Historical September–October 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), Karen Stokes (Grace Methodist), Mike Stephens (Parkview), Roger Harris arriving too late to be counted in
quorum (Washington Heights), Linda Cross (Rosedale), Michelle Davidson (at large) Not Present: Carl Merritt (Cote Brillante), John Wright (Parkview Agents), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights), Kathryn Bulard (Busey Bank), Tim Woodcock (Rosedale) Visitors: Marv Nodiff, NIS Karen Clifford, NIS Max Magee, Andy Cross (Beautification), Kaitlin Daniels (Dog Park), Carynn Smith (Wash U student liaison), Adam Bergeron, C.L Smith (5700 Waterman), Tiffany Marsh (5916 Delmar) Meeting was called to Order at 7:03 in the SDCC office. Quorum with 10/16 board members present Approval of May and June Minutes: Mike Stephens made a motion to approve minutes and AnnaMarie Bliss seconded.
The minutes were approved. Aldermanic Reports: Shameem reported that The BOA was quiet right now except for working on the Charter Commission.
She stayed for entire meeting and was available for questions Max Magee, our new NIS, was introduced by Shameem.
He introduced himself and explained his background.
He has worked in education for many years before taking this job. Financials: Yvette reported that accountant is reconciling our accounts.
We are in good financial shape at this time. Still need dues from Grace and Parkview from 2023. Washington University’s check is coming in the near future.
Some of the checks from Porchfest sponsors will show up on the next statement. Repair of air conditioner cost TBD Project Manager Update: Tracy reported that she had several qualified applicants and Yvette, Molly and JoAnna did interviews with three of them last Tuesday. Hope to have someone hired in the near future. PM will have 10-12 set committed office hours per week and other flexible hours including evenings and weekends. Porchfest: Molly reported that committee was working hard and meeting regularly. Rachelle L’Ecuyer’s MooBile foodtruck is committed as is Beer Outside to serve beer. Committee could really use some help getting sponsors. Signups for Porches and Bands is on the Email blasts. Make Music Day Concert: This was held on June 21st as part of an international Music event celebrating the Summer Solstice. Weather was hot so attendance was a bit low but a lot of new faces which was great. Jim and Molly worked on this and hope it will be an annual event
Revision of Bylaws Discussion: Tracy reported that we should consider revising these to update our governance and fundraising structures.
We used to have funding from the city and now are mostly being funded by Institutional members.
We may not have enough community engagement to effectively represent our community.
She also feels that we should have a more defined relationship with the Housing Corps.
We may need a consultant or student interns to help with revision. Committee Reports: BeautificationCommittee report: Chair Andy Cross reported that the SD Dog Show was on Tues June 11 and it was a fine event as always.
On June 21st and into the early morning of Sat June 22 a group of young adults were speeding and peeling out in vehicles around SD. Neighbors said they were staying in the air bnb on the 6000 block of McPherson. One of them crashed into the barricade on McPherson & Rosedale and smashed the wooden cover of the metal post& chain and bent the post into a 45° angle.
The vehicle was destroyed.
A neighbor on McPherson has the license plate number if needed.
I painted that barricade’s curbs with street marking yellow paint where the old paint had faded.
The reflectors on the planter box may have caused the driver to notice the barricade because the skid marks were well over 60 feet long before they hit the post.
On Sat June 20th Kevin Koenig lead a cleanup effort at Greg Freeman Park.
Some weeds were pulled from along the playground fence and along the curb, areas were swept up and woodchips were placed on the area where the playground maple tree grows. Kevin was joined by Robert Dowgwillo, Andrew Cross, and Adam Bergeron. Thanks to Kevin for his leadership.
The beautification Committee has carefully pruned the lower branches of the trees in Greg Freeman Park to make more visibility.
The hot dry weeks were a challenge for all of us until the recent rains broke the drought.
The beautification Committee had to water the Brightside seedlings in the Greg Freeman Park planters every day so their roots could survive the transition.
They are looking good now and providing color. Andy thanked Adam for helping with removal of some dead plum trees Historic Committee: Chair AnnaMarie Bliss reported that they will be having a presentation/ open house at 6:30 PM this Wednesday 7/10.
This will be to provide educational materials about our historical standards and will have some information about new slate roofing options.
She is working on funding for signage to say that we are a Historic District to make people more aware.
She has been busy and has approved 25 permits.
She has also been making good progress with Dan Schesch on his development. Commercial Development Committee: No report but JoAnna attends meetings and reported that they are still meeting monthly. Dog Park Committee: Chair Kaitlin Daniels had specific questions that she did not feel had been answered by the Board.
She wanted to know how many fund-raising events with alcohol she could have per year. Tracy expressed that the current SDCC insurance policy allowed 5 events with alcohol per year and the Dog Park Committee could request on an as-needed basis. More events could be added on but would cost more in insurance. Dog Park Committee cannot have a separate bank account at this time but Yvette forming a Finance Committee to look at Outdoor Activities (including gardens and playground) as a separate entity. Linda Cross made a motion that the Dog Park Committee be allowed an annual fundraising activity with alcohol if in accordance with insurance. Molly seconded and the motion passed. Mike Stephens made a motion that the Dog Park Committee report to the Executive Committee and Linda seconded.
The motion passed. Security committee: July meeting minutes posted to SDCC website under committee reports New Business: Marne Madison of Herbloco spoke to group about proposed business at 5916 Delmar: Euphoria Kitchen and Cocktails.
It is a members only Cannabis social club.
They will be providing education about Cannabis, CBD and Hemp with the goal of dismantling the negative image of Cannabis. Meals will be infused with Turpines from Cannabis (but patrons can also opt for non-Cannabis infused options).
This will be a locally owned business. Alcohol will not be served. No action was needed from the board but Marne expressed that they would be supporters of the SDCC. SDCC Insurance: Marvin reported that insurance is a large fixed cost and SDCC should be getting new competitive bids every 3 years. JoAnna agreed to head up a task force and Michelle and Karen agreed to help. Karen will also ask neighbor Paul Kurtz who is an insurance agent. CID (Community Improvement District): Marvin reported that the current financial situation of the SDCC was not sustainable but a CID may provide long term sustainability.
We would
have to show value of our activities and potential expansion of our services to the community.
It would involve taxing and would have to be put on a ballot for approval by homeowners. Jim reported that a survey to support a SBD (Special Business District) several years ago did not show support from the neighborhood and homeowners east of Des Peres were not engaged. AnnaMarie emphasized that we would have to prove ourselves to be worthwhile and relevant to be supported by the neighborhood. Tracy reinforced our strategy to focus on community engagement.
The board seemed generally in support and more discussion about this to come in the future. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. Minutes submitted 7/8/2024 by Molly Rater, SDCC Board Secretary
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source June twentieth Saturday cleanup conflicts Thursday twenty twenty four calendar. Cannabis Turpines spelling retained.
Original source: SD_Times2024_09.pdf, printed page(s) 5, 6, 7, 8; PDF page(s) 5, 6, 7, 8.
