Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes
January 12, 2000
Attending: Nathan Brooks, Bernie Burke, Patty Daniels, Nancy Geiger,
Larry James, Eldon McAfee, Forrest Meyer, Dawn Price, Tony Schmitt
Excused: Rachel Ahlmie, Mark Bequeaith, Catherine Dietz-Kilen, Ron
Langston, Carl Mcpherson
Absent: Jennifer Hoover
The December minutes were approved and Treasurer's Report was given.
Board members and visitors introduced themselves.
Committee reports
Neighborhood Based Service Delivery
NBSD report indicated some activity at the former Boswell site that is
being monitored by the police otherwise the area has been quiet. The
NBSD program has gotten some office space at the police traffic unit
building on Forest Ave (the former Pizza Hut). Teeva presented some
Community Gardens information and solicited input from the body
concerning a possible grant proposal. Several ideas were exchanged and
it was suggested that Mark would work with her upon request to develop
the idea.
May 20th will be the Great Perennial Divide where donated perennials
will be given out to Community Gardeners.
History
Jennifer spoke of the upcoming process, which will hopefully designate
on the National Historic Register a section of the Assn. between 27th
and 31st and Rutland and Kingman. This section has original foursquare
homes and bungalows. Letters will be sent to homeowners concerning the
process and the impact of the designation. She reminded the Board that
there is a difference in terms and conditions for a Local Historic Area
and the National Historic District. Hopefully through the newsletter
the positive outcomes of this designation can be communicated.
Newsletter
Jennifer Irsfeld and Jenn Sayres will be working on the newsletter.
Membership directory
Denise McAfee spoke to the group about updating, publishing and
distributing a Membership Directory during 2000. The last directories
were published in 1992 and 1996. There was a discussion of possibly
selling advertising, including a church guide and/or Resource Guide and
possibly a listing of the Drake Business Assn members.
Denise and Jenn will review the current Membership Brochure and bring draft revisions to a future Board meeting.
House Tour June 3 and 4, 2000
January 22nd at Rachel's home at 10am will be the next House Tour
meeting. 23 letters have been sent as invites to homeowners/landlords
to participate in the House Tour. Three have already positively
responded.
Walgreens
There was discussion of how the photos from Bernie and City Council
conversation got the building plot design plan changed. There was a
discussion of where within the Assn area the house on Brattleboro might
be moved.
Drake University long range planning
Jan 31st at 4pm a set of Board members will meet with Drake personnel
to discuss University long range planning.
Special events
o Patty will contact a possible guest speaker for a general membership
meeting for this spring. There was consensus that refreshments would be
provided rather than hold a potluck.
o Scrub Day applications will be submitted soon. Eldon will try to get
dates different that other organizations in the area and a date other
than the I235 Cleanup.
o Aug 26th was chosen for the Kingman Island Cruise.
o The Feb 9th Drake Neighborhood Improvement Task Force will include
the Farmer's Market will be on the agenda.
New business
Bill Bradley / Al Gore
The Al Gore and Bill Bradley campaigns each had representatives present
who distributed literature and requested full support of the caucuses.
Firstar Home Mortgage
Two representatives of Firstar Mortgage presented the American Dream
program. It is a CRA program designed to help people with a limited
income to purchase their first home.
Above ground utility lines
Donna Weese expressed interest in developing a plan to have utility
power lines placed under ground. There was discussion to understand
what process might be needed to get a citywide group organized to build
interest in this issue.
904 28th Street
Eldon shared some communication concerning the purchase of 904 28th
street. The Board needed no action.
Organization reports
Drake University
Saturday, Jan 15th, will be the ML King banquet. There will be
considerable oncampus activity with the caucuses.
Des Moines Neighbors
Jan 27th is the next meeting. A committee is forming of interested
persons concerning the planned yet silent expansion plans for ML King
Pkwy north of I235 to I80/35.
MTA
There will be a Jan 27th meeting at Roosevelt to hear concerns about
the city bus service.
Upon motion and second, the DNA approved to become members at the $100.00 level.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Geiger, Secretary
The meeting notes are copied and pasted from a variety of sources, and so the font sizes may be inconsistent. If you have trouble reading any of the notes, please let us know.