Part One (May 21)
President Brad Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. Present were: Harry Shafer, Laurence Doxsey, Noemi Cue, Ed Haverlah, Janis DeLara, Neil Leatherbury, Bonnie Pfannstiel, Jim Johnson, Johnny Heidelberg, Olin Strauss, Nancy Diehl, Hope Garza-Cortes and Roselyn Cogburn. Kit Walker was absent.
President Shaw moved to cut the agenda in two parts so this evening’s meeting could be adjourned by eight o’clock so those Board members interested in the Spurs play-off game could get to a television set. He proposed this evening’s agenda to cover Visitors, Membership (Directory), HDRC and Scholarships. The motion stated that the remainder of the printed agenda would be taken up at a second meeting, Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Ed Haverlah seconded the motion. Motion carried.
First Visitor, Fred Pfeiffer, reported on the highly successful sidewalk reimbursement program (printed report attached). In 2007/2008 nine projects were completed at a cost of $11,910 out of $12,500 allocated; property owners were reimbursed $20.00/linear foot to a maximum of $2,000, double that amount for corner lots. No submissions were turned away for lack of funding.
For 2008/2009, because of inflation, Fred recommended: 1) raising the reimbursement for approved work to$25/linear foot to maximum of $2500, double for corner lot. 2) Allocation of $30,000 for the 08/09 program.
3) Previously approved applications not completed in 07/08 must be resubmitted and receive approval for the 08/09 program.
Second Visitor, Curtis Johnson, reported on progress toward renovation of King William Park. He has discussed the renovation with three landscape architectural firms and recommends Rialto Studios who have a good history with the City, River Authority, and HEB-Arsenal. They worked on the River Walk in the mid-80's and are currently working on the renovation of Brackenridge Park.
Rialto estimates the renovation to cost $240,000 for lighting, landscaping, drinking fountain, benches. The entirety could, however, be broken into phases: 1) gazebo renovation 2) new and replaced sidewalks
3) defined entrances---at approximately $60,000 for each phase.
Funding for the renovation is expected to come from KWA, City Council discretionary fund and possibly other interested sources such as San Antonio Conservation Society, HEB and San Antonio Development Agency.
Curtis will make up an information packet for the Board.
Membership Committee Chairman, Ed Haverlah reported that the directory is ready to go to the printer, with the next directory to be printed by December 1, 2008.
Janis De Lara reported that the first Concert in the Park had good weather, good music and was attended by 80 people: neighbors and people from outside the neighborhood. Janis is trying to find a rain venue, possibly St. Joseph's Hall, Blue Star or the Church Theater.
Board discussion congratulated De Lara on a successful event and expressed approval of visitors from other neighborhoods who received a favorable view of King William. Discussion added that KWA makes a great deal of money from other-than-neighbors attending the Fair and these concerts are a way to "give back" to the City.
President Shaw discussed Ann McGlone's resignation from HDRC and the question of her replacement. He will name a committee to work with other neighborhood associations to get a strong replacement for McGlone.
Noemi Cue, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, reported the committee has interviewed new scholarship applicants and had productive meetings with current recipients.
Mentor program is working well except for one young man who missed every required meeting, is not keeping his grades up and is being dropped from the KWA scholarship program. The other recipients are good, hardworking, motivated students.
Chairman Cue moved to lower the GPA requirement to maintain/renew scholarships for second year students from 2.5 to 2.0. Johnny Heidelberg seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Chairman Cue moved Board approval of an additional $6,090 to fund a fourth scholarship in June '08. Nancy Diehl seconded the motion.
In discussion, President Shaw reminded the Board that money was authorized for an extra scholarship last year ('07) with the committee's understanding that amount would be made up from this year's ('08) scholarship funding.
Chairman Cue reminded that the scholarship program is the most often cited recipient of KWA Fair proceeds.
Treasurer, Harry Shafer, said the Finance Committee needs to look at this issue.
Laurence Doxsey moved to table the motion until the next meeting. Jim Johnson seconded the motion to table. Motion carried.
President Shaw moved to adjourn. Jim Johnson seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried.
Part Two (May 28)
President Shaw convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Present were: Jim Johnson, Neil Leatherbury, Noemi Cue, Johnny Heidelberg, Bonnie Pfannstiel, Laurence Doxsey, Harry Shafer, Kit Walker, Roselyn Cogburn.
Absent were: Olin Strauss, Susan Erickson, Janis De Lara, Ed Haverlah, Hope Garza-Cortes.
President Shaw moved approval of the agenda. Harry Shafer seconded the motion. Motion carried.
President Shaw asked for approval of the minutes of the April Board meeting. Jim Johnson moved approval. Noemi Cue seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer Harry Shafer presented recommendations from the Finance Committee:
1) Regarding Curtis Johnson's presentation of Rialto proposals -- Finance Committee approves the general concept and hopes for contributions from Conservation Society and City. (Rialto will make a presentation to KWA general meeting in August.)
2) Finance Committee recommends moving $5,000 from unallocated infrastructure funds budgeted for preservation and historic, to pay for additional time of Gayle Spencer for the Underground Utilities project.
President Shaw moved approval for Finance Committee to move the funds. Laurence Doxsey seconded the motion.
In discussion, Treasurer Shafer said Spencer's work is valuable to the project; she has used up the funds previously allocated for her work.
Johnny Heidelberg reported hearing that the City has no money for the project due to budget shortfall.
