- Introductions of Board officers, new and returning: Jen Gianino as President, Liz Pulliam as Vice-President, Teresa Mayhew Hess as Secretary, Leslie Agusti as Treasurer. Introducing Vince LoRusso, newly elected Board Director.
Guests:
- Nick Kimble for State Rep. Donna Baringer, who is in session in Jefferson City and unable to attend. Legislative business stopped because a minority of Senators are holding up action due to their agenda(s). Very frustrating.
- Alderman Joe Vollmer. Recent events of bricks thrown through the doors at Missouri Baking, Pint Size Bakery and Crazy Bowls and Wraps are related and suspect has been arrested. Ace Hardware Store moving into space formerly occupied by Sav-A-Lot. Ace owner owns several other successful stores. No opening date as renovation work needed. It is expected that the lease for Family Dollar will not be renewed. Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate is expanding, acquiring Food Steel Tools building. Will be adding a cafe, more event space, and tours. The former Wheeler School property has been purchased by McBride and Sons, no plans yet and EPA work needed. They will be building homes, likely with no basements. Columbia/Southwest Bridge work to begin late spring/early summer, will take about 18 months to complete. There will be no entry to The Hill via Marconi during construction.
- Sam Kippen, new Neighborhood Improvement Specialist NIS) from the Neighborhood Stabilization Division. Gave this contact info: 314-657-1377; kippens@stlouis-mo.gov. He can be helpful with non-criminal concerns in the neighborhood; abandoned properties, overgrown weeds, lack of trash pickup, etc. They can help get information or access to resources. They work with other agencies to help build safe neighborhoods.
- Lt Joe Lankford, SLPD of South Patrol, introduced 3 officers from South Patrol, Beat 127 “The Hill”. A good crew in South Patrol. Lt. Lankford was a member of St. Ambrose and his 5 children attended St. A school. Reported that there is a downward trend in crime, on The Hill and throughout the City. Good news but crime can be cyclical. Relations with the new Circuit Attorney 150% better than the former, though still a tremendous backlog of cases to work through. He recommends getting to know and work with Sam, the new NIS, a good resource for the neighborhood. There is still a need for neighbors to be vigilant, report suspicious activity. Still a need to recruit more officers; South Patrol can only assign 5 vehicles out at any one time, generally with 1 officer per vehicle. SLPD once among the best in the nation, first to use mounted police, have a canine unit, and use motorcycles.
Board/committee reports
- By President Gianino: the Park at LaCollina is coming to fruition, closing to be scheduled soon, hope to have plans/drawings available for the March general meeting.
- Vince LoRusso taking over the beautification committee, including neighborhood clean up day April 20
- By VP Pulliam: a review of upcoming events; in addition to those on the agenda the Easter Egg Hunt will be March 31. We will sell beverages as we did last year for those who want to come early and maybe stay a little while.
- By Treasurer Agusti: have some reports if you would like to see. Working on a budget, which should be finalized by the March meeting.
- By LynnMarie Alexander: the neighborhood center always welcomes new photos, etc, but please make a note of anyone you know in the photos. There is a binder of photos without identification; come by the Center to see if you can help identify anyone. For the House Tour June 23 we need houses and volunteers. Let her know if you’d open your house. We need about 40 volunteers; volunteers work 2 hours and are given a free ticket for the tour. She has been taking over some of Joe Degregorios tours since he’s been ill. He is doing better than anticipated but still not well enough to do tours.
- By Brandon Holloway, now the chair of Safety and Security. A shout out to Matt Devoti, who was the former chair and did great things and has been a big help to Brandon. Introducing Boyd Carey, who has agreed to be the lead Block Captain. Working on adding information to the website, identifying the gaps/blocks without a captain. Looking for more, website has information on the duties. The Block Captains meet 4 times a year at 7pm, dates on the agenda.
- Adjourn at 7:46pm.
