Lindenwood Park Neighborhood Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, October 21 at Epiphany Church
Present: Pat Acquisto, Sara Davis, John Harris, Milton Murry, Bret Narayan, Tim Nowell, Greg Roggeman, Lisa Roggeman, Adam Rustige, Jenna Stout, Greg Todd, Jay Unnerstall, Emily Yale
Apologies: Karen Clifford, Emily Yale
A motion was made to approve the Minutes from August, by Sara Davis, and seconded by Jay Unnerstall.
Neighborhood Meeting: to be held at Watson Terrace Christian Church, December 1, 7pm
- Guest speakers – Adam will invite Donna Barringer to speak.
- LPNA Business
- Elected Officials
- LASM & Machacek
Aldermanic Report
Per the August request that Bret be in attendance, he provided an in-person update on the following aldermanic activities:
- City Hall – determining next steps after anticipated resignation / removal of the current Sheriff, to prevent halting of jail operations and court processions. Continuing to lay out process for vacancy to be filled.
- Short-Term Rentals – regulations moving forward, enforcement issue persists. Inspections revisited now as tornado cleanup is progressing and attention can be given to issue. Ongoing dearth of building inspectors.
- Data Centers – setting regulations. Board of Adjustments, not Alderman, is voting on Armory use as a data center. 12 are already present in the City.
In response to a list of questions posed by the LPNA Board, Bret addressed his preferred communication modes (email – monthly newsletter, inquiries sent to city email address), the delayed delivery of mulch (city contract allows for one order per year and allocated across park system), and his attendance. The Board specifically moved meeting days to accommodate Bret’s schedule and dates are provided in an annual calendar for planning purposes. In relation to Park activities, Board members were interested in advanced notice on tree removal. Bret noted that this information is not made available in advance. Tim noted the dangerous conditions when trees are not trimmed in a timely manner in the Park. Sara Davis requested a list of reasons that trees are removed for information sharing purposes.
The Board and Bret discussed the budgeting process using matching funds and Ward capital for Park improvements. The issue of deferred maintenance leads to higher cost long-term. John inquired about the best way to approach advocacy for Park improvements. It was noted that this activity might be achieved through the Parks Dept, not the Alderperson. Pat specifically inquired about procedures for allocations and how Bret determines which projects get attention in the budget year. He relies on the feedback of departments to determine needs.
NIS Report (Karen not in attendance)
Committee Reports
Events:
- Meetup: October – Farmhaus (10/29); November – Trattoria Marcella (last of year)
- Lindenwood Live: Mark Close is a potential band on deck for 2026. Tim will be away for the May 2026 concert date. Streamlined permitting process may ease some of the planning. An events meeting is in the works to finetune the calendar dates.
- House Tour: The inaugural tour was a success with about 150 tickets sold, 170-180 participants, and $5000 profit. Half of funds from shuttle service were reimbursed due to quality issues.
- Christmas Lights: Pat will reach out to Matt Walburn to head lighting contest again this year.
Beautification:
- Park: Emily sent an email report on the last clean-up activities – 8 helpers, swept between the buildings, the gazebo, and under the pavilion. Emily weeded the gardens by the gazebo and Park building. Some trees were mulched with additional mulching to be completed later in the week.
- Community Garden & Wabash Garden: Milt reported on tomatoes in season. Continues to look for gardeners to transition leadership at the Wabash garden.
- Green Team: Tim reported the last event of the year is on November 1. Grass is under control. Need more trash picker-uppers. Adam will weed areas as needed.
Communications:
- Greg R. noted a change of personnel at Hotlava with a new contact. With transition to Square, the team is investigating use of it for membership renewals. Newsletter is ready to go out to email list.
Membership:
- Welcome packs will be delivered in November for August, September, and October new residents.
- 310 Current members.
- House Tour homeowners get free annual membership.
Safety:
- Safety Committee is waiting on next steps to engage in pedestrian safety work.
Block Captains:
- Lisa reported that a group of 12 block captains met the previous week. Photographs of potholes, sinkholes, and other street issues on blocks should be sent to Ken Flake.
Neighborhood Alliance:
- Pat reported that the alliance is meeting with the Mayor to go over issues, specifically the lack of enforcement of laws in place in regards to housing and downtown area.
Century Homes:
- The fall sale for century home plaques is underway with a deadline of October 31. Plaques will be delivered in December.
Treasurer’s Report:
- To be provided following the meeting.
Old Business
- Add “Commercial Space Available” to the newsletter – interested local realtor never followed back up with Lisa.
New Business
- Jay’s Lindenwood Park book – 23 books left from original order. Promoting for December meeting. Does the LPNA want to reprint more books with 100% profits now going to LPNA? Will revisit this topic in January.
- QuikTrip – plan is for car wash tunnel and 4th-generation store, ~6800 square ft with no diesel option at moment. Zoning update needed – planning looking at each parcel of land for best use, most likely to turn to C-commercial now that residential houses have been demolished. Once zoning update is completed, the diesel option for big rigs might be reconsidered.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenna Stout