Minutes, July 19, 2022

CCDC Board of Directors Meeting

July 19, 2022

The meeting was held virtually via Zoom.

Board Attendees: Mary Reed, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Chris Thomas

PPM Attendees: Brad Prak

1.     Approval of minutes from the April 19, 2022 Annual Meeting and the April 19 and June 21, 2022 monthly board meetings could not be held due to a lack of a quorum.

2.     June Financials:

BJ presented a summary of June’s financials, but the spreadsheet report from PPM was not available due to the transition to the new software accounting package. She will provide the spreadsheet to the Board when it is available.

3.     Monthly property reports:

a.     CCDC properties managed by PPM:

Brad has received information regarding the repairs needed for our properties. Another inspection for the tenant on probation will occur, but the household condition seems a bit better so far.

Mary asked about tenants who are putting furniture on the street and if they have been informed that they must either pay for removal or wait for the city pick-up. Brad said that a mattress disappeared after the tenants had been informed that they would have to pay for removal.

Brad also commented that Income info from some tenants is suspect. The board discussed how to get better info and increase rents when appropriate.

b.     New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street:

Kim sent a copy of her monthly report to the Board. Exterior siding and trim installation are approximately 90% complete. HVAC is installed. Electrical is 80% complete.

There is a new problem with the sewer hookup due to an asbestos pipe at the street.  Mary has contacted city office to deal with this. AYW will provide the necessary details

c.     Renovation projects funded by OWANA funds:

Mary reported that we will now need an engineer to sign off on the plan after the property was surveyed. Aubrey is handling this.

4.     Report on recent in interest in Clarksville:

Mary reported greater interest in CCDC and HH recently from the city. Judy Maggio was hired by the city to film a documentary about HH. This documentary should help with increasing tourism to HH.

Mary also met with some teenagers at HH who are interns at the Oakwood Cemetery. The teens are creating digital histories about various individuals are buried at the cemetery. The Oakwood Cemetery curator said that may develop a digital history related to the HH and one or more deceased Clarksville residents who are buried at the cemetery.

Daniel Ronan, the Executive Director of the Flower Hill Foundation wants a tour of HH and Clarksville. He intends to start promoting HH and the neighborhood.

The Docent Training Manual for the HH is almost complete. Mary will send out the manual and hold a training session and then we’ll open HH for visitors. Mary will talk with Parks and Rec staff about installing HVAC at the HH when they are there to discuss construction of an ADA-compliant hand railing at the back of the House.  

5.     Discussion of a formal protest of the proposed name “Clarksvillage” for new development on W. 6th Street between Baylor and Blanco:

There is controversy regarding naming the proposed development on 6th St “Clarksvillage”. The project will run from Blanco Street to where Z Tejas is located. Mary would like the board to give her permission to write a response on behalf of the CCDC to the Austin Towers journalist who wrote about the project name and said that those who did not like it because the project is not in Clarksville should “get over it.” She also mentioned writing a letter to McGuire Moorman the project developers about the name. Mary reported that she had talked with Shelia Lyon, the OWANA zoning chair who suggested that we suggest some alternative names. Shelia suggested that we provide some alternate name and mentioned using the Fischer family as the basis for a name because there is a historic plaque on the building where Fortnoy’s used to be explaining that the building was built by Alex and Annie Fischer, who ran a dry goods business on the first floor and rented out apartments on the second.  Mary will ask for an electronic vote since there was no quorum. She also asked for other name suggestions.

6.     Discussion of ways to expand Haskell House programming via technology and possible funding sources:

Mary reported that we now have Wi-Fi at HH provided by Google Fiber. Mary would like ideas about how to capitalize on technology to make the HH a more interesting place to visit. Google has money to fund some projects. They have a PR firm who would help us publicize HH. Chris suggested a security system with cameras when visitors are in the building or to prevent vandalism. Mary will send an email with some ideas and will solicit board members for ideas.

7.     Discussion of new date for Haskell House reopening celebration:

Mary will solicit the board via email to get possible dates. We will not have a celebration until the weather cools off.

8.     Other Business:

Mary asked if we want to apply for the Preservation Merit Award. A board member from Preservation Austin suggested that we apply. Malcolm asked if the award included more than a plaque. Mary replied that there is no money, but that receiving the award would be good for the CCDC’s reputation and might help when we apply for other grants. Since it is an easy application, Mary will proceed.