Minutes, September 16, 2025
Minutes from September 16, 2025 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
Board members in attendance: Billy Edwards, BJ Friedman, Paula Hern, Felecia Miller, Kim O’Brien
1. Approval of minutes from the August 19, 2025 monthly meeting. Kim O’Brien
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Billy, the minutes were approved.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak.
Income in August was $25,284, expenses $14,255. There were no major expenditures this month.
3. Monthly property reports--CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak.
Brad was unable to attend the meeting. There was no property report available.
Yard maintenance was brought up, and a request made to discuss this at the next meeting.
4. Discussion and adoption of FY 2025-26 budget. BJ Friedman.
On a motion by Kim, seconded by BJ, the budget was adopted with the understanding that there are tweaks needed on some of the line items. A copy of the budget will be included on the website.
5. Discussion of plans for Austin Museum Day at the Haskell House (Sunday, September 21, 2025.) BJ discussed plans for the event. Docents will be on hand throughout the event. Soul Man Sam will play at 2 p.m. Homemade cookies and lemonade will be served. There will be kids’ activities and a raffle of gift cards. Thanks to Cipollina, Taco Flats, and Galaxy Café.
6. Haskell House monthly report.
The board reviewed the August 2025 report submitted by Mary Reed, Haskell House Manager. Highlights include: expenses: $158; significant financial support from Astound for Austin Museum Day; trained 2 new docents; booked three speakers for the 2026 Clarksville Conversations speakers series; participated in the inaugural, invitation-only meeting of the Austin Historical Preservation & Public History Working Group organized by Ted Gordon, Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies & Executive Director of the Contextualization and Commemoration Initiative; prepared and submitted Haskell House FY2025-2026 budget; began groundwork needed to replace the handrails at the back of the Haskell House; contacted Mathews principal to discuss student visits; began thinking about new ways to promote the Haskell House.
Upcoming events:
Austin Museum Day, September 21.
2026 Clarksville Conversations: Tara Dudley, March 8; Stephanie Lang, April 12; Bob Ward, July12 or 26.
Event at the HH as part of the Pease Conservancy’s Greater and Greener Tour, June 13, 2026. Details to come.
7. Report from OWANA Steering Committee. Paula Hern.
Paula reported about the recent General Membership meeting. OWANA is undertaking a long-term strategic planning process, looking toward the future of the neighborhood. They also are looking at ways to increase membership. Paula presented information to the members about Austin Museum Day and the Will Taylor and Strings concert.
She also noted that her term on the Steering Committee is coming to an end soon, mentioning that another board member might want to step up.
8. Other Business.
The following items were discussed:
BJ and Felecia will meet soon with the UT Law Clinic to discuss whether we can legally give rental preference to former Clarksville residents. They will keep the board informed.
The upcoming concert/fundraiser was discussed. Will Taylor and Strings will be playing on Saturday, October 11. Half of the proceeds of ticket sales will go to the musicians, half to the CCDC.
“Haskell House and the Story of Clarksville,” the documentary prepared by Austin Parks and Recreation, will be awarded a Preservation Austin 2025 Preservation Merit Award in November.
9. Executive Session, if necessary.
The board did not meet in Executive Session.
Action taken via Electronic Vote:
On August 27, 2025, the board voted to adopt the proposed Haskell House Policies and Procedures. This matter was time-sensitive and could not wait until the September 2025 meeting.