SRG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES MARCH 2025

Apr 3

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7PM

Minutes prepared by Abby Goodson, Secretary

PRESENT
Officers: Adriano Martinez, President; Amanda Ramcharan, President-Elect; Abbey Bethel, Past President; Neil Putz, FY25 Treasurer; Abby Goodson, Secretary
Directors: Joy Christensen, Alan Ziegler

REGRETS
Directors: Beth Bennett, Paula Dostal, Aaron Terry, Wade Weistreich

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

Call to Order/Opening Remarks

President Adriano Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.

Round Table — Committee Updates

Membership
Christina Del Azodi, Membership Committee Chair, announced that the Board approved the committee’s request to increase the stipend supplied to members who host a social at their home or business to a $200 check + a $50 Vincent’s gift card to help cover the cost of food/drink and encourage more members to host in the future; shared that the committee is looking for a member to host the April social; noted they are in the process of planning the May membership party and encouraged people to renew their membership online in advance of the party; invited everyone to the social after the meeting at Gran Cru Cigars located at 1013 Ann Avenue; and presented SRG business cards and posters available to take to help promote the organization.
Safety
Andrea Dallas, Safety Chair, did not have an update.
Beautification
Jeff Weitzel announced that Julie Price won the $100 prize for the Winter Pot Contest after receiving 75% of the votes; added that the first Beautification meeting of the season will be held at 718 Lami Street on March 13 at 6pm; and welcomed new members to join the committee by emailing beautification@soulard.org.
Communications Committee (ComCom)
Brenton Henry, ComCom Chair, said they made one change to the Blaster header which helped improve open rates and spam reporting, and he shared they are continuing to work on problem properties in the neighborhood, with the burned church at Gravois and Allen being the priority.
Community Involvement & Events (CI&E)
Brad Pitlylk, CI&E Chair, had three event updates:

Soulard Rummage Sale: May 17 — Accepting registrations through April 18 at soulard.org/sale.
Bastille Day: July 12 — Accepting royalty nominations through March 18 on the soulard.org website.
Health & Wellness Event in June: Reach out to community@soulard.org if you have a business that would like to participate.

Development
Jim Dallas, Development Chair, did not have an update.
Historical
Neil Putz, Historical Chair Secretary, shared that the committee is in the process of putting together a fall ghost tour and is asking for members with ghost stories/strange phenomenon to share their stories at history@soulard.org.
Parlour Tour
Jeanne Kirby, Parlour Tour Chair, did not have an update.
Code & Zoning and Plan Review Team (PRT)
Walker Hamilton, PRT Chair, reported that the City Board of Adjustment has approved the 8-townhome (16-unit) development at Barton and 18th Street. This approval came after three letters of Opposition towards the current design to city agencies by SRG. Billy Tomber asked to make a comment and requested that the record reflect — consistent with the October 2024 minutes — that 100% of the neighboring residents oppose the development. Additionally, he noted that the developer Joseph Adewunmi accused — without evidence — the SRG of acting with dishonesty. Billy Tomber flatly rejected the comments that developers made about SRG.
Properties (Station)
Bonita Leiber, Properties Chair, played California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & the Papas before inviting volunteers to assist with an outdoor cleanup at the Station on Saturday, March 22, at 9 AM (weather permitting).
She provided the following updates:

The deposit for the roof repair has been paid, and work will begin soon.
She is seeking construction recommendations for repairing the garage doors.
Volunteers will paint the fence this spring.

Bonita also shared that the monthly Ladies of the SRG group has been a success. Additionally, she plans to launch a new monthly group, The Good Ol’ Days, for residents who have lived in the neighborhood for 30+ years, where they can share and document stories and photos.

Treasurer’s Report

Neil Putz reported on financials:

Checking: $59,219.16
Savings: $1,000.00
Money Market #1 (Molly’s Donation): $12,028.79
Money Market #2 (SRG Growth Account): $44,186.77

Total assets: $116,434.72

Neil Putz shared that we moved $44,000 from our savings to a second money market account that earns 3.01% interest.

Secretary’s Report

Abby Goodson announced that a draft of the February 5, 2025 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. Allyson Whipple moved to approve the minutes. Brad Pitlyk seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Crime Report

Officer Gregory McClendon reported a 44% decrease in crime over the past 28 days. He shared that multiple sky cops were vandalized during Mardi Gras, but the perpetrators were caught. Concerns were raised about drag racing in Kosciusko every Sunday from 9pm to midnight, and Officer McClendon said he will relay this to his department. Concerns were raised about ATVs and motorcycles performing wheelies on Russell in front of the sky cop. Officer McClendon said the SLMPD is currently under orders not to pursue these acts.

Alderperson Update

No update.

Soulard Neighborhood Organization Updates

Soulard Business Association (SBA)
Laura Leister, SBA Director, announced their Easter Bunny in Soulard event with Krewe of Vices and Virtues (KVV) on Saturday, April 12 from 12–2pm in Pontiac Square Park where families can enjoy an Easter egg hunt, face painting, and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Soulard Special Business District (SSBD)
Shawn Caruso, SSBD Board Member, said there is a meeting at Molly’s on Monday, March 10 at 6:30pm (following the CID meeting).

Community Improvement District (CID)
John Durnell, CID Board Member, announced that Mayor Jones signed Board Bill 152 last week, officially completing the CID expansion. As a result, the expanded district will now include additional services such as trash cans, dog waste stations, bulk trash pickup, and banner installations. He thanked everyone who supported the expansion. Additionally, he noted that the CID salted the roads during the last two snowstorms.
Mardi Gras Inc. (MGI)
The Post-Mardi Gras neighborhood forum is Thursday, April 3 at the MGI office from 6–7pm and all are invited to share feedback and collaborate on ways to improve it in the future.
St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)
Lisa Otke, Neighborhood Manager for SLDC, did not have an update.
Krewe of Vices and Virtues (KVV)
Levi Cullifer, KVV Liaison, did not have an update.

South Broadway Athletic Club (SBAC)
No updates.

Neighborhood Stabilization Update

James Simpson, Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, provided the following updates:

A stop sign was replaced at 3rd & Lynch.
A pothole on Arsenal has been filled.
A tree at 2211 South 11th has been removed.
March is Criminal Justice Month, and local nonprofits will host an expungement clinic on March 20.

Community concerns included addressing the trash at Tucker & 12th, near the interstate on MoDOT property, and replacing the stop sign at 10th & Geyer.

Guest Abraham Mohler

Abraham Mohler, a sculptor working at the Lucas School House, shared his history with the property and his vision for the future of the Lucas School House and burned church property at 1222 Allen. He took questions from the community and provided his contact information.

President’s Report

Adriano Martinez announced an 8th Ward Candidate Forum for Mayoral and Comptroller candidates on Friday, March 21, from 6–7:30 PM at SBAC. He also shared that SRG Board elections will take place at the April 2 meeting and noted that five individuals have expressed interest in running: April Flores, Andrew Paniello, Bob Printz, and Wade Weistreich. He encouraged anyone interested in running to email him at president@soulard.org by March 14.