Minutes, February 20, 2024
Minutes from the February 20, 2024 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
Board members attending: BJ Friedman Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, Chris Thomas
Others attending: Brad Prak (via phone)
1. Approval of minutes from the January 16, 2024 monthly meeting. Kim O’Brien.
On a motion by Paula, seconded by BJ, the minutes were approved as amended.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak, Prak Property Management.
Brad reported that in January we had $7960 in lost rent revenue, due to vacancies (discussed under Agenda Item #4.) Total expenses were high, $65,000, which includes $36,000 for foundation work on 1009 Charlotte. Monthly profit/loss shows a loss of $51,000, but year-to-date, we are only down $4700 (primarily due to donations received.) We currently have high tenant receivables. Some tenants are on payment plans, some is bad debt.
The minutes from the February 15, 2024 Finance and Operations Committee meeting appear at the end of these minutes.
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak.
Brad reported that work on 1708 A W. 10th has begun and is anticipated to be complete by mid-April. Foundation repair costs will show in next month’s accounting. This work is being paid by a grant from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) and a generous donation by Paula Hern.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street. Kim O’Brien.
Kim reported that Ashley with American YouthWorks/AYW met with City permitting officials to determine what’s holding up the needed driveway permit. Apparently the current sub-contractor was rejected because the previous sub-contractor’s permit was still in the system. That has now been removed and the current sub is filing again.
It is looking like 1611 will benefit from a new AYW solar installation training program. We will receive solar panels at no cost to us. Specific details will be shared as they become available.
4. Report on current vacancies. Brad Prak.
Brad reported that for a variety of reasons, we have an unusually high number of vacancies. Some are due to tenant turnover, 1 is vacant due to needed foundation work (now completed). Another is a unit with extensive repairs slated. The Neighborhood Center is also vacant. Make-readies are underway on the units not awaiting repair work, and we are looking for a tenant for the Neighborhood Center. Brad thinks that by mid-March the units will start to fill, with most filled by the end of April.
5. Report on efforts to obtain needed repair funding. Mary Reed.
Mary reported that we are waiting to hear from a foundation regarding a funding request. We also are considering applications to the Bank of America Foundation and TSAHC.
6. Discussion of Amplify Austin Day fundraising campaign (Amplify Austin Day, March 6-7.) Kim O’Brien.
Kim reported that the Early Giving portion of Amplify Austin Day has begun. This year we are utilizing the email marketing function of our website to send email requests to potential donors. The first of 3 projected emails has been sent. She reminded the board that CCDC has qualified for 2 Amplify matches from the Shield-Ayers Foundation and Lee & Roger Kintzel. These will be divided between the 15 Housing, Shelter, & Homelessness organizations, with the total distributed pro-rata, depending on total raised. We will not get a big amount. But we also will receive a $1,900 donation from the Reissa Foundation. This is not a match. They select specific housing organizations. Last year, 31% of our givers were CCDC members (including board members) who gave 31% of total (appx $9,000); 57% of givers had a personal relationship to Board members, who gave 61% of total. The Board is encouraged to make personal appeal to their networks.
7. Report on upcoming Board of Director election. Kim O’Brien.
Kim shared the following information:
· 5 positions up for election, positions currently held by Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, and Chris Thomas.
· Deadline for expressing interest in being included on the ballot: Friday, March 29
· Deadline for receiving Membership Applications (in order to be eligible to serve on the Board &/or vote in 2024 election): Tuesday, April 2
· Voting (conducted online only)
o Ballots sent to Members: Friday, April 5
o Deadline for ballot return: Tuesday April 16, noon
· Annual Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
Election results will be announced.
Monthly meeting will take place upon adjournment.
8. Report on February 10, 2024 Clarksville Conversation: “The Importance of African American Family History – Lost and Found.” Mary Reed.
Mary reported that despite the downpour right before the event started, 50+ people attended, largely African Americans. Pastor Manning was great, engaging. Lydia was a moving and informative speaker. The audience had many questions. The event ended with everyone joining hands and singing “We Shall Overcome.” Afterward, people hung around. Bob Ward, with the Travis County Historical Commission, had a table, collecting names from people with information about Freedom Colonies.
As a result of this event, a networking group is forming to coordinate and share information between organizations. An African American Roundtable has been established.
9. Report from OWANA Steering Committee. Paula Hern.
Paula reported that Zoning issues dominated the recent Steering Committee meeting, primarily the proposed project at W. 12th and West Lynn. The Steering Committee is scheduled to vote tomorrow whether to approve the proposed Restrictive Covenant for the property, which was recommended by the OWANA Zoning Committee..
She also reported that there will be another Music in the Park event on March 2 which is also an It’s My Park day so there will be volunteers there in the morning.
10. Report from OWANA Zoning Committee (1115 West Lynn [Nau’s, etc.], 1209 W. 5th Street [Hartland Plaza].) Kim O’Brien.
Discussed under the previous agenda item.
11. Other Business.
No Other Business was discussed.
12. Executive Session, if necessary.
The Board did not meet in Executive Session.
Action taken via Electronic Vote: On January 22, 2024, the board unanimously voted to approve the 2023 Audited Financial Statement, which contained no findings. The matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the February meeting.
Minutes from the Finance and Operation Committee Meeting, February 15, 2024
Attendees: Mary Reed, BJ Friedman, Chris Thomas
1. BJ reviewed the January financials.
2. Mary read Kim’s email update about 1611 West 10 th to BJ and Chris. In it Kim reported that the City rejected the permit application submitted by our new concrete contractor and city staff have failed to any of the requests made by Ashley Rodriguez with American Youth Works (AYW) as to why the application was rejected. Therefore, Ashley and the concrete contractor were headed to the city offices to try to get an answer in person. Meanwhile, AYW will complete all of the remaining items on the 1611 to-do list while we remain in permitting limbo. On a happier note, 1611 is slated to get free solar as part of a program between AYW and a solar company.
3. Mary asked BJ and Chris about their thoughts regarding the need for a French drain at 1611. Chris said he did not think one is needed and they decided that for now the CCDC should not incur the cost of installing the drain and that it can happen later if necessary.
4. Regarding the lawsuit related to 1611, Malcolm is still waiting for information from the defendant’s attorney.
5. Mary provided an update on the status of the CCDC’s many vacant units. She also noted that she and Brad had discussed how to handle the request of the tenant at 1009A for a couple months extension of her lease. (She no longer is eligible to be a CCDC tenant due to the age of her daughters.) Brad and Mary agreed that even though it’s against CCDC policy, the tenant should be able to stay on a little longer because we need her rent revenue and because she is also paying off an arrearage and we are more likely to receive her payments if she is still a CCDC tenant.