Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes
April
9, 2003 at First Christian
Church
Present: Trish Davis, Sondra
Eddings, Jim Dietz-Kilen, David Courard-Hauri, Larry James, Dolph Pulliam,
Tony Schmitt, Andrew Pinneke, Bill Cappucio, Michelle Saveraid, Eldon
McAfee, Jeff Aldrich, Ed Leedom, Carl McPherson, Pam Tedesco and Teva
Dawson
Absent: Patty Daniels (excused)
Meeting began at 7:10 p.m.
TREASURER’S REPORT- Eldon McAfee
The association has $8754.15 in the treasury
NBSD- Jeff Aldrich
Police Report – The parking change on 26th street makes the street look very nice. - 15 drug complaints. - Losing 3 people in the narcotic section because of budget cuts. Believe enforcement of complaints will suffer. - 1300 block of 21st guy ran his car into an undercover cop. - Feels this is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.
Ed – New property owner at 1137-26th he has a lot of work to do on his property- 2819 Kingman (Nelson Enterprises) is starting to work on his property, he also owns four other properties in the city of which one is in the DNA. – New owner 2811 Cottage Grove multiplex. Believes own by a Drake staff person - since January to March 71 junk vehicles have been ticket and/or towed – found one illegal renter and one illegal business operator each without proper license- New code enforcement Ordinance into effect April 28th. No car sales on vacant lots, cars cannot be sitting in front yards.
Organization Reports
Drake – Dolph Pulliam
Campus Construction Update. The following campus projects are nearing completion: Lane Plaza, Agora & Pool and Paul & Dorothy Helmick Courtyard. Kirk Resident Hall renovation is completed and now the work on Goodwin-North us underway.- Drake Relays is April 24-26th. – Larry Molenburg, Director of Drake real estate announced that he will retire the end of May 2003. I will invite Larry to attend the next DNA meeting.
NDC – Larry, renovation on the old habitat building has begun. Jim Dietz-Kilen ask DNA to request rezoning for the property from C-2 to MPC to allow for more parking. Goal is to complete property and get tenants moved in.
Motion – Have DNA send a letter to the P & Z requesting zoning change on section of Forest Avenue from MLK east to 25th street from C-2 to MPC. And if that doesn’t get approved then the alternative is to rezone the Habitat building to MPC. Motion carried.
Page 2 DNA Minutes
April 9, 2003
First Christian Church
1ST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Sondra Eddings – Farmer’s Market meeting was held at the church last Friday. Hope to form a committee from the people who attended and meet quarterly. Farmer’s Market finished 3rd in Iowa competition as the best Farmer’s Market. Need more volunteers to help. Would like to do a joint mailing with DNA to promote the market. - Happy with DNA and Drake’s involvement in the Thresholds program. Event will be last weekend in February and will be held at Drake because the church will be under renovation. – This summer the church’s community center will do a joint program using volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club. Has a grant to pay youth memberships to needy youth. Would like DNA to write a letter to the church in support of this new working agreement between Boys and Girls Club and the church and make a motion to allow the use of the grant money to help pay for youth memberships. Motion was made and approved by DNA.
House Tour – Trish Davis
Have secured $1200 in sponsorships – Need to get the signs put up promoting the tour – Seven homes have signed up – Tour will begin at Grace Methodist Church – Date of tour is May 30th thru June 1st.
Beautification – David Courard – Hauri and Teva Dawson
Met with Waveland Park Neighborhood Assoc. they will watch our efforts this year and maybe get involved next year- May 3rd is Brick Cleanup day. Request DNA approve $300 in funds to purchase sand and other materials for the project. Work to begin following DNA meeting May 3rd Motion was made and approved – Eddie Robinson is the new Community Garden Coordinator.
Newsletter & Website – Larry James
A volunteer has agreed to do this for us. Tom Bockhoven, Kyle and myself will brainstorm ideas.
New Business
Guests
Pam Tedesco – Planning to put a convenience store at MLK and Forest. Will be a 24-hour store. Has been working on this project for three years. Has great neighborhood support. Would like for DNA to continue to support her efforts.
New Board member Election – Action delayed until next Board meeting
Page 3 DNA Minutes
April 9, 2003
First Christian Church
Alley Closure – Dolph
Drake University has made a request to P & Z for the vacation and conveyance of the north-south alley between 31st and 32nd streets extending south of Forest Avenue to Carpenter Avenue. Drake is the owner of the entire block other than the alley. – Motion
DNA supports Drake’s request on the alley closure. Motion passed.
Larry – P & Z ask the DNA to give their opinion as to whether Drake U. should be forced to pave the alleys in question. Motion – DNA is not in favor of forcing Drake U. to pave the alleys. Motion passed.
Support for Edmunds Elementary – Jim Dietz Kilen
The school principal says that there is a morale problem at the school. Needs teacher development, need new books and more supplies. An Alliance Fund is needed to support the school. - Motion, DNA should make a $250 donation to Edmunds’ Alliance Fund. Motion passed
Motion, DNA should also make a $250 donation to Hubbell Elementary School’s Building Fund. Motion passed – Because of DNA board policy on making contributions to outside organization, the issue must be voted on at two consecutive meetings before it is passed.
New Business
Drugtown signage – No discussion.
DNA T-Shirts – T-Shirts have arrived - $5.80/Polo - $15/ Denim - $18-$22. Use t-shirts for DNA House tour volunteers or to sell at the tour. – Sell shirts by promoting on website and a farmer’s market.
Larry – Quarterly DNA meeting and Marketing discussion will be held May 3rd at Grace Methodist Church. Mark Beckwith will be the moderator at the meeting. DNA board members will be asked to help flier the neighborhood. – Need volunteers 7-a.m. to 10 a.m. to man the Drake Relays Marathon sites. -
Salvage Sale from houses – lots of home improvement stuff including 60 doors will be on sale behind the Tattoo Guy’s store at 24th and University on April 12 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Only for DNA members and general public afterwards. This is a fundraising opportunity for DNA.
Eldon – Request that the Des Moines schools present a report to DNA showing that King Elementary and Perkins Elementary Schools are still racially balanced.- This request will be placed on next months board agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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.