Historical February–March 2024 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Board Members Present: 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) Kim Freter (St Roch) Not Present: Tracy Granneman (President, Rosedale), Carl Merritt (Cote Brillante), John Wright (Parkview Agents), Linda Cross (Rosedale), Mike Stephens (Parkview), Nathaniel Rivers (Washington Heights) Kathryn Bulard (Busey Bank) Visitors: Ald. Shameem ClarkHubbard, Andy Cross (beautification), Grady Vaughn (Security), Marv Nodiff (HZC), NIS Crystal Thomas (substitute for Sheree), Michelle Davidson (neighbor), Nick Stephani (Neighbor and Dog Park rep) Meeting was called to Order at 7:03 in person. Quorum with 8/15 board members present Introductions Public Comment: Michelle Davidson expressed need for traffic calming on 5800 and 5900 blocks of Pershing. Cars and buses are traveling too fast.
She will be in contact with Alderperson Hubbard about being put on list for speed humps. Nick Stephani of the dog park committee reported that he had no formal report but available for questions/concerns. Aldermanic Report: Shameem reported that the Aldermanic board had 3 meetings left for the year. Short term rental bills 33 and 34 passed but regulations will not be in effect for about one year. Public will be educated on the new regulations. Board Bills 127 and 128 regarding the unhoused bill of rights proposal have been pulled back and will go back to the planning committee. Reappropriation funds from Covid 19 have to be designated by 2026. Water Division asking for 400 million dollars. Anna Marie asked if anyone had been hired to help go through building permits and Shameem reported that someone was hired in August to help with this. Shammem reported that the First Responder luncheon provided by the SDCC was very well received and appreciated Approval of Minutes: October minutes approved with correction requested by JoAnna that it be noted that Wash U did not own any properties on Kingsbury after inquiry by neighbor Teryl Riggins. Follow up from last meeting: Tracy has talked to neighbor Teryl Riggins about her parking concerns on Kingsbury. Shameem reported that Kinsgbury neighbors would need to apply for an ordinance for parking permits. Neighbors on that block will need to be surveyed to see if they feel this is necessary. Teryl may try to apply for a reserved handicap parking spot. Marv Nodiff and Bob Dogwillo of the HZC reached out to Teryl after the meeting to further discuss. Financial Report: Yvette reported that the Debit account and operations account had been consolidated. Other accounts are the Operational Savings account and the dormant WAC (West End Arts) account The WAC account has about 20,000 dollars in it and was originally designated for arts and beautification projects in our neighborhood. Andy has spoken with members of this original committee and they did not seem to have an objection to funds being rolled over to the general operating fund if needed. One idea proposed was to use the money to improve the Greg Freeman Park and Playground. Yvette plans on working on tearing down and restarting our QuickBooks account to make things more streamlined and easier to interpret. Friends campaign will be postponed until after the first of the year so priorties and plans can be outlined. Neighbors may be more willing to donate if they see where their money is going: Better community spaces, handicapped access to office.
Another idea was for donors to designate where they want their money to go. Incentive prize options should be made more clear on donation letter. Staffing Changes: Mike Reid has left the position of Executive Director as part of the new staffing model effective November 3rd Yvette reported that Karen Kelsey will be retiring November 30th Plans for hire of project manager will be delayed until January/February after board has time to decide job needs/priorities Board members will be asked to help with administrative duties until then like monitoring the email account/ phone messages/helping with events like Wintermarkt Several board members expressed willingness to help or knew neighbors that would Marv Nodiff expressed that volunteers needed to be thanked Yvette asked what board members would be willing to stay on for 2024. JoAnna, Molly, Anna Marie, Yvette, Jim and Tim committed. Kim Freter was undecided. Office clean up 2500 dollar cost for office clean up approved unanimously by board. Expenses would include professional services for things like carpet removal, handicapped ramp access creation. Shameem reported that she may be able to provide a dumpster for office clean up. Tentative date for office clean up 12/16 and 12/17 with preclean up assessment on prior weekend to make sure volunteers would be used effectively Page 2 of 3 Committee Reports Housing and Zoning: Working on demographic data of neighborhood to be highlighted in SD Times Historic Committee: Next meeting has been delayed due to AnnaMarie’s new job commitments. Plan on doing education for neighbors regarding permitting, approved materials, vendors for historical building supplies Beautification Committee report – submitted by Andy Cross For the first time in memory our Rags to Riches yard sale was rained out on August 26 so we tagged on to Parkview ‘s yard sale on Oct 14 and the 2nd rainout ever happened.
On both dates the forecast changed every 15 minutes predicting a wildly different forecast with each report. Next year Parkview plans to have their yard sale on the Rags to Riches date with dry weather in August. Oct 28 was our annual SD Food Drive.
We collected 1,286 items, not counting 173 that were expired or without expiration dates.
It was a good-sized collection. Thank you to all who volunteered and to those who donated. Wintermarkt is on Sat Dec 2. 11am to 4pm. Tell your friends & relatives to get all their holiday shopping done easily at 1 location and support artists & craftspeople while “buying local”. Security Committee: Minutes submitted separately Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm Minutes submitted by Board Secretary Molly Rater 11/14/2023
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Nick Stephani versus earlier Stefani, Bob Dogwillo versus Dowgwillo and Shammem source variants retained. Food drive twelve hundred eighty six items versus prior issue twelve hundred thirty six unresolved source discrepancy.
Original source: SD_Times2024_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
