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), Jim Holzer (Rosedale), AnnaMarie Bliss (At Large, HDRC, Rosedale), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights), Tim Woodcock (Rosedale), Karen and Jeff Stokes (Grace UMC), Mike Stephens (Parkview), JoAnna Schooler (Washington University) Not Present: Yvette Kell (Treasurer, Washington Heights), Molly Rater (Secretary, Kingsbury Square), Carl Merritt (Cote Brilliante), Linda Cross (Rosedale), John Wright (Parkview Agents), Roger Harris (Washington Heights) Visitors: Michael Holohan (Westminster), Ryan Finlen (Westminster), Michelle Davidson (Pershing), Andy Cross (Beautification), Alderwoman Clark-Hubbard Meeting called to order at 7:04, Quorum with 8/15 board members present. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve (Mike), Second (Jim).
All in favor. Vote on New Member – Michelle Davidson: 5800 block of Pershing – Washington Heights. Love the neighborhood and interested in being a support in a formal way on the council. Can fill the additional at large. Karen Stokes moves to approve. Nathaniel seconds.
All in favor. Des Peres Property – Support for purchase: Sarah Christman at 6011 Washington seeking support for purchase the empty lot at 533 Des Peres.
They have been in communication with city. Working through the financial side and coming to city with offer. Would appreciate letter of support fro the board. Have lived in neighborhood as renters previously in early 2000s and owners for 7 years. Long ties to neighborhood.
They have been using property and engaged in maintenance of the lot. Would like to keep open space next to home. Mike Stephens moves to approve Sarah Christman and family approving lot at 533 Des Peres with understanding than no building improvements will occur. AnnaMarie Bliss seconds.
All in favor. Alderwoman Clark-Hubbard Report: Khimonna Stith working with Alderwoman C-H. Bought house at 5946 Waterman. Purchased 3 years ago, 2 years ago rebuilt the deck and it was extended. Contractors/owners did not pull proper permits and the structure is too close to the neighbors’ fence on enclosed porch side. Homeowner working to remedy the issues with the city and will require a variance from zoning. Ms. Stith has been talking to the alderwoman. Had a signed maintenance agreement, but that has since been voided. Ms. Stith has a hearing with City Zoning on Wednesday.
She is seeking a letter of support from SDCC.
We would have to assess situation to provide support and cannot do so before the hearing.
The neighborhood is in transition with no NIS at this time.
Please forward issues to the alderwoman and she will take is back to CSB.
They are just getting back to legislative session. Metrolink investigation – suspect in custody regarding the shootings at the Metro. 4 layers of police and amazing camera system and NSI was a great help to quickly identify the suspect.
If neighbors can benefit from senior tax freeze, apply by end of the month.
There is no cap on it. 1-on-1 meeting is not occurring in May. Will be in June and location will be shared. Preservation Board – spot available is for an engineer. Status on city hiring freeze – Shameem doesn’t believe it ever came to fruition.
We need workers. Send folks who want to apply to Shameem. Advocating for our CSB position. Would be deemed essential. City Charter Reform Presentation: Anna Crossland to present talking about the St. Louis Charter
Reform initiative. Resident of Shaw neighborhood. Was president of International Institute until 2021.
In 2023, voters in STL passed an amendment to establish charter reform commission with idea that charter will be reviewed. Charter is overarching guidance for city. City was passed in 1914. Only been minor changes over period of years.
Some items changed through aldermanic ordinance. Ms. Crossland believes charter is out of date and needs to be reviewed. BOA voted on candidates and sent to Mayor. Volunteer commission – Ms. Crossland is on commission.
They are looking at many things: Board of ENA – we are one of last cities to have this. How can we check structure to help speed up the process. Controller’s position – should there be a publicly elected controller? No check on audit and finance. Personnel – vacancies and issues to be reviewed. 286,000 people in city and 5,000 employees. Not tackling county offices at this time which are a duplicate layer from past. Encourages everyone to register to vote. Vetting initial options for amendments. Week of June 15 there will be a public hearing to learn about the options. (Location and date TBD) Draft amendments would be available after the meeting in June. Final language due in August. Final vote by commissions to approve before the amendments go to the ballots in August. Will take 60% to pass.
If not passed will take another 10 years to pass this. May be an up or down vote instead of individual amendments. Event Updates: Andy Cross: Some flowers leftover from planting day. Blitz day was a good turnout. Big event is Breakfast Garden Tour on Saturday June 1. Starts at McPherson Community Garden at 8:30am with breakfast. Fundraiser for the SDCC. $10 for tickets. Needs help selling tickets and distributing flyers. Has all gardens already set up and will have the volunteers. Dog Show is June 11 at 7pm. PorchFest Sponsors: Letters going out for sponsorships.
Please help identify sponsors and would like each board member to bring in at least one. September 22 is the date! Historic District Event: Educational event in July with CRO and city officials. Office Updates: Painting is done. Flooring almost in. New chairs are in. SDHDC is getting lighting replaced. Soft opening next week (May 20). Position description for project manager is up on website and will go on eblast. Will post to Indeed. Mike Wisenhunt has been volunteering to do our IT.
All computers rebuilt. Will have one for public use. Email addresses for committees. Making good progress on the website.
Please let us know if you see any additional or old pages we need to address. Volunteers for cleanup and have sponsorships for update inside and outside. Donate specifically to something. Lots of complaints about city responsiveness: AnnaMarie Bliss, Marvin Nodiff, and Tracy Granneman met with Anthony Morrow to understand his role.
He will prioritize safety and public spaces.
Some constraints around what he can do with regard to 4th amendment Highlighted that all complaints must go to the CSB. Yvette Kell will restart Finance Committee. Dog Park: Entity considering donating land to the SDCC. Could be used for dog park or other functions. Need to conversations around governance, maintenance, etc to figure out what we have capacity to handle. Tracy believes there would need to be a sustainable revenue stream to be able to maintain a property Space could also remain green space and limitations around what the property could be used for Need to investigate what does insurance look like and long-term financials. Need to have inspection of the property. Soil structure specifically. New lot would be a better model and no land lease impediment. Could we use an open space committee to help oversee all open spaces.
All committees will report to Executive Board in the absence of Executive Director. Dog Park: Add on insurance to SDCC insurance is about an additional $2500 per year. Without SDCC it would be $6000. Want to know if Dog Park nonprofit is under the SDCC or separate entity.
They need SDCC support to apply for permit. SDCC does not have evidence yet of financially stable plan.
They are working toward permits. 6000 Washington: Dan Schesh is developer. Interior work is beginning as building is weather tight. Believes he was not made aware of issues with property. Bothered that there was no one that contacted him.
Some neighbors when straight to CSB to report issues. Building inspector should look at set back and overhang. Dan should let us know that he made changes.
We would like to have an open line of communication. JoAnna thanks for the floral arrangement and support. Clarification for Times: Cayrn is liaison for the students. JoAnna is the WashU liaison. Meeting adjourned at 8:21pm.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: City was passed in nineteen fourteen, Dan Schesh, Cayrn and other source variants retained. Minutes unsigned and Molly Rater listed absent; do not assign her by assumption.
Original source: SD_Times2024_09.pdf, printed page(s) 3, 4; PDF page(s) 3, 4.
