Historical March 1996 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In attendance: Directors Ruth Johnson, Maggie Hart-Mahon, Sara Johnson, Arthelda Busch, Shirley Polk, Arline Webb, Ann Smith Carr, Lana Stein, Juliet Schoemehl, Gregory Freeman, Gary Hayes, Glenda Underwood, Gwendolyn Lazard; NSO Jacqueline Wellington; Washington University Student Representative Geoffrey Peck; Washington University Social Work Student Diane Stricklin; AmeriCorps Volunteer Amy Gronquist; 7th District Captain Harry Hegger; Lieutenant Joe Boffa; and Executive Director Laure Porterfield. Excused absences: Joe deBettencourt, Aaron Johnson, Jane Geiler, Miki Merritt, and Jack Wright.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by President Gary Hayes. I. Welcome and Introductions Captain Harry Hegger, the new commander for the 7th District Police and Lieutenant Joe Beffa, also a new watch commander, where introduced. Captain Hegger hopes to maintain some programs already established in the 7th District; i.e.,. a “chain gang” used to clean up problem areas, used as a community service for non-violent offenders. Still trying to prevent solicitors at various intersections. Lana Stein made a personal compliment for a )ob well done by Sam Zouglas and Dave Habermaas. Captain Hegger discussed some questions: Elaborate on alternative sentencing. Those with minor infractions are given community service projects; do something constructive instead of paying a fine.
The work is done on the weekends and the police and parole supervise this program.
During the summertime, what ideas do you have for students out of school?
The City of St. Louis has recreLiactadtiaingrcatie; app Elmo ha be ctaTe priority of trying to find incorrigibles. Are there any police walking the area? Yes, Sam Zouglas and Russ Conroy. What about children who are not in attendance at school?
There is a truancy program; the 7th District has an excellent record of returning kids to truancy centers. Would someone from the 7th District be able • to attend a block captain meeting to help in organization? Public Relations Officer Ronnie Robinson. People come from the county and other districts to dump their trash in our alleys.
We are starting a “trash task force” to clean Goodfellow-Wells avenue. Retired police offers will assist in trash enforcement.
There is a $3,000,000 grant specifically to clean up and prevent others from bringing in trash from other areas. Community Council Directors 26, 1996 It was requested that the south alley of Delmar is targeted for this trash clean-up. What kind of crime are we seeing in our area? Crime Is down In the 7th District; not in Skinker DeBaliviere area. Periodically we would like statistics from officer. Is this possible? Yes.
On the 6100 block of Pershing, there is a big U-shaped apartment building where cars park in the alley.
Residents are not able to go down the alley; must back up.. What can be done?
The police will be assigned to ticket and warn people of infractions. What is the Captain’s feeling about block watch program? Is it valuable?
It depends on the commitment and dedication of the residents. Great for the police department to see neighborhood organization. Gary Hayes encouraged the Board members to call Laure when they see a problem and she In turn will report to the Captain, thus reducing the calls to the Captain’s office. Does the fire department have permission to solicit?
There are permits to collect ;money but not to do a roadblock at the intersection.
They .do this to fund the smoke alarm program and multiple sclerosis on a national level.
After answering questions, the officers left the meeting to warm applause. New Board members were introduced. Amy Gronquist announced a dance for children ages 12 through 16 at Hamilton Community Education Center on Friday, March 1. I!. Approval of Minutes from January Meeting Arline Webb moved to accept the January minutes as read; seconded by Lana Stein and approved. One correction: the commercial development parking lot at DeBaliviere is temporary. III. Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer’s report for January was presented.
