Historical April–May 2022 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Board of Directors of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) met on March 14, 2022, at 7 P. M. by Zoom. Ald. Shameem Clark Hubbard, 28th Ward, discussed a new program coming from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
It will offer grants to persons who, due to financial problems caused by the Covid pandemic, are about to lose a house through a tax sale. Other forms of financial “empowerment” also will be available.
She reported that the Imo’s Pizza proposed for Delmar is still working through appeals to complete permits from the city.
She mentioned the special election on April 19, when the 28th Ward will elect a replacement for former Ald. Heather Navarro.
The replacement will serve until the election of 2023 when we will elect one alderman for the new Ward 10. Mike Reid is filling in on the Security Committee where a new co-chair is needed.
He reported that a drug problem in the 6100 block of Washington was cleared up by arrests made in another area of the city. Rachelle L’Ecuyer was asked if she thought that her serving as chair of the SDCC Commercial Committee while also employed as Executive Director of the East Loop CID created a conflict of
interest.
She explained that the two roles function well together and therefore does not see a conflict.
There was no further discussion.
She then reported that there have been dozens of complaints about trash and the general condition of the Family Dollar Store site at 5935 Delmar. Local management is not responsive.
A letter will be sent to corporate management.
She suggested that as many people as possible complain to the Citizens Service Bureau, because large numbers of complaints often generate action by the city.
She also reported that Ameren is now looking for a transformer site north of Delmar in West End, but it could still be built in SD.
A transformer upgrade is necessary due to the number of new apartment buildings in the area. Andy Cross reported that the Beautification Committee has scheduled Alley Cleanup Day for April 30 and Electronics Recycling Day for May 14. Donations to the food drive on March 19 will be taken to Centennial Christ Church on Fountain, north of Delmar in addition to New Cote Brilliante and Grace Methodist, in recognition of our relationship with our new 10th Ward neighbors.
We are asked never to donate food with expired dates, because food pantries cannot distribute them. Treasurer Marnita Spight was not present. Mike Reid noted that air conditioning repairs will cost less than expected and that fund raising events have increased 10-15 percent in the past year.
He thinks that SDCC will qualify for a substantial grant from CARES act money and presented a budget for the fiscal year. One member noted that the budget allowed only for covering known expenses with no funds designated for initiatives emerging from strategic planning which is on-going.
Another member commented that, historically, the practice has been for budgets to cover only expenses.
The budget was approved with the understanding that it will be reviewed on a monthly and a quarterly basis by the financial committee to assure that expenses do not exceed income. Proposed committee chairmen were accepted.
A chairman is needed for the Dog Park Committee.
There was considerable discussion of the property at 6001 Westminster, which Dan Schesch wishes to donate to the SDCC.
This revolved around issues related to environmental contamination on the site and to the details of a document dating from the time when Mr. Schesch purchased the land from the city.
These details are described in published summaries of SDCC board meetings in January and February.
There was a motion not to accept ownership of the property.
This motion was tabled until a copy of the original document is made available to all board members. Due to the late hour, there was no discussion of a memorandum of understanding which is being developed regarding a possible relationship with the Delmar Main Street initiative described in the published summary of the SDCC Board meeting in February.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2022.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source labels Shameem Clark Hubbard twenty eighth ward while earlier reports twenty sixth; source designation retained.
Original source: SD_Times2022_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 6; PDF page(s) 4, 6.
