Drake Neighborhood
Association
Board meeting minutes
October 11, 2000
Present: Don Adams, Nathan
Brooks, Bernie Burke, Patty Daniels, Nancy Geiger, Jennifer Harper,
Larry James, Ron Langston, Eldon McAfee, Carl McPherson, Dawn
Price, Tony Schmitt
Absent: Rachel Ahlmie, Mark Bequeaith, Catherine Dietz-Kilen
(excused)
Treasurer's report was given and accepted. The Board discussed and affirmed a desire to maintain an adequate rotating treasury balance as well as putting monies back into the community through donations and projects. Eldon suggested a Board wish list be started including such items as a fence at the Community Garden.
Neighborhood Based Service
Delivery
The NBSD reported began
with a review of the city's monthly burglary report. Our area
does not have many at all cited. There will begin to be contributions
to the Assn Newsletter from the NBSD officers and departments.
This will hopefully add to their exposure to the whole neighborhood.
Jennifer Irsfeld and Jennifer Harper have been assisting with
various landlord and resident meetings on reoccurring issues.
Announcments
--The Community Center is in need of volunteers and information
will be placed in the newsletter.
--I235 cleanup day is October 21st beginning at Drake Park.
Please assemble by 7:45am.
--The Scrub Day, Sept 23rd was successful and thanks to those
who worked at the various sites.
--The newsletter is being well received including the addition
of the ads. The new business feature is drawing some attention
as well.
--GLRC -- The Gay & Lesbian Resource Center is moving to
25th street just south of the University intersection. Eldon
will send a welcome letter for the Board to the Center.
--Nov 2nd, will be OSACS's 20th year celebration. An invitation
to the event was shared with the group.
Drake University
Don Adams reported that the Program Review process continues
at the University as it has been reported in the local newspaper.
Larry Mohlenburg and Eldon worked together with an alley retaining
wall/dead-ended issue at the east end of the
November election
Candidates Nathan Brooks
and Ron Langston were recognized and each spoke to the Board.
Rainbow house
The building colors have been a concern for several neighbors
and Mr Meyer has indicated his willingness to work with whatever
colors are acceptable as long as there are three colors selected.
It was reaffirmed that this location is in compliance with group
home standards.
Hy-Vee/Drugtown
The appeal of the city staff's decision was granted concerning
the configuration of the Uptown Center's Drugtown & Regal
Liquor stores. Eldon explained that HyVee has the following
options: 1) go to theBoard of Adjustment for a conditional use
permit 2) change their existing floor plan or 3) go to district
court to appeal the decision. The DNA board's goal remains the
same that this location not be used/seen or become a separate
liquor store.
School Reorganization
We were informed that the staff members of the Perkins and King
schools desire to be separate K-5 buildings. The Perkins Parents
Assn desires Perkins to be a traditional school with boundaries.
The King-Irving Neighbors are believed to be interested in King
having boundaries also. The Board decided to send a letter to
the School Board asking them to keep us informed and involved
in this issue.
By Laws Amendment
There was a discussion of what the current DNA by-law language
is pertaining to attendance at general meetings and monthly board
meetings. We are not out of compliance with the State of Iowa
open meetings laws. After much discussion of what the intent
might have been or long term implications is to this requested
language change, the Board decided to present at the annual meeting
the following motion:
All general membership meetings are open to all interested persons.
Community Center
There was a motion to donate $2,000 to the Community Center.
The discussion highlighted how successful this Center has been
on little funds and yet we were not aware of what their actual
needs are. A request will be made to obtain a wish list from
the Center before the next meeting. The DNA donated $500 to
the Center in 1999.
University Parking
Larry shared his interest in a review by the City concerning
the parking situation along University Ave. He suggested that
the University, business and resident needs might be balanced
and yet allows for parking all day along University Ave. He
reminded the group that as part of the Walgreens approval, the
City Council was to direct Traffic & Transportation to conduct
a study in the area. Larry James will work with Larry Mohlenburg
of the Drake Business Assn and Carl McPherson to assess the current
situation.
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.