Minutes, July 18, 2023
Minutes from the July 18, 2023 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
The meeting was held at the Haskell House. Some board members joined via Zoom
Board members present: BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Kim O’Brien, Mary Reed, Thomas Schiefer, Chris Thomas, Gregory Tran
Others present: Brad Prak, Felicia Miller
1. Approval of minutes from the June 20, 2023 monthly meeting.
On a motion by Malcolm, seconded by Paula, the minutes from the June 20, 2023 monthly meeting were approved with corrections. Corrections are noted in the official copy of the minutes (posted on the website.)
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak, Prak Property Management.
Brad reviewed the June financial reports. We ended the month $2,200 in the black. Expenses included replacement of a gas range and tree work at one property.
The Finance and Operations Committee met on July 13, 2023. Minutes from that meeting appear at the end of these minutes.
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak.
Not much to report. Expenses were low in June, nothing significant. American Youthworks (AYW) is preparing a bid on some of the needed work at 1807A W. 10th Street.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street. Kim O’Brien.
Kim reported that the permit saga continues. Ashley at AYW has now been told by a City staffer that the permit expired in 2010. At least that’s what it says on their “end.” When AYW logs into the City system, the permit is listed as open. Ashley spoke again to the staffer today and has provided him with what he says he needs to move it forward.
Regarding needed landscaping, BJ has a contact who will donate plants. Brad said he has some, too. AYW can bring in topsoil. There is no money budgeted for this.
Malcolm reported that he has sent a demand letter to the former cement subcontractor seeking repayment.
4. Report on efforts to obtain needed repair funding. Mary Reed.
Mary reported on conversations that have taken place with John Heneberger, Karen Paup, Melissa Beeler in Council Member Qadri’s office, RHDA staff, and others. Local contractor Paul Balmer has volunteered to get contractors to go to all CCDC properties and give estimates of the work needed. Mary and Kim are putting together a packet of information to be shared with funders and potential benefactors.
5. Consideration of rent proposal. Brad Prak, PPM.
Brad presented the board his recommendations for increased rents. His preferred option was a 10% increase on all properties effective when leases are renewed. He believes that under this recommendation, CCDC rents will continue to be on the low end of comparable programs.
In reviewing the information provided, there were questions as to whether the increased amounts would exceed 30% of any of the tenant’s total income. Brad said that could not be determined until incomes are re-verified as part of the lease renewal process. He also said that although the 30% of income standard devoted to housing is an ideal goal, it is not achievable in the current Austin housing market. And with our rents already low, we cannot meet increasing repair costs and set aside money needed for big repairs. In short, we cannot maintain sustainability.
The point was made that as housing goes up, so do all other costs, which hits low-income families the hardest. The board was reminded that the CCDC tenant manual contains information on resources for rental assistance, as well as assistance to help meet other needs.
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Chris, the board considered a motion to increase all rents by 10% upon lease renewal, with the stipulation that no rent can exceed 50% of a tenant’s income. BJ agreed to a substitute motion offered by Mary to increase rents 10% but with the stipulation that no rent can exceed 40% of a tenant’s income. The substitute motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion of tenant eligibility and income requirements. Brad Prak.
Brad presented a revised tenant eligibility and income document. The document is in line with other properties that PPM manages. On a motion by Kim, seconded by BJ, the board approved the eligibility and income requirements.
7. Report on CCDC’s new website. Mary Reed.
Mary reported that the new website is up and looks great. The URL, www.ClarksvilleCDC.org, is the same. Response to an email she sent out to members and supporters has been positive.
8. Discussion of creating a Haskell House advisory group. Mary Reed.
A Haskell House advisory group—sort of a “Friends of” group—is suggested as a vehicle by which to increase African American participation in the Haskell House, particularly participation by Clarksville descendants. Some current docents have expressed a discomfort with “telling others’ stories.” Mary is collecting information from other small Austin museums to learn if they have similar groups and if so, how they operate.
A suggestion was made that a Board representative be part of the group. This met with general approval. A question was asked about involving student groups at Huston-Tillotson or UT. All agreed that broadening our base will bring a richer Haskell House visitor experience.
At this point, Mary is not asking for Board approval, only wants to make the Board aware. She will come back with specifics, including the advisory group’s purpose, mission statement, etc.
9. Report on June 25, 2023 “Clarksville Conversations: Sundays at the Haskell House” event: Rep. Gina Hinojosa. Mary Reed.
Representative Hinojosa’s legislative wrap-up was well attended, with good conversation about what happened at the Capitol, as well as discussion of potential upcoming Special Sessions. Audience questions covered a broad range of topics.
Mary reported that future events include a speaker who will discuss African American genealogy, to be co-sponsored by Sweet Home MBC. It likely will occur in February to coincide with Black History Month.
10. Discussion of plans for Austin Museum Day at the Haskell House, September 17, 2023. Mary Reed.
The event will take place from 11 am – 4 p.m. We are working with CCDC tenant Vanessa Lively to line up musicians for the afternoon. Kim has submitted a grant request to HEB’s Community Impact Program to cover stipends for the musicians. Along with docent-led tours, we will have puzzles and Haskell House coloring sheets for the kids, and gift card raffles for the adults. Depending on the cost, we may share an Austin Chronicle ad with the Neill-Cochran House and Pioneer Farms. Lemonade and homemade cookies will be served.
11. Other Business.
No other business was discussed.
12. Executive Session, if necessary.
The Board did not meet in executive session.
Finance and Operation Committee Meeting Minutes, July 13th, 2023
1. BJ Friedman reviewed the financials.
2. Mary reported that the driveway has STILL not been poured because our new contractor STILL does not have a permit.
3. Mary provided committee members with an update on what has been happen to date since last month’s special meeting to figure out where the $ we need.
4. Mary reported that she filed her final report with OWANA regarding what we did with the last of the OWANA money. YAY! The last dollars were used to help pay for work at 1720B West 11th – repair of the front door and exterior power washing, caulking and painting.
5. Mary noted that from a strategic perspective if we want $ from the COA the CCDC may need to delay its rent increases because one of the CCDC’s selling points is its rent. Gregory suggested that if we delay, all tenants be on month-to-month leases.
6. The CCDC’s new website is live. We’ve received many compliments on it.
7. Mary reported that Kim wrote a grant to the Texas Affordable Housing Corporation to help fund some of the work at 1817A West 10th. We won’t know if we will get any $ until August.