Drake Neighborhood
Association
Board meeting minutes
May 10, 2000
Attending: Rachel Ahlmie, Mark Bequeath, Bernie Burke, Patty
Daniels, Catherine Dietz-Klien, Nancy Geiger, Larry James, Eldon
McAfee, Dawn Price, Tony Schmitt
Absent: Jennifer Hoover, Ron Langston, Carl McPherson
Excused: Nathan Brooks, Forrest Meyer Dawn Price
Neither Secretary's nor Treasurer's report were given.
Announcements:
The Assn Bylaws will be reviewed to include appropriate open
meeting language.
In settling in after the house move, Larry recently found out
that a local code is not fully in line with other electrical
code. He has a June 6th meeting with the Electrical Board to
consider amending the city code. With proper motion, the Board
passed to send a Letter of Support to bring the local code in
line with Federal code.
May 18th will be the date for a zoning vote concerning the NPC Zoning along University Ave. Also expected to be presented will be a site plan for the Senior Center at MLK & Forest (SW corner).
I235 & MLK plans are on the agenda at a West Side Stakeholders meeting on May 17th.
There are some developments in the alignments of the public schools within the DNA boundaries. There is a proposal to turn King Elementary into a K-5 science magnet/neighborhood school. This proposal is not supported by all of the parents of present King children. There is known support for this move from the King-Irving Neighborhood Assn. Perkins School might become a K-5 school also.
904 28th Street residents and the Coalition for the Homeless have been asked to submit a budget for curtains. This item may come before the Board sometime this summer.
The issue of illegal signage offering homes for sale has gone to the city legal dept.
Committee reports:
Neighborhood Based Service Delivery (NBSD) report began with
an update on the work in progress to alter the drug house activity
along Forest Ave in the 22nd block. A notice was distributed
concerning the property at 1722 30th street. It has been serviced
notice as unfit to inhabit. Ed reported on the clean-up work
at the gas station at 22nd and Forest. He also thanked Jennifer
James for her identification of individuals involved in illegal
dumping. The information has been passed on to the appropriate
landlord.
Linda Mathews and other neighbors presented their concerns about two addresses (3120 & 3124 Kingman). Catherine excused herself from the meeting due to possible conflict of interest. Ms Mathews presented a set of concerns related to Mr. Mayorga's lack of upkeep of the property and the city's slow enforcement of their own ordinances. There was a discussion of the various zoning and housing violations, which either have or currently exist. The neighbors wanted the DNA Board to be aware of the problem and wanted a plan of action created. After general discussion of the inspection process, a specific meeting about these properties will be held next week at the Traffic Dept location on Forest Ave.
May 16th at Grace Methodist Church will be the informational meeting with HyVee. The major concerns which have surfaced so far include whether or not there will be any delivery service and whether groceries offered at Drugtown will be at HyVee prices or not.
May 13th will be a Steering Committee meeting for the Farmer's Market. The vendor list is growing for this summer. There will not be a signup sheet for the DNA table which Tony and Patty set up each week. But PLEASE COME and ENJOY!
Neighborhood/Pedestrian Zoning
along University
Patty, Tony and Eldon met with Larry Molhenburg and Bill Lillis
to read through and make suggestions concerning which usages
would not be allowed in this area. Eldon will make official
comments in favor of the zoning change except the exact date
of the meeting is not known.
Walgreen's
The site plan is not on file with the City yet. There is some
concern as to the lack of information as to the status of this
project and the exact setback footage. Eric Lunde has been in
conversation with Eldon and Larry separately about this issue.
House Tour
Posters are ready to go to print and the signs are up. There
will be a committee meeting this Saturday at Laurie's.
Communication
The May Newsletter is out today which includes a membership signup
form. The wesite will be updated soon with House Tour information.
Beautification
The Community Gardens are open and growing well. The Kingman
Island beds will be worked on soon. Chuck has the order in at
the Botanical Ctr.
Organization reports:
Drake University
Chi Omego along 34th will be closed by their national organization
and it is expected that a new dry fraternity will be moving into
that location. The first Orientation will be held the same weekend
as the House Tour. Commencement will be held this weekend on
campus. Old Main will be having some extensive work done on it
this summer. There is a new Provost and Vice President for Advancement
starting this summer. The Drake Relays went well.
Des Moines Neighbors
May 12th will be a candidate forum at the Botanical Center.
Neighborhood Housing Services no report
Neighborhood Development Corporation
The two issues being dealt with in this area of the city are
near Forest and MLKing. The gravel lot by the former Boswells
is an issue the Corporation is looking at. The Habitat for Humanity
Board of Directors list has been secured by NDC. Their warehouse
may be purchased by the NDC.
New business:
Keep Des Moines Beautiful organization is new and is creating
a two year plan. Their next meeting is May 11th at the Botanical
Center. Not much direct information is known about this group.
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.