Minutes, January 20, 2026

Minutes from the January 20, 2026 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting

Board members in attendance: Amanda Cox, Billy Edward, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Felecia Miller, Kim O’Brien, Chris Thomas

1.     Approval of minutes from the November 18, 2025 monthly meeting. Kim O’Brien.

On a motion by Chris, seconded by Billy, the minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting were approved.

2.     Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak.

Brad was unable to attend the meeting. His written report noted the following:

We are no longer in the red and have begun paying down on our line of credit.

CCDC received a $50,000 gift. This generous donation will be used to renovate the currently vacant Waterston unit, turning it into an ADA accessible unit. It will be CCDC’s first accessible unit. Bids are being sought.

November and December 2025 financial reports can be found at the CCDC website.

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

Brad reported the following:

We are moving forward with painting the duplex at 1708 W. 10th, along with its decks and stairs.  We are also painting the deck and stairs at 1011 Charlotte (the duplex itself will be painted when funds are available.)

Aside from the 1 Waterston unit, we are 100% full!!

4.     Update on consultation with UT Law Clinic. Professor Frances Leos Martinez, Will Cross, Felecia Miller, BJ Friedman.

Will Cross briefed the board on progress of their legal review of whether rental preference can be afforded Clarksville descendants. They will continue to gather information and report back to the Board.

BJ reported that it’s been a pleasure working with the UT Law Clinic. The board thanked them for their work.

5.     Discussion of Amplify Austin Day. Kim O’Brien.

Kim reported that Amplify Austin Day 2026 will be March 4-5 (6 p.m. Wednesday-6 p.m. Thursday.) Funding appeals will be shared with members and supporters.

6.     Haskell House monthly reports, November & December 2025.

The board reviewed the November and December 2025 reports submitted by Mary Reed, Haskell House (HH) Manager.

Highlights include:

November:

Expenses: $158, pest control services; $176, donations; 19 visitors signed the Visitors Log. Monthly highlights include: Attended Preservation Austin’s annual Merit Awards event as the guest of the PARD’s Historic Preservation and Tourism Program which received an award for the short documentary about Clarksville and the Haskell House; met with Mathews teacher Faye Holland to plan January visits by Mathews 3rd graders; continued communication with PARD regarding replacement of the HH’s back railings; arranged for a city-wide group of community gardeners to meet at the HH (an annual event hosted by PARD); arranged a group to decorate the HH for the holidays.

December:

Expenses: $47.50, lawn maintenance; $56, donations (cash in donation jar from Holiday Party); 0 visitors (HH closed to the public in December). Monthly highlights include: scheduling docents for the first half of 2026; preparation of the annual report due to PARD per our agreement; coordinated food for the OWANA/CCDC Christmas party and decoration of the HH; kept PARD apprised of the CCDC’s progress finding a contractor to handle the post and railings project at HH.

Upcoming HH events (1st quarter 2026):

January 28-30: Mathews 3rd graders visit the HH

March 8: Clarksville Conversations with Professor Tara Dudley talking about two early Clarksville women residents who amassed wealth via real estate.

March 23: small group of UT graduate students to tour the neighborhood and learn about HH and historic Clarksville.

7.     Reports on Thanksgiving Turkey give-away, Felecia Miller.

Felecia arranged for HEB Lake Austin Blvd. to donate turkeys for CCDC tenants. CCDC provided HEB gift cards, as well. Thanks to Felecia for arranging this successful program.

8.     Report on CCDC/OWANA Holiday event, Paula Hern.

Everyone had a great time at the Holiday event. The kids loved playing in the “snow” and making ornaments. Galaxy’s tamales were tasty. The evening at the Haskell House ended with everyone singing, before a group of carolers strolled the neighborhood serenading.

9.     Other Business.

The following was discussed:

Mary Reed has many CCDC documents at her home. She suggested they should be donated to the Austin History Center’s collection. The Board agreed that would be a good repository, but wants to review them. A time will be set for the records to be transported to the Haskell House (during a period when it is not open to the public) to allow review. Chris volunteered to transport the records.

The board authorized Mary to find and purchase an appropriate bookcase for the Haskell House.

10.  Executive Session, if necessary.

The board did not meet in Executive Session.

Action taken via Electronic Vote:

On December 14, 2025, the board voted to approve the 2025 Audited Financial Statement, which contained no findings. The matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the January 2026 meeting.