Robert Ashton, Association President, took nominations for the Association Board members for 2009. Elections will take place at the November meeting. This year’s President Elect, Mark Froese, will be next year’s President and Robert Ashton will become next year’s Past President.

• Nomination for President Elect was David Bruns .
• Nomination for Treasurer was Jan Clinite (incumbent).
• Nominations for Secretary were Diane Hurwitz (incumbent) and Claudia Seifert.
• Nomination for Membership Secretary was Pauline Ashton (incumbent).

Robert will not be able to attend the November meeting so it will be chaired by Mark Froese.

Post meeting note: Diane Hurwitz resigned as Secretary and informed the Board that she did not intend to run for election. All nominations are therefore unopposed and voting will be by show of hands by Voting Members, i.e.

residents or property owners who have been paid members for at least 60 days in advance. A list of eligible voters will be available at the meeting.

A proposal was put forward by the Board to provide a grant of $500 in 2009 and $500 in 2010 to support the maintenance of the medians on Grand that begin at Tower Grove Park and continue north. Rachel Witt, South Grand Community Improvement District Executive Director, explained that these were established approximately three years ago through a government grant matched by the City. This money paid for the execution of the medians and plantings but no money for maintenance. Since that time, Anne Moore and several other volunteers have been maintaining. Mark Abbott and the South Grand – Tower Grove Betterment Association, along with Anne Moore, have been spearheading an effort to get money for ongoing maintenance of the medians.

As a short-term solution, several neighborhood associations and organizations in the area met and discussed collecting money from the various associations to provide a contract for maintenance for the next two years. During that time, a more permanent solution will be sought. The two-year contract has been estimated to cost $15,000 - $25,000. This contract would cover cleanup, trash pick up and beautification.

Jan Clinite, Treasurer, reported that the Association’s budget could support these two payments since we have approximately $10,500 in the budget. The other major expenditure will be the sign budget but that has not been finalized. However, she said these payments could not be supported continuously.

A comment was made that we shouldn’t commit this money unless we know that the full amount has been collected and a contract signed. Robert agreed that we wouldn’t make the payment until everything was in place. Another comment was made that the medians provide a portal into our neighborhood and provide a very positive impression to visitors that was not there before.

Jennifer Florida, the 15^th Ward Alderman, mentioned that for the long-term solution, additional funds might be budgeted by the City to Tower Grove Park (which is funded by the City) and the Park could then take over the maintenance.

John Papa moved and Joyce Reese seconded a motion to contribute $500 each year during 2009-2010 for this median maintenance project. The vote was unanimous to accept this motion.

Additional neighborhood notes from Rachael:

• Autumn decorations have been put out in the neighborhood and holiday lighting will be installed on Victor’s new building.
• On Dec. 6^th, Breakfast with the Grinch from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. will be held at MoKaBe’s. Joe Thele, Program Manager of the Neighborhood Stabilization Team, will play the Grinch. MoKaBe’s will have a children’s menu and the upstairs will be decorated like Whoville. The cost is $5 for a picture with the Grinch. Proceeds will go to Hosea House Food Pantry on Gravois.

• Halloween Arts and Crafts at Café Natasha was held for children this weekend.
• The Great Streets request for quotes was sent out to solicit bids for the street improvement design. The South Grand Web site http://www.southgrand.org has notes from the meeting held at the Carpenter branch library about the Great Streets project.
• On Nov. 7^th, a TIF hearing will be held regarding the land behind the former Commerce Bank. The City Improvement District (CID) is buying land behind the bank for 100 off-street parking spaces in order to get the cars that need to park all day on Grand off the street. Parking will be $30 per month and the lot would be fenced and armed.
• The ice machine that is currently outside one of the shops on Grand (because it couldn’t fit into the store) may only be a temporary problem.
• Two new shops will be opening the area vacated by The Future Antiques. One will be an International Wine Bar with wine and food such as baked goods, cheeses and sausages. The other will be a Greek café for breakfast, catering and maybe lunch.
• Victor’s addition to his hair salon is anticipated to be open by Thanksgiving. The new building will be a French bakery with an apartment on the top floor and an outdoor patio in the front. The entrance to the hair salon will be moved to Humphrey so the front area can be used for the patio.
• A new art and recycled clothing store will be opening next to the Intermissions location.

Jennifer Florida, the 15^th Ward Alderman, reported that:

• 87 senior housing units were completed at the South Grand Senior Housing Project and the first resident is moving in.
• The Southside National Bank building is all leased. Delta Dental is relocating from the Riverfront and in addition to offices will have a tooth museum in the teller space.
• There have been problems involving the money for the Melba Theatre building restoration.
• The City had available $5.5 million for acquisition of foreclosed properties. The plan would be to acquire these properties, possibly focusing on the 63118 area, ensure they are up to code and get good tenants who can bring the properties back on the tax roles.
• Property values have seen a market depreciation of 19% in our area, but this isn’t as deep as many other areas.

Jan Clinite, Treasurer, asked that any expenses incurred for the Autumn Fest and needing reimbursement should be reported to her this week. John Papa thanked all who helped at the Autumn Fest. In particular, Gary Kushinsky did a wonderful job of getting sponsors for the food and carriages.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.