The problems are well defined and your solutions are imo correct, the proposals voting system is another thing that could be adapted because I have the sensation that is something not very well structured. Of course we need development and infraestructure, but the managing of those funds should be imo revised more carefully.
The SMTs has been a tool waited for a long time but I feel that there are other priorities now, which is sad because would be nice to finally implement them.
Hive is as green as grass right now, the first thing to do is make it sustainable and with so many initiatives seems like we're losing the perspective in a frenzy of implement whatever is proposed. I understand that there is a new enthusiasm for our blockchain though, which is good.
Will be interesting to see other opinions as well so your post is very convenient.
The frenzy you're seeing is probably because there are more stepping up and contributing than I've seen before. On the prequel-chain there were a lot of very worthy, but piecemeal efforts. Here I'm seeing a lot more organised effort around core things. I expect a few more proposals for non-dev work to come out too.
SMTs won't be out on the upcoming fork (HF24), but I suspect they'll be on HF25 or HF26.