Minutes, May 21, 2024
Minutes from the May 21, 2024 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
Board members in attendance: BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, Thomas Schiefer, Chris Thomas
Others in attendance: Jennifer Keane, Karen Kennard, Felecia Miller, Brad Prak, Randi Shade
1. Approval of minutes from the April 16, 2024 Annual Meeting and the March 19 and April 16, 2024 monthly meetings.
On a motion by Thomas, seconded by Malcom, the March minutes were approved. On a motion by Chris, seconded by Paula, the April Annual Meeting minutes were approved with corrections. On a motion by BJ, seconded by Paula, the April monthly minutes were approved with corrections. The approved minutes will be posted on the website.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports.
Brad Prak, Prak Property Management, reported that as of the end of April, we had $120,681 in our money market account, and $42,921 in our checking account. April income was $14,879, expenses were $27,751. Expenses included approximately $7,000 in make-ready expenses plus increased maintenance staff-related costs, and a large expense due to an HVAC repair. Also included are $38,000 in expenses related to contracted work at 1817A W. 10th. These will be covered by dedicated funds when the project is complete.
Our recent audit provided depreciation figures. The April P&L includes a cumulative amount from the beginning of the fiscal year through April. Going forward, the costs will be monthly.
Kim mentioned that we have received $2,149.08 from I Live Here I Give Here. These are matches from the Amplify Austin Day campaign--$1900 from Reissa Foundation + small amounts from Shield-Ayers Foundation & Lee & Roger Kintzel matches which were divided between all housing-related non-profits. This will show up on next month’s reports.
Minutes from the May 16, 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 reported that 2 vacant units will be filled by the end of this month. Residents will be moving out of one of the Charlotte units at the end of month, but renting the unit will be delayed until the house is leveled.
Work on 1817A W. 10th is about 90% complete. Cost estimates for the project are approximately $90,000.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street.
Kim shared the following report:
· Latest news: Meeting last Thursday with AYW/CCDC, COA Housing, Transportation, & ROW permitting representatives. Not all departments involved in our permit release were present, but the take-charge ROW engineer in attendance assured us that going forward he would be sure to copy everyone who touches the project on everything to ensure that everyone knows what everyone else is doing. This meeting was arranged by the City Housing Department, and was pulled together in a remarkably short time frame—about 48 hours from the time it was suggested until it took place. There are still plenty of places where we can stumble, but this was a big positive step—and one we first asked for 10 months ago.
· Possible stumbles: AYW’s concrete sub-contractor, the primary player in what needs to be done to satisfy the City, is slow to respond—to both AYW and to the City. This project is a priority for AYW—they want it complete as much as we do—so we will have to trust them to stay on the contractor.
· How did we get here? In the big scheme of things, this is a very small project, taking place in a City with a lot of projects, many of them very big. I can only speculate about the workload of City staff, but I imagine it’s unimaginable. Sadly, it took us a long time to get the attention of folks within the system who would take the time to look at the project holistically and pull the right people together and hopefully get everyone on the same page. We are on their radar now. We intend to stay there.
· Work that remains: driveway pour, redoing front steps. Minor electrical work inside when concrete work is done. Landscaping.
· Unlike our other properties, this is a construction project, and as such, has not yet been handed over to PPM for management. They, however, have generously agreed to step in and keep the property looking better until the work is completed.
4. Haskell House Advisory Group report.
Felecia Miller shared plans for HHAG participation in the Juneteenth parade. The HHAG has a t-shirt sponsor—CV 1871—who will donate shirts to the parade participants. The group plan to hand out candy, and they hope to have a banner for the parade.
Thomas stated that he is working with Astound Broadband (formerly Grande) on a contribution from them to support CCDC activities and events. He will work with Felecia to see if donated funds can cover the cost of the banner.
