President Brad Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. Present were: Sherry Hess, Curtis Johnson, Michael Guarino, Olin Strauss, Molly Shafer, Jim Johnson, Nancy Diehl, Nancy Price, Jack Kent, Neil Leatherbury, Janis DeLara, Ed Haverlah, Hope Garza-Cortes, Roselyn Cogburn. Absent: Kit Walker.
President Shaw asked approval of the agenda. Olin Strauss moved to curtail the meeting at 7:00 p.m. because of the Vice-Presidential debate; meeting to be re-convened Monday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. Neil Leatherbury seconded the motion. In discussion, Hope Garza-Cortes and Jack Kent reported prior commitments for Monday evening; Roselyn Cogburn objected to rescheduling a meeting for which members were present and the second half of which they might be unable to attend. Motion carried.
Olin Strauss moved approval of the minutes of the September meeting; Janis DeLara seconded the motion; motion carried, minutes approved.
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President Shaw reported on his telephone conversation with Mayor Hardberger concerning Underground Utilities (buried power lines) in King William. In effect, the verdict is "not right now"; the money previously allocated to such projects is no longer available.
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Treasurer, Neil Leatherbury read through the August Financial Report and answered questions. Jack Kent moved approval of August Financial Report; Jim Johnson seconded; motion carried. September financials were deferred to next Monday's meeting.
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First Guest, Steve Yndo, speaking as agent for the sale of the Children's Shelter Cedar Street property, consisting of the brick main building, historic house next door and parking lot on the corner of Cedar and Pereida. The Shelter Foundation is asking $2,100,000 for the combined parcel of approximately 3/4 acre.
The parking lot is thought to have been permitted under condition of returning to residential zoning should the Children's Shelter cease to own it. Steve said it would probably return to single family residential or possibly two family residential zoning.
In discussion, Yndo described the brick building as a typical 1960's office building with little or no "character", not built originally as apartments and not conducive to renovation to apartments or condominiums. He expects the building to be demolished and the property re-zoned to a lower density residential. Yndo is considering options for possible new building for non-profit age-restricted residential including subsidized and mixed- income housing.
Yndo said he would keep KWA informed and involved in the redevelopment of the property.
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Yndo then reported, as President of SouthTown, on proposed enhancement of S. Alamo Street to Adams Street and S. St. Mary's Street to Eagleland. The enhancement will include "historic type" lighting, more attractive bus stops and sidewalk installation and repair. The funding for these improvements comes from a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone grant given to SouthTown.
The street lamps will be installed by CPS at a cost of $6,000 each. Installation will start in two or three months and take about one month to complete. Bus stops will become "art stops", more attractive and more comfortable than those in current use.
President Shaw asked if sidewalks for Eagleland, serving Brackenridge High School students, would be included. Yndo responded that Public Works controls the sidewalk portion of the plan and might approve sidewalks near the school. He said it might be possible for SouthTown and KWA to share costs of that particular stretch of sidewalk.
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Yndo said he would give a progress report on the re-development of St. Benedicts at the KWA November General Meeting.
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President Shaw reported on progress toward a City Ordinance governing First Friday. SouthTown is not equipped to take ownership of First Friday. ST has been unable to get vendors to shut down by 10:00 p.m. or to ban amplified music and food vendors. SouthTown and KWA are now working with City staff to write an ordinance to control/set limits on noise, hours of operation, parking, alcohol, food, trash and other elements of First Friday.
President Shaw has proposed an "Acoustic Music Event" (no amplification) and feels it is time for SAPD to declare an end of their "warning period" and begin writing citations for loud music and late closing.
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Second Guest, Rose Kanusky, presented the 2009 Fair Budget which includes a revised admission policy to re-define "children" as "twelve and under", and increase in Fair Assistant salary reimbursable health benefit.
After discussion, Neil Leatherbury moved approval of the change in admission policy; motion carried. Leatherbury then moved approval of the 2009 Fair Budget, including the rise in salary for Fair Assistant; motion carried.
Jack Kent volunteered to look into insurance "pool" for KWA employees.
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Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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Meeting re-convened at 7:05 p.m., Monday, 20 October 2008
Present were: Olin Strauss, Molly Shafer, Janis DeLara, Curtis Johnson, Jim Johnson, Sherry Hess, Michael Guarino, Nancy Diehl, Neil Leatherbury and Roselyn Cogburn. Absent were: Kit Walker, Hope Garza-Cortes (prior commitment), Jack Kent (prior commitment), Nancy Price.
President Shaw asked approval of the Agenda. Michael Guarino moved approval with the addition of Digital Bill Boards.
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President Shaw presented a bouquet of roses to Janis DeLara in thanks for a successful Concert In The Park series. DeLara reported that the next series will begin May 2009.
In discussion, Neil Leatherbury suggested the possibility of financial sponsorship of one or all concerts (ex.: Alamo Music Co.). DeLara reported the cost for use of the park for five concerts is $250.
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President Shaw as chair of By-Laws committee, presented up-dated By-Laws for approval. Roselyn Cogburn read through the By-Laws, noting proposed changes.
