Drake Neighborhood
Association
Board meeting minutes
September 13, 2000
Attending: Don Adams,
Rachel Ahlmie, Patty Daniels, Catherine Dietz-Kilen, Nancy Geiger,
Larry James, Eldon McAfee, Carl McPherson, Tony Schmitt
Absent: Mark Bequeath (excused) Nathan Brooks, Bernie Burke, Jennifer Harper, Ron Langston, Dawn Price (excused)
The August minutes and treasurer's report were presented and accepted.
Neighborhood Based Service
Delivery:
City Manager Eric Anderson was present to give an update on the
program, which has not been a failure anywhere in the city but
has achieved various levels of success. Mr. Anderson distributed
and reviewed the March 1999 notes taken at an organizational
meeting of the NBSD at the First Christian Church. He requested
that the Assn. members now begin an assessment of the program's
effectiveness and prepare an updated needs listing for the area.
This assessment of the program should use both hard and soft
(objective and subjective) forms of measurement. The updated
needs listing should be completed in the next couple of months
and will become a 'what's next' list.
He complimented the DNA/Drake Park/Carpenter resident leaders for their active involvement. This aspect of the whole program is vital to its success but not an element which he can supply. The high level of collaborative work between assigned City staff and multiple concerned and engaged citizens makes this whole project work.
Officer Aldrich spoke of his recent efforts with a couple of area landlords including individual and group meetings. He spoke of his efforts to reduce the illegal signage on poles or other public areas.
Ed Ledham detailed his efforts to clean up some alleys and multiple housing trash sites. Larry James reported on the recent Housing Appeals Board meeting, which included a landlord with holdings in the DNA. The Housing Appeals Board did not vote against the man but called for an accelerated inspection of his 37 properties all over the city in the next 11 months. This issue will be watched.
Open meeting language report
Bill Cappuccio reported on the meeting in which the City Council
directive concerning neighborhood groups having in their by-laws
open meeting language. He indicated the original request came
from the NRB to the City Council but that at the NRB meeting
there was considerable confusion as to the exact reason this
requirement was being suggested of all designated groups. Some
recognized neighborhood groups do not have by-laws at all. Mr.
Anderson indicated that he was concerned about a group making
decisions and recommendations and not being inclusive. There
was a short discussion of what is meant by open meetings and
what is meant by notice being given of a meeting. There was
a stated belief by various members of the Board that the DNA
regular monthly board meetings are open to both members and the
general public.
Eldon reviewed what the DNA current by-law language states concerning making amendments to the by-laws. Eldon will also check the Code of Iowa concerning any specific legal issues before the DNA proceeds.
Neighborhood SCRUB Day
Neighborhood SCRUB Day
is September 23rd. The dumpster sites will be the Grace United
Methodist Church and a Drake parking lot at 26th & University
Ave. Volunteers are needed at each site.
Beaverdale Parade
The Beaverdate Parade
is also scheduled for September 23rd. the DNA will not participate
this fall due to the scheduling conflict with Scrub Day.
Hy-Vee/Drugtown
Eldon presented copies of a September 13th letter from the HyVee
lawyer. Our hearing request is set for September 27th.The motion
was made and passed to proceed with the prior Board position.
Walgreens
The new Walgreen's is
likely to be open sometime between December and February.
McDonalds
There was mention of
the McDonalds sign being of a post design not the monument sign,
which was expected. The discussion concluded with a collective
sigh that this is an example of what happens when individuals
do not follow through on every project with every detail.
House Tour
The poster contest rules have been set. They will be distributed
and entrants will be expected to submit their designs yet this
fall.
Newsletter
The group seemed pleased to have the newsletters coming out regularly
and looking quite inviting. The individuals who purchase ads
in the newsletter are also being linked to our web page.
Walking Tour
Teeva and Jennifer gave an informative tour to a group of Drake
first year students and a couple of faculty in late August.
They will again give the tour on September 23rd as a part of
Drake's Parent/Family Weekend.
Annual Meeting
The date is set of October 21st at 6:00 pm. The location will
be announced once confirmed. This will be a potluck (beverages
provided/bring your own table service).
Nominating Committee
Two current board members (Nancy & Bernie) have indicated
they will not be returning to the DNA Board. Three persons have
indicated interest in joining the Board. There was a discussion
of election procedures and process both historically and what
is prescribed in the Assn By-laws. A motion was made and subsequently
withdrawn which would have placed all nine names up for election
at the annual meeting.
The motion was made and passed to have the Board place the names of the returning Board members and Michelle and Susan up for election at the annual meeting and Linda Mathews is to be made aware of the other nomination process outlined in the Assn's Bylaws.
The motion was made and passed
to present the 2001 DNA officers as:
President Patty Daniels, Vice-President Larry James, Secretary
Dawn Price and Treasurer Eldon McAfee.
Organization Reports
Drake University Don Adams (who will now represent Drake
University was voted into that board seat) commented that the
Neighborhood Campus Activity Cards have gone out in the mail.
Larry Mohlenburg, Real Estate Manager, received the Levitt Service
Award. This award acknowledges his work with the community on
Drake's behalf. Eldon had written a letter supporting the nomination.
City of Des Moines Wading Pool Citizen Advisory Committee's August 16th letter was distributed. The Witmer Park wading pool is recommended for permanently being closed. The Drake Park pool is recommended to be larger in design and operate later into the evening. Public meetings on the issue will be upcoming.
No other announcements and business was presented.
The meeting was adjourned.
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.