Monthly Meeting Minutes, April 15, 2025
Minutes for the April 15, 2025 Clarksville CDC Monthly Meeting
The meeting began upon adjournment of the Annual Meeting
Board members present: Amanda Cox, Billy Edwards, BJ Friedman, Malcolm Greenstein, Paula Hern, Felecia Miller, Kim O’Brien, Chris Thomas
Others present: Emily Green, Lou Rigler, Randi Shade, Heather Way
1. Approval of minutes from the March 18, 2025 monthly meeting.
On a motion by BJ, seconded by Billy, the minutes from the March 18, 2025 monthly meeting were approved.
2. Presentation of monthly financial reports. Brad Prak
Brad reported that we are in the black for the first time in a while. We have outstanding payables of $50,000, however. Vendors (including Prak Property Management), are allowing payment plans and we will chip away at the balance over time. Our investment in our properties was necessary, and with units being filled, the income side is improving. Projection is that we will pay off our debt by the end of the year, perhaps by the end of the fiscal year (October.)
There is one property that will need rehabilitation when the tenants move into 1611 W. 10th when it is complete. Repairs could be as high as $30,000.
3. Monthly property reports:
a. CCDC properties managed by Prak Property Management. Brad Prak
Brad reported that we have applicants lined up to fill all vacant units.
b. New construction at 1611 W. 10th Street. Kim O’Brien.
Kim reported that we continue to wait for needed inspections to take place. Currently, the hold up involves work that needs to be done by the electrical subcontractor. When completed, they will call for the electrical inspection, and when that is completed, we can call for the remaining inspections.
4. Discussion revised bylaws draft. 30 minutes.
BJ Friedman, Felecia Miller, Chris Thomas (CCDC Bylaws Committee), along with Emily Green and supervising professor Heather Way of the UT Law Clinic, described the work that they have been doing to create an updated version of the CCDC bylaws. (Note: Ethan Hunter was also a participating member of the UT Law Clinic team. He was not able to attend the meeting.)
A draft of the revised version is almost ready to circulate to the board. After the board has reviewed it and made any needed changes, it will be shared with the members for comments.
Paula noted that there is no mention of the Haskell House in the bylaws. Professor Way responded that bylaws are usually about governance. After discussion, a suggestion was made that since operating and maintaining the Haskell House is a big part of what the CCDC does, a specific mention of the Haskell House should be included in the mission section that addresses preserving Clarksville history.
Additionally, Paula brought up an issue that the board has discussed before—what is the history behind including Francis, Augusta, and Jennie within the boundaries of the CCDC. More research is needed to determine when and why this happened, including talking to Paul Seals (former chair of OWANA) and Kathy Tyler (worked at Clarksville Neighborhood Center in the 1970s.) This item is tabled for now.
The board expressed its thanks to the UT Clinic for their contributions. Their participation made the process both smooth and efficient.
5. Report on recent Clarksville Conversation.
Mary submitted the following report on the May 10, 2025 Clarksville Conversation event: Floris Sorrells, an elder from Manchaca, whose grandparents had been enslaved, was a wealth of information about the old ways of life among Black people in her community and one can assume, in Clarksville as well, although Manchaca was a farming community. She talked about the food that was grown and how it was prepared, big Sunday meals, homemade cures for measles, mumps, chickenpox, whooping cough and colds, ice cream making, and a whole lot more. Floris was charming and everyone who attended yesterday's event was very engaged, asking lots of questions, including several questions about preparing poke salad. Many people stayed on to talk with Floris. Sixteen people attended, including the city's Community Gardens Program Manager and the long-time, and now former, chair of the Historic Landmark Commission. Floris' presentation was video-taped. Mary will find out if we can obtain a link to the video.
Felecia suggested that a system be established to get feedback from Clarksville Conversation speakers. Their input on their experience would be valuable in planning for future events. The board agreed that this is something that should be done going forward.
6. Report from OWANA Steering Committee. Paula Hern.
Paula reported that there was discussion about the widening of MoPac from Cesar Chavez to Slaughter, and Natalie George, the new president of the Flower Hill Foundation, made a presentation
7. Other Business.
No Other business was discussed.
8. Executive Session, if necessary.
The Board met in executive session.