Betton Hills Neighborhood Association Minutes

November 1, 2007

 

 

Mary Kay Falconer called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM

 

Attendees were:  Mary Kay Falconer, Melissa Jacoby, Tom Vickers. Tom Schulte, Mike Brezin, Tami Frankland, Margie McInnes, Dean Hansen, Peter Butzin, Donna Legare, Bill Jones, Kathy Moulton, and guest, Jan Matalon.

 

The minutes were approved as posted on the Internet.

 

Donna Legare presented the report of the Treasurer as follows:

 

Treasurer’s Report, October 4, 2007

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of October 4, 2007:  3159.86

 

Checks written since last report:

1189     94.66    09/06/07            Mike Brezin      newsletter expenses

 

Deposits:

none

 

 

Treasurer’s Report, November 1, 2007

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of November 1, 2007:  6412.61

 

Checks written since last report:

1190          VOID

1191          75.00          10/13/07            Native Nurseries           gift certificates

1192          53.75          10/17/07            Andy Fink                     adv. Annual mgt.

1193          40.00          10/22/07            USPS                           p.o. box fee

1194          65.00          10/23/07            Elizabeth Jensen            crafts Annual mgt.

 

Deposits:

10/22/07            3486.50             dues and funds

 

The treasurer’s reports for both October and November were approved.

 

Peter Butzin presented Mary Kay with a $25 gift certificate from Native Nurseries in recognition of her past year of outstanding leadership as President of BHNA. Board members applauded enthusiastically.

 

Tom Vickers reported on membership as follows: Dues have been received for 206 members with 28 new members compared to last year. At this point last year we had received dues for 258 members. Dues and donations totals are:  Bellamy Fund: $890.50; Partners in Excellence (schools) fund: $650.50; Mansfield (scholarship) Fund: $425.50. Dues and undesignated donations of $2,155, with a total for all funds and undesignated of $4,121.50.

 

Mary Kay reported the usual array of comments that accompanied some of the dues payments, including barking dogs, traffic issues, garbage collection, disaster preparedness (especially for older residents) and problems with ongoing yard sales. She will provide a full report later in the year, after additional comments are received.

 

Jan Matalon, who resides at 1474 Lee Avenue, was asked to report on a problem with outbuildings constructed by a neighbor. After discussion, the Board agreed that the latest outbuilding, a large, tall, garage-like structure, although permitted by the City, violates the aesthetic integrity of the neighborhood. The Board agreed that a committee, consisting of Jan, Kathy and Melissa be constituted to draft a letter opposing the structure and making recommendations for actions to prevent such buildings from being constructed in our neighborhood in the future. The committee will present its draft letter and recommendations to the Board either at its next regularly scheduled meeting on December 6th, or action will be earlier via email polling. 

 

Tom Schulte agreed to bring the matter before the meeting of the Code Enforcement Board. It was also suggested that the matter be brought to the attention of the Council of Neighborhood Associations.

 

Donna reported that Jody Walthall has been killing the invasive Chinese Tallow in McCord Park. While the City has provided the herbicide, he has requested up to $100 for horticultural oil, which is mixed with the herbicide. The request was approved.

 

Mary Kay thanked Donna for organizing the Garden Tour, and suggested that we sponsor another in the Spring.

 

We discussed the need for the upcoming Winter Newsletter.

 

We agreed to have our annual Arbor Day event for planting and neighborhood beatification, with Donna Legare selecting the best date. She indicated that it would likely be the last Saturday in January, the 26th.

 

Tom and Mary Ann Vickers have agreed to host the December BHNA meeting on the 6th, which will be at 7 PM rather than the usual 7:30, at their home, 2404 Winthrop Road. Everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share.

 

Peter congratulated the Board for a highly successful, attendance record setting Fall Ice Cream Social. Bill suggested that we have a sound system at next year’s meeting.

 

“The perpetual garage sale” at the home located at the corner of Armistead and Thomasville Road continues to be a problem. Although the City’s Growth Management Department has been evoking daily fines for non-complying outbuildings, apparently there is no restriction by the City regarding the number of garage sales allowed. (Apparently there is a 10 limit restriction enforced by the Florida Department on Revenue before sales taxes have to be collected.) Consequently, BHNA may consider promoting a city ordinance that would limit the number of garage sales annually at a single location.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Peter Butzin, Secretary