Historical February 1999 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In attendance: President, Gary L. Hayes, Directors Ann Smith Carr, Peggy Droege, Gregory Freeman, Maggie Hart-Mahon, Gwen Lazard, Miki Merritt, Shirley Polk, Julie Schoemehl, Paula Sigman, Lana Stein. Guests: Andy Cross (Beautification Committee Chair), Paul Hohmann (Transportation Committee Chair), Lyda Krewson (Alderman, 28th Ward). Staff: Gary Boehnke (Housing Corporation Project Administrator), Laure Porterfield (SDCC Executive Director). Absent: Lara Doyle, Jane Geiler, Ronie Haliburton, Ruth Johnson, Susan Littlefield.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Gary L. Hayes. Correction and Approval of Minutes.
A correction was made to the minutes of November 9, 1998 as follows: Page 2, Section VI B. Should read in the second sentence of paragraph 1, ”the next items the Council and Transportation Committee should consider are questions of station location, design and security”.
The minutes of the November 9, 1998 meeting were approved as corrected. Financial Report. Lana Stein, Treasurer, submitted the Council Financial Report for November 1998. Lana noted that there should be a correction under Recurring Payroll Tax Expenditures in the column of Percent of Projection to read 100.4% Lana advised the Council that it will have to consider some type of fund raising to maintain its current level of performance. Suggestions such as reinstating the Friends of Skinker DeBaliviere Campaign, and a tribute dinner, were put forth. Lana noted that we must do a multi-prong approach to fund raising. Laure Porterfield advised the Council that although the Community Development Agency had announced that it would examine all neighborhood organizations for funding, she does not believe that Skinker DeBaliviere’s current level of funding will be dramatically affected in the near future. Although the Council is funded through 1999, we should not expect any additional CDA block grant money.
The Council should work with Alderman Lyda Krewson to find out future trends in funding. Shirley Polk volunteered to help organize fund raising activities for the Council. Lana announced that the Finance Committee has put together a draft budget for 1999 and will present it at the January 1999 meeting. Gary Boehnke announced that he received a 10% raise in salary funded by the Housing Corporation.
A motion was made by Dan Schesch to accept the Financial Report with correction noted above, and such motion passed. Nominating Committee Report. Julie Schoemehl, Gwen Lazard and Ann Smith Carr comprised the Nominating Committee for executive positions on the Board of Directors. Ann Smith Carr reported for Committee.
In approaching persons to serve on the Executive Committee, Ann noted that the Nomination Committee considered three factors, (1) experience with Council, talents and relationships that the person could bring to the Council, (2) diversity in neighborhood and constituencies, and (3) the Council’s need for continuity and completion of pending initiatives.
The Nominating Committee announced the following slate of officers: Gary L. Hayes President Greg Freeman Vice President Lana Stein Treasurer Lara Doyle Secretary Ann Smith Carr noted that all nominations must be made by tonight’s meeting. Dan Schesch nominated Susan Littlefield for Secretary. Ann thanked Gwen Lazard and Julie Schoemehl for their work on the Nominating Committee, as well as all people who called in with suggestions. Executive Director’s Report. Laure Porterfield submitted a written Executive Director’s Report. Laure announced the Council Holiday party for police officers and fire fighters on December 17, 1998. Ruth Johnson is putting together the necessaries for the party, and Laure advised all the Council members that they may be getting a call to assist Ruth. Laure passed around a sign up sheet for hostesses and hosts at the party, and also for food donations.
The Council will buy some items for the party. Peggy Droege will contribute paper goods.
The Council is working on several grant applications. One is to the Community Foundation for a master plan for the neighborhood.
Another grant application is being prepared for the Missouri Economic Development Council for Delmar. Lana Stein has been talking with officials at Bi-State Development Agency about grant opportunities tied to transportation credits. Laure suggested that the Loretta W. Reinhart Fund account balance be brought into the Council’s operation budget.
The fund currently has approximately $2,100 in it.
It was established in honor of Mrs. Reinhart, who was the owner of Delmar Cleaners and was murdered.
The fund is unrestricted for Council use. Ann Smith Carr recommended that the Council investigate an appropriate manner to remember Mrs. Reinhart’s contribution to the Council and Dan Schesch seconded the motion.
It was agreed that the balance be transferred. V. Report of Alderman. Alderman Lyda Krewson had no formal report. Several Council members had questions regarding the timing of the lights at Wydown and Skinker. Traffic seems to be worse as result of the stop lights. Lyda reported that the Skinker lights should be synchronized in a couple of months.
