Minutes of BHNA Board Meeting

April 6, 2007

 

Chairman Mary Kay Falconer called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.

 

Attendees included: Margie McInnes, Mike Chwalik, Dean Hansen, Mary Kay Falconer, Dean Hansen, Anne Longman, Hal Beardall, Philip Froemke, Vicky Schwartz, Elizabeth Jensen, Gavin Phipps and Andy Fink.

 

The minutes of the March meeting were approved as distributed.

 

Donna Legare was unable to attend due to international travel, but submitted the treasurer’s report, in absentia, as follows:

Treasurer’s Report, March 30, 2007

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of March 30, 2007:  $6413.77

 

Checks written since last report:

1161   03/01/07         46.20  Tom Vickers                          labels and ink

1162   03/01/07         75.00  CONA                                     dues

1163   03/01/07         53.75  Fast Signs                             sign updates adv. Events

1164   03/02/07         100.00            Leon High Project Graduation         Partners Fund

1165   03/06/07         325.00            Kate Sullivan (book drive)    Partners Fund

1166   03/06/07         225.00            Leon High Band Program    Partners Fund

1167   03/06/07         325.00            Cobb Band Program                        Partners Fund

 

Deposits:

03/06/07         178.00                        dues and funds

03/14/07           10.00                        dues

 

I distributed all money from the Partners Fund. At the last meeting we decided that the new media center at Kate Sullivan would receive their share and it was left to me to decide how to distribute at the other two schools. At Leon, we have donated to science, theater, media center and art departments. At Cobb we have donated to media center, science and English departments. This year, I chose the 2 bands.  The Band Director at Cobb, Holly Kennedy, said she was honored to receive the money and was very thankful that we would include the arts in our donations. She will let us know how it is spent – either on instrument repair, purchase of music or for a fund she is working on for low-income students to participate in band.

 

I contacted Judy Crews at Leon guidance about the Mansfield Scholarship Fund. She will be in touch with the journalism folks there to select the scholarship students. She will contact me.

 

Hal thanked the Board for contributing to a special fund at Kate Sullivan Elementary School for the purpose of purchasing new books for the media center. The contribution was made from the special Jack Robertson Partners in Excellence fund, supported by optional gifts from members. Additional distributions were contributed to the band programs at Cobb Middle and Leon High Schools.

 

Tom provided the membership report in absentia.  He reports that 406 households have paid dues. Total moneys collected include $2,060 for the Bellamy Fund, $993 for the Partners in Excellence Fund, $09 for the Mansfield Scholarship Fund and $4,340 for dues and unrestricted donations. Total contributions and dues collected is $8,102. He pointed out that the Spring newsletter appears to have prompted 12 additional families to renew their memberships.

 

Old Business:

  1. Minor changes have been made to the website, including making the date and time of board meetings more prominent, adding key contact information of board members, updating the copy in the frequently asked questions sections.

 

Mary Kay presented, and the Board passed a motion to only post events on our website calendar that meet the following criteria:

·                    The event will be on public property (parks, sidewalks or streets)

·                    The event will be free to residents.

·                    All residents are invited to participate.

·                    The event promotes the mission of BHNA or serves an educational purpose.

·                    Events occurring in city parks must follow the relevant city regulations.

Events not meeting the above criteria should be brought to the BHNA board for consideration and approval.

  1. Due to neighbors’ objections, during a meeting with residents and David Chapman, head of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation to consider developing a small playground on Harriman Circle, a decision was made not to pursue the issue. BHNA had agreed to consider the idea, but in light neighborhood opposition, no further action will be taken.
  2. Regarding the issue of speeding traffic on Ellicott Road, neighbors living on Ellicott can organize to ask the City to install traffic calming devices.
  3. Mary Kay asked for volunteers to attend a meeting about flu pandemic preparedness, April 21st from 9 AM to 1 PM and sponsored by the Red Cross. Since no one volunteered, she will post an invitation on our website.
  4. The next CONA (Council of Neighborhood Associations) meeting will be on Monday, April 9th. Mary Kay will attend.
  5. Mary Kay has a copy of the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan relating to neighborhood presentation. She has reviewed the document and has concluded that Betton Hills would not be affected by the proposed changes.
  6. The plans for the Spring Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 21st were announced and discussed. Activities will begin with the annual “Marker Walk” at 3 PM; followed by food and family activities from 4-6 PM. Neighbors are being asked to bring an appetizer and/or dessert. Margie McInnes asked for volunteers to complete address labels. Information regarding this annual event will be posted on our website.  A motion to pay up to $125 for musicians to provide entertainment. (Board Member Bill Jones has organized an ensemble.)

 

New Business:

  1. A motion to purchase two benches for Chittenden (aka Carol Bellamy) Park passed. The City will install the benches, with their cost paid primarily by the Carol Bellamy Fund, with additional funding, if necessary, from the BHNA General Fund.
  2. A motion was made, and approved, for up to $75 for Phillip Froemke to have a stencil made, and provide additional materials, to repaint the gold lettering and boarder on the neighborhood markers.
  3. A motion was made, and approved, that $1,000 from the General Fund be designated for maintenance of the neighborhood marker signs and for placement of additional signs at an unspecified future date. Phillip explained that this $1,000 actually was left over from the amount approved for the initial sign purchase.
  4. A motion was made, and approved, to purchase $50 worth of grass carp for Harriman Pond to help control aquatic weeds.

 

There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 9 PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Vickie Schwartz, Acting Secretary