King William Association

President Brad Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., welcoming two new members to the Board: Jim Johnson and Ed Haverlah.  Other Board members present were Johnny Heidelberg, Harry Shafer, Susan Erickson, Nancy Diehl, Neil Leatherbury, Olin Strauss, Laurence Doxsey, Bonnie Pfannstiel, Hope Garza-Cortes, Roselyn Cogburn, Noemi Cue and Past President, Kit Walker.   Janis De Lara was absent due to illness..

President Shaw moved to amend the printed agenda by the addition of reports from Molly Shafer and Anne Alexander.  Motion to amend carried and these two guests were asked to deliver their reports before other business.

Molly Shafer delivered printed copies of the KWA Architectural Advisory Committee annual report for 2007.  (Copy attached)   Jim Johnson asked if there was a mission statement for the KWA-AAC.  Discussion followed that purpose has been printed in Newsletter articles.

Anne Alexander delivered printed copies of report on a successful 2007 KWA Holiday Home Tour:  total attendance 627; net income $4,230.00.  Alexander was thanked by the Board.  (Copy attached)

Minutes of the November 14, 2007, meeting were presented for approval.  Kit Walker asked for corrections:  1)   pp-6 of first page---delete “Walker”
                                    2)   pp-8 of first page---correct typo (“he” not “her”)
                                    3)   pp-1 of fourth page---correct typo (“at” not “that”)
Walker also had questions about pp-5 of page four concerning Board approval of proposed changes to rules #1 and #5 of rules governing the KWA Architectural Advisory Committee approved at 11/14/07 meeting.   Johnny Heidelberg, chair of KWA-AAC Rules Committee produced printed copies of committee report to clarify rules approved by Board.  (Copy attached)

Harry Shafer moved approval of minutes as corrected.  Susan Erickson seconded.  Motion carried.  (Copy of corrected minutes attached.)

Treasurer, Harry Shafer moved approval of Finance Committee proposal to move $1880.00 from the Agnes Bain Memorial Fund to the fund to refurbish King William Park.  Discussion followed that Walter Mathis and others had donated money to the Bain fund following Agnes’ death; fund intended to be used for neighborhood beautification but languishing un-used for several years.  Johnny Heidelberg seconded the motion to approve.  Motion carried.

Treasurer Shafer presented printed copies of KWA Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual (January through November 2007) and Balance Sheet Previous Year Comparison (As of November 30, 2007).  (Copies attached)

Traffic and Parking Committee chair, Susan Erickson, presented printed copies of report on results of last year’s parking-problem questionnaire (copy attached) and reported on the committee’s December 6, 2007, meeting with representatives from Councilwoman Cisneros’ office, two representatives from Parking Division (Public Works) and two prospective consultants from a private civil engineering firm.  Councilwoman Galvan’s representative was unable to attend.  Meeting focused on specific traffic and parking problems in King William and possible solutions.   

Problems discussed were derived from the questionnaire results:  Narrow neighborhood streets with parking on both sides limiting access, failure to observe 20-foot intersection parking setbacks, and chronic parking congestion and cruising on some streets near S. Alamo were the focus.

Discussion was productive and preliminary to 12/14/07 scheduled meeting with Councilwoman Cisneros and staff on proposed solutions, including resident restricted parking in chronically over-parked areas.  Committee member, Maria Watson Pfeiffer, is researching other cities’ (Austin’s Hyde Park, Houston’s Rice University area, Dallas) use of resident only permit parking so that the committee can identify the specifics of a proposal to bring to KWA residents who indicate interest in such a measure for their streets.

Painting or stenciling streets or curbs to identify no parking areas close to corners, four-way stop signs at Beauregard and Madison and a possible traffic circle/round-about at S. Alamo/Adams/Pereida were discussed but do not appear feasible, according to Public Works.  There was agreement by Public Works to the committee proposal of curb extensions to prevent parking all the way to the corner and to improve visibility on the corner of Beauregard and Madison, the corner most frequently cited as problematic.  

At a second meeting with Councilwoman Cisneros, Public Works and civil engineering consultants, the concern of narrow neighborhood streets with parking on both sides was discussed.  

President Shaw reported on First Friday issues.   He has set up a meeting with Councilwoman Cisneros, Councilwoman Galvan, Police Chief McManus and other City staff 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 1, at 104 Adams to discuss neighborhood problems with First Friday.  Shaw invited interested Board members to attend the meeting and requested that they bring printed copies of their concerns.

Discussion followed with suggestion of: 1) extension of the downtown noise ordinance
2) police presence/ enforcement of noise ordinance, open container law, parking violations after 10:00 p.m.  3) use of meter maids rather than policemen (less expensive to City).  4) hiring off-duty policemen as private guards.

Hope Garza-Cortes asked who owns First Friday.  Answer:  Nobody.

Roselyn Cogburn reported that the new restaurant at 1024 S. Alamo has received City permits to do business, evening only, when contract parking behind SAILS office is available.

Harry Shafer reported that there seems to be a slow down of graffiti vandalism in the neighborhood except for some small things.  INSCO is rarely hit since work has started on the mural.  There is a design disagreement between the artist and INSCO management but prep work should start soon.

