Betton Hills Neighborhood Association Minutes

December 6, 2007

 

 

Mary Kay Falconer called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM after a splendid social time at the Vickers.

 

Attendees were:  Mary Kay Falconer, Elizabeth Jenson, Tom Vickers. Vickie Schwartz, Andy Fink, Eric Thorn, Mike Brezin, Tami Frankland, Margie McInnes, Dean and Sue Hansen, Peter Butzin, Donna Legare, Kathy Moulton, and guest, Jan Matalon. Philip Froemke, former President, also attended.

 

The minutes were approved as posted on the Internet.

 

Donna Legare presented the report of the Treasurer as follows:

 

Treasurer’s Report, December 6, 2007                   

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of December 6, 2007:  6990.39

 

Checks written since last report:

1195     50.00    11/1/07             Dean Hansen    ice cream for annual mgt.

1196     27.00    11/1/07             Peter Butzin      ice cream

1197     21.44    11/1/07             Mary Kay Falconer       supplies annual mgt.

1198     848.36  11/1/07             Mike Brezin      newsletter expenses

1199     18.84    11/6/07             Tom Schulte      annual mgt. expenses

1200     51.58    11/7/07             Tom Vickers     ink, labels

 

Deposits:

11/05/07            655.00              dues and funds

11/15/07            460.00              dues and funds

12/03/07            480.00              dues and funds

 

The treasurer’s report for December was approved.

 

Tom presented the Membership report, noting that BHNA currently has 257 members, off from a peak of 429. However, additional members are expected to respond to the follow-up appeal which will be included in the January newsletter.

 

Mary Kay noted that a few members have volunteered for various neighborhood projects, including disaster preparedness. Those expressing an interest in BHNA activities were contacted by email. Eric Thorn agreed to check in on a few residents who had requested assistance with preparing for disasters. She also recognized, with appreciation, the leadership of Philip Froemke, the immediate past president.

 

Attention turned to code enforcement issues, especially related to an imposing outbuilding adjacent to the property of Jan Matalon at 1466 Lee Avenue. Kathy Moulton and Melissa Jacoby visited the Matalons’ property and helped prepare a letter to the City expressing BHNA’