Historical April–May 2024 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Board Members Present: Tracy Granneman (President, Rosedale), Molly Rater (Secretary, Kingsbury Square), Yvette Kell (Treasurer, Washington Heights), Jim Holzer (Rosedale), AnnaMarie Bliss (at large), JoAnna Schooler (Washington University), Tim Woodcock (Rosedale) Karen Stokes (Grace Methodist), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights), Mike Stephens (Parkview), Roger Harris (Washington Heights) Not Present: Carl Merritt (Cote Brillante), John Wright (Parkview Agents), Kathryn Bulard (Busey Bank), Linda Cross (Rosedale) Visitors: Marv Nodiff (HZC), NIS Sheree Hickman, Kaitlin Daniels (Dog Park), Nahuel Fefer (CDA), Marnita Spight (CDA), Collin Wettach (CDA), Pam Ollivierre (CDA), Katie Lawson (Wash U student), Nicole Blumner (Community Development), Michelle Davidson (5800 Pershing), Grady Vaughan (Security), Pascale Pochart (6100 Westminster), Gale Fitzpatrick (6100 Westminster), Mary and Bill Christman (6000 Kingsbury), Christina Kerr (6100 McPherson), Nick Stephani (6100 Washington) Meeting was called to Order at 7:05 in the SDCC office. Quorum with 11/15 board members present Katie Lawson, Wash U student and reporter, gave a quick introduction about a project she is working on for school about the SD Neighborhood.
She lives on Waterman and wants to learn more about the neighborhood.
She alerted us that she was recording our meeting and no one objected.
Her contact information is 214-769-9446, Katielawson2020@gmail.com ALDERMANIC REPORTS: Shameem reported that she was available for questions and would stay for the entire meeting.
She is dealing with issues of derelict cars, alley clean ups. Aldermanic Board will be hosting meetings about how to best utilize Rams money. Meetings will be open to the public on Zoom. Community Development Administration (CDA) Nahuel Fefer gave a presentation about CDA. 2024 Neighborhood Grants are being funded by HUD. AVAILABLE FUNDS AND PRIORITIES: HOME-ARP Permanent Supportive Housing Available funds: 9,668,557 (HOME-ARP) Affordable Housing Production. Available funds: 6,000,000 (CDBG/
HOME) Affordable Housing Production Vacant Unit Turns. Available funds: 2,500,000 Neighborhood Plan Implementation: Available funds 1,600,000 (ECO Dev Sales Tax) Neighborhood Capacity Building (RFP): Available funds 400,000 (Eco Dev Sales Tax) Community Development Grants Program Administration (RFP) 500,000 (CDBG) To qualify for healthy homes repair program and flooding recovery funding applicants must be moderate to low income (56,000 or less per year for individual and 80,000 or less for family of four) Nahuel reported that they really need contractors.
They are also taking applications for a Community Advisory Committee to help with long range planning. Mike Stephens requested that Home renovations be compliant with Historic Standards. Bill Christman Studio: Joes Café has been open for 20 years and held >1000 musical events.
They have also opened their doors for numerous fund raisers for non-profits without charge. Bill and Mary Christman are seeking a letter of support from SDCC to keep Joes Café open.
The hearing at the Board of Adjustments will be 2/28.
This is a zoning issue since only Joes café is graded for commercial and the yard is residential.
They are not seeking to make this a money making endeavor and will not seek a liquor license. Several neighbors have already written letters of support. Joes Café was closed by Bill and Mary when an inspection revealed some deficiencies.
They are actively working on getting these deficiency remedied.
A motion was made by Mike Stephens to write a letter of support for Joes café and Jim seconded.
All were in favor and the motion carried. FINANCIALS: Yvette reported that financials from 2022 and 2023 were not reconciled and she wants to hire a bookkeeper to do the reconciliation.
She wants a checks and balances system for accountability.
Most of the accounting cost will be up front and will lessen over time.
She reported that Wintermarkt made more than expected (4500). More fundraising will be needed as well as new grant proposals for SDCC to stay financially solvent. RAC grant may be able to be renewed for 2024.
She proposed the 2024 budget. Mike Stephens made a motion to approve and Nathaniel seconded.
The motion passed. Mike Stephens made a motion to approve 5000 dollars to pay for audit of 2022/2023 finances. Tracy seconded and the motion passed. BRASAS RESTAURANT LETTER OF APPROVAL: The Commercial Districts Committee has voted to recommend that the SDCC Board provide a letter of support to the Zoning Administrator for Andrew Cisneros of Brasas.
The business is set to move in to the old Herban Eatery Space at 6138 Delmar. AnnaMarie made motion to offer letter of support and Mike Stephens seconded. JoAnna Schooler abstained.
The motion carried. Housing and Zoning: Committee has made several requests for Building Division to inspect property at 6137 Westminster.
There has been no inspection and instead inspector had conversation with residents. Marvin reported that he had interviewed occupants and provided names, vehicles and license numbers. Inspector said hard to prove that the residents violated the no > 3 unrelated persons living in one residence and suggested that HZC provide Birth and Marriage Certificates of occupants. Tracy wanted to know if there was a change in policy of how inspections were done and or if this inspector did not know the policy. Tracy requested that someone from the city zoning or building division be invited so we can have a more comprehensive discussion about what seems to be the big issue – why the city is not following up on letters and suspicion of violations Shameem will follow up with the building commissioner to see if they will speak to us and let us know. HISTORIC COMMITTEE: AnnaMarie reported that development at 6000 Washington had many violations and requested conditions were not met.
She has asked for a stop work motion but has not been
able to get a response from the CRO (Cultural Resources Office).
She will follow up with the Building Division and copy Shameem on the email. COMMUNITY COMMENT: Neighbor Michelle Davidson asked about speed humps on Pershing and if anything could be done about the hole in the tree lawn at 5835 Pershing. Shameem will follow up.
She asked what was happening with the building across from Grace Methodist. JoAnna Schooler said this was a Wash U building and will be renovated. Michelle expressed an interest in being on the SDCC board and Tracy affirmed that she could be a member for Washington Heights. Motion made to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm Minutes submitted by Molly Rater, SDCC Board Secretary, on 2/17/2024
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2024_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6, 7, 8; PDF page(s) 6, 7, 8.