Another question involved how long the tunneling staging area in Forest Park across from Wydown will remain. Lyda said she would look into that. Ann Smith Carr thanked the Aldermen for the removal of trash in the Westminster alley and Parkview. Laure Porterfield advised the Alderman that she has received complaints about the 6000 and 6100 blocks of Westminster and McPherson not getting leaf pickup. Laure asked if a schedule of leaf pickup could be provided so that people could move their cars. Paula Sigman reported that she had written a letter of concern about trash at Talayna’s Restaurant. Talayna’s does not appear to have security officers as promised and it appears to be selling liquor after midnight which is a violation of the conditions of operations of the restaurant. Housing Corporation Report. Gary Boehnke reported that the corporation had placed an ad in the Skinker DeBaliviere Times for a two family flat at 60XX McPherson. Gary expects that they will have a contract of acceptance by December 16. Residential Committee Report. Lana Stein reported that Gary Bierman presented his plans for the Kingsbury/ Nina Place to the Committee. 5821 Kingsbury will be the first project, hopefully started by March 1. Under CBDO Rules, the Council must approve the .project for Bierman. Under CBDO the Council has rights (exercised by CDA) to see that what the developer agrees to do is in fact done.
This is an attempt to get community involvement in rehabilitation projects in neighborhoods. Lana Stein suggests a cover resolution to see that any action by the Council places no obligation on it. Ann Smith Carr suggests we establish some mechanism to maintain these records over time. Such motion was approved.
The Council gave Laure Porterfield the authority to sign documents for CBDO approval of the project. Lana Stein reported on the parking problem in the neighborhood. Steve Givens (Washington University) announced that parking behind Arthur Building is now open and available. Parking behind other Washington University buildings is now available at no fee. Paul Hohmann and Dan Schesch presented plans to construct diagonal parking on Waterman in front of St. Roch Church on Friday.
They will meet with people on the 6000 and 6100 Waterman blocks to see if diagonal parking is a possibility.
It was suggested that the Council account for low cost loans (about $6,800) may be used to develop property for off street parking. Greg Freeman suggested we look at New City School parking for ideas on how solve the parking congestion. Lana Stein pointed out that a number of students park on Grand Drive and Forest Park and that with the Forest Park redevelopment we will lose Grand Drive and this may cause additional parking problems in the neighborhood. Gary L. Hayes. Lana Stein and Laure Porterfield will meet with Washington University Chancellor Wrighton on December 18th to tour the neighborhood. Dan Schesch passed around a paper identifying Washington University owned residential properties in the neighborhood. Transportation Committee: The Committee met on November 30th.
The next public engagement meeting sponsored by EWGCC will be in February or early March. Forums will be organized differently in this round in that they will have smaller, individual neighborhood groups like Parkview, the Caitlin Tract and Rosedale.
After this there will be large forums to look at the whole length of the route.
The Committee will try to do a literature pass out to give info on upcoming meetings. Ann suggested that East West Gateway fund the flyers. Paul Hohmann said they probably wouldn’t fund this. Although one resident at a meeting had suggested there might be buyouts, Paul Hohmann said he believed Bi-State was not looking for buyouts at this time. IX. Beautification Committee. Andy Cross brought pansies that will flower winter long.
He installed a sign and table for the Block Unit 1035 garden. Andy has submitted a grant applications for the McPherson Garden to tap in to the St. Louis City water supply.
He will try to focus on the front of the McPherson Garden.
A master gardener will be an officials guide for the garden. Andy and his daughter planted 300 bulbs in the neighborhood. Playground Report. Grant applications have been submitted to the Desmond Lee and Anheuser Busch foundations.
A grant application to the Rams is in process.
The Committee sent out request letters for community funds, and has received $6,300 so far.
They will do a phonathon tomorrow night at Crossroads from 7-9 p.m.
The Committee has revised the playground plan to reduce cost, and may do the project in two phases.
The Committee will host a skate night February 12 at Steinberg Skating Rink from 5-7 p.m. to establish community support and fund raising. Rosedale Report. Julie Schoemehl reported for Rosedale. Rosedale lost money on Rags to Riches.
It brought wreaths for the entry posts to the streets.
It will have a Christmas lights contest.
The Council asked Rosedale for $75 for the police/firefighters reception.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee.
The Coinmittee will meet on Thursday, December 17.
The MLK celebration will include a tribute to Jack Wright for all his contributions in the neighborhood.
A resolution from SDCC for Jack will be presented. Cal Stuart and Dave Schmidt will speak. Bonita Cornute will speak at Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
A number of schools will be involved. St. Roch will produce art work. Miki Merritt and New Cote Brilliante Church will underwrite food.
The Committee thanked Lana Stein for the article in the Times. Parkview. Parkview has finished a neighborhood survey about MetroLink.
They meet Wednesday night to decide how to utilized the information.
There have been very few problems with crime recently in Parkview. New Business. Greg Freeman reported that a number of people in his neighborhood have been having trouble with mail service. Gwen Lazard called the Post Office Manager and he said that the route was overburdened.
They are bringing in overtime people. Les Thomas from the Gwen Giles Station offered to come and speak to the Board about mail service.
The mail carrier in Parkview reported he had a combined route and couldn’t deliver mail on time.
It was suggested that we ask Mr. Thomas to come to the January meeting to explain the mail problems. Gwen agreed to make these arrangements. Adjournment. Greg Freeman moved for adjournment at 9:05 p.m. and the motion passed.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1999.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1999_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
