Minutes, October 15, 2019

Minutes from the October 15, 2019 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting

Members Present: Aly Byatt, Aubrey Carter, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, and Chris Thomas.

Others Present: Rose Gabriel

1.    On a motion by Chris, seconded by Aly, the minutes from the August 20, 2019 monthly board meeting were approved with corrections, and on a motion by BJ, seconded by Malcolm the minutes from the September 17, 2019 board meeting were approved with corrections. Corrections have been made.

2. Our September financial report shows a net gain of $2776, a checking balance of $4903, and a savings balance of $117,539. Regarding specifics of the Profit & Loss, the refund of $400 is a rebate for a new A/C, and the increase in supplies is due to irrigation equipment (soaker hoses, timers, etc.) for Neighborhood Center and motion lights on Haskell House.  

Minutes from the October 14, 2019 Finance Committee appear at the end of these minutes.

3.    Rose reported that everyone is current on rent. A couple of leases are up for renewal and will be renewed. Rose is awaiting financials from tenant at 1009B Charlotte; rent to be determined based on review. 1807 W. 11th will renew at the current rate but will change to a commercial lease. Rose recommended that the late fee increase from $25 to $50. The board approved this change.

4.    City staff has recommended that we receive funding from the City affordable housing bond fund for construction of a new CCDC property at 1611 W. 10th. The City Council, acting as the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, is scheduled to vote on November 14, 2019. In response to a question, Rose stated that the house will be 1095 sq. feet. Cost is expected to be $197,000. It was suggested that we post a sign out front: “Another Project by CCDC.”

We also received approval for funds for repairs to the Haskell House from the City’s Heritage Tourism grant program. We need to sign a new contract with Parks and Recreation for the Haskell House. We will be assigned a contract manager. 

5.    Mary reported on what’s been going on with the new land use code revision process. So far, it looks as though Clarksville will not be adversely affected by proposed changes. The transition zone on W. 6th doesn’t seem to extend beyond UT Married Student Housing. Paula Hern is going to meet with staff to verify this. Our area properties will be R2B: residential, single family + ADU or duplex. Both sides of Waterston will be RM2, higher density than R2B, but less than Palma, which will be less than Enfield (streets within the Enfield transition zone.) Two city-wide Town Hall hearings will be held before the Planning Commission, then the Council will vote

6.    The CCDC Board retreat is scheduled for November 3, 2019, 9 to noon at BJ’s house. Gregory is bringing coffee & bagels.

7.    No Other Business was discussed.

8.    The Board did not meet in Executive Session. 

Minutes from October CCDC Finance Committee Meeting, 10/14/2019

Attending: BJ Friedman, CCDC Treasurer, Mary Reed, CCDC President, Rose Gabriel, CCDC Financial Manager

BJ compared checks written and debit card purchases to information in the CCDC’s September bank statement. She has no issues.

BJ and Mary reviewed financials for September. Mary asked Rose about the $400 in refund income the CCDC had received. Rose explained that it was a rebate from the City of Austin related to the installation of new central AC at the neighborhood center. Mary also pointed out that the notecard income amount should be $20, not $24, and asked what the $588.27 in supplies represented. Rose replied that it was mostly irrigation-related expenses associated with the plants and trees at the Center, which had become extremely heat-stressed.

BJ inquired about the CCDC’s continued high utility expense. Rose said that she is trying to get the accounts for the properties with shared meters to be changed to a budget plan,  and that getting separate meters for each property is on her list, but given the cost, not at the top of that list quite yet.

BJ and Rose discussed issues related to the financial data that is on the CCDC’s google drive. BJ said that it needs to be better organized. Rose explained that part of the problem is that she is not very familiar with how to get docs onto google drive. BJ gave her a quick lesson and Rose said that she felt confident that she could do what needs to be done going forward.