Benton Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) General Assembly Meeting Minutes

Benton Park Neighborhood Association
General Assembly Meeting Minutes
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2025
Time: 7:07 PM – 8:04 PM
Location: [Insert location if applicable]
Attendance: 39 residents

1. Welcome & New Member Recognition

New members and long-time residents were welcomed and acknowledged:

• Alia, Miguel – Pestalozzi & Missouri (1 year)

• William and Dana Lockett (3 years)

• Liz Harrison – Withnell (4 years)

• Alecia Hoyt (15 years)

• Jami (running for alderman)

• Lauren and Matt – Salena (residents since August)

2. Police Report

• Reporting Period: April 7 – May 4, 2025

• Total Incidents: 6 (down from 11 last year — a 45% decrease)

• Visit SLMPD.org for full crime stats.

• Upcoming Events:

  • Summer Kickoff at Central Patrol: May 27, 1–4 PM — includes youth sports equipment giveaway.

  • Police/Cardinals Game Night: Tickets are $25, proceeds benefit the Police Business Association.

Q&A:

• How do you like the state control?

  • Officer response: "I love it — we have more resources."

Flyers will be added to the website and shared on social media.

3. New Business

• 8th Ward Alderman Special Election: Scheduled for July 1st.

  • Candidate filing deadline: May 30th

  • Candidates will be invited to speak at the June GA meeting.

4. Committee Updates

Friends of Benton Park

• Park clean-up held over the weekend with 20 attendees.

• Storm debris and litter removed; pond cleared of overgrowth and trash (5–6 bags).

• Next Volunteer Day: Thursday at 2 PM at Jefferson & Arsenal garden.

Safety / CID

• CID info available on flyers, website, and greeting table.

• 2100 Block of Wyoming squatter house shut down through coordinated neighbor and city action.

• Celebration Event: "The Block is Back Bash", Friday, May 23, 6–9 PM (between Missouri & Illinois).

• Thirsty Thursday park hangouts continue to build community.

• Flyers available for GroupMe sign-up and camera registration.

Neighborhood Stabilization Officer – Ketosha Harris

• A cease and desist has been issued for the problem property.

• Owner to coordinate with city counselor and Harris.

• Squatters should be reported via 911.

• Provenchere Update: Abandoned vehicles mostly cleared.

• Green space resources shared via Benton Park email.

• Plans to survey alley and street lighting.

• Contact: 314-922-0946

Garden / Cave Committee

• Incident at Provenchere involved a vehicle with shredded tires; related to a possible problem property.

• Gardeners met (15 in attendance) to plan beautification efforts.

• WashU is assisting in developing a robot to map the cave.

• International visitor interested in future cave art exhibit.

• Potential collaboration with another North St. Louis cave site.

Building Review Committee

• Cherokee problem property: All code violations cleared. Awaiting court date for full title transfer to developer.

• Other neighborhoods are now inquiring about this Missouri law.

• Working with Soulard on 12th & Allen church issues.

• Fielding miscellaneous requests.

Events Committee

• Mighty Pines Concert: May 18

• June 7 (Saturday):

  • Cherokee Market (2–5 PM)

  • Movie Night: Everything Everywhere All At Once

• June 8 (Sunday):

  • Family Fun Day: 3 PM, includes Celia Sing-A-Long and Firedog

• Volunteers needed for all events!

Lori White

• Event calendar available on the website.

• BPNA social at Station No. 3: Tomorrow, 5:30–7 PM

• Benton Park Pilsner: In collaboration with Bluewood Brewing

  • Created in response to AB pulling Pride funding

  • 10% of proceeds benefit BPNA

  • Expected launch: Mid-June, hopefully by Father’s Day

  • Newsletter sign-up link available via Instagram bio

Cat

• Venue building is being sold.

• Final concert: Friday, May 9 @ 7:30 PM (Home Remedy, acoustic set)

• Sing-along event: Saturday at 1 PM

• Details: epiphanyucc.org/newsandevents

Mark

• Benton Park Plaques:

  • $259 each (aluminum)

  • 20% markup supports the neighborhood

  • Pre-orders close tonight; orders take 6–8 weeks

• Upcoming Events:

  • 1980s 5K: March 21, 2026

  • 80s Movie Night: September 13, 2025

  • 80s Trivia Night: October 27, 2025 @ Pieces in Soulard

    • Registration opens mid-November

  • Seeking family-friendly 80s movie suggestions

5. Treasurer’s Report / Savings Investment

• Discussion about reinvesting long-standing savings for higher returns.

• Proposal:

  • Place a portion into a money market account

  • Place remaining funds in a more aggressive interest-bearing account

Motion to Approve: Passed (20 Yes / 0 No)

6. Aldermanic Update – Dan Guenther

• No major updates at this time.

• Mayor Spencer expresses appreciation for community support.

• Four viable candidates are expected for the special election.

• Contact Dan with 8th Ward concerns: guentherd@stlouis-mo.gov

Meeting Adjourned: 8:04 PM