Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes
August 9, 2000
Attending: Rachel Ahlmie, Mark Bequeaith, Bernie Burke, Cathy
Dietz-Kilen, Nancy Geiger, Larry James, Eldon McAfee, Carl McPherson,
Forrest Meyer, Dawn Price, Tony Schmitt
Excused: Patty Daniels
Absent: Nathan Brooks, Jennifer Hoover, Ron Langston
The July minutes were presented and accepted with one correction, the spelling of Drake's Vice President Anglea Voos name.
The Treasurer's report was announced and passed around.
Committee reports:
1. Civic Affairs
a) Neighborhood Based Service Delivery
There was a discussion of some activity in different parts of the are
but also about the lack of major incidents.
b) SCRUB Day -- Sept 23rd -- 7am-Noon -- The Dumpster sites will be the
Grace United Methodist Church (37th & Cottage Grove) and the Drake
parking lot (26th & Univ). Volunteers have been requested by the
City to assist at each site
c) Farmers Market -- Two items were discussed; 1) a signup sheet was
distributed for assistance at the end of each Market bringing items
from the parking lot into the church. 2) Also there was a general
discussion of location options. Perhaps closing the street along 25th
north of University to Carpenter or setting up north of Carpenter
closer to where the Jazz in July is staged. These options do not have
the electricity convenience of the church lot but do offer more shade.
A motion was made and passed to spend up to $300.00 to help stage a Farmer's Market Year 2000 finale.
d) HyVee/Drugtown/Regal Liquor -- An update was given concerning the
signage issue and zoning appeal status. Eldon was given verbal support
for his actions, which included a $200.00 appeal-filing fee. The matter
is on the agenda at the Zoning Board of Adjustment for August 23rd. Our
appeal is of the City staff decision that this is one store not two. If
it were two stores, then the procedure would be for HyVee to go to the
Board of Adjustment for a conditional use permit. There was a
discussion of the various views on the signage itself and the
ramification of the Board pursuing the issue.
A motion was made and passed (with abstentions) to request a deferment
from the Board of Adjustment while the Board continues to communicate
with HyVee. There should be introductory language, which restates the
desire for a grocery store, and no separate outside entrance to the
liquor portion of the building. The desire of the Board is for a liquor
(or spirits) sign of the same color, size, type and placement as the
other words to the east of the outside Drugtown sign.
e) Polk Cty Senior Center -- No update.
f) McDonalds -- Several persons noted that the main outdoor sign is not
a monument style sign. Larry will follow up on this issue.
g) Walgreens -- Eldon was interviewed by a local TV station recently
concerning the construction. There is an expectation of the store being
open in mid to late December.
h) Community Garden -- The shed is up and a park bench has been added.
There have been some problems with pilfering of produce by non-gardener
neighbors. The NBSD team will watch this activity.
2. House Tour -- June 2 & 3, 2001 -- 10am to 5pm -- Rachel &
Denise are committee co-chairs. The area selected is the Carpenter
Square area (24th to 26th/ Kingman to Cottage Grove)
A long-range project was brought up which would be the restoration of a
fountain in the Carpenter Square area. This might be something to
pursue as the I235 project progresses. There was some positive response
and a general discussion of what might be needed to get the project
started.
3. Communication -- The frequency of the newsletter is appreciated.
Some newsletters are being handed out free at selected businesses as a
marketing piece. The Des Moines Playhouse has a discount offer
announced in the current issue.
4. History -- Jennifer Irsfeld James and Teeva Dawson are working on a
Historical Walking tour for part of the neighborhood which will be
first used for some Drake students yet in August and again during the
Drake Parents/Family Weekend. They are continuing to gather information
and expect that this could become either a self-guided tour or a
reoccurring sponsored event throughout the year.
5. Special Events
Membership meeting -- the Kingman Island Cruise will serve as the next
membership meeting.
There was interest in having a topical meeting to learn more about the
DOT plans for further MLK expansion.
National Night Out -- the motion was made and passed to reimburse
expenses of $236.14 for this annually successful event. Many items were
donated and approx. 220 persons were served. There was a round of
"Thanks" to the numerous cooks, also.
Kingman islands Cruise -- Sept 9th -- 24th & Kingman -- there will
be a band and the block will be blocked off
6. Nominating Committee -- Nancy Geiger and Bernie Burke will not be continuing after the end of this year. There continue to be persons solicited for the positions. Two persons have expressed interest in joining the Board.
Organization reports:
1. Drake University -- Enrollment continues to look good for the Fall
2000 term and the Program Review process continues. There has been no
specific progress on the Strategic Planning initiative, which would
include the neighbors.
2. Des Moines Neighbors -- No report
3. Neighborhood Housing Services -- No report
4. Neighborhood Development Corporation -- still is in the process of
getting the habitat for Humanity site. Information about developments
in other parts of the city is also available.
1. Des Moines Public schools reorganization -- There may be a Parents Assn. starting at the King School.
2. By-law amendments -- the language of the document needs to be updated and some clarifications added.
New business:
1. The Beaverdale Parade is coming up soon. Ideas and volunteers are needed.
2. OneThousand Friends of Iowa are involved with the grocery development at 6th & University. The current plan is meeting some resistance but the plans are consistent with many of the ideas and ideals, which have been wanted in that area.
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.