Kit Walker, Underground Utilities Chairman, said the bulk of the money will come from CPS. The City spent 2/3 of the money previously allocated for utility burial on economic development but 19 million dollars has been committed to another burial project. Part of CPS' maintenance budget could be redirected to burial; Walker doesn't know how much is in that fund. Other funds may be available from City's historic restoration fund, the Texas Hotel/Motel tax, San Antonio Convention & Visitor's Bureau and San Antonio Conservation Society. Another potential source of funds is a taxing sub-district to allocate a portion of neighborhood property taxes to utility burial rather than putting it into the City general fund.
Neil Leatherbury reported that a friend in Congressman Gonzales' office had commented "this is the kind of project Congressman Gonzales is interested in." Leatherbury gave Walker the name to contact.
Walker said Spencer is giving value for money; not charging for all the time she works on the project. She is a major grant writer, communicator, lobbyist, knows City politics.
Leatherbury asked how long the additional $5,000 would last. Walker estimated the amount would cover Spencer's work for the next six to nine months.
President Shaw called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer Shafer reported Finance Committee recommendation to approve Nancy Shivers request to buy KWA membership in Neighborhood Resource Center at the Community Partner level at a cost of $100. President Shaw said he would pay for the membership from his discretionary fund.
Treasurer Shafer reported that more funding is needed for the INSCO mural. He will put figures together for future action. The mural has cost $14,000 so far: $3,000 from KWA to buy paint; $8,000 from the City; $5,000 from HEB.
Treasurer presented printed financial statements.
As Graffiti Abatement Chairman, Shafer reported that the problem is getting a little better in the neighborhood, although some minor damage has been done to the new mural. Lavaca is getting hit by graffiti vandals but Lavaca neighborhood is taking care of damage done in their area. Mary Helen Mansbach takes care of the Eagleland/Brackenridge area. City staffer, Lisa McKensie, is directing a neighborhood mini-makeover, graffiti wipe out September 27. An international graffiti expert will speak at the Carver Center on Saturday, June 28.
President Shaw asked Board for nominations for Fair Chair 2009 and reported that 2007/2008 Chair, Rose Kanusky, has offered to mentor the new chair.
Shaw reported that the Traffic and Parking Committee has been re-organized to: 1) General Parking Issues, chaired by Susan Erickson and 2) Permit Parking, with chairman to be named. That committee is working on writing an ordinance to propose to City Council and gaining consensus of property owners on affected streets.
The previously tabled motion to approve $6,090 to fund a fourth scholarship this year ('08-'09) was re-opened. It was reported that Board minutes for May/June '07, are missing but Finance Committee minutes record a recommendation to fund four new scholarships in '07-'08 and three new scholarships in '08-'09.
$12,000 has been paid to the ACCD Scholarship Fund: $6,000 to the corpus and $6,000 in matching funds.
Chairman Cue explained that only three scholarship students are continuing for the second year; one has dropped out, leaving $4,855 available to pay most of the $6,090 needed for the fourth new scholarship this year. The balance of $1,235 will not actually have to be paid to ACCD until
January '09.
Treasurer Shafer said the Finance Committee will work with the Scholarship Committee on this issue. (Note: Matter settled amicably but lapse of parliamentary procedure occurred: no disposition was made of the original motion.)
Chairman Cue said she would write an article for the Newsletter encouraging gifts to the Scholarship Fund to be matched by the Association.
Treasurer Shafer said the Finance Committee will be working on the proposed '08-'09 budget in June and July. Now is the time for all committees to make budget requests. Budget year runs July1 to June 30; for tax purposes, fiscal year is January through December.
President Shaw reported that the storage pod, which has been in the front yard of the Don Noble construction site at 100 Madison for two years, has been painted over but is still a Code violation. Shaw requested Board authorization to write a letter from KWA to City Code Compliance Department. Harry Shafer moved authorization; Nancy Diehl seconded; motion carried.
The motion tabled at the April Board meeting to contribute $5,000 to the San Antonio Conservation Society capital fund was re-opened. Kit Walker moved approval. Laurence Doxsey seconded. Motion carried.
The question of whether the new owners of the Columns B & B had proper permits for work being done on the property was re-opened. Roselyn Cogburn reported that HDRC says permits have been issued for swimming pool and iron fencing around the pool and around the property. As to the question of zoning permitting property to be used for weddings and events for non-B&B guests, Kit Walker said the property was so zoned.
President Shaw moved formation of committee of five persons to re-write KWA Bylaws to tighten security on budgetary items and other issues. Kit Walker seconded; motion carried. Shaw will name the committee.
Roselyn Cogburn reported 56 home owners have ordered King William 100 banners and asked that KWA pay the $50 set-up fee required by Dixie Flag.
President Shaw said he would pay the fee from his discretionary fund.
President Shaw reported that the KWA Architectural Advisory Committee is asking authorization to write guidelines to be printed in a brochure to be given to property owners contemplating building or modifying houses in the neighborhood.
Nancy Diehl moved approval; Neil Leatherbury seconded; motion carried.
Johnny Heidelberg mentioned that the nominating committee, consisting of two Board members named by President Shaw and three persons from the general membership, is to be elected at the July 4th general meeting. Johnny Heidelberg, Noemi Cue and Harry Shafer volunteered to serve. President Shaw will decide and let them know.
New Business:
Scholarship Committee chair, Noemi Cue asked that scholarship recipients be given free membership in KWA to build a sense of connection and commitment. The idea received favorable comment from the Board members present, but President Shaw said the matter should be discussed with the Membership Committee.
Kit Walker presented a printed Fair Revenue Report; explained and answered questions.
Neil moved to adjourn the meeting; Nancy Diehl seconded the motion; there being no objection, President Shaw adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Roselyn Cogburn, Secretary
Minutes approved 18 June 2008
