Meeting Minutes
Benton Park Neighborhood General Assembly Meeting
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM.
Committees in Attendance: President, Vice President, Membership, Dog Park, Safety/Secretary, Treasurer, Building Review
Welcome and New Members: New members introduced:
Crystal Koffman (Berkshire Hathaway)
James Harris 3rd
Noah P.
Kristen (3100 Block of Lemp), a resident for 55 years
Approval of Previous Meetings: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without amendments.
Old Business:
Police Report: Officer Rojas provided an update:
5 incidents reported in the last 28 days, marking a 44% decrease from last year
142 calls received; detailed information available on the website
Answered questions regarding a recent BB gun incident; investigating possible connections to other incidents in Benton Park
Alderman’s Report: Key points from the Alderman’s report:
Completion of the budget cycle with recommendations for departmental funding
Focus on staffing shortages and public safety initiatives
Updates on downtown developments, including new businesses and events
Appointment of Benton Park resident Derrick Kilgore to the Civilian Oversight Board
Discussion on recent building fire on Jefferson and ensuing actions
New Business:
Creation of Tangible Change Committee: Introduction of a new committee focusing on civic engagement, fiscal responsibility, and membership growth.
Budget Report: Overview of financial status:
Donations, merchandise sales, and sponsorships discussed
Positive projections for the current fiscal year
Survey Report: Summary of community survey results:
Identified areas for improvement including community engagement and communication
Self-assessment on responsiveness scored 70%
Committee Reports:
Events (Brittany Nelson):
Recap of recent and upcoming events including concerts, Tunes on Tap, and holiday celebrations
Building Review (Tim Mulligan):
Updates on zoning issues and development projects in Benton Park
Discussion on historic preservation efforts and current projects
Guest Speakers:
New Earth Composting (Melody Newton): Information on composting services and drop-off locations.
Metrolink Greenline (Laura Godwin and Jessica Gershman): Details on the Metrolink Greenline project, community impact, and ongoing developments
https://compoststl.com/
Questions and Answers: Community questions addressed on various topics including transportation and local developments
Upcoming Events and Reminders: Announcement of a social event and reminder to register for the upcoming local election.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:22pm.
Next Meeting: August 6th, UCC Epiphany Church, 7pm,
Respectfully submitted by: Derrick Kilgore, safety@bentonpark.org
Action Items: Follow up on specific inquiries and community feedback.