Minutes, October 17, 2023
Minutes from the October 17, 2023 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
The meeting was held at the Haskell House.
Board members present: BJ Friedman, Paula Hern, Malcolm Greenstein, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, Chris Thomas, and Gregory Tran
1. Approval of minutes from the September 19, 2023 monthly meeting.
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Chris, the minutes from September 19, 2023 were approved as corrected.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak, Prak Property Management.
Brad was unable to attend the meeting. BJ reported that at the end of September, we had $107,724 in our money market account, and $95,546 in our checking account. The money market figure includes $10,000 received from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation for repairs to 1817A W. 10th Street. We ended the month $5,400 in the black.
The minutes from the October 13, 2023 Finance and Operations Committee meeting are at the end of these minutes.
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management.
Brad Prak, PPM, was not at the meeting. Mary read Brad’s report which included the following: Major expenditures this month included an a/c replacement. Regarding repairs to 1817A W. 10th, through a grant and a donation, we have $30,000 of the approximately $55,000 needed. We will tap operating budget funds and/or our Line of Credit in order to proceed with this priority project, but plan to submit a request to the Austin Housing Finance Corporation during their next round of RHDA funding. Leases due to expire on November 1 are in the process of being renewed. We currently have 1 vacancy (tenant moved out at end of September,) and another unit coming vacant at the end of this month. Another tenant is scheduled to move out at the end of April because the children are now older than 18.
BJ noted that we will be drawing down on our Line of Credit to fund needed foundation repairs at 1007 Charlotte. The one bid we’ve received is $33,000. Brad is seeking an additional bid.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street.
Kim reported that there was no news to report on the status of the permit needed to pour the driveway. Ashley Rodriguez, American Youthworks (AYW), was out of the office last week for training and did not respond to a request for an update. Malcom suggested an in-person meeting might break the log jam we’re experiencing with the City permitting staff. Kim will contact Ashley to set this up.
We also are awaiting information from AYW needed to settle our lawsuit with the original driveway subcontractor. Kim will follow up on this as well.
4. Review of repair estimates.
A spreadsheet has been created detailing needed repairs on all CCDC properties. Total cost is approximately $324,000.
5. Report on efforts to obtain needed repair funding.
A packet containing all pertinent information needed to share with potential funders is almost complete. Initial reach-outs should occur within the next month. The board was reminded that we promised to provide an update to the community the end of the year.
6. Approval of FY 23-24 Budget.
On a motion by Chris, seconded by Paula, both the operating budget and a separate major repairs budget were unanimously approved.
7. Discussion of postponing proposed bylaws revision. Mary Reed.
It was decided to postpone the planned bylaws revision process until we complete our strategic planning process with SVP Austin, it being likely that the process may require additional bylaw changes.
8. Discussion of CCDC communication with members, supporters, and the neighborhood. Kim O’Brien.
Kim presented a proposed plan to improve CCDC communication and information sharing with both people already interested in the CCDC and persons with potential interest. The email will share upcoming events, news, and other information of interest. In addition to the email, we will deliver a similar bi-monthly newsletter door-to-door to all Clarksville homes. Through all of our events, and through the door-to-door flyers, we will attempt to capture additional subscribers to our email list. Providing regular communication will increase our visibility and get our story out there. Costs to cover this were included in the approved budget.
Board members suggested possible things to include: old Gold Dollar articles, “meet your neighbor” features, other neighborhood events beyond CCDC events. There was also a discussion of including paid advertising to offset costs.
9. Update on Haskell House Advisory Group. Mary Reed.
Mary reported that she and Stephanie Lang have identified a number of people interested in joining the 7-member Haskell House Advisory Group. It looks like it will get going this year.
10. Report from the OWANA steering committee. Paula Hern.
Paula reported that there was discussion about continuing the practice of sharing the donated ACL passes donated to OWANA by C3 Productions with the CCDC. Ultimately, passes were shared and CCDC earned $1,250. Paula will try to find out the name of the ACL/C3 contact and see if going forward they will donate passes directly to the CCDC.
11. Other Business.
The CCDC/OWANA holiday party was discussed. We need to pick at date.
12. Executive Session, if necessary.
The board did not meet in Executive Session.
Minutes From F & O Committee Meeting on October 13, 2023
1. BJ and Mary reviewed the financials.
2. BJ and Mary reviewed the new FY budget.
3. Mary reported that the driveway at 1611 has STILL not been poured and provided an update on the lawsuit.
4. Mary and BJ discussed upcoming strategic planning process.
5. Mary reported that the CCDC had made $1,250 from ACL wristband sales.
6. Mary noted that Brad is looking for another foundation company because he wants to get a 2nd bid on fixing the foundation at 1007 Charlotte. Also, Mary and BJ discussed the need to tap the CCDC’s LOC to fund the cost.