Minutes of BHNA Board Meeting

November 2, 2006

 

Chairman Mary Kay Falconer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

 

Attendees included: Bill Jones, Mike Brezin, Philip Froemke, Andy Grayson, Elizabeth Jensen, Hal Beardall, Tom Vickers, Mary Kay Falconer, Walt Tschinkel, J.T. Ehrhardt,  Dean Hansen, Marge McInnes, Bonnie Gaughan-Bailey and Bill Behenna.

 

The minutes of the October 5th meeting were approved as distributed.

 

Donna Legare submitted the treasurer’s report in absentia, as follows:

 

Treasurer’s Report, November 2, 2006

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of November 2, 2006:  $5743.81

 

Checks written since last report:

1138    10/05/06          698.81             Mike Brezin                 newsletter expenses

1139    10/05/06              5.21             Philip Froemke                        copies

1140    10/07/06            49.20             Native Nurseries         island plants 5/06-10/06

1141    10/09/06          231.13             Peter Butzin                tent, annual mtg.

1142    10/22/06            24.56             Elizabeth Jensen        crafts supplies, annual mtg.

1143    10/22/06          200.00             Lion Steel                    donation, annual mtg.

1144    10/22/06            22.25             Tom Schulte               drinks, annual mtg.

1145    10/22/06          158.68             Mike Brezin                 ice cream & supplies, mtg.

1146    10/24/06            50.00             Kool Beanz                 President’s gift

1147    10/26/06            40.00             Postmaster                 box rental fee, yearly

 

Deposits:

10/12/06          1414.00                       dues and funds

10/18/06          2125.00                       dues and funds

10/26/05          1155.00                       dues and funds

 

The Treasurer’s Report was approved as distributed.

 

Mary Kay, on behalf of the Board, congratulated Philip for his outstanding leadership and presented him with a gift certificate to Kool Beanz Café. A hearty round of applause followed.

 

Tom Vickers announced that to date 258 households have renewed and 18 new members have joined our organization. $5,079 has been collected for dues and the three trust funds, which appears to demonstrate that both membership and revenues have not been negatively impacted by the dues increase from $5 to $10.  Tom also presented the survey responses that have been received to date (and are attached as an addendum). The top complaints have been roadside trash, inadequately attended yards and speed bumps (both for and against).

 

Discussion focused on Mary Kay’s presentation of goals for 2007. The board agreed to continue the following, ongoing projects:

  1. Neighborhood Presentation.  Charles Pattison and Eric Thorn have been attending a series of meetings, with other neighborhood associations, to develop plans to preserve Tallahassee’s neighborhoods.
  2. Arbor Day.  Donna has agreed to head up this annual effort, which will take place on January 27th. Suggestions include planting blueberry bushes in neighborhood parts, lariope at the old cemetery on Betton Road and plantings for the new trail that joins Winthrop and McCord Parks.
  3. Maintaining the kiosk in McCord Park. Wilson Baker and Walter Tshinkel have agreed to assist this effort, including varying the information and displays.
  4. Neighborhood Walks.  Elizabeth Markovich will continue to lead this effort, which may include a “garden walk” to highlight some of the best neighborhood gardens.
  5. Nature Center (behind the Ashford Club Apartments).  Dean has already been working on this project. J.T. volunteered, as a number of others who responded to our survey. Dean reported a number of plans, including a nature walk with FM radio markers, clean up and efforts to involve young people.
  6. Hurricane Preparedness.  Mary Kay will continue to monitor for opportunities for neighborhood involvement.
  7. Spring Fling and Fall Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social. Elizabeth has expressed interest in sponsoring additional social events that involve neighborhood family activities. Marge shared her experiences living in a neighborhood that sponsored a major, annual potluck dinner.
  8. Quarterly Newsletter.  Mike agreed to continue as editor.
  9. Welcome Committee. Marge reported that the Welcome committee invited new members to the recent ice cream social. A letter has been distributed soliciting gifts from are merchants. She asked for the name of a Realtor in our neighborhood who would agree to query the Multiple Listing Service for new residents.  Dean indicated that Sue had performed this service but had retired from real estate and was no longer a member of the MLS.
  10. Marker Maintenance.  The markers need to be cleaned. Two people volunteered on the neighborhood survey.

 

Discussion turned to the following, suggested new projects:

1.      Creation of a BHNA website: This is a high priority. J.T., Bill Jones and Peter Butzin agreed to serve on a committee to investigate existing neighborhood sites and begin planning our own.

2.      New Family Activities, such as an “outdoor movie night”, pot luck dinner, bike rally (with other neighborhoods) etc. We may consider using a neighborhood grant to promote one or more additional neighborhood recreational activities. Mike agreed to explore the possibility of an outdoor movie event.

 

Several potential code infractions were discussed, including oversized political signs on Betton Road and frequent yard sales at a home located at the corner of Thomasville and Armistead Roads. Calls have been or will be made to the City’s Code Enforcement department. There has also been a complaint about a 20’ tall shed on Lee Avenue, another possible code infringement. It was pointed out that restrictive covenants expired in the early 1980’s.

 

The board agreed that a mass email should be sent announcing two weekend neighborhood events: Walt’s demonstration of his composting system at 1 PM on Sunday and Leon County’s hazardous waste collection site at the Goodwill collection center on Saturday between 9 AM and noon. Volunteers were asked to be present to assist with the collection.

 

Bill Jones asked if the next newsletter could include a notice that the famous bluegrass banjo player and teacher, Tony Trischka will be playing to benefit Habitat for Humanity at 8 PM on February 2nd at the American Legion. After a discussion which suggested that our newsletter traditionally has not allowed paid advertising or promotion of events not sponsored by BHNA, Bill withdrew the request, but asked that the event be noted in the minutes.

 

Peter Butzin agreed to host the next regular board meeting, on December 7th, in his home at 1628 Woodgate Way. He will provide wine and a hot dip and asked others to bring a snack to share. The meeting will be at 7 rather than the usual 7:30 to allow time for socializing.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

Peter Butzin