Nancy Diehl moved to reject the proposed change to Article IV BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Sec. 3 Eligibility for Board Membership from one year's immediate prior active membership to two year's etc. Michael Guarino seconded; motion carried. Wording remains: one year's .
With that exception, President Shaw moved approval of By-Laws revisions; Neil Leatherbury seconded; motion carried.
Revised By-Laws will be mailed to General Membership with newsletters and submitted for approval at the next General Membership meeting.
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Neil Leatherbury, Board Liaison to the Graffiti Committee, reported there has been a lot of graffiti in the neighborhood of late and that the Committee is being reconstituted for action.
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Michael Guarino reported that the Underground Utilities Committee is waiting to hear from Councilwoman Cisneros' office following the Committee's meeting with the Councilwoman.
President Shaw reported on the Mayor's follow-up call: There may be $25,000 to $500,000 for the King William project from Park funds. There may also be 2.4 million dollars left over from the original $6,000,000 allocated for utility burial in another neighborhood.
Shaw and Guarino report: Discussion of a three-way split of project costs: 30% City, 30% Utilities, 30% KWA; Councilwoman Cisneros' office is still working the issue and the Underground Utilities Committee is still working with the City; "utilities trump the City"; Mayor and Council are being helpful.
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Treasurer Neil Leatherbury reported the Finance Committee's recommendation that the Board approve allocation of $10,000 to the 2009 Sidewalk Improvement project, as recommended to the September KWA Board meeting by Fred Pfieffer, Chair of the Sidewalk Improvement Committee. This $10,000 added to $20,000 left in the Sidewalk Improvement budget 2008 will bring the total fund to $30,000.
The Finance Committee further recommended that discussions take place with the City to see if there are better ways to leverage KWA funds in order to achieve a more comprehensive means of improving sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Leatherbury moved approval of Finance Committee report; motion carried.
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Three National Night Out parties reported good attendance. Sherry Hess hosted a party in the Park on Main attended by 25+ neighbors and Henry Cisneros representing Councilwoman Cisneros. Nancy Diehl and Janis DeLara reported 75 - 80 neighbors attended a party at Crofton Park hosted by several neighbors. Another party on Mission Street was well attended.
KWA appreciates these parties and underwrites a portion of the cost of refreshments. In discussion, it is recommended that a small sign of KWA sponsorship be displayed at the parties.
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On the Issue of Digital Bill Boards, Nancy Diehl moved that KWA continue to oppose the construction of digital bill boards in the city of San Antonio and to register that opposition by letter to Councilwoman Cisneros. Michael Guarino seconded; motion carried. This action is taken in response to request of June Katchtik, Scenic San Antonio, at the KWA September Board Meeting.
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Michael Guarino reported on Architectural Advisory Committee issues. There is a new HDRC officer. Guarino suggests a letter of welcome and invitation to KWA Home Tour.
Guarino also reported the continuing issue of re-zoning, re-platting, possible "bridging" of the two "Nix" houses in the 400 block of King William Street.
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Roselyn Cogburn reported on discussions with Mr. Kevin Dodd of Bluebonnet Carriage Company proposal to convey passengers to the Steves Homestead in a fifteen passenger wagon. Mr. Dodd requests a letter from KWA to SAPD Ground Transportation saying we do not object to this proposal. Cogburn moved that President Shaw write a letter saying KWA does not object so long as Bluebonnet abides by all provisions of the City Ordinance pertaining to horse carriages and so long as such carriages do not cause problems on residential streets. Motion carried.
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President Shaw reported a request from Syeira and Home Tour Chair, Anne Alexander, to approve change in price of Home Tour tickets to $17 advance and $20 day-of. Nancy Diehl moved approval; Olin Strauss seconded; motion carried.
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President Shaw reported that King William and Lavaca will be the recipients of a combined CoSA Extreme Target Sweep in February 2009. This beneficial program is available to a limited number of neighborhoods; SAFFE Officer, Eric Doyle was very helpful in getting KW and Lavaca moved up on the schedule. Board members and other neighbors are urged to attend workshops in preparation for the Sweep; Shaw and Molly Shafer will attend workshop on October 22, 2008.
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President Shaw reported the Rock 'n Roll San Antonio Marathon will bring 30,000 runners plus spectators through the neighborhood on November 16. Durango, Guenther, King William, Washington, Turner and S. Alamo Streets will be affected by closures from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Bands will be playing in the Pioneer Mill parking lot on Guenther Street and in King William Park. Street barriers and portable toilets will be delivered some days in advance of the race and hopefully picked up soon after.
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President Shaw reported that SouthTown is requesting the lowering of speed limit on S. Alamo Street from 30mph to 25mph.
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Membership Chair, Ed Haverlah reported that Syeira is still processing recent new-member joinings.
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On KWA Personnel Issues, President Shaw reported that Syeira is working 88 hours in the two-week reporting frame. He says he will discuss duties and hours with her. Michael Guarino suggested asking KWA member, Susan Athene, about the United Way's insurance pool for employees of non-profits.
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Treasurer Neil Leatherbury reported a $112,000 CD maturing in December which could be used as Fair start-up funds.
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Olin Strauss moved adjournment at 8:55 p.m. Molly Shafer seconded. Motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Roselyn Cogburn, Secretary
