Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes

February 13, 2003

Members present: Kendall Dillon, Trish Davis, David Courard-Hauri, Dustin Smith, Larry James, Eldon MacAfee, Dolph Pulliam, Tony Schmitt, Andrew Pinneke, Jen Lawler, Patty Daniels, Jim Dietz-Kilen, Carl McPherson

Members absent: Michelle Saveraid

Minutes approved as submitted

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report: Balance: $7,967.80, includes $2500 from DNR

Committee Reports

NBSD - several public nuisance properties 1622 MLK. Garage behind CCI. Burglaries: 485 on west side in 2001 compared to 615 in 2002. December alone: 30 in 2001 compared to 74 in 2002. 12 drug complaints. Narcotics and pimping arrest 1100 23rd Street. Picking up a lot of cars 1400 block of 34th.

Old Business

Drake –cooling tower: working with contractor. Letter of intent to remove cooling tower signed. Will be dismantled and moved this spring. DU will use existing cooling tower by Fine Arts Building.

Drake Business Association - Larry to attend monthly meetings

Kingman Development – Meeting Wed., Feb 19 at 5:30 at Patty’s House for planning. Another meeting is scheduled for March 5 for implementation plans.

Tree planting grant –grants available for partnering with 4-H groups. Oakridge has 4-H. Grant app due March 3. Give contact info to Dolph.

26th Street parking – gone through 1st reading at council – has to go through 2 more readings.

Drugtown signage – lighted neon signs still in store – DNA not exactly sure what agreement it – did not receive copy from Hy-Vee. Were told that Hy-Vee agreed to our requests, but nothing in writing to verify. Catherine has requested copy from City legal three times, but has not received yet. Larry to make official request for agreement before we consider additional action.

Forest Ave Redevelopment – meeting last night 2/11. Discussions about potential plans for area including dealing with the brownfields. City awarded $100K grant to study contamination. Mixed use pedestrian friendly corridor to attract businesses/residents and slow deterioration. Polk Co. wants to sell Candy Kitchen – will wait one year to ensure it is clean, but good location for development.

Ashworth Pool – will not close. Proposal to keep hours same except Friday nights – will close at 6:30 p.m. for more rental opportunities. Several swimming clubs lined up to use during early morning hours. Some shared use time, but the majority of public access will be maintained.

New Business

Request from Cottage B&B in 2002 to support annex at 2750 Cottage Grove. Building was vacated five-plex. Cottage reps have taken plans to P&Z approved plans subject to DNA approval of front porch and fire escape. Porch will blend with style of four squares in the area. Building is currently in foreclosure – Cottage not yet in possession. Possession is subject to approval of plans. Property will be considered a boarding house – four extended stay, one month-to-month unit. Being asked for approval by DNA. City concerned that front porch addition approved by DNA.

Motion to support site plan of 2750 Cottage Grove as presented by Cottage. With amendment: subject to final review of plans. Unanimous voice vote. Motion passes.

DNA T-Shirts – Trish presented idea for DNA t-shirts to promote neighborhood, get recognition, sell at house tour, membership incentive. Sponsorship possibilities presented. Denim or polo option? Trish to research costs, etc. Potential to involve Drake students in design.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union – is bringing in Salvation Army band and wants to know if DNA is interested in having them play at National Night Out (August 5) – also appreciation night for Miller’s (parade? – Miller’s to park to Grace). Larry to work on feasibility of parade and any costs involved. Patty to help with city permits.

Thresholds Festival – First Christian Church requesting DNA to solicit funds from Bankers Trust. Bankers Trust cannot donate directly to church. Last year BT gave $500 through the DNA. Discussion about last year’s stopgap measure to assist festival.

Motion to explore alternative method for supporting festival other than through funding from Bankers Trust. Unanimous approval.

Park Closing proposal - City of DM proposal to close and sell some of 62 city parks. Discussion about DNA position – may be premature to take position. DNA will wait and see what develops.

Motion: DNA opposes closing of Drake and Witmer Parks. Amendment: to not limit the opposition to Drake neighborhood parks. Amendment not accepted. Original motion stands. Motion carries.

DNA tents – Karen Stiles, teacher from Central Campus has requested use of DNA tents for a marine biology trip to Florida over Spring Break.

Motion: To approve request. Amendment: to sign waiver if damaged. Amendment accepted. Motion carries.

Bob Mickle – Went to City Council to discuss use of land at 235 and MLK. DOT has been approached by billboard company and Quick Trip. City council made a motion for DOT to discuss any potential sales with city. Bob wants DN and Sherman Hill to work with city to develop recommendations for location. Need by late 2003. Meeting will follow.

Use of former Jewish retirement home in SH – deeded to SH group. SH agreed to allow neighborhoods to have access to facility – space for meeting rooms/offices. Wants DNA reps to tour building and begin brainstorming ideas for use of building. Tony, Carl, Andrew and Trish agreed to tour site with Larry.

Other

Drake Park – Jim report - New wading pool in Drake park – 2007. Water bladder for watering trees - $220-$240. Pump would cost $250.Would sit on bed of truck.

Kingman Island Cruise – need to set date asap for booking band.

NDC approached by city for use of old habitat building. Wants to consolidate neighborhood city offices in one location.

Neighborhood pamphlets for new staff at Drake – Drake is happy to include information in faculty packets. David to facilitate.

Drake Student Council at DNA meetings – what is status? Dolph to check with student body president. Trish exploring options to have Drake marketing students work on campaign for promoting neighborhood. Trish to contact Drake professor, Rhonda Menke.

General Neighborhood Meeting – March 15. 9-11 a.m. – to meet concerning vision for neighborhood. Jim and Kendall to work on developing plans for meeting.

New board member from Ingleside Hills – Dustin Smith. Working on scheduling scrub day, but running into dead ends with city. Trying to coordinate to participate in Drake scrub day, April 12, 24th and Forest.

Jimmy Johns to build restaurant at 25th and University. Owner bought entire corner. Will renovate site. Current tenants not paying rent due to dissatisfaction with landlord.

Minutes submitted by secretary Kendall Dillon

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.