Historical September 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established. Original printed byline: Catherine Foslund.
While many of us, including the Times, vacationed during the summer months, the Board of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council was busy all summer long. What follows is a review of their activities over the past three months. Due to extenuating circumstances, the Board was unable to meet in April and May. April found the Board short of a quorum while in May, the untimely death of Board member Eddie Lee Sanders cancelled the meeting. Attendance at the various meetings was: June—Arline Webb, Laura Cheaney, Georgie Fox, Terry Buckley, Kathy Wobus, Karleen Hoerr, Jim McLeod, Nancy Farmer, Dan McGuire, Brian Murphy and Shirley Polk; July—Frank and Flossie Driscole, Mary Fleener, Kathleen Hamilton, Karleen Hoerr, Bob Mahon, Jim McLeod, Neville Vatcha, Kathy Wobus, Nancy Farmer, Shirley Polk and Lee Schulte; and August—Arlene Webb, Frank and Flossie Driscole, Georgie Fox, Karleen Hoerr, Paul Kurtz, Jim McLeod, Nancy Farmer, Dr. Larry Gallamore, Shirley Polk, Neville Vatcha, George Genung, Martin and Elizabeth Fitzgerald.
This reporter also attended all three meetings.
With minor or no revisions, Minutes of the March, June and July meetings were approved. Additionally, at each meeting, the treasurer’s report was given and the current cash statements were reviewed, discussed, and accepted by the Board.
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
Brian Murphy of the City’s Community Development Agency (CDA) discussed the potential liability of the SDCC when endorsing various For Sale Incentive Programs (FSIP) and executing Neighborhood Agreements. Murphy explained that SDCC and other neighborhood organizations need to be involved because Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds cannot be used by private developers for new construction or financing operating deficits unless the project is endorsed by a “qualified subrecipient” such as a not-for-profit neighborhood group like SDCC. Neighborhood Agreements are used nationwide to create an agency relationship whereby the Grant Funds pass through the neighborhood group to the CDA who, as agent, oversees the project and handles disbursement of the funds.
The banks which act as the actual disbursing agents for CDA have evolved a set of additional controls which also work to protect all the parties of the Agreement.
This is the only way local governments can access this type of funding for various much-needed developments in their communities.
In addition, involvement with these Agreements keep the neighborhoods informed about proposed projects and gives them some input in the process. Murphy further explained that the Agreement indemnifies the neighborhood group against any losses and in our case, SDCC is specifically named as an additional insured on the Developer’s insurance policy.
He expressed the opinion of the City and CDA’s attorneys that the SDCC doesn’t need any additional liability coverage, although the ultimate decision for any more insurance would be the Board’s. Also, it was felt that the liability of SDCC’s member institutions is even less than that of SDCC.
The agency relationship, developer’s indemnification insurance, and SDCC’s not-for-profit status which make it an unlikely lawsuit target all combine to limit SDCC’s potential liability. SDCC President Jim McLeod introduced a resolution for Board approval which commemorated the life and work of Eddie Lee Sanders. Unanimous approval followed the discussion that the resolution would be printed and framed for presentation to Mrs. Helen Sanders. McLeod also announced that there would be further plans about some type of permanent neighborhood memorial with the 28th Ward Regular Democrats having expressed an interest in participating.
Dan McGuire gave a short report of Aldermanic activities related to the neighborhood.
The City-sponsored Kennedy and Associates development study is approaching Phase II for our area.
The study is being conducted in a number of City neighborhoods and includes: Phase I data collection of demographic, land use, and building condition information; and Phase II recommendations for future development and opportunities. McGuire felt that the Phase II results would fit in well with the work of SDCC’s
Historic District Review
Committee.
He described current and future development and marketing plans for. the Delmar area.
Finally, he reported that a 2-family in 59XX Kingsbury has been blighted with the new owners planning renovation as a 2-unit condominium. Also, buildings in 59XX Waterman (single family) and 57XX Pershing (2-family) are vacant, have been declared blighted, offer ten-year tax abatement and are available for redevelopment.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Social Service
Volunteers were being recruited, including a number of St. Roch’s members, to help with the GED program at Hamilton Community School.
