Minutes, August 19, 2025

Minutes from the Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting of August 19, 2025

Board members in attendance: Aubrey Carter, Amanda Cox, Billy Edwards, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Felecia Miller, Kim O’Brien

1.     Approval of minutes from the July 15, 2025 monthly meeting. Kim O’Brien.

On a motion by Aubrey, seconded by Paula, the minutes were approved as written.

2.     Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak.

Brad was not in attendance. BJ presented the monthly financial reports. Total revenue in July was $22,381 ($22,286 from rents); expenses were $7896 (nothing out of the ordinary); net balance was $14,485. Outstanding payments have been reduced to $2538 (note: this does not include 1611 W. 10th expenses due to American YouthWorks.)

3.     Monthly property reports--CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak.

No monthly property report was available.

4.     Discussion of repairs and renovation to CCDC Waterston property. Brad Prak.

BJ and Kim will work with Brad to prepare a proposed budget for this project and report back to the Board.

5.     Discussion of FY 2025-26 budget. BJ Friedman.

Priorities for next year’s budget will be repaying our line of credit, funding needed repairs at the Waterston duplex, and remaining payments on 1611 W. 10th. A proposed budget will be presented at the September meeting, for adoption prior to the October 1 start of the next fiscal year.

6.     Discussion and adoption of Haskell House Policies & Procedures. Paula Hern & Billy Edwards.

Amendments to the current draft were discussed. Paula and Billy will make the agreed upon changes and distribute a revised draft to the board.

7.     Discussion of Austin Museum Day at the Haskell House (Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1-4 p.m.)

Docents will be on hand during the event. Soul Man Sam will perform at 2 p.m. There will be children’s activities, lemonade and homemade cookies, and a raffle of gift certificates from local businesses. Aubrey has made all arrangements related to Soul Man Sam and sound man John Medina. Haskell House Manager Mary Reed has prepared a “day of” list of responsibilities.

8.     Haskell House monthly report.

The board reviewed the July 2025 report submitted by Mary Reed, Haskell House Manager. Highlights include: No donations received or expenses. 37 visitors signed the log. July activities included a visit from 20 residents from Westminster Manor; prepared Austin Museum Day plan. Other items of interest: Coordinated replacement of broken glass pane with PARD. Upcoming events: Invited to attend initial meeting of an invitation-only Austin Historical Preservation and Public History Working Group; new docent training (8/30); Austin Museum Day (9/21, 1-4 p.m.); visit from UT’s OLLI Forum (tour of HH & Clarksville.)

In response to a question from Mary, the Board agreed that a $5/person fee for neighborhood walking tours is a reasonable fee/donation request. The board also agreed that there might be instances in which it would be appropriate to waive that fee, and reserved the authority to do so.

9.     Report on Ice Cream Social.

The Ice Cream Social was a great success. Paula Hern was crowned the first Ice Cream Queen, winning with delicious Mint Chocolate Chip. Meghann Rosales was the runner up with tasty Strawberry.

10.  Report from OWANA Steering Committee.

Paula reported that there is dissatisfaction with the proposed height of the residential towers at the Y project. Also, the owner of the 6th and Walsh Street project backed out of a restrictive covenant that had been agreed to. The status of that project is pending. CCDC will get at least 2 sets of ACL tickets. OWANA is receiving 2 more than usual. Paula asked for 1 extra set, but no agreement has been reached as of yet.

11.  Other Business.

The Will Taylor  and Strings Attached concert flyer will be sent out tomorrow, to all CCDC lists. Felecia is handling chair rental details. The concert is Saturday, October 11, meet and greet at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

12.  Executive Session, if necessary.

The board met in Executive Session.

Action taken via Electronic Vote:

On August 5, 2025, the board voted to authorize BJ Friedman, CCDC Treasurer, to sign the engagement letter with Maddox & Associates for the FY 2024-25 audit. This matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the August 2025 meeting.