Drake Neighborhood Association
Board meeting minutes
November 12, 2003 at First Christian Church
Present: Larry James, David Courard-Hauri, Eldon McAfee, Trish Davis, Jim Dietz-Kilen, Carl McPherson, Jennifer Sayers, Jennifer Lawler, Tony Schmitt, Dustin Smith
Meeting began at 7:05 p.m.
NBSD- Jeff Aldrich
Police Report- Neighborhood is clearing up. Citizens are calling about abandoned and unregistered cars-getting them off of the street. Safety isn't a problem just in the Drake area- its common problem across the city. Encouraged people to be smart at night. Discussed the perception problem about the Drake neighborhood and the university. December 9-13 NBSP-League of Citizens meeting in Nashville.
Ed- He's receiving dumping calls from citizens. Properties are cleaning up in the area. Landlords are cleaning up properties themselves to avoid re-inspection fees. 973 23rd and 1328 23rd were nuisanced by the city. Trash is a problem all over the city. It is the responsibility of the landlords to get tenants to remove trash containers from the curbs.
Organization Reports
Beautification: David Courard-Hauri- Worked on brick caps on 31st, 32nd, 35th. The work day on November 8th didn't happen-problem with the cutter. This will become a spring project. Discussed ordering bulbs and possible types -Suggested writing a grant for money to fund beautification project. Discussed flower watering in the spring-possibly Drake University? Board approved to give $50.00 for sand. Suggested giving bricks to volunteers, possible DNR t-shirt. Motion to allow the beautification committee $300 in petty cash per year for supplies. Motion carried. Motion to allow beautification committee to give volunteers a DNR t-shirt, one per person. Motion carries.
House Tour: Trish Davis- Looking at possible houses east of 28th towards 25th for the house tour next year- June 5th and 6th in conjunction with the Greek Food Fair. Meeting in December to discuss next year's tour-send a letter to residence to create interest and get participants.
New Business
A. First Christian Church: Sandra Eldings- Asking for a letter of support for the addition of a port on the south entrance and paint to unify the brick, signage and larger lobby. Construction has begun on the interior - outside will begin in the spring. Motion to write a letter of support. Motion carried.
B. Polk County VORP program: Nancy Johnson: Polk County Attorneys Office, Martha Norell, Roger and Cheryl Thompson. Asking for support and participation in a VORP program. Discuss River Bend program that forces convicted prostitutes and johns to face citizens in their community. In conjunction with a mediator, two citizens confront the violator as victims. Giving a face to a faceless crime. Restorative Justice. Violators have a mapped probation area and can't go back into the area. Nineteen files to date. Seems to be successful. Motion to support and join VORP. Motion carried.
C. Boys and Girls Club: Mikel Johnson- Discusses and introduces board to the program. Celebrating the 40th year of the Boys and Girls Club in Des Moines. They're committed to youth development.
Safe place
Mentor rich
Educational Programming
Youth directed model
Leadership programs
Tutoring
Asked board for assistance on their open house on December 5th, 4-7pm on the 4th floor, at 1st Christian Church.
D. DNA Board Members, election of slate of candidates
Two open positions on the DNA board: Eldon McAfee and Patty Daniels.
DNA board voted in Janelle Carr and Dan Egnor. Motion to choose two new members from list of interested citizens. Motion passed to elect two people in at a public meeting. At the annual meeting, eight names will be presented to the general members. Members will vote.
E. Alley Discussion (City snow clearance, trash collection): Dave
City isn't going to plow alleys. Members are concerned. Some trash collection still have alley pick up. Motion to write a letter to the city and have them look at the alley system and consider some alley trash pick up in specific areas. Motion carries.
F. DNA Bylaws discussion
Board created a committee to look at and review DNA's bylaws. They have one month to review.
Committee: David Courard-Hauri, Eldon McAfee, Trish Davis, Carl McPherson
Old Business
A. Senior Housing- MLK and Forest update: Larry James
The Planning and Zoning approval is favorable for the senior housing project. They did request more brick.
City Council will vote on the CDB/ Corridor Project grant - $255,000-300,000.
(Community Development Block Grant)
Janelle Carr was appointed Secretary by the board.
Trish Davis was appointed Treasurer by the board.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 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.