The Grace Methodist job bank has a number of unfilled jobs and it is hoped that the volunteer tutors can help teach GED and other skills to help fill job needs. Grace Methodist hosts a Red Cross Adult Day Program for senior citizens. Delmar Baptist has a monthly program for seniors to meet, lunch, shop, etc.
The committee is also looking for a new chairperson.
Skinker Planning
The committee has worked to resolve the Grace Methodist parking lot situation including obtaining zone variance and Historic Review Board approval.
They are looking for other beautification projects to undertake east of Skinker.
They are also considering a proposal to form a corporation to undertake future redevelopment projects separate and distinct from SDCC.
Parkview The subdivision
has developed a master plan which includes street resurfacing, sidewalk, and curb repair that is now in progress.
An approximate 40% crime incident reduction in the first 6 months of 1988 over 1987 was discussed and generally attributed to the Wells Fargo security service.
In May a plaque was unveiled at Skinker and Waterman commemorating Park-view’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Rosedale Terry
Buckley was installed as the new President of the Rosedale Neighborhood Association.
The current plans include the August 27 Garden Tour and Wine Tasting and the 7th Annual Rags to Riches on September 24 which includes the usual bake sale and food service, but this year boasts a raffle for one week’s use of a condominium in Phoenix, Arizona.
Historic District Review
Katie Kurtz is head of this committee which will be reviewing the 10-year old historic district ordinance to see how it fares in view of where the neighborhood is today. Plans are to begin review soon.
Nominating Committee
In addition to proposing the Bylaw amendment passed at the Council’s August meeting, the committee has been working on a slate of new officers and at-large directors for the upcoming years.
The proposed slate of officers is: Paul Kurtz, president; Bob Mahon, vice president; Kathleen Hamilton, treasurer.
The committee hopes to have a nominee for secretary at the September meeting. Final elections will be forthcoming. June’s Director’s report included the following items: SDCC has a new administrative assistant, Robin Moore; the City Life-City Style show was a success, with the SDCC booth eliciting interesting, opposing opinions—people thought they either couldn’t afford to live here or they couldn’t be paid to live here—(those of us who love our neighborhood know better!!); SDCC Dinner Theater was a big success, especially the potluck hors d’oeuvres reception versus a true dinner; Bill Christman approached the SDCC with plans to help the library Kiosk celebrate its fifth anniversary by planting trees, installing a park bench, and painting the building, all with donated funds; Blitz Day was again a great success and the Four Corners area clean-up and landscaping won 2nd place in the Regional and City-wide competition as a special project in beautification; the SDCC cosponsored West End Neighborhood Arts Council (WENAC) “An Afternoon of Spirituals” featuring Mary Henderson was another success of the spring; Boatmen’s Bank representatives met with SDCC Director Nancy Farmer to discuss additional activities for SDCC in promoting Boatmen’s Community Reinvestment Program in our neighborhood, to be done with their soon-tobe-announced grant funds, including a 2-part real estate and real estate financing seminar; and SDCC again received a grant from RAC to fund “A Series of Community Cultural Events” which will include a concert series, Christmas Walk/House Tour and Community Theater production.
JULY HIGHLIGHTS
The SDCC’s accountant Mr. Lee Schulte addressed the questions raised recently by former SDCC Director Paul Repetto as to accounting and reporting, budgeting and planning.
He reviewed the three different levels of financial reports which are generally prepared.
He felt that while the type prepared for SDCC is the simplest, for many reasons it was perfectly adequate for SDCC’s needs.
The “compilation” report which SDCC uses has always proved sufficient for grant proposals and since no outside sources have ever requested an audit, there really is no benefit to SDCC for having one.
The cost would be about double what SDCC pays currently.
