Minutes, October 17, 2017
Minutes from the October 17, 2017 Monthly Clarksville CDC Board Meeting
Board Members present: Aubrey Carter, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, and Chris Thomas
Others present: Rose Gabriel
1. On a motion by Malcolm, seconded by BJ, the September 19, 2017 monthly board meeting minutes were approved with the corrected spelling of David Gottfried’s name.
2. Rose presented the monthly financial report. The report shows a net income loss of $2,377. The loss is due to unprecedented turnover which led to both a loss in rental income (due to vacant units) and make-ready expenses on vacated units. The checking account shows a negative balance, but this has been rectified. Savings balances are very healthy.
We are beginning a new fiscal year. The fiscal year just ended shows a loss due to the Alley Flat construction.
Rose presented the 2017-2018 CCDC Operating Budget. It shows an anticipated income of $169,500 and anticipated expenses of $167,450. The expenses include $36,000 in depreciation. Rose pointed out that this is not an actual expense, but a line item that has to show for accounting purposes. Rose pointed out that there is an error regarding “Bank Service Charges/bounced checks”—it should be $100, not $1000. A question was raised regarding that line item. Rose explained that this is not technically an expense—any charged fees are reimbursed to us by tenants—but line item is needed for QuickBook purposes. She will talk to the accountant to see if there is a way for this to show differently. Rose will adjust the Income to add an additional $1000 (money raised by donated ACL tickets.)
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Chris, the budget was approved with the above noted amendments.
3. Rose presented the property management report. CCDC will soon be welcoming 3 new families—a refugee family from Burundi, referred to us by Casa Marianela, a Mathews teacher with 2 children at O.Henry, a woman with 1 son at Austin High.
A question was raised about the Tenant Selection Committee. Rose reported that she has been forwarding info on prospective tenants to Chris, but did not share the information with the entire committee. From now on, all information will be shared with the entire committee.
4. Mary reported that Community Conversation #2: “Preserving Neighborhood Character, Adding Diversity, Managing Density” (held October 3, 2017.) John Henenberger’s talk was both inspiring and thought-provoking. His articles are posted on the CCDC website (see CC #2 web post.) What was discussed was not directly related to CodeNext, but a way to address affordability, diversity, etc. by individual neighborhoods working to develop their own plans. Idea of being proactive in the face of CodeNext is appealing. A number of folks—not just Clarksville residents, but Old West Austin residents, too—expressed an interest in forming a working group.
Community Conversation #3 will probably occur in January, the likely topic being Local Historic Districts.
5. Mary reminded the board of a meeting to be held to follow up on ideas presented at Community Conversation #2 and determine next steps. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 7 p.m. at St. Luke Methodist Church, downstairs meeting room.
6. Mary reported that she and Aubrey have a meeting scheduled with Kim in Parks & Rec historic preservation person and a City architect to discuss railing at back of Haskell House which is not ADA compliant.
7. Mary reminded the board of the Haunted House scheduled for October 31, 2017, 6-8 p.m. at the Haskell House.
8. The board was scheduled to discuss the upcoming block party planned by RuthAnn Brown. Instead, Mary reported that RuthAnn Brown was in the hospital, in ICU. Sadly, RuthAnn passed away a few days later.
9. Under Other Business:
Preservation Austin has a presentation on CodeNext and historic preservation scheduled for October 18, at their office.
Longtime Clarksville resident Margaret Keyes will be honored by Sweet Home MBC on November 5. CCDC will be represented at the event by either Aubrey or BJ.
An upcoming program of interest: “Austin's Black Westside: A Look at The Clarksville, Kincheonville, And Wheatville Communities.” The program will include Latoya Devezin, African American Community Archivist at the Austin History Center. The event takes place on December 5, 5:30 p.m. at the Gordon White Building (GWB) 2.206, 210 West 24th Street.
Mary reminded the board of the Barbara Harlow events/tribute on October 27-28. Friday is all about Barbara, tributes and a reception; Saturday is a conference that Barbara was planning before she died.
10. The board met in Executive Session to discuss a tenant issue.