Historical Fall 2010 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
SDCC Meeting, Monday, June 14, 2010 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Michael Noble at 7:07. Michael introduced and welcomed new board member David Whiteman from Parkview. David replaces Bob Mahon as the Parkview rep. Financials Michael Noble presented, Cheryl commented that Bethany is getting very good at the entries. Cheryl has not had a chance to review, but it looks like most things are included. Dan Lodholtz made motion to approve, Karin Hagaman seconded the motion. Guest Presentation I: Nancy Thompson with Great Rivers Greenway presented. Centennial Greenway and St. Vincent Greenway go through our neighborhood. Nancy is Project Manager for the St. Vincent Greenway. Starting at History Museum, going north through Porter Park to Etzel, left to Skinker is basically where it goes through our neighborhood.
She reviewed the plans and map and said that includes the ‘wheels and heels’ plan. Copies of plan were handed out. Good news that sidewalk and doorways will be in tact for merchants. Drawing for Porter Park were not yet available: will re-grade the park and hope to have more visibility into the park (per police request), more attractive new benches too. Possibly a fountain will also be installed, They have also finalized a contract with Better Family Life to do some maintenance of some of the trail and also patrol of some of the trail for trail users. Project goes to engineering in the fall and construction hopefully in 2011.
It all depends on the budget process. Guest Presentation II: John Sondag with AT & T was present (brought in due to concerns of neighborhood residents about the boxes installed on 6100 Kingsbury, almost at Skinker).
He introduced Denny Douglas who was here to help with more technical questions. Telephone and existing DSL service was provided to residents on existing copper wires. Increased DSL service requires a wider band width.
This requires the installation of the cabinets to provide the services and place them in the neighborhoods (running fiber from central office to cabinet). Three cabinets are necessary, one takes signal, one provide power, and one provides traditional telephone service (to put it simply).
There is a hold on what will happen with the boxes at Kingsbury and Skinker. Lyda has requested that they move it. AT & T said no.
The hearing to put them there was three years ago.
The city counselor is looking to see if the permit that was issued was still valid when they put it in. AT & T is willing to landscape, but is waiting to see if it will be moved. AT & T said they do have limitation on where they can put the boxes.
As far as landscaping, they would want to work with the neighborhood in a plan for landscaping. Lyda suggested they try and come back with landscaping suggestions for the neighborhood.
The boxes cannot be painted because it voids the warranty.
If the city counselor decides the permit was no longer valid, maybe they would have to move.
But John Sondag said that they got word that it was still okay. Lyda hopes there is still a chance that the boxes will be moved. Lyda thanked them for being at the meeting.
She pointed out they are just doing their jobs. Michael said he agreed with what the AT & T reps said earlier, maybe they should reach out to neighborhoods in the future before them. Michael suggested that Michael, Katrina, and others can serve on the landscape committee to work with AT & T if we are not successful in getting it moved. Denny added one last item, that they just approved an all in one box, consolidating two of the boxes. John left brochures and information. Aldermanic Report: Lyda was present asked if people were familiar with the building being proposed on Delmar by the old Original Cast Lighting.
She reported that Dick Blick Art Supply is moving to The Loop in the old automotive place at Limit and Delmar.
The New Highlands Golf Course and driving range are now open in Forest Park. Great view at the restaurant.
She also reported that she just talked to a man today about the old Velocity space for an adult day care.
It would be state funded and VA funded. Lyda did not think this was a great idea for this space.
The traffic signal at Union and Lindell has been on flashing for several weeks and apparently the conduit is burned up in the bridge deck… the street department is supposed to be stringing some wires to fix it for now as the bridge work/replacement would be years away. Lyda thinks a round about would be a good idea. Dan Lodholtz and some others present did not like the idea. Lyda thinks it would work better than the one at Hampton because the Hampton entrance/round about is so busy (60% of the traffic entering Forest Park enters there). Lyda says it is a thought for the future.
They paved the 5700 block of Waterman.
The signal at Forest Park and Skinker has been re-tweaked (a bunch) and it is probably as good as it is going to get. Michael thanked Lyda for her continued attendance. SDCHC: Gary Boenke referred to his report and said he could answer any questions. Gary did bring up a couple of houses on 5700 De Giverville that have basically been abandoned. One of them was boarded up recently. Lyda said there were violation issues. Michael asked about a building on 5700 McPherson and Gary said no developers have been able to make the project work. Beautification Committee: Andy said he does have design ideas for the AT & T boxes, but hopes the boxes go away (AT & T reps were gone). Breakfast Garden Tour was a huge success.
They had great participation from the health inspector and Andy said we now have to pay $50 for every permit for these events. So there will be more cost even the events.
The tour raised over $1300. Andy said it is a preliminary number and he did not know how many board members still had ticket money.
He thanked Arlene Webb and Jon Parker for their work.
He thanked all volunteers.
The Dog Show was also very nice this year.
Now he will be working on the concerts.
The issues is whether or not the WEAC money had been reimbursed since it was shifted out of the account (to put it nicely).
We will have to work on that.
The Arts Council will need to meet. Fundraising Committee: Rachel Boxdorfer reported that the Friends Campaign has brought in over $6000 and that board members should get their donations in (per Katrina’s request last meeting). Next up: Dining Out for Skinker DeBaliviere is next Tuesday, June 22. Participating restaurants all day and night are; Ben & Jerry’s, Blueberry Hill, Cicero’s, Eclipse at the Moonrise, Market Pubhouse, Mi Ranchito, Noodles & Co., Pam’s Chicago Style Dogs, & Pin Up Bowl.
Please forward the emails and possibly host a location.
This is a great fundraising opportunity for the neighborhood.
The Homecoming Committee is hard at work. Corporate sponsor letters have gone out; Jump Co. is in again as in-kind sponsor. Rachel will also talk to the West End Word.
The committee is working on some fun theme ideas: next meeting is June 28. Security Committee: Arline Webb reported that the minutes are attached.
She said that Devin Strikland was (hopefully) arrested for allegedly stealing Wash U Computers.
She does not know if he has been put back in jail but reminded neighbors not to hire him. Next meeting is July 14. Arlene encoursaged attendance. Corporate Compliance: Waiting on Strategic Planning information. Strategic Planning: Cheryl reported that the intern is working on getting the survey out.
There will be hard copies and electronic.
There will be ‘stakeholder’ interviews as well.
This will all come together in the fall and then will result in a board retreat where we put the information together and come up with a mission statement/ David Whiteman asked the nature of the survey, which Cheryl says will include neighborhood issues, information on residents, likes/strengths of the neighborhood, why people choose to live here, etc…. New Business: Les Mason brought up National Night Out August 3.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 (ish?).
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2010.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2010_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
