Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes
September 10, 2003
Present:
Absent:
Review and Approval of minutes
Motion to approve the July 2003 DNA board meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
NBSD
Police Report – Major Jim O’Donnell, director of the NBSD program for the Des Moines Police Department, introduced himself to the board.
Organization Reports
Drake – Renovation of the G-K dorms is complete. Work on the Olmsted Center is nearly finished, and continues on a number of other projects across campus.
Film Fest – The first weekend of the film fest went off without a hitch. The beautiful evening attracted 40 or 50 people to Drake Park. A showing of Fences, a local independent film, and Dr. Strangelove is planned for Saturday, September 12.
Beautification – A Kingman Island work day was set for September 20. Bricks are to be set in the medians at 28th, 31st and 35th. Work will begin at 35th first. A discussion was held about incentives to attract volunteers to the work site as well as what to charge members and non-members for bricks.
Motion to give volunteers 200 free bricks, charge 25 cents per brick for DNA members, 50 cents per brick for non-members. Motion passed unanimously.
Forest Avenue – Larry reported on the NRB meeting September 9 to discuss possible CDBG funding to begin property acquisition along Forest Avenue. A decision should follow shortly.
Newsletter – Larry reported that volunteers are needed for the newsletter. Randy Lauer will act as the guest editor for the September and October/November issues.
Marketing – Trish reported on the DNA marketing subcommittee meeting held on September 8. There was a consensus that we need to have additional DNA potlucks to bring members together. A possible gallery night-type event for next spring was also discussed as a means to attract additional people to the neighborhood.
New Business
New board member election – DNA board member candidates Janelle Carr, Rob Ferguson, Daniel Koenig, Eddie Robinson and Jen Sayers all introduced themselves to the board. Dan Egnor and Carrie O’Connor, two other candidates, could not attend the meeting due to other commitments. The board members voted via a secret ballot after the meeting, electing Eddie Robinson and Jen Sayers.
Board secretary election – Deferred until the next board meeting.
Quarterly meeting – Next quarterly meeting was scheduled for October 18 at 6 p.m. It will be held at Jen Lawler’s house, 2822 Rutland.
Old Business
MTA bus route 2 promotion – Larry reported that a Route 2 kick-off event was held on September 9 at 7 a.m. near Roosevelt High School. The event was designed to encourage ridership on the bus route that runs along Kingman Blvd. The DNA passed out flyers printed up by the MTA for the event. The MTA board will decide in October whether or not to continue Route 2.
City Council candidate forum– Board was reminded to attend the Quarterly meeting/potluck City Council candidate forum on September 21 at 6:30 for a potluck. All City Council At-Large and Mayoral candidates have been invited.
Senior Housing, MLK and Forest, discussion – Carl and Larry reported on their meeting at CCI on August 18 with Richard Helgeson, a developer interested in building a housing complex for seniors at the old Mustard’s site on MLK and Forest. Board members decided to defer any action on deciding whether to support the development until the October 8, 2003 board meeting.
NCCJ Walk As One – Larry reminded the group that NCCJ’s Walk As One. It will be held Sunday, September 21. The DNA board was encouraged to attend as a group.
Second reading of motion to donate $250 to the NCCJ in support of Walk As One. Motion passed unanimously.
20th Place block party – Larry announced that 20th Place block party will take place Saturday, September 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. between Meek and Mondamin. He requested up to $200 be authorized for the event.
Motion to authorize up to $200 be spent on the 20th Street block party. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes submitted by Larry James Jr.
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.