The proposed budget will be ready for presentation at the next meeting. Ruth Johnson moved to accept the January Treasurer’s report; seconded by Gregory Freeman and approved. Laure also explained what insurance coverage the Council has. IV. Executive Director’s Report Laure presented the Executive Director’s report, highlighting the upcoming Brightside Blitz Day and the seminar for landlords being presented on April 15 by the Apartment Owners Association. Laure explained that she is Dan’s appointee to the Citizen’s Advisory Council which advises the City of St. Louis on financial issues. V. Member Institution Reports Kingsbury Square – The residents are asking Bi-State to replace the deteriorating fence along the back of their property. Nina Place – New developer will finish 5885 Nina Place. Other properties also moving forward.
There is some land that might be used as a little park. NSO Jackie Wellington is working with CDA and Alderman McGuire and will give a report at the next Board meeting.
The money is in place, the main thing is the design. Housing Corporation – Moving on several buildings. ShouldA complete rehab in Rosedale Square soon. Four units still need to be completed. Gary Hayes further explained what the Housing Corporation is about.
It was formed in 1986 as a non-for-profit 501(03.
It owns 76 units in the Skinker DeBaliviere area.
It is a volunteer board, with two openings presently available.
The Alderman suggests, the Mayor appoints, and the Board of Alderman approve new members. Gary is planning on attending the next meeting with questions about boarded up buildings in the neighborhood. Housing Corporation minutes are always available at the SDCC office; copies will be provided at Board meetings.
The Board agreed that they would like input or reporting from the Housing Corporation. Gary Hayes will report back to the Board at the next meeting. Commercial Planning – Lana Stein reported that the strip mall on DeBaliviere has a new laundromat moving in.
We have requested that an attendant be on duty at all times, that the Laundromat be closed by 10 p.m., and that security be in place. Brandie’s Bookstore and the hair and nail shop are gone. Laclede Gas in responsible for the large plate in alley. Noise to be abated soon. May schedule a meeting with owner/concerned parties. Parkview – No report. Their focus currently seems to be snow removal (to plow or not to plow; to salt or not to salt, etc.). Playground – The $3000 grant from the Whitaker Foundation can be kept another six months.
As a Board we will need a decision soon on this project. Recreation – Arthelda Busch reported that a newsletter will be prepared in May about recreational activities. Continue to work with Hamilton Community Education Center. Presently have a basketball team serving about 14 youth. Need a couple of basketballs at about $25 each.
There are tickets available for the Missouri Valley Basketball Conference March 2 through March 4.
Some tickets were given to Pastor Miki Merritt of New Cote Brilliante. Contact Arthelda to purchase tickets. Volunteers are needed at the dance at Hamilton on March 2. Hamilton can open seven days a week if requested to do so to help with children congregating in the streets. VI. Block Captains Review AmeriCorps volunteer Amy Gronquist surveyed the block captains on the SDCC list.
There are many kinds of block captains.
For instance, the Urban League has block units, there are school block captains, block captains for Brightside Blitz Day, and SDCC’s block captains.
All of these block captains need to be pulled together and coordinated. Meeting space was offered by the Council for these block units.
A block captain committee was organized with the following volunteers: Maggie Hart-Mahon, Greg Freeman, Gary Hayes, Ruth Johnson, and Amy Gronquist. Maggie and Amy will make a report at the next meeting.
It was suggested that a list be included in the newsletter of block captains and those blocks needing a captain. Community Fund – Discussion focused on use of remaining bingo money. Presently, the only members on the Board who were bingo volunteers are Sara Johnson, Gary Hayes, Arline Webb, and Ruth Johnson.
There was discussion on possible meeting sites besides the present SDCC office.
A survey on sites and times to be made. Lana Stein moved that the President appoint a facilities task force to investigate enhanced office space, alternative meeting sites, etc. Seconded by Ann Smith Carr and passed. Greg Freeman, Ann Smith Carr, Lana Stein, and Ruth Johnson will report back at the next Board meeting. Due to the lateness of hour, Sara Johnson moved to table further agenda items until the next meeting; seconded by Gregory Freeman and passed. Laure Porterfield is the Area Commander for Operation Brightside’s Blitz Day.
She will attend a meeting this week and give a report at the next Board meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1996.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1996_03.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