Kit Walker, chair of Utilities Conversion Committee, reported on meeting Friday, January 4, with Councilwoman Cisneros and Councilwoman Galvan, both of whom seemed supportive.  

The Committee is in the process of setting up meetings with the head of City Public Service and City Manager.  There appears to be an opportunity of funding from a previous CPS fund for utility burial.  Most of that fund was diverted to the City’s Economic Development Fund but some $18,000,000 remains.  The Committee has been given to understand that the Mayor’s office will approve a pullback of these remaining funds for use on utility burial in King William.

Committee members Tobin Walker and Roy Pachecano made visual presentation to the San Antonio Conservation Society Board of Directors, 16 January 2008, seeking Conservation support for the project.  Conservation voted support.

If CPS agrees to the project, the matter will go back to City Council.  Walker reported the prognosis is hopeful.

Laurence Doxsey reported on the January 15, 2008, Big Tex meeting.  Anxiety level of neighbors seems reduced by the EPA’s taking responsibility for a three-phase plan for testing and clean-up to be completed by mid-December, 2008.  Phase 1) soil and dust sampling  2) activity-based sampling  3) removal action.

Mapping of the site is complete; hot spots marked.  Air dispersion of asbestos into the neighborhood turned out to be minor issue.  Other sites around the country have been remediated but not to residential standards.

Eric Delgado of the EPA is the site manager of the plan.  Following the meeting, the aide to State Senator Van de Putte indicated that it would be helpful for the KWA to make a statement expressing the position of KWA on the issue – particularly to elected representatives.  Laurence will draft a motion to that effect for Board approval at our next meeting.

On related issue, Jim Johnson reported that the Eagleland foot bridge has been constructed and stored at Brooks City Base.   Emplacing the bridge is on hold until safe passage over the Big Tex remediation site can be secured.

Johnny Heidelberg reported on San Antonio River Authority meetings on Mission Reach.  Eagleland park is on hold along with Big Tex area of hike and bike trail, but materials are being stored and stockpiled in park area.  Bids may be taken in March for Crofton Park.

Jim Johnson commented that the proposed venue tax will affect the River Walk and parks and will be good for Eagleland Reach.

President Shaw announced “home work” item:  nominations for KWA Architectural Advisory Committee to be given to Syeira in about a week.

Discussion followed of Board member’s objection to most recent AAC report to HDRC.
(Objecting Board member not present.)  Harry Shafer reported that due to the objection, AAC’s report was withdrawn and KWA’s voice was not heard by HDRC on that item.

Kit Walker suggested change of KWA-AAC rules to request HDRC delay items on which KWA Board members take issue with AAC decisions until entire KWA Board can review AAC report.  President Shaw asked for submission of proposed rule change at February Board meeting.  Harry Shafer will write proposed change.
    
President Shaw presented a list of KWA committees needing a Board member to chair.      Ed Haverlah volunteered to chair Membership Committee.
    Bonnie Pfannstiel volunteered to chair Committee to Spay and Neuter Stray Cats.
    Neil Leatherbury volunteered to take over the chair of the Big Tex committee from Laurence Doxsey who has conflict of interest issues with his work.
    Kit Walker and Ed Haverlah volunteered to work on Street Lighting; reported  Utility Conversion would provide four under-tree canopy lights per block.  Shaw asked for analysis of existing lighting/lighting needed.
    Shaw asked for but did not get volunteers for General Meeting Programs and help for Fred Pfeiffer on Sidewalk Committee.

In discussion of Membership Committee, there were questions about Membership Directory.  President Shaw said Angela has “pulled the data” and should have the directory ready to print in thirty days.

Hope Garza-Cortes reported on meeting of Guenther Street neighbors with Fair Chair, Rose Kanusky, and Parade Chair, Sue Duffy and asked for Board resolution that the parade route cannot be changed without Board approval.  Kit Walker said parade route is an expensive process as it costs $4,000 to $6,000 to block traffic on side streets.  President Shaw asked that the issue be tabled until February meeting.

Harry Shafer presented a petition from the Alamo Dome neighborhood in City Council District 2 asking that Fiesta Carnival not be moved to the Alamo Dome parking lot.  The petition was passed around for Board member who wished to sign.

Kit Walker announced that a Fair assistant has been hired at $16.00/hr.  Roselyn Cogburn asked if that was the hourly rate approved by the Board.  President Shaw said he would check the minutes of summer Board meetings when hiring of Fair assistant was discussed.  (Copy of Fair Chair report on assistant hiring and corporate sponsors attached.)

Kit Walker said Personnel Committee has not done annual performance review for Syeira, who may be due a raise in pay.  President Shaw reported Personnel Committee is working on the review.

Laurence Doxsey asked whether minutes of Board meetings are archived.  President Shaw answered that minutes, financials and other associated documents are archived and Syeira is making them searchable by computer.

Johnny Heidelberg moved to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.  Susan Erickson seconded; motion carried unanimously.

Minutes submitted by:
Roselyn Cogburn, Secretary

Minutes approved February 20, 2008, as amended (Janis De Lara was absent due to illness.)