Historical December 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In Attendance: President Gary Hayes, Directors Ann Smith Carr, Lara Doyle, Peggy Droege, Greg Freeman, Daniel Freedberg, Steve Givens, Ruth Johnson, Sara Johnson, Gwendolyn Lazard, Maggie HartMahon, Shirley Polk; guests: Debra Loveless, Sgt. David Habermaas, 7th District, Paul Hohmann, MetroLink Advisory Committee, Richard Roloff, Washington University, Dan Schesch, Vivi Wolf, NSO; Gary Boehnke, Project Administrator and Executive Director Laure Porterfield. Absent: Directors Arthelda Busch, Jane Geller, Ronie Haliburton, Susan Littlefield, Rev. Miki Merritt, Julie Schoemehl, Lana Stein, Jack Wright.
In the absence of the president the meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Vice President Sara Johnson.
The president arrived at 7:15 p.m. Welcome and Introduction; Vice President Sara Johnson noted the she is resigning from the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council at the end of the year as she has taken a new job at Washington University.
She introduced her successor, Steve Givens, who will assume her duties as the Washington University representative on the council board. Steve is the new Assistant to the Chancellor at Washington University.
The new student representative from Washington University, Daniel Freedberg, was also introduced. Dan was elected by his undergraduate peers for this role.
He is a senior at Washington University, and Is a Biology major. Richard Roloff, the Executive Vice Chancellor, Washington University at this campus and the Medical Campus, was introduced.
He came to the meeting in response to the council’s request to have someone speak about the property acquisitions by Washington University in the Skinker DeBaliviere area. President Gary Hayes recognized Sgt. David Habermaas from the St. Louis Police Department’s 7th District. President Hayes asked other guests to come forward. Debra Loveless, a candidate for 28th Ward Alderman, introduced herself. Review and Approval of Minutes It was moved by Greg Freeman and seconded by Maggie Hart-Mahon that the October minutes be approved. Financial Report Action on the September as well as October reports will be taken at the next meeting pending review by the treasurer Washington University Report Property Acquisitions in Skinker DeBaliviere Vice Chancellor Richard Roloff gave a brief history of student enrollment and housing at Washington University. Graduate student enrollment has increased, as has foreign student enrollment. Washington University needs to acquire more housing for one thousand students (mainly graduate students). Washington University acquired rental properties from Parkview Properties and retained Parkview as property managers. Chancellor Roloff indicated Washington University will not buy one family homes or two family homes which are owner occupied.
They have acquired the old Sinclair gas station lot, and will make it a landscaped parking lot, working in conjunction with Grace Methodist Church.
They want to be good neighbors and want the neighbors to be comfortable with them.
The Washington University representative to the council will be kept informed of everything that is going on with housing. Questions were entertained. Security Update Sgt. Habermaas gave a general overview of what’s going on in the neighborhood.
He spoke about the problem with car break-ins in the areas surrounding DesPeres, Skinker, Pershing and DeBaliviere this summer.
There were nine (9) cars taken by the same group and they were apprehended.
There were a number of burglaries in the 5800 and 5900 blocks of Pershing.
It was recommended that we get the message out to students about auto break-ins and theft at every opportunity.
They should also be urged to report anything of this nature to the police, even if nothing is stolen. Executive Director’s ReThe Delmar Planning Committee will hold an open meeting to report to the community in late January or early February. Administrative issues: Working with CDA and will be wrapping up for this year.
A generic budget was sent to CDA in October. Will have information regarding the budget for 1998 at the December meeting. Correspondence attached to the Executive Director’s Report was discussed. I-lousing Corporation Update The Housing Corporation would like to find an owner occupant/developer for 6048 Washington.
If a developer is not found by the end of January, the Housing Corporation will probably rehab the building into two for-sale townhouses.
There was a discussion about the status of the council office building.
The status of the properties at 5938 and 5946 Kingsbury was discussed.