The report format used is standard for an organization like SDCC. President McLeod advised that the Executive Committee felt an audit was unnecessary and the Board agreed. Other budgeting questions discussed were long term funding and additional funding sources including memberships, all of which will be reviewed and investigated in the future. Director Farmer covered the following topics in her report: a joint grant proposal has been made to RAC in partnership with The West End Neighborhood Arts Council (WENAC) which, if approved, would pay half the cost of a computer keyboard, screen, printer, and software to be housed at the SDCC office and used jointly with WENAC; the July 24 CDA “House of the Month” will be the new DeBaliviere Place West Condominiums and two rehabs in 59XX McPherson by developer David Havens; 1988 National Night Out on August 9 will again feature Rose Flynn’s 59XX Pershing “Love Thy Neighborhood” parade and helium balloons for SDCC and CWE Savings and Loan; plans are in progress for the fall concert series including proposed locations at Pershing Fountain, Four Corners and/or Kingsbury Square, a variety of types of music, help from Pantheon with publicity in DeBaliviere Place, and refreshments possibly by neighborhood Girls Scouts and/or Boy Scouts; SDCC has been busy with an increasing number of phone calls from a greater number of blocks for help from SDCC and the City Neighborhood Liaison Officer regarding various problems such as derelict car removal, dumpster replacement, and flagrant building code violations; The Skinker DeBaliviere Business Association (SDBA) has been gaining momentum and is working to include new members, coordinate with surrounding business associations and establish a newsletter, business directory, and information network; and a discussion comparing the DeBaliviere Retail Center building with plans in SDCC files concluded that construction was consistent with submitted drawings.
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
The Board approved an amendment to the Council Bylaws as follows:
At-Large Directors
Each director shall serve for a term of one year. At-large directors will be proposed to the Board by the nominating committee and approved by the Board.
The number of atlarge directors shall not exceed 18.
Each director will have one vote.
The nominating committee shall make every effort to choose at-large members who have talents, training, and/or experience needed by the Council for its continued effectiveness.
The at-large directors shall, as a group, represent the diverse parts of our neighborhood.
The unanimous vote came after discussion about the advisability of expanding the number of at-large directors.
The nominating committee, which proposed the amendment, intended to involve more people on the Board to help share the responsibilities and activities the neighborhood requires and who can increase the representation based on the diversity of the area.
The committee hopes to also encourage participation of the different neighborhood sections which do not have specific elected Board representatives. Dr. Larry Gallamore gave the Board a report of the work being done on Grace Methodist Church.
The whole exterior will be cleaned, then tuckpointed.
There will be some window replacements and repairs will be made, where needed, on various stained glass windows. Plans are for the outside work to be completed by Thanksgiving. Next year the interior repairs will begin, all to be completed by 1992 for Grace’s centennial celebration. Financing for the renovations comes partly from the church membership and partly from an endowment fund.
He advised that plans were proceeding on expansion of the parking lot on McPherson behind the Sinclair station.
The expenditures have already been approved and the project will hopefully be completed before year’s end.
The Director’s report reviewed these items: the WENAC/SDCC computer grant proposal is still under review; “House of the Month” open houses were successful and sales are above expectations at this point; attempts are being made to reduce outsider “dumping” in City-limit area dumpsters through the use of signs and flyers; condemnation has been declared for a 61XX Washington garage; proper authorities are monitoring horses living on 61XX Washington to insure their well-being; many block groups are increasing their activities; the City’s Operation Impact department is available to assist potential buyers of the 59XX Waterman and 57XX Pershing blighted buildings; SDBA has continued summer meetings, loosened membership boundaries, worked more to ally with neighboring business associations and 7th District police, may change name and focus/mission of the group and plans a business page of some sort in the Times; and the DeBaliviere Retail Center has four confirmed tenants so far.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a bottle of German wine to departing President McLeod in grateful appreciation of his ungrudging efforts on behalf of SDCC and a job well done.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Editorial review: printed byline variant Catherine Foslund mapped to Catherine Forslund using consecutive reports and identical organizational role; preserve this distinction in source provenance.
Original source: SD_Times1988_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
