The meeting convened at 5:10. Mickle gave the Chair his resignation. Overman moved to approve the agenda as submitted; seconded by Hogate; carried by unanimous vote. Regarding the minutes of December 20, Muldoon said there was discussion left out between Dodge and Dozier regarding downpayments, and she would like to see that put in. Kahoun asked that she write it out and send it to staff for inclusion. Volm moved to approve the minutes as amended; seconded by Mickle; carried by unanimous vote.

OFFICER'S REPORT/CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Kahoun said there had been a Council item regarding changes to the non-conforming use zoning policy for residential areas and she asked Lozano to explain it. Lozano said the policy used to state if the property stood vacant for one year, it lost its nonconforming use status, although if it was vacant because it was for sale, that didn't count. Now the regulations have been changed so that if the property is vacant for six months for any reason, it loses its nonconforming status and becomes zoned as C-2. If it is vacant for a year, it becomes zoned as residential. For bars and car lots, if they are vacant for six months, they become zoned as C-1.

Lozano said he expected that the main use of this change will be to get rid of some bars in residential areas that have been causing problems. Hogate said she wasn't sure if every neighborhood pub should be wiped out so as to get rid of a few. Lozano said if an issue arose and there was a bar that the neighborhood wanted to keep, they could take their case to the Board of Adjustment.

Mickle said he would like to see the regulation further revised by taking out the term "eleemosynary uses." He said this referred to structures being used for charitable purposes, and there were so many questionable uses placed under that heading that he felt the whole regulation would be stronger without it.

Kahoun introduced Larry Hulse, Deputy Director of the Community Development Department, who said he was very pleased to see such strong neighborhood involvement in Des Moines, and asked the Board to bring him their ideas on revitalization issues.

NIRP PROGRAM STATUS REPORT. Bill Stowe and Pat Kozitza of Public Works gave the Board an update on work accomplished and funding spent by the NIRP program over the last year. Volm said it was the uncompleted sidewalk work that was keeping some designated neighborhoods from moving to chartered status, and she asked why the oldest neighborhoods weren't finished off first. Stowe said Public Works approached it from a "do the worst first" strategy.

Dozier said part of the reason there was so much backlog to be done was that when neighborhoods did their plans, they used to designate a project area, but now the trend was to designate the whole neighborhood for new curbs and sidewalks. Kahoun said there had never been a standardized way of doing neighborhoods, and Public Works felt they needed to be doing some work in every neighborhood each season so none were left out. Kahoun said the Board might wish to consider changing this approach. Nixon said the Board had not always assessed the amount and cost work to be done when they approved neighborhood plans. Kahoun said now that the Board and staff had a background of experience on implementing neighborhood plans, it was possible to be much more clear on budgeting so more concrete decisions could be made.

Muldoon asked how much non-NIRP funding there was for sidewalks; Stowe said there was about $540,000. Muldoon asked if any of that was allotted to the NIRP neighborhoods; Stowe said it wasn't.

CHANGES TO NRB STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES. Dozier said the new roster showed her as being appointed by the Council member for a ward she did not reside in and she asked Kahoun to discuss with Legal how a member should relate to that ward and that Council member in that case. Should they represent their area of residence, or the ward of the appointer, or what? And if appointed by an at-large member, should the Board Member try to serve "at large" as well? Kahoun said she would add these concerns to the Board's letter on the issue which would be on the next Council agenda. Dozier moved to send a letter to Council with these concerns and the Board's request that Overman be appointed to fill the Mayor's business representative slot; seconded by Nixon; carried by unanimous vote.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. Kahoun reported that the Neighborhood Development office was being painted, which necessitated moving computers and phones so there may be a delay in getting back to people on calls. She asked for the Board's patience.

Neiderbach asked to set up a meeting time for the committee which will be looking at corporations buying residential properties; it was set for 5:00 January 10. Volm thanked Neiderbach for her research on this and other topics. Kahoun said ISU had completed its project in the Enterprise Community on tax certificates and vacant lots.

King noted Mickle's resignation and said it would take another 15 board members to replace him. Hogate moved to accept his letter of resignation and to send a letter of commendation; seconded by Overman; carried by unanimous vote.

Kahoun said elections were due to be held at the next meeting and asked if the Board wanted to have a nominating committee. King said nominations from the floor would be used.

Muldoon asked that the Board receive copies of the Governor's Housing Task Force report on housing and take a position on the issue.

COMMITTEE/REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS. None

OTHER BUSINESS.

The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

Jerry Overman, Secretary