The Project Administrator’s report will not change extensively from month to month; however, there may be some additions or deletions. Committee and Neighborhood Update/Reports Nominating Committee Maggie Hart-Mahon, Ruth Johnson and Greg Freeman will be the nominating committee for 1998. Persons interested in holding an office or those interested in remaining in office should contact a committee member. MetroLink Advisory Committee At the direction of the board, a letter was sent on October 9, 1997 to Les Sterman, Executive Director, East/ West Gateway Coordinating Council, requesting that the council’s voice be heard throughout the design process. (97) people attended the Community Forum October 30, 1997.
The MetroLink Advisory Committee will meet to organize the information gathered at the breakout sessions at the forum.
The committee is currently composing a letter to the EWGCC will include the issues identified. Those concerns include: Pedestrian access; the train must be below grade and covered; vehicular access; parking, noise, and vibration and eminent domain.
The committee is also requesting that an extensive engineering study be done on the DesPeres intersection regarding the feasibility of a below grade crossing prior to and further engineering.
They will also recommend that the consultants be someone who has not been previously biased.
The committee asked for the Board’s concurrence that there will be no additional public meetings held at this time.
They felt that the major concerns were brought out at the October 30, 1997 meeting.
It was suggested that the council notify those who attended the public forum that the MetroLink Advisory Committee, not the presenters, decided against having another public meeting until there is more information to share.
The next Advisory Committee meeting will be November 24, 1997, 7:30 p.m. at the council office. Neighborhood Services Beautification The Executive Director reported that at the last meeting the committee’s focus was on the next steps for the McPherson garden clean up on November 1, 1997. Activities have begun at the site for the new garden at Westminster and Laurel. Ground preparation some and flowers planting have been completed at the triangle of Waterman and DeGivenAlle. Social Services The Executive Director reported that the committee does not have a chair; however, they would like to get together between now and Christmas.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee The Executive Director reported that Jack Wright is working hard as committee chair.
A Committee meeting was held October 29, 1997.
Some new variations have been added for this year.
The schools will be asked to submit art work from students on what MLK means to them. Recreation Forest Park Committee Acting Chairman Dan Schesch reported that nine persons volunteered for the cornmittee.
A meeting will be scheduled before the holiday.
The speaker for this year will be Mrs. Gwendolyn Packnett.
The date will be Sunday, January 18, 1998.
The next committee meeting will be December 3, 1997 at the Council office at 7:00 p.m. Commercial District A report to the community will be made at the end of January/beginning of February on final recommendations from the Delmar Enhancement Grant. Rosedale Neighbors There was a large turn-out at the Halloween party.
The Executive Director observed a significant number of families there for the first time who were new to the neighborhood.
It seems that there has been a definite increase of families with little kids.
This may effect the playground Issue and require another reassessment of our recreation needs. Althelda Busch is still with us.
She currently has a class on Monday night. Washington Heights Shirley Polk reported on Washington Height’s participation in Old News Boy Day. Greg Freeman served on committee with Bi-State to choose proposals for developing the MetroLink parking lot at DeBaliviere and DeGlverville. Next steps will be announced soon. Parkview There have been a few thefts on the University City side of Parkview.
There have been some home burglaries on the western-most streets.
This problem seems to have gone away, and things are relatively quiet. Sidewalk and streets are being resurfaced. Parkview residents would like to be kept informed of developments regarding the old Sinclair lot. Nina Place RFP dosed on the first of November. No further information yet as to which of three plans has been chosen. Kingsbury Square New construction continues.
A security meeting was held for new residents. Playground Steering Committee The committee will meet November 20, 1997 at the council office at 7:00 p.m. Other Business It was requested that the Council consider printing and distributing a flyer about four public forums scheduled for the 28th Ward Aldermanic candidates, and have block captains distribute them.
The council directed the Executive Director to do so. Greg Freeman recommended that the council hold an annual meeting to inform the neighbors of the state of the neighborhood.
The council members were in agreement with this recommendation.
It was decided that April might be a good month. Ann Smith Carr thanked Sara Johnson for the work she has done, and for her contributions to the council for the last five years.
These remarks were followed with applause.
The Executive Director also expressed her gratitude to Sara.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1997_12.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
