Historical December 1987 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Minutes of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council Meeting November 2, 1987
Present: Jim McLeod, Karleen Hoerr, Paul Kurtz, Neville Vatcha, Jim O’Neal, Jack Wright, Eddie Sanders, Bob Dowgwillo, K. Wobus, Nancy Farmer.
Guests: Jane Rund, Ginny Klevorn. McLeod introduced Jane Rund, the Neighborhood Liaison Officer assigned to our area. Rund described her duties as an NLO: assisting individuals with City services, conducting field inspections for building an other City codes, handling complaints, providing information for aldermen, etc. NLO’s work from the Neighborhood Assistance Center; there are currently eight for the entire City with each assigned 3-4 wards. Rund serves the 13th, 17th, and 28th wards. K. Hoerr asked Rund about her background. Rund worked for a State Rep in Jefferson City prior to this in a similar capacity—handling complaints, etc.
She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Webster University. Questions and discussion followed about a study proposed by CDA which will include our area; the lack of recreational facilities in our area and throughout the city for children and teenagers; the need for additional street signs, especially speed limits, children playing, and one-way. J. Wright asked if Rund worked closely with the schools and if there is a chance of opening their facilities for neighborhood recreational use. Rund will check into this possibility. McLeod asked what kind of complaints Rund receives from 28th Ward residents. Primarily complaints are related to refuse and dumpsters, as well as building code violations and abandoned, derelict cars. Kurtz asked if the backlog of derelict cars had been cleared and if the city is towing cars again.
It is. Rund was asked about several problem properties; she will follow up with the building division in citing code violations. Farmer commented that Rund has been working very hard in our area and is getting a lot of things done: derelict vehicles removed from a lot on Delmar, monitoring problem properties, etc. She’s a great help and resource. McLeod thanked Rund for coming and invited her to attend as often as possible. McLeod introduced Jack Wright, elected last month to complete Ginny Klevorn’s term as an at-large representative. Directors welcomed him back to the board.
Safety Committee: Farmer reported that the committee did not meet last month. She, Licel Saller (Parkview Properties Manager), and Msgr. Polizzi met with Lt. Cognata and another representative from 7th District earlier this month to discuss auto break-ins and theft.
As manpower allows, the Lt. will assign extra patrols in our area. Farmer has helped Saller set up a neighborhood safety meeting for 6000-6100 Waterman and Pershing to reinforce the Neighborhood Watch program especially with tenants. McLeod added to the committee report that Paul Repetto has informed him that he would like to be removed as chairperson of the committee. McLeod asked directors to consider and suggest other individuals who might lead this important committee.
Skinker Planning: McLeod reported that the committee is working with Parkview, businesses, and the churches on the parking problem along Skinker. Grace Methodist recently decided to close the parking lot behind the Sinclair station on Skinker to the neighborhood.
A system of registering cars and clearing the lot for church use on specific days and times has been worked out on a trial basis. Plans for short term and long term solutions to the parking problem are being developed.
Social Service Committee: McLeod reported that the committee met in October and discussed services currently provided by institutions in this area: three churches operated food pantries and one operates a women’s shelter. the committee is looking into the Missouri Energy Assistance program. Wobus announced that Linda Emerson and the Breitmayer Ministry are organizing a job referral service.
After the program gets going, they hope to offer job skills training as well.
Rosedale Neighborhood Association: Dowgwillo reported $400 of the proceeds from Rags to Riches has been donated to The Times, and $50 donated to the annual Halloween party.
A letter and packet to welcome new neighbors to the area is nearly ready to be mailed.
M.L. King Commemoration: O’Neal reported the committee met earlier this month and feels it is appropriate for SDCC to sponsor a neighborhood event.
The plans discussed include a performance by a gospel choir, a keynote speaker, a dancer, and an oral interpretation of some of Dr. King’s writings.
The artists and speakers will perform gratis.
The committee discussed a catered reception following the program, but it is cost prohibitive.
They plan, instead, a dessert “potluck.” Programs, flyers, etc. can be copied at the office at nominal cost.
The committee has tenatively scheduled the event for Saturday, January 9, 1988, at 6:00 p.m.
This date does not conflict with any other activities.
The committee will approach neighborhood churches to donate space for the event in the next few weeks. Plans for an essay contest are still being discussed. [Editor’s note: scheduled time for this event is 7 p.m. at Grace and Peace Church. See page 1 for details.]
Directors Report:
House Tour: Farmer asked if the board wanted to sponsor the Christmas Walk/House Tour this year.
It was included in SDCC’s grant proposal to the Arts Commission.
There have been several neighborhood events in the past three months: six concert series, Art Exposed, Brick party, Times fund raisers, and River Faces workshop, and attendance has been off. Attendance has been off at the Christmas Walk/House Tour the last couple of years as well. Skinker DeBaliviere sponsored one of the first house tours in the city and it has been an annual event for more than 15 years.
On the one hand, it is a strong and rich tradition; on the other hand, maybe it’s time to give it a rest. Discussion followed. Directors decided not to sponsor a house tour this year.
Nina Place: Thirty plus neighbors attended the Nina Place Advisory Committee meeting October 26. Dean Burns, president of Westminster Company, reviewed his plans for the project.
They will begin Phase I, two six-family buildings, in December; the first 12 condos will be completed by spring.
The first units will be priced in the mid-seventies. 95% FHA financing is available and there is a 10% per unit incentive for buyers through CDA For Sale Incentive Program. Those attending seemed enthusiastic about the plan.
DeBaliviere Retail Centre: Gary Mestman and Jerry Reznick spoke at the October SDBA meeting.
They are a month behind schedule on the project, but they started excavating in late October.
They anticipate the completion of Building B, facing DeBaliviere, by spring.
They confirmed they have three tenants for the building: a movie store, a sub shop, and a carry-out Chinese restaurant.
They also reported they rejected “suds and duds” (combination laundromat/bar) as a tenant.
They are leasing space at $15/sq. ft.
They also mentioned Radio Shack and Frame Factory as possible tenants.
For building A, they are looking for 3-4 tenants, maximum, but it might be a single tenant; they mentioned a supermarket or a movie theatre chain.
There are some minor changes in design for the Retail Centre.
They will appear before Heritage again on November 12. Farmer will attend and keep board members informed.
Edwards’ Liquor Store/Lounge: Mr. Edwards has reapplied for a 3 a.m. liquor license; an application hearing has not yet been set. Farmer is the protest representative of record; does the board want her to continue to try to coordinate a protest to the application? Directors approved.
Community Reinvestment Program: Boatmen’s is typesetting an ad explaining the program which will appear in the next ten issues of The Times; there is also an article about the program which will run in November. Farmer anticipates a lot of inquiries about the program.
Washington Heights Neighbors: WHN is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. Farmer has helped identify and locate some of their past officers and members.
They arL planning a celebration/reunion, but the date has not been set. Farmer suggested SDCC acknowledge the anniversary and congratulate the organization. Directors approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1987.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Minutes preserve tentative King service time 6 p.m. together with original editor’s correction to 7 p.m.; front-page announcement confirms updated time.
Original source: SD_Times1987_12.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
