FOREST HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES Attendance: Officers: Date: April 9, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Location: Amanda Johnson s 8421 Santa Clara Dr. Leon Russell (President)_x, Rick Sorrells (Vice-President)_x, Gary Grass (Treasurer)_x, Alexis Sullivan (Secretary) Standing Committee Chairs: Seper Rastis (Planning & Zoning)_x, Lori Hunt (Service League)_x, Judy Whalen (Crime Watch), Katie Meadows (Communications), Barbara Michaels (Beautification), Judy Whalen (Membership/Newcomers), Block Captain (Lori Hunt)_x ; Andie Comini (Animal Alert)_x, Amanda Johnson (Children s Network)_x Special Committee Chairs: Barb Michaels (Garden Club Liaisons: Joan Shopoff (FLOTL), Jason Sellers (Sanger Elementary), Vacant (FRI), Rick Sorrells (Arboretum)_x, Lottie Minick (Media Relations)_x Guests: None Quorum (7). Present (_8 ). Quorum: Yes Proceedings: Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Rick Sorrells at 7:15 p.m. Approval of prior meeting minutes: (Approved by publication and amendments within 10 days after previous board meeting) President s Report Leon Russell Animal Alert Andie Comini - 1 -
Moved the board, which unanimously approved Andie s request for a $200 disbursement to LFH Animal Alert! Program because of the joint contribution and efforts the LFH program makes that benefits the both neighborhoods. Andie to provide the payor information to the FHNA Treasurer. Moved the board, which unanimously approved Andie s request for disbursement of $200 of Animal Alert! s annual budget. Arboretum Rick Sorrells Reported that there have been recent discussions about replacing the existing No Parking yard signs with newer ones. He suggested to the Arboretum that it reconsider the requirement that walkups must produce I.D. s at the entrance reflecting a neighborhood address if they wish to avoid being turned away. Apparently, Emerald Isle is happy with the results of the construction adjacent to its neighborhood, especially the creation of additional entrances. Beautification Barbara Michaels (reported by Andie Comini) Garden Tour is coming. All ads have been sold. Volunteers are still needed to staff the various homes on the tour. The announcement flyers are not expected to be ready in time for the next newsletter distribution. Will have to be distributed separately. Block Captain Chair Lori Hunt Will host a party for the BC s at her house on April 20 from 7:00-8:30 where they can pick up the new Directory s for their block. Leon suggested that the BC s will be given the responsibility to distribute and collect the money for the Directories and returning it to Lori. BC s will receive their own Directory free of charge as a thank you. Children's Network Amanda Johnson Although the Easter Egg Hunt event experienced some glitches, Amanda wants to keep it going. Is considering adding a petting zoo next time. Lottie expressed concern about potential issues should a child get bitten. Other folks have had good experiences with petting zoos. Belle Nora was suggested as a potential alternative venue for this functure in the future. Amanda mentioned that there is a couple interested in paying for some of the children s playground equipment for the San Pedro park project should it come to fruition. - 2 -
With regard to the San Pedro park, Rick brought up that the City Attorney s office will have to make a decision regarding which City department is responsible for the park. The research seems to indicate that the heirs of Warren Angus Ferris granted the City only an easement and still retain ownership. Leon mentioned that the 4 th of July event is a board-wide event, with everyone helping.. Amanda is to make a checklist of what needs to be done, which list can be circulated and assignments made as to who will do what. The event will be held on Wednesday, the 4 th of July. Amanda will contact the Keller s regarding their involvement. Although the Keller s have always been the favorite choice, alternative venues to consider in the future might Belle Nora or the park area at San Pedro Communications Katie Meadows (absent) Crime Watch - Judy Whalen (absent) For the Love of the Lake Joan Shopoff (absent) FRI Vacant Leon raised the offer of Ava Skipworth to fill this position. Roll call of the attendees identified four board members in attendance who are currently active in the FRI. Given that, the consensus was that, perhaps, the need for having a FRI liaison needed to be re-assessed. The board concluded that the FRI position should not be filled for the ensuing six months to see what impact, if any, it might have. Garden Club - Barb Michaels (absent) Media - Lottie Minick Promotional pieces and stories about the Garden & Artisan s Tour are set to go in nearly every publishing medium Lottie could identify. Membership/Newcomers Judy Whalen (absent) Planning & Zoning Seper Rastis Five FH homes recently cited for code violations, mostly for overgrown grass and fences: - 3 -
8139 SAN CRISTOBAL 12-00160115 8172 SAN CRISTOBAL 12-00160105 8255 SANTA CLARA 12-00160141 8555 FOREST HILLS BLVD 12-00160132 8455 FOREST HILLS BLVD 12-00160133 Seper has been given a color-coded map from the City showing the areas of FH that need to be fixed in the future through bond funding. True emergency issues that can t wait will be handled on a case-by-case basis after the City is notified by calling 311. Sanger Liaison Jason Sellers (absent) Service League Lori Hunt No immediate plans to report. Leon suggested that the previously mentioned golf tournament in the fall might be a perfect mechanism for fundraising to build the additional monument signage at Forest Hills and Lakeland and at San Raphael and Garland. Given that there are only two more newsletters between now and then, if it is to go forward and be successful, there needs to be a push to get advertising in those newsletters regarding this event. Treasurer Gary Grass Reported that there is approximately $19,000 cash on hand. The annual operating expenses is ~$8,000. The Treasurer recommended that it would be fiscally prudent to create a financial reserve. Upon motion by the Treasurer, the board approved the creation of a $8,000 reserve which could not be spent without board approval. Treasurer will have 500 additional pre-addressed envelopes printed for paying dues. New Business Monument sign project Forest Hills/Lakeland; San Raphael/Garland Leon raised the request by Dolores Wolfe for $500.00 to help with the legal expenses associated with the FarWest project. This money would be used for copy costs, obtaining legal records, etc. He also noted that the TABC had agreed with the petition to get rid of FarWest and was joining the side of the petitioners for the trial which would be in the fall. Upon motion by Leon, the board approved the expenditure. Leon will - 4 -
provide the Treasurer with the name of the payor for check-writing purposes. The next meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on May 14, 2012 at Lori Hunt s at 8431 Forest Hills Blvd. Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 p.m. - 5 -