Minutes, May 20, 2025

Minutes from the May 20, 2025 Clarksville CDC Monthly  Meeting

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

Others in attendance: Brad Prak, Lou Rigler

1.     Approval of minutes from the April 15, 2025 Annual and monthly meetings.

These minutes were not available for approval.

2.     Presentation of monthly financial reports.

Brad reported that we are in the black this month, and are catching up on paying off our bills--$18,000 remain (from a total of approximately $50,000.) Prak Property Management’s overdue bills will be the last paid.

3.     Monthly property reports:

a.     CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad reported that all available units will be filled in June.  

b.      New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street.

Kim reported that 1611 has passed its final electrical inspection, and its solar inspection. There is a problem with the plumbing final inspection. American YouthWorks has learned that the project’s plumbing subcontractor, SPS Plumbing, is no longer in business. (note: they completed their work on the project in mid-2022.) It took AYW a number of weeks to find a plumber willing to take on the project and call for the inspection. CMM Plumbing will charge us $750 to check the work done by SPS and call for the inspection. The final group inspections—plumbing, mechanical, and building—are the last step. They must all be called at the same time. As soon as CMM completes the necessary paperwork, the inspections can be called.

Austin Housing was able to get another extension from HUD regarding the completion date of the project. We must have a Certificate of Occupancy by June 9 or the City will have to repay HUD the $77,900 we were loaned.

4.     Update on Bylaws revision. BJ Friedman, Felecia Miller, Chris Thomas (Bylaws Committee.)

The board decided to share the draft developed by the committee with the members, along with a request for any comments or suggested revisions. Comments will be due on June 6, 2025. 

5.     Election of officers. Felecia Miller..

On a motion by Malcolm, seconded by Amanda, the following officers were elected unanimously.

Chris Thomas: President

Felecia Miller: Vice-president

BJ Friedman: Treasurer

Kim O’Brien: Secretary

Their terms of office will run through May 2026.

6.     Report from OWANA Steering Committee. Paula Hern.

Paula reported the following:

·      There had been a suggestion floating around that OWANA consider changing its name to include Clarksville in order to increase visibility. That idea is no longer being considered. Related to this, Mary Reed, at OWANA Chair Steve Amos’s suggestion, wrote an article for the OWANA Owl giving a history of Clarksville and describing its historic boundaries (a copy of this article can be found on the CCDC website.) Additionally, Chris Thomas and Steve Amos had a productive meeting.

·      The big topic at the recent general membership meeting was the proposed development at the Y’s lakefront property. A new Y facility will be built while still utilizing the current one. Two market-rate high-rise housing towers are proposed for the land where the current facility sits, along with a smaller affordable housing building (to be operated by Foundation Communities.) The proposed high-rises will require a zoning change due to their height which far exceeds what is allowed on that portion of Lady Bird Lake.

7.     Other Business.

Under Other Business, the following was discussed:

·      A report prepared by Mary Reed, Haskell House Manager, was shared. It details all Haskell House activities from January – April 2025, as well as number of visitors, donations received, and future plans and programs. Mary also shared with the board a detailed list of the duties of the Haskell House manager. Going forward, Mary’s report will be monthly.

·      On Thursday, April 22, the City Council is considering a resolution to rename Westenfield Park in honor of Clarksville native Don Baylor. The CCDC has submitted a letter in support. Malcolm will attend the Council meeting to represent the CCDC

·      Aubrey brought copies of Ed Jordan’s pen and ink drawings of historic Clarksville houses and Sweet Home MBC, which he’s enhanced. Paula will get them framed so that they can be hung in the Haskell House.

·      Aubrey is working on enhancing a copy of the photograph of the Haskell family to better show Kye Haskell. When completed, it will replace the copy that currently hangs in the Haskell House. The board was reminded of the photograph’s history—Kathy Tyler found it in the house’s walls after Kye Haskell, Jr. moved out of the house.

·      Paula brought a piece of wood that the Board agreed would be good for creating a shelf in the utility space of the Haskell House. Paula’s husband can install the shelf.  

8.     The board met in Executive Session.