Historical June–August 2000 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In Attendance: President Dan Schesch, Directors Ann Smith Carr, Peggy Droege, Georgi Fox, Greg Freeman, Amy Gill, Ronie Haliburton, Gwen LaZard, Shirley Polk, Lana Stein, Katrina Stierholz, John Thomas. Guests: Andy Cross (Beautification Committee, Erich Friesen (Block Captain 6100Washington), Suzanne Goodman (Washington University), Paul Hohmann (Transportation Committee), Larry Isom (Neighborhood Stabilization Officer), Jennifer Joyce (Circuit Attorney’s Office), Terry Kowalczyk( SLPD), Rachelle Schneider, John Van Emden and Sole Van Emden (Block Captains, 6000 Pershing). Staff: Gary Boehnke (Housing Corporation Project Administrator), Laure Porterfield (SDCC Executive Director). Absent: Bill Colbert, Lara Doyle; Sharon Fitzgibbons, Steve Givens, Gary L. Hayes, Shashi Kara, Susan Littlefield, Rev. Miki Merritt. Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Dan Schesch. Welcome and Introduction of visitors. Jennifer Joyce, Rachelle Schneider r, Suzanne Goodman. Announcement: A letter has been received from Reverend Mary Harvey appointing Bill Colbert as the official alternate to the Board from Grace Methodist. Minutes from the March meeting were approved as presented. Security Report was presented by P.O. Terry Kowalczyk-Not much going on -crime is down 21%. Treasurer’s Report – presented by Peggy Droege.
All going along as normal .Liberty Mutual contributed $2,000.00. Thank you letter to be sent by the Executive Director to them. Report for March accepted by acclamation. President’s Report – Alderman Krewson’s e-mail about the elimination ofleft turns at DeBaliviere and Lindell was distributed. Much discussion resulted regarding signage, inconvenience to neighbors, concern for pedestrians and bikers. Concerns were raised that no effort has been made to work with the neighborhood to resolve these issues. Suggestions included: Walk, don’t walk signs, greater access through changing planning, neighborhood involvement in decision making. Rachelle volunteered to go to the Forest Park Advisory committee meetings. Dan distributed a draft of an e-mail he will send to Lyda referencing the discussion, improved plans etc. and asked for feedback in the next few days. Recreation Committee – John Thomas reported that basketball, softball and baseball teams and sites are in the works. Checking on gym sites. Future youth house may be established by Grace church for tutorials etc. Fundraising Report – Garden Tour scheduled for June 17th. Andy Cross reported that there will be a Garden Tour Committee meeting April 18 – we will concentrate on gardens to the eastern end of the neighborhood. Both the Block Unit 1035 Garden and the McPherson Garden will be involved in the tour. Andy has sold over $500.00 in plaques (alley number signs) to benefit the Community Council and to enhance the safety aspects of Brightside Blitz Day.
As a member of the fundraising committee, Betul Ozmat asked to speak with board members and reminded them of the need to have visibility in the neighborhood-members should try to attend all events.
It was suggested that board members have special badges or nametags to wear when attending neighborhood events. Committee/Neighborhood Reports A. Residential Committee- Chairman Lana Stein presented preliminary ideas regarding Code Enforcement (see letter). Much discussion on this issue. Motion was made to: Begin concentrated exterior code enforcement April2001. SDCC board to work with neighbors to distribute information to make the transition go smoothly. Lana moved. Gwen seconded. Motion failed. 4 in favor 5 against 3 abstained. Motion was made to aggressively get out information to neighbors and then to revisit prior motion to consider concentrated exterior code enforcement in a timely manner. Amy moved, Greg seconded, 10 in favor, 2 abstained. Flight statue – Ronnie Haliburton reported that Bill Christman will help with statue. Lyda Krewson has freed up money from her campaign fund to help pay for materials to restore the statue. Dan McGuire will provide assistance through the parks department. Ronie suggested that we attach a plaque on the history of the statue. Lana will write up the plaque and thank you letters should be sent from the board to Lyda Krewson and Dan McGuire. Beautification – gardeners continue to sign up for their plots. Our awardwinning garden will be mentioned on May 6th in the Post Dispatch because of the Gateway Greening garden tour. Andy also brought up concerns relating to the exterior appearance (siding visible from the street) of the new townhomes going up on Nina Place.
We need to work with the city on future permits to make sure that vinyl siding is minimized on new construction, especially on chimneys and other highly visible parts of the building’s facade. Lana Stein was requested by the president with the Board’s concurrence to check with the city to make sure this use of siding and other issues were reviewed and approved by the Heritage Commission.
If this has been done, Lana was asked to send a gentle and persuasive letter or to have a conversation with Gary Bierman in reference to the concerns the neighbors have now brought forward.
She was asked to learn if some of these concerns might be addressed in a mutually satisfactory way, especially with respect to highly visible areas such as those in Phase III(as yet to be constructed). Playground-Dan Skillman from Parks Department will now head up the project.
We are signing a contract with Shuster. Lyda to receive many thanks for getting us a $10,000 commitment from block grant money. D. No report on Talayna’s.
We will revisit in 3 months. Other Business. Greg raised concerns about the building on the 5800 block of Waterman with “condemned” spray painted on it. Larry Isom will check on having it boarded up. Operation BrightSide will remove the graffiti.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June–August 2000.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2000_06.pdf, printed page(s) 10; PDF page(s) 10.
