committee’s intent to move forward with their first point of outreach (a letter to the owner, Roger Bernhardt, outlining our concerns and asking to meet); and asked the board for input/questions. The Board agreed to move forward, and asked for a draft letter to be written and reviewed.
● Development: Alan Ziegler shared Summer Concert Series dates:
○ July 12
○ August 9
○ September 13
● Historical: Neil Putz shared that the committee toured two homes: 2322 South 12th Street and 2316 South 12th Street at their last meeting; noted that progress is being made with the fall ghost tour and time capsule projects; added they are working on an architectural brochure/walking guide of the neighborhood; announced they are working with ComCom on updating the SRG history page for the website; and said their committee has a table at the Landmarks Association Trivia Night.
● Membership: Christina Del Azodi, Membership Chair, emailed the Board on March 13 requesting a budget increase for the 50th Anniversary Membership Party in May. Paula Dostal reviewed the budget line items during the meeting, and Aaron Terry moved to increase the event’s total budget from $9,500 to $15,000. Wade Weistreich seconded. During discussion, Abbey Bethel proposed amending the motion to allocate part of the increase toward new member recruitment, such as flyers and social media ads. Beth Bennett expressed concern about overspending but emphasized that the anniversary is a worthwhile investment. Wade Weistreich recommended creating a separate, one-time budget line for the anniversary to prevent it from becoming a recurring expense. Neil Putz suggested a $5,500 one-time supplement. Wade Weistreich seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
● Parlour Tour: Joy Christensen did not have an update.
● Planning Review Team (PRT): Amanda Ramcharan said she met with Peter Hoffman of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri about their Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative for the Soulard property at 1222 Allen. They agreed to provide us with a template letter to start the legal process of applying pressure to the property owner. Amanda Ramcharan said she would send a draft of the letter with the Board.
● Properties/Station: Abbey Bethel shared that a spring clean-up is scheduled at the Station on Saturday, March 22 from 9am–noon.
● Safety: Wade Weistrich did not have an update.
Old Business
● None.
New Business
● Board Elections
Amanda Ramcharan presented this slate of Board candidates and said she’ll have the bios to Abby Goodson by Monday, March 24 to post on the website and to send to the membership: April Flores, President-Elect; Andrew Paniello, Secretary; John Cline, Director; Bob Printz, Director; and Wade Weistreich, Director.
● MGI Board Positions
Amanda Ramcharan and Adriano Martinez will each need to appoint an MGI director position. Wade Weistreich and Abbey Bethel both expressed interest.
● Soulard Pride Sponsorship Request
Abby Goodson said the email with sponsorship request came in on March 10 and noted the sponsorship deadline is April 25. The Board decided to resume the discussion at the April meeting.
● STL Marathon Cheer Station
The Board decided to resume the discussion at the April meeting.
Adjourn
● Neil Putz motioned to adjourn at 8:35pm. Aaron Terry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
● Amanda Ramcharan will write a letter of support for Aubrey Cocktail Lounge at 1300 Sidney.
● Aaron Terry will inform Brad Pitlyk about the Bastille Day Royalty selection, who will contact Megan and Jeremy Mehrle.
● Abby Goodson will let the Communications Committee know that the Board is in support of applying pressure to the property owner of 917 Russell, and will ask the committee to draft a letter.
● Paula Dostal will update Christina Del Azodi of the $5,500 one-time line time for the 50th anniversary and share that the Board expects a portion of the money to be used on new member recruitment.
● Amanda Ramcharan will share the letter from Peter Hoffman to send to the property owner of 1222 Allen.
● Amanda Ramcharan will gather Board candidate bios and send them to Abby Goodson by March 24.
● Abby Goodson will add the Board candidate bios to the website and include them in the April Blaster.
Next Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7pm
