Historical November 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In the absence of the president the meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Vice President Sara Johnson. Welcome and Introductions: Vice President Sara Johnson acknowledged the presence of several guests and introduced Billy Handmaker, our first speaker on the agenda. Special Guest: Billy Handmaker, Headmaster, Crossroads School. gave a brief history of the school and statistical information on the enrollment. Crossroads, a middle and high school, is the only independent secondary school in the City of St. Louis, and the most diverse in the midwestern United States.
The enrollment of one hundred seventy (170) for this school year is representative of forty three (43) zip codes and some foreign countries. Major capital improvements are anticipated for the next few years.
The most recent improvement is the conversion of half the parking lot into a green space.
Residents interested in visiting the school are welcome. Financial Report: The Treasurer, Ann Smith Carr, discussed office expense for the month of August. which included monies expended for National Night Out. Income in the amount of $348.00 from the sale of food and beverages at National Night Out substantially reduces the amount of office expense. At the last Board meeting there had been a question about Contribution/Membership in the amount of $200.00.
This was the contribution the Board authorized for the West End Community Picnic.
The non- recurring capital expense of ($6038.14) on the September statement is for the new office computer and part of the expense for upgrading the telephone system.
This will be reimbursed by CDA.
It was moved by Ruth Johnson and seconded by Susan Littlefield to accept the financial report.
The motion carried. Executive Director’s Report: There are a lot of things going on in the neighborhood as usual.
The committee reports will focus specifically on some of these issues.
There will be a meeting October ?. 1997 of the Community Development Commission regarding the “Path Issue” and access to Forest Park.
It was requested by Dan Schesch that the Executive Director to be there as an observer and report back to the council.
The first committee meeting to consider a proposal by the National Conference-St. Louis has occurred. Three (3) of the five (5) churches contacted responded.
The goals of the program were given by the Executive Director and Rev. Miki Merritt. Security: The security report was given by the Executive Director.
There are no new crime statistics.
A report was given on the Personal Safety Seminar held on September 17, 1997 at the New Cote Brilliante Church.
The program, while very effective, was not heavily attended. Skinker DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation A project report was presented by Gary Boehnke. the new staff person for SDCHC. Vice President Sara Johnson requested that information from SDCHC be sent out with the meeting notices for the SDCC board members. Approval of Minutes: Ann Smith Carr moved to approve the minutes subject to minor proof reading.
The motion was seconded by Peggy Droege.
The motion carried. New Institutional Member Request: It was recommended by the Executive Cornmittee that Archway Communities be brought into the SDCC as an Institutional Member.
It was moved by Ann Smith Carr and seconded by Ronie Haliburton to accept this recommendation.
The motion carried. Committees/Neighborhood Updates A. Metrolink Advisory Committee The report was given by the Executive Director in the absence of the committee chairman.
The council would like the committee to continue fulfilling their charge of advising the neighborhood about this issue.
The next meeting will be November 5, 1997.
It was suggested the Council needs to assert its position as a concerned community now to both the East West Gateway Coordinating Committee and Bi-State Development Agency. Question: Who will actually make decisions about design?
The East West Gateway Coordinating Council, based on information from consultants and in conjunction with the public participation process, and of course, dependent upon the amount of money available, will decide.
It was moved and seconded that the Council send a letter to the East West Gateway Coordinating Council and Bi-State Development Agency.
After much debate, the following motion was made by Susan Littlefield, and seconded by Ruth Johnson: (1) SDCC will immediately send strong letter to EWGCC and Bi-State stating that the Council expects and demands “To Be At The Table” in establishing criteria for the public input process and build requirements for same into the northern route design process. (2) The SDCC MetroLink Advisory Committee is directed to research information, meet within next two(2) weeks and make recommendation to SDCC for inclusion in subsequent letter to EWGCC and Bi-State, building on concerns expressed in previous correspondence.
The motion carried.
After a discussion about design detail, the following motion was made by Jane Geller and seconded by Susan Littlefield: The SDCC Board resolves for the record that any MetroLink tracks along the Forest Park Expressway and Millbrook be underground and covered. Such policy to be included in our letters to EWGCC and BiState.
The question was called and the motion passed, with six (6) in favor of the motion and five(5) against the motion. B. Neighborhood Services 1. Beautification Chairman Andy Cross will attend a meeting at the Missouri Botanical Gardens to learn how to write a grant for neighborhood vegetable gardens.
A Beautification Committee meeting is scheduled for October 18, 1997. Final clean up of the McPherson Community Garden will be November 1, 1997. 2. Social Services The Neighborhood Food Drive was a moderate success. C. Commercial District The next meeting will be October 10, 1997. Sarah Smith from Bi-State has been asked to attend the next council meeting to discuss the current status of Delmar Enhancement Project. Rosedale Neighbors: Rags To Riches had a rough start, but turned out well.
A lot of SDCC T-shirts and sweat shirts were sold.
An update was given on the lawsuits brought by property owners in the 61XX block of Washington against owners in the 6100 block of Delmar. Rosedale Neighbors will sponsor a pumpkin carving contest and Halloween Party for the neighborhood. Washington Heights: Ronie Haliburton gave an update on the community garden plans for 1998. Parkview: The lights are out again.
The picnic October 4, 1997 was a big success. Streets are being resurfaced. Lighting on Limits Walks has been approved. Nina Place: RFP was issued by CDA for two buildings. St. Roch: St. Roch has made their 1997 contribution of $3,000.00. Many thanks to Maggie Hart-Mahon and to Monsignor Polizzi. Kingsbury Square: A security meeting and welcome for new neighbors will be held Sunday, October 12, 1997. Other Business: Katerina Stierholz raised the issue of putting Tot Playground in the area.
The initial proposal has been to put the playground on the parking lot adjacent to the Council Office.
The proposal died because of the expense.
The following motion was made by Ann Smith Carr: The Recreation Committee should set up Playground Subcommittee to investigate and pursue opportunities for establishment a toddler playground (to age 5) within the neighborhood.
The motion carried. Katerina Stierholz volunteered to chair the subcommittee, and Ann Smith Carr, Miki Merritt, Shirley Polk, Andy Cross and NSO Vivi Wolf offering to assist. Forest Park Master Plan: An update on the Forest Park Master Plan was given by Daniel Schesch.
It was suggested that the council stay in contact with Dan McGuire and Anabeth Calkins and meet informally with them.
It was further suggested that Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood have a representative on the Forest Park Master Plan Committee.
The following motion was made by Ann Smith Carr and seconded by Susan Littlefield: Council establish a subcommittee of the Recreation Committee to work with Parks Department in implementing the Forest Park Master Plan, so as to protect the “Buffer Zone” along Lindell and other matters of significance to the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood.
The motion carried. Dan Schesch agrees to serve as acting chairman, and solicit other committee members.
It was suggested that the council invite a representative from Parkview Properties to discuss Washington University’s properties in the Skinker DeBaliviere area.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1997_11.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
