Historical April–May 2025 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Board Members Present: Mike Stephens (President, Parkview), Molly Rater (Secretary, Kingsbury Square), Yvette Kell (Treasurer, Washington Heights), JoAnna Schooler (Washington University), Jeff and Karen Stokes (Grace Methodist), Jim Holzer (Rosedale), Kathryn Bulard (Busey Bank), Adam Bergeron (Rosedale Neighbors), Callie Kesel (Rosedale Neighbors), Roger Harris (Washington Heights), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights) Not Present: Carl Merritt (Cote Brillante), Stefan Pabst (Parkview Agents), Tracy Granneman (Rosedale ), Michelle Davidson (at large) Visitors: NIS Max Magee, Andy Cross, Auriann Selvi, Grady Vaughn, Corrine Groark Project Manager: Victoria Headrick Alderperson: Shameem Clark Hubbard came by at end of meeting and answered questions Meeting was called to Order at 7:05 PM in the SDCC office. Quorum with 10/16 board members present Introductions Ariann Sehi introduced herself as potential new board member from 6100 block of Washington. January Meeting Minutes approved Aldermanic Report: No report President’s Report: 2025 Goals: Bylaws update: Current bylaws are outdated and he will work on revision and send to rest of board for approval before next meeting. One recommendation was to update committees Business Participation Including the East Loop and should participate more financially More Volunteers Fundraising Committee Chairs approved by board Community Development: Nicole Blumner Historic District: AnnaMarie Bliss Commercial District: Samantha Smugala Security: Grady Vaughn Arts and Beautification: Andy Cross Housing and Zoning: No chair Finance: Yvette Kell Community Engagement: No chair Ad hoc Committees: Porchfest: Jim Fuchs Dog Park: No chair Dog Park: Process has been stalled with undecided location. Housing Corps lease was not feasible and unclear if they are a sustainable organization.
It is still unclear if Wash U will be donating lot at McPherson and DesPeres.
There is no water source there which would be an added cost. SDCC has not been in the business of acquiring properties before so this would be an increased liability. Mike reported the Dog Park Committee needs a plan for governance as the current SDCC does not have the capacity to do this.
They would need their own bank account and insurance policy and mechanism for collecting dues. Yvette Kell reported that the Dog Park funds are not restricted funds so are part of the general funds for SDCC.
If committee dissolves then funds would have to be returned. One donor gave 10,000. Other smaller donors would be less easy to track so those monies would go back to general SDCC operating account. Mike will meet with Callie separately to discuss next steps for the dog park. Greg Freeman Park Playground: Shameem communicated at a prior
meeting that she approved funds, not clear how much money that is. Kevin Keonig stated at our last meeting that he would take the lead on this. Prior estimates stated we needed 300,000 for a new playground and 75,000 would come from the SDCC. Andy reported that a lot of the playground is structurally sound like the posts. Bridges and Steps would need to be replaced. Yvette pointed out that the park was a city park and the city would not take the liability of potentially outdated equipment.
After the meeting Shameem told Mike that she would share emails from her city contact with him. Project Manager Report: Victoria is continuing to work on refining the SDCC brand and refreshing the mission.
She is working on transferring to a new website and gathering ideas for how to get more information out. SDCC had our first use of the office for a community event-an art event for children last weekend.
It was not well attended but great for those who did. More promotion to come for using office for events with suggested donations rather than required fees for now. Victoria is working on ideas for cost cutting like reduced cost for phone, printer She has finalized the Friends letter and this should be distributed soon. Molly will contact Karen Kelsey about who our last direct mailer was. Fianancial Report: Yvette reported that the budget for 2025 is in place, Quickbooks has been organized and taxes have been paid.
We broke even for 2024 but looks like we were in the red 1,042 due to office renovations and FBD pass through.
We have about 100,000 in assets with 15,000 of this being Dog Park funds.
We have 20,000 in a CD that is being reserved for the playground. Yvette thanked Karen and Jeff Stokes for acquiring a 3700 dollar Community Foundation Grant.
To break even in 2025 Yvette reminded us that we need to raise 30,000 dollars: 10,000 from Friends Campaign 10,000 from Grants 10,000 from programs Committee Reports: Beautification: Neighbors on the 5900 block of Kingsbury met with Alderperson Shameem and discussed problems with speeding cars in the alleys on both sides of the block. Shameem later brought representatives from the Street Dept and looked at the situation along with the Neighbors who had been asking for speed bumps. Last week the speed bumps were installed in both alleys. Thank you to Shameem for making this happen, this was a very big concern to those neighbors.
The McPherson Community Garden annual meeting will be on Sat Feb 22 at 10am.
We hold the meeting at the SDCC office so the Gardeners are aware of the Community Council and it’s services. Workdays are scheduled for the 2nd & 4th Saturday of March and April from 9am to noon. Later on June 7 we will host the Breakfast Garden Tour to support the SDCC. Soon we will receive the packet from Brightside with the information for Blitz Day and Brightside flowers.
When that arrives we will schedule our Blitz Day alley cleanup along with our Planting Day & the Electronic Recycling day. Historic and Security Committee Reports will be submitted separately on the SDCC website. JoAnna commented that there is still a problem with unhoused people in the East Loop affecting businesses.
They have been hotlined at times and the Outreach team has been out. Public Comment: Potential new board member Auriann Sehi asked about how Wash U students are perceived and how they could be engaged more for things like volunteering. JoAnna will introduce her to the Wash U Neighborhood liaison Carynn Smith. Motion passed to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm Minutes submitted 2/12/25 by Board Secretary Molly Rater
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2025.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Auriann Selvi, Ariann Sehi and Auriann Sehi printed name variants retained, not merged by assumption. Source dog park funds described unrestricted yet return to donors discussed; record as meeting statements rather than legal interpretation.
Original source: SD_Times2025_04.pdf, printed page(s) 2, 6; PDF page(s) 2, 6.