5. Discussion of comments and concerns shared at the Annual Meeting of the Members and steps to take moving forward.
The Board’s discussion began by noting the great news of 76 new CCDC members, bringing our current total membership to 185. Increasing membership is something the board has been wanting to see for a long time, recognizing that the more people who are involved the more dynamic the organization can be. Discussion also acknowledged that there are members, new and old, who are unhappy with current operations and want to see changes.
In order to harness new energy and get a handle on what the membership wants, a survey was discussed as a way to find out who our members are, what they know about us, and what they want to see the CCDC doing. A survey would also gather information on what skills members have and are willing to share that would benefit the CCDC. Mary stated that she has past professional experience in conducting surveys. She offered to take the lead in drafting survey questions to share with the Board for input. The process envisioned will be collaborative, with all Board members being involved. Some Board members expressed concern that taking a survey will slow down the energy we have now. Mary responded that the survey could be conducted in a month and it can help us move forward in an informed manner. The Board decided to move ahead with the survey.
Members in attendance shared the following issues, concerns, questions:
· The CCDC website could be improved; e.g., making member-related information easier to find. Response: Our goal is to have an accessible website. Attendees were asked to share specific examples, and we will address changes with our web-designer.
· The Board has been unresponsive to member requests, specifically as to how a member can add a discussion item to monthly meeting agendas. Response: The Board will develop a policy for members to request agenda items.
· Why do former and current Clarksville residents have equal representation in terms of membership? Response: This is the first time this issue has come up. It can be discussed during the bylaw revision process.
· Why is the membership list not shared? Response: Members have not been asked if they want their information shared. We need to give members the opportunity to opt in or out prior to sharing the list.
· Why and when did the policy of prioritizing Clarksville residents as tenants change?: Response: A previous property management company advised the Board that continuing to do so raised Fair Housing issues. We will contact Mark Rogers at Guadalupe NDC to see how they address this issue.
· What is the rationale behind the current policy of CCDC renting only to families who have children under the age of 18? Response: The rationale was that the CCDC wanted to bring families to the neighborhood, with proximity to high quality schools--Mathews, O. Henry, and Austin High--was one factor in the decision.
· Is there a way to look at the policy of renting only to tenants with children? Response: The policy can be discussed.
· Can members be involved in the bylaw revision process? Response: The board is not aware of non-profits who include non-board members in their bylaw revision process, but we will look into it.
6. Election of officers.
After a discussion of the need to spread responsibilities, including officer positions, amongst all board members, Malcolm moved and Chris seconded a motion to elect the following officers:
Mary Reed, president
Chris Thomas, vice-president
BJ Friedman, treasurer
Kim O’Brien, secretary
The motion was approved.
7. Reminder of upcoming Ice Cream Social (Sunday, June 2, 1-3 p.m., Haskell House) and discussion of plans.
Mary Reed reminded Board members when flyers would be ready for pickup and distribution to our assigned streets. Everyone should arrive at noon on the day of the event to set up.
8. Report from OWANA Steering and Zoning Committees.
No reports were given.
9. Other Business.
No other business was discussed.
10. Executive Session, if necessary.
The board met in executive session to discuss a legal matter.
Minutes From F & O Committee Meeting on May 16, 2024
Attendees: BJ Friedman, Mary Reed. Absent: Chris Thomas
1. BJ and Mary did not review the April financials because they had already done so after Brad and Linda shared the financials with them on April 8th.
2. Mary reported that we are still dealing with holdups in getting the go-ahead from the City to pour the driveway at 1611 West 10.th However, earlier on same day as the F & O Committee meeting, Kim, Yolanda Quinton (AHFC), Ashley Rodriguez, (American Youth Works) as well as City of Austin Development and Right of Way staff met virtually to discuss what must happen before the construction project can move forward to completion.
3. The attorney representing Tony Brown in the 1611-related lawsuit that the CCDC filed has resigned from the case because his client has been unresponsive.
4. Mary reported that the foundation work at 1817A West 10th has been completed and Prak will begin a make ready there and work at 1817A continues inside and out. Meanwhile, the CCDC has a new tenant for the Center, who will sign a 7-year lease.