Minutes, March 18, 2025
Minutes from the March 18, 2025 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
Board members present: Aubrey Carter, Amanda Cox, Billy Edwards, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Felecia Miller, Chris Thomas
Guests present: Kathy Doyle, Kyle Cox
1. Approval of minutes from the February 18, 2025 monthly meeting.
BJ moved and Billy seconded to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports.
BJ presented the February financial reports. We continue to spend more money on repairs which have depleted our reserves. The board discussed issues that have caused our problems, including the renovation of the 1817 W 10th house costing double what we estimated. We will freeze unnecessary spending until we are in a more stable financial position
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management.
Chris read a report from Brad. There are still 3 properties that are not rented. The board discusses why there is a delay in renting these. Possibilities include a surplus of new rentals available, as well as our 3 bedroom units only having 1 bath.
Billy motioned and Felecia seconded a motion to raise our income threshold to 80% pending discussion with Brad. The motion was passed unanimously.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street.
Chris read a report from Kim. We continue to await inspections to complete the project. The latest issue involves creating a restrictive covenant which Kim is working on.
4. Update on bylaw revision process.
BJ reported on the progress with bylaw revision. An outstanding issue that needed board input was placing a limit on spending amounts requiring board approval. The board agreed on a $5000 limit to spending without board approval, pending discussion with Brad.
5. Report on Amplify Austin Day.
Chris read a report from Kim. We have raised approximately $5100 pending matches, fees, prizes. She will have a better accounting at the next board meeting. BJ brought up an issue to people who want to donate to CCDC via RMDs. Our PO Box number is incorrect on the Fidelity funds database. She is working on correcting it.
6. Discussion of current financial situation and future fundraising options.
Chris opened discussion on how we might improve our current financial situation and future fundraising. Besides the issues with 1611 and 1817 W 10th, Prak has been performing lots of repairs/maintenance on properties that the board was unaware of.
Actions to take:
· Freeze non-essential expenses
· Talk with Brad about payment plans for contractors
· Use remainder of Line of Credit; see if we can get more
· Talk with Brad about putting brakes on repairs
· Rent properties – will go to 80% of MFI; confer with Brad about why taking so long to rent and going to 80%
· Water bills-
o The properties where we pay the water bills have smart meters that notify Prak when there is excessive water use. We need to know if Prak is responding to the notifications and perhaps we need to set up having notifications sent to a board member to help Prak out.
o Get our council member to help us get credit for our repairs done at 1720 W 11th.
o Brad needs to know about notifications; we need to be on the notification as wells; maybe we can be more responsible for monitoring water use and take some burden from Prak
o if too much water is used, we could consider charging the tenants for the overage.
o Investigate again with Brad about our ability to charge tenants for water utilities
Fundraising Ideas
§ Grants – BJ mentioned that we have investigated grants from the city, but how all of our efforts have been worthless.
§ Events – If we put on an event, it has to be low effort with a big return.
§ Involve local restaurants – especially Jeffreys/Josephine House that has big spending customers. Ask local restaurants to dedicate a % of meals on a particular day to benefit CCDC.
§ Raffles – Ideas included raffles for a stay at an island retreat that Malcolm knows about, a car, a case of Tito’s vodka, something related to neighborhood
§ Local businesses – Contact neighborhood business icons (Howler Brothers, Mean Eyed Cat, Donn’s Depot, El Arroyo) to see if they will support us.
7. Reminder of upcoming board of director election and April 15, 2025 Annual Meeting. Chris read a report from Kim.
§ Important Dates:
§ Deadline for members to state their intent to run for the board: Monday, March 24
· An email needs to be sent to ClarksvilleCDC@gmail.com
§ Deadline to become a CCDC member in order to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election: Monday, March 31
§ Ballots and candidate information will be sent to all members on or about April 4
§ Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, April 15
§ Voting will be confidential and tallied automatically
§ BJ has drafted a ballot will be created and distributed through Google Forms with the current incumbents listed. It will be updated with any additional candidates.
§ Amanda will monitor the election and report on the results at the Annual Meeting in April.
· The Important Dates information has been shared via:
§ A flyer including the above information was delivered earlier this month to all houses within CCDC boundaries with the above information early this month
§ Flyer is included in a blog post on the website
§ Flyer was shared via email with all members, with important dates and confidential balloting highlighted in the transmittal email
· As of 9:30 this morning, no one has notified us that they want to be included on the ballot.
· 4 current members whose terms expire in April (Aubrey, Billy, Felecia, BJ)
· All potential candidates need to send an email to ClarksvilleCDC@gmail stating their intent to run. A bio &/or personal statement will be required (but does not have to be submitted with the intent to run email.)
8. Report from OWANA Steering Committee.
Paula Hern was unable to attend the meeting, but provided the following report from the March 4, 2025 OWANA general membership meeting.
· OWANA’S membership list is fully automated so people can sign up and pay dues online now. The dues have been increased to $35/year with option of $100/year.
· Manifold, the developer who owns the W. 6th and Walsh property, spent time presenting what they hope to do on the lot and are asking for OWANA's support. They want to have 60ft height at 6th and step up to 120ft at 5th. They say they will have 18ft sidewalks with green space. They will have businesses on bottom with rental property including affordable units, on top. No definite plans or concept drawings were presented so OWANA is not formally supporting. But, the zoning committee is working with Manifold to try and assure they keep to their stated plans.
· There will be an Easter egg hunt at the West Austin Park on April 19th. Am sure there will be emails to remind.
9. Other Business.
Next Clarksville Conversation will be held on April 12 with a presentation by Floris Sorrells who will discuss foodways of Clarksville residents and other freedom colonies.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30.
Actions taken via Electronic Vote:
On February 19, 2025, the board voted to appoint Felecia Miller to serve as Vice-President of the CCDC Board of Directors. She will serve until the term ends in May 2025. This matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the March 2025 meeting.
On March 13, 2025, the board passed a resolution authorizing board secretary Kim Kronzer O'Brien to sign a Restrictive Covenant Regarding Affordable Housing Requirement, as required by the City of Austin's Housing Department. This matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the March 2025 meeting.