KNU Annual Meeting Brief

Good show and many thanks to those residents who participated in this year’s KNU Annual Meeting & Officer Elections that took place on November 18^th at KPUMC. Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem Chad West highlighted the evening with an update on neighborhood issues that affect you, including public safety, West Oak Cliff Area Plan, North Oak Cliff Library re-imagined, Gateway deck plan, Miramar Hotel, traffic calming/bike lanes and redistricting. Click here for detailed District 1 presentation.

 In case you missed the meeting, here is a year in review brief from the 2021 KNU Board:

Budget / Fundraising 

• Developed and executed a revised Covid-era budget for the year.
• 2021 dues campaign raised $20.7k total funds via dues, bricks and other donations. 
• 25% of households participated in the dues program. 
• Rebid tax preparation services to deliver savings and better service.
• Approximately 44% of the budget goes to grounds maintenance and utilities.

Beautification

• Conducted 5 beautification days with neighborhood volunteers who tackled tree trimming, brush removal, new plantings/mulching on the 19 KNU-managed islands.
• Held island cleanup after extreme weather event in February 2021
• Worked with City Arborist to trim and/or remove diseased trees on 3 islands.
• Maintained all islands in compliance with City of Dallas Mowmentum agreement.
• Fabricated & installed handrail on Belleau stairway
• Maintained and repaired island lighting, fountains and irrigation systems

Conservation

• Zoning Issue – Request for a zoning change by owners of 1658 Nob Hill Road was initiated in April 2021 and is ongoing. KNU and neighbors made their opposition clear , asking owners to revisit plans and build something within current zoning and conservation district requirements. KNU continues to keep neighbors updated on status. 
• Code Issues – Identified and resolved several neighborhood code and conservation issues.

Streetscapes

• Worked with City of Dallas to repair school zone flashers in the Kessler School area.
• Crosswalk, signage and traffic improvements at Colorado and Turner.
• Coordinated with City of Dallas on pedestrian crossing and signage at the Kessler Steps.
• Identified additional crosswalk needs at significant pedestrian crossing locations in Kessler Park.
• Partnering with EPKNA and other neighbors on traffic and pedestrian solutions in the Tyler/Sylvan area and the proposed roundabout at W Colorado and Tyler Streets.

Communications

• Relaunched monthly newsletter.
• Managed 6-month effort to relaunch updated website and new URL. 
• Visit our website:  kesslerneighbors.org

Non-KNU Organizations

• Heritage Oak Cliff (HOC) – Collected 2020 grant monies in the amount of $3,648.
• North Oak Cliff United Police Patrol (NOCUPP) – KNU participation in NOCUPP is relatively low with participation rate of 21% of households. Working with NOCUPP on ways to increase participation in 2022 and expand security detail.
• North Oak Cliff Greenspace (NOCGS) – KNU again sponsored the annual North Oak Cliff Greenspace golf tournament fundraiser with a donation of $250. The event at the Stevens Park golf course raises funds to maintain and improve greenspaces in North Oak Cliff.

2022 Goals

• Community – Post-pandemic return to community-building, volunteer and fundraising events. 
• Fundraising – Increase engagement with neighborhood on dues, maximize non-event and non-dues related fundraising opportunities through website sponsorships and merchandise sales (bricks, plaques and KNU-branded goods).
• Communication – Maintain communication channels and transparency through regular relevant news via website, newsletter and social media.
• Beautification – Develop global and island-specific landscaping guidelines. Increase use of native, drought tolerant and low maintenance plantings. Continue to maintain islands to Momentum requirements. 
• Conservation – Continue to advocate for the neighborhood on conservation district issues and be a resource for neighbors as they navigate the guidelines. Visit 
• Streetscapes – Continue to identify and execute pedestrian and traffic improvements to benefit the neighborhood.
• NOCUPP – Continue to promote increased neighborhood participation.
• Volunteer Organization – KNU is a 100% volunteer organization. Please consider volunteering on one of these committees in 2022. Volunteering is a great way to meet more of your neighbors and be a part of the great things happening in Kessler Park.

KNU officer election results are President John Crowley, Vice President Stephen Marley, Treasurer Donna Cotter and Secretary Celina Buchanan. Click here to meet the board members. The new board takes office immediately. 

For more information on Kessler Neighbors United, our By-Laws and Organizational Chart, click here.