Five principal issues received the attention of the SDCC at its November 9th meeting: the search for a new executive director, a proposal for possible redistribution of Council delegates, the Pantheon/SDCC Neighborhood Assistance Proposal aftermath, new procedures for meetings, and the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) revocation/reassignment of a property option on Nina Place.
The Search Committee has set a salary of $15,000 for the next SDCC Executive Director. Over 25 applications were received by the November 13 deadline. The Committee developed a list of 19 factors it views as affecting the goals and positions of the Council, and it defined characteristics for each factor. The factors ranked highest in importance were grant writing, political skills, knowledge of housing issues, awareness of public agencies and services, catalytic abilities, objective judgement, and fund raising. Expressing concern over the low salary, several council members pointed out the need to obtain more funds for the Council. One suggestion was that the Council try to obtain a loan executive to raise enough funds to carry the council for several years.
Steve Brammeier presented Rosedale Neighbors' Executive Committee's request for formation of a by-laws committee to review distribution of representation on the council. He backed his motion with 1980 census figures indicating population changes within the neighborhood. According to Steve's figures, in 1970 Washington Heights had approximately 5127 residents and Rosedale had 2626. 1980 figures indicate 2557 for Washington Heights and 2523 for Rosedale. He suggested a possible allocation of one delegate per 500 people. The council voted to form a committee to study the matter and develop a proposal.
Council members Jones, Lloyd, and Burke met with John Roach and Leon Strauss of Pantheon following SDCC's recision of support for Pantheon's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) application. Pantheon refused to set aside its own money for low-interest loans to nearby residents. Instead, it offered to exert its influence in helping SDCC lobby CDA to obtain loans through the Homeowners Assistance Program. Hoping to bring loan funds as well as to improve the relationship between the Council and Pantheon, the Council voted to pursue this effort with Pantheon.
Ed Walsh and Skip Coburn presented suggestions for changes in procedures at monthly meetings, such as limitations on open debate. They pointed out that "monthly meetings are not public hearings." The intent, said Ed Walsh, is "for more orderly meetings."
Josephine Lockhart, area resident, asked the Council to reconfirm the support it gave her when she originally applied for the option on property in Nina Place which LRA recently revoked and gave to BMB Investments. The Council approved Jim McLeod's motion for SDCC to write a letter reiterating its previous support. Council members expressed interest about Mr. Michael Beardon's (BMB Investments) recent purchases in the area and agreed to invite him to meet with the Council.
Outgoing director, Skip Coburn, presented his report summarizing business and issues still facing the board. These issues include Nina Place redevelopment. Representatives of two groups proposing plans recently met with CDA. Doc Netterville said, "It is clear that another meeting is in order," and suggested that one be arranged between the groups to work out administrative details for a joint effort.
The Neighborhood Poster, funded by First National Bank, has gone to press and plans are being made for a fundraiser to sell "special issues" of the poster to raise money for SDCC.
Skip urged continuation of his efforts to obtain City assistance for commercial development in the Delmar/Skinker area. Efforts are being made to find ways and means to continue the previously successful low-cost weatherization program.
Board members present at the meeting: Prewitt, Jones, Lloyd, Breun, Dorris, Brammeier, Cohen, Walsh, Polk, Niewoehner, McLeod, Keslar, and Burke.
Board members absent from the meeting: Shakoor, Williams, Truex, Bell, McKissack, Webb, Simpson, Haynes, and Dobbs.
Original newspaper source
Originally published in The Paper, December 1981.
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