Historical November 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council held regular meeting on August 27, 1990 and October 1, 1990.
Following are minutes of these meetings. August 1990 In attendance: Directors M. Campbell. C. Forslund, G. Fox, L. Hamilton, P. Kurtz, B. Mahon, R. Roncal, N. Vatcha, K. Wobus, N. Farmer; and guests A. Johnson, R. Johnson, M. Karina, and Ald. D. McGuire. Mahon and Farmer presented a proposal for realignment of the SDCC board. Generally, the proposal suggests that joint Block Units and resident’s associations in Kingsbury Square and Nina Place become members of the SDCC as neighborhood as• sociations and be given seats on the board. Rather than expanding the size of the board, vacated at-large seats would be reassigned to these units/associations. Directors approved this plan. Farmer will continue to work with these groups. and assist them in applying for membership in the SDCC if they resolve to make such applications. Roncal presented a proposal to establish an SDCC “Friends” group. SDCC needs new sources of revenue and forming such a group now is timely as SDCC will celebrate its 25th anniversary on March 21, 1991. SDCC could produce a commemorative decal for “Friends” who make a minimum contribution to the SDCC. J. McLeod is willing to work with a committee pursuing this. Directors approved a committee to pursue this proposal; Roncal will call a group together. Director’s Report Modular Housing Developer Jaffe is still pursuing the plan to develop the lot at the south end of 400 Laurel.
He has a site plan, but the sketches of proposed elevations, etc., will not be ready until Wednesday.
The plans will be reviewed by adjacent block units, SDCC, Historic District Review Committee, Heritage & Urban Design, and CDA. Farmer recently met with Jaffe, representatives from CDA and the Catholic Com• mission of Housing. Catholic Commission is likely to screen, qualify, and follow-up with buyers of these properties. Delmar Baptist Church The last’ service at Delmar Baptist Church at Washington and Skinker was held August 26. Church members seem optimistic that they will sell this building to another church or a school. ConServ A new director of the program has been appointed, Peter Sortino.
He seems open to ideas and suggestions, and Farmer anticipates that there will probably be some changes in the ConServ program in the next few months. Neighborhood Plan Don Roe, former director of ConServ, is now the director of planning. Roe will work with ConServ neighborhoods in completing the neighborhood plans. Neighborhood Brochure This project is currently on hold; there is a question about whether or not the city can use federal Block Grant money to fund portions of the city living program including the publication of neighborhood brochures. Door-to-door inspections Many code violations that were cited in the spring inspections have been abated or they are in process; many others, where little or no effort has been made, have been referred to housing court. Farmer had hoped to track all properties through the system, but it has proven impossible.
She can check the status of any property that is of particular concern. Three at-large Members of the SDCC board will tender their resignations October 1: Randy Bailey, Kathleen Hamilton and Karleen Hoerr. Randy and his family are moving to Iowa.. Randy, Nancy, Natalie, Matthew and Clay will be sorely missed.. Kathleen Hamilton is involved with other volunteer organizations, and with these commitments plus family and work; cannot continue to serve on the board.
She has been treasurer and a board member of the SDCC for many years. Karleen Hoerr is president of the Skinker DeBaliviere Housing Corporation board of directors and is also involved with other volunteer organizations.
She will continue to work with the SDCHC, but cannot continue on the SDCC board. Committee Reports Parkview Mahon reported that some street lights in Parkview are now working.
The gates have been repaired but they are not being opened; traffic in Parkview was substantially reduced by closing the gates. Rosedale Roncal reported that RNA’s annual yard sale day, Rags to Riches; will be held Sat.. Sept. 8, 1990. RNA hopes at least 30 households from throughout the neighborhood will register for yard sales and RNA will sponsor the traditional BBQ and bake sale at the Kingsbury Animal Hospital. RNA has scheduled a general meeting for October 11; the agenda has not been set. Housing Conservation District – Ald. McGuire reported that he is working to establish Skinker DeBaliviere as a Conservation District which would require occupancy permits for residential property.
In addition to public hearings. McGuire hopes that the board will request a presentation about this program at the October board meeting. Directors agreed that an informational presentation should be on the October agenda. Historic District Review Kurtz reported that SDCC has a Polaroid camera available for loan to neighborhood residents.
This will be helpful when neighbors need to submit photos of their property with permit applications. Photos cost $1 each which covers the price of film. Housing Corporation Farmer reported that SDCHC has acquired two properties, 6029 Washington and 6025 Westminster.
The goal is to sell these properties to owner/occupants who can rehab them. Both buildings need major renovation work. SDCHC will schedule inspections and develop a formula for determining selling prices.
The garage at 6048 Washington, one of the Rosedale Square buildings, is being repaired and equipped with doors. October 1990 Present: Directors M. Campbell, F. Driscole, M. Fleener, C. Forslund, G. Fox, G. Genung, L. Hamilton, A. Johnson, R. Mahon, S. Polk, and N. Farmer; Guests A. Johnson,R. Johnson, Ald. D. McGuire, L. Morrison, and J.A. Scurloch. Ald. McGuire explained that the Housing Conservation District program was set up to help neighborhoods maintain minimum housing standards, and that he was soliciting support from Skinker DeBaliviere residents for establishing this neighborhood as a district.
If the neighborhood indicates a desire for such a district he will introduce the necessary ordinance.
He indicated that the time frame for submission, the necessary public hearings, and other related steps would take approximately a year.
He then introduced Mr. Leroy Morrison of the City of St. Louis Building Division. Morrison distributed copies of Housing Conservation Districts Information Bulletin and a seven page checklist of items checked by District Inspectors.
After a 12-minute slide presentation about Conservation Districts, Morrison verbally recapped the information presented in the bulletin and slides and answered questions from the board members and visitors. Specifically discussed were minimum space and conditions requirements for certificate% fees, responsibility for application and repairs.
He pointed out that these districts would not work City-wide but were designed to help stable neighborhoods maintain their integrity and vitality.
A number of districts have already been established and are operating well. McGuire and Morrison emphasized that the district standards are not as strict as city code or those required for occupancy permits.
The certificate Of inspection required by the program insures very basic safety.
Following Morrison’s presentation, McGuire outlined the proposed boundary for our neighborhood and answered additional questions.
The Board voted to support efforts to include the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood in the City’s Housing Conservation Districts Program. • Mahon presented a proposed amendment to the SDCC Bylaws to be voted on at the November meeting of the board. Article 4.3 Neighborhood Directors: Number, Term of office a) Each Neighborhood Association member in the SDCC area will have directors according to the following formula: Population 2500 plus or 20 blocks in an area gives five (5) directors; population 2000-2499 or 15 to 19 blocks gives four (4) directors; population 1500-1999 or 10 to 14 blocks gives three (3) directors; population 1000-1499 or 5 to 9 blocks gives two (2) directors; population less than 1000 or fewer than 5 blocks gives one (1) director. Applications for membership The following applications for membership in SDCC were approved: Block Units 1331 and 1035, representing the residents of 5800-5900 DeGiverville, 5800 Westminster and 400 Laurel, are accepted jointly as one Neighborhood Association Member of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Per the formula for representation on the SDCC Board of Directors as provided in the SDCC’s Bylaws, this association shall have one director.
The DeBaliviere Place West Condominium Association. representing the owners/residents of 5800 Nina Place, 5900 McPherson and 5900 Kingsbury, are accepted as a Neighborhood Association member of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Per the formula for representation on the SDCC Board of Directors as provided in the SDCC’s Bylaws, this association shall have one director. Director’s Report Farmer noted that there has been an increase in ownership transfers, sheriff’s sales, etc. of neighborhood property in recent weeks.
This is of particular concern as these increases often result in an increase in speculative real estate activity. SDCC is receiving the Daily Record publication and Farmer is tracking this activity.
The Housing corporation is in place and doing all it can with a limited budget. Art Exposed Sunday, October 21, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Four Corners Plaza The event, sponsored by the West End Arts Council, will feature the third annual Edible Art Competition, artists’ studios open for tour, a group exhibit, food, entertainment and Ald.
Dan McGuire as Master of Ceremonies. Design Charrette Delmar Link: Edges and Connections, a design charrette sponsored by the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is scheduled Oct. 27-28.
The charrette will take place 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. October 27, and a public forum will be held at 2 p.m., Sun. October 28 to review the proposals developed by design teams on Saturday. Old Newsboys Day SDCC’s participation was less successful last year than the year before. Polk plans to be out on DeBaliviere at Waterman and would appreciate any volunteers. Committee Reports Rosedale Roncal reported that the Rags to Riches sale had been a rousing success and there is to be a general meeting October 11. Ald. McGuire is scheduled to make a presentation on the Housing Conservation Districts and Aldermanic President Tom Villa will discuss the proposed 1/2 cent sales tax increase. Nominating Mahon pointed out that in the past the Executive Committee has served as a nominating committee for officers of the board; he invited anyone interested either in serving on the committee or in being an officer to let him know. Nomination of new officers is scheduled for the November meeting; elections will be held in December.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1990_11.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 6; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
