Minutes, January 16, 2024
Minutes from the January 16, 2024 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
Due to extreme cold weather, the meeting was held via Zoom.
Board members present: BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Thomas Schiefer, Chris Thomas, Gregory Tran
Other present: Brad Prak, Prak Property Management (PPM)
Board president Mary Reed was unable to attend the meeting. Vice-president Chris Thomas presided over the meeting in her absence.
1. Approval of minutes from the November 21, 2023 monthly meeting. Kim O’Brien.
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Chris, the minutes were approved as corrected.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak, PPM. Brad reported that we are experiencing a higher than usual vacancy rate which will have an impact on revenue. On the plus side, we received a $50,000 anonymous donation. Expenses are routine, but expect to see make-ready expenses in January. Utilities will also go up, as CCDC takes over utility payments for vacant units.
Brad reported of attempted fraud on our Frost Bank account. Frost caught it, so we lost no money, but had to close existing accounts and reopen new ones (Frost’s suggestion.) We’ve also included some additional safety measures, per Frost’s suggestions.
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak. Brad reported that we have experienced no freeze-related issues so far. PPM prepped ahead of time. As mentioned above, we are experiencing a number of vacancies—4 units plus the Neighborhood Center. One unit will be used to house W. 10th Street tenants while their unit is being rehabbed. Regarding the W. 10th Street tenants, they are due to relocate this week, weather permitting. Another empty unit—1009B Charlotte—will remain empty for a few months, awaiting the tenant in the A unit to move (move is planned) so that the foundation of 1009 Charlotte can be leveled.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street. Kim O’Brien. Kim reported that we received our long-awaited ROW License on December 12, 2023. We’re now waiting for our concrete subcontractor to obtain the needed permit for the driveway to be completed.
4. Report on efforts to obtain needed repair funding. Mary Reed. Mary was unable to attend the meeting, but submitted the following report via email:
“Last Summer the CCDC board held a special called meeting to discuss the organization’s financial needs and whether to sell the Neighborhood Center. We agreed that I would report back as to where we were in 6 months. This is my report.
To date, we have not identified any new sources of big money to finance repairs to our properties aside from the ones we explored to no avail last year. Also, it’s my impression that the board continues to view the sale of the Center as a last-ditch option. Furthermore, based on developments that occurred after that meeting all of which are summarized in this report, selling the Center seems to be less pressing.
Also, although I am fairly sure that we would be able to get RHDA $ from the City to pay for the cost of property repairs, Kim BJ, Brad and I are extremely reluctant to pursue these funds. For starters, the application process would be arduous. It’s arduous when asking for $ for just one property, but when multiple properties are involved it becomes a herculean effort. Second, RHDA $ comes with strings attached that are unattractive and long-lasting. The most significant is that we would have to limit the amount of rent we could charge at any property that was improved with RHDA $. Also, there would be regular reporting and inspections by the COA for each property.
There is good news however!
• The total cost of the repairs needed is considerably less than what we feared last year – nowhere close to $1 million. Closer to $400,000 max. This fact takes some of the pressure off.
• We received an unexpected $50,000 donation late last year and that money coupled with other generous donations will allow us to tackle the big problems at our properties without drawing down our LOC.
• We received a $10,000 grant from the Texas Affordable Housing Corporation for repairs at 1817A West 10th, the property with the greatest needs.
Also, Aubrey has reached out to Tito’s for money; Kim is already laying the groundwork for a new and more robust I Live Here I Give Here fundraising effort this year; and she and I met recently to identify the grants we will go after this year – grants from the Bank of America Foundation and the Texas Affordable Housing Corporation, for example. And, we will probably ask HEB to cover the cost of the store-bought ice cream we will serve at this year’s ice cream social as well as the cones and cups.”
5. Report on strategic planning initiative between CCDC and SVP Austin. Mary Reed. Mary was unable to attend the meeting, but circulated an email saying she has met with Robert Dye of SVP Austin to discuss some preliminary recommendations, and plans to meet with him again, before bringing information to the board. BJ also has been meeting with SVP Austin regarding financial recommendations.
6. Report on end-of-year fundraising and potential 2024 funding opportunities, including Amplify Austin Day. Kim O’Brien. Kim reported that two 2023 end-of-year support requests raised $1,125 in donations. She also reported that CCDC will pursue grant opportunities with the Texas State Affordable Housing Coalition and the Bank of American Foundation for rehabilitation/repair funding for existing properties. CCDC will be participating in Amplify Austin Day, March 6-7. Discussion of Amplify Austin Day will be on next month’s agenda.
7. Reminder of upcoming Clarksville Conversation: “The Importance of African American Family History – Lost and Found,” speaker: Lydia Moore, presented in conjunction with Sweet Home MBC. Saturday, February 10, 11 a.m., at Sweet Home.
Mary will share flyers with the board.
8. Report from OWANA Steering Committee. Paula Hern. Paula reported that Chris Hurst is the new chair of the Steering Committee. Other new members joined the Committee in January, as well. Paula shared the Steering Committee’s discussion of nuisance problems related to the pickleball courts on the garage roof at Hartland Plaza, and Hartland Plaza’s plans to add an additional story of office space on top of the current garage.
9. Report on W. 12th/West Lynn project (Nau’s, etc.) Kim O’Brien. Zydeco Development had 2 neighborhood meeting in December, has met with the OWANA zoning committee twice, and will likely be there again before the March OWANA Membership meeting. They have submitted concept plans to the City. These are focused on the 2 underground parking levels and the first 2 stories--detailing things like sidewalks, utility easements, etc. They will not ask Miro Rivera to draw any additional plans until they know that the City will approve what's included in the concept plan. They are hoping to have this plan reviewed in time for the March OWANA membership meeting. Issues of contention, so far, have concerned their intent to ask for CS (commercial) zoning for Eason Street (a precedent) and a variance to build to 60’ rather than currently approved 40’ (also a precedent.) Regarding the CS zoning on Eason, Zydeco plans for residential only on Eason, but must have CS because the underground garage will be both commercial & residential. Regarding the extra 20’ of height, it will only be on a portion of the project, and set back from Eason.
10. Set ice cream social date. Potential dates will be shared with the Board via email. (NOTE: date was set via email, June 2.)
11. Recap of CCDC/OWANA Holiday party. Paula Hern. Paula reported that the Holiday party was a great success. Many families were in attendance. The kids loved the snow and crafts. We received $270 in earring sales and donations. Costs were approximately $770. OWANA provided $200. It was decided that we should request a larger amount from OWANA going forward.
12. Other Business. In Other Business, BJ presented our recently completed external audit—which had no findings. In order to give the Board time to look over the audit, the vote to approve will be taken electronically.
13. Executive Session, if necessary. The board did not meet in Executive Session.