Zoom General Meeting Agenda Minutes
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
7:00 PM – Log In & Call to order: Start Recording Meeting for website
Welcome from the Board
Approval of last meeting’s minutes
Police Report: Officer Jazmon Garrett.
Crime Stats for the past 30 days:
Crime is up 14.3% from this time last year with 16 crimes VS. 14 crimes last year in July.
Year-To-Date crime is up 14.9% from this time last year with a total of 108 crimes VS. 94 crimes last year up to July.
Past 30 days consisted of 16 Crimes in Benton Park Neighborhood.
(9) Larceny including thefts from motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts.
(5) Vehicle Thefts
(1) Burglary (Residential)
(1) Aggravated Assault with a firearm. (SUSPECT ARRESTED)
The incident that occurred in the 1900 block of Senate appears to be an on-going feud between neighbors. The suspect did fire multiple shots in the direction of the neighbor. The neighbor returned fire in self-defense. No injuries. Officers arrested the suspect the night of the incident.
Treasurer’s Report: Liz Gerard
Covid19 relief program: Liz Gerard
Alderman’s Report: Dan Guenther, 9th Ward
They’ve stopped compensating NSO’s for evening meetings so if you need to contact Barb Potts use her number
Catalytic converters and vehicle thefts are the main issues, there are clubs available through the NSO and places like the 5 star senior center for $15 LOCK YOUR CARS
Violent crime has been going down in the city, city wide violent crime has been going up
COVID – please wear a mask, the city has gone back to mask requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated
Social distance, do the basics, wash your hands, wear a mask
CITY HALL
$160m ready to go out to the city for various programs, unhoused, police, utilities, and other things
As of today, board of E&A does not like the writing of the bill, but we are getting out money for mobile vaccination and some other things, then will come back with an amendment for the $33m that are meant for North City Corridors to make sure that money fits the federal guidelines for the money held in SLDC
3 days ago they were worried about 3000 people being evicted, Cori Bush did a sit-in to fight the end of the moratorium
Committee Reports:
Building Review Committee - Tim Mulligan (Chair)
Working with new businesses –
Arizolas – mexican restaurant going into the old Ernestos
They can use the same zoning, so going ahead well
Request for a letter of support for CUP – conditional use permit
New bookstore – Mark presenting his business
Indie bookstore and café
Will have a liquor license
Author signings, lectures, open mic, etc.
Café will have outdoor seating, with big patio and comfortable seating
Small plate food menu – probably a phase 2 plan, when they open up they will likely have pastries
If a tenant moves out then they will be able to expand the kitchen and menu
Hours 8-3 and in the evenings until 1am or until empty
Hoping to be open for business in September
Motion to have the BRC to work with Mark to come up with a letter of support
Building review committee meets each month and are currently working with a developer on some townhomes just west of Venice Café
Will also be revisiting the historical standards to update them with the cultural resources office
Events Committee – Brittany Nelson (Chair)
3 concerts so far, all really big hits
Next concert 8/22, 9/19, 10/24
Still planning on Tunes on Tap, bands in the backyards because of COVID
Looking for hosts, can reach out to eventscommitteechair@bentonpark.org
Big sponsorship from Anheuser for the coming up concerts
Gateway Cup 9/6 their leg is in Benton Park
Keep an eye out for the no-parking signs so your car doesn’t get closed
Safety Committee - Barbara Vindiola (Chair)
Some other neighborhoods have been walking throuhg
Marketing/Web/Social Media - Ben Murphy-Smith
Parks Committee – Dan Guenther (Chair)
Pickleball courts – are done!!!
Meeting with the St. Louis Chess club to put boards in the park and provide free lessons
SLU Med School came out and did some cleanup throughout the neighborhood to clean up trash, also always working with Brightside St. Louis
Send Dan an email if you are interested
Garden/Cave Committee - Bill Kranz (Chair)
Looking to get second bid on tree trimming companies for garden
Might need to get a vote for the costs
English Cave – September/October timeline – might get another hole drilled to look into the cave
Dog Park Committee - Nicole Poston (Chair)
Turned over all memberships annually, if you need to renew then send updated vaccine information to the Dog Park email
Turning over the leadership among the current board
Monthly happy hours in the dog park – still trying to plan
New Business –
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENT DATES
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN ANY OF THE COMMITTEES PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD
Need Treasurer, Social Media/Marketing, and Dog Park
NEXT MEETING September 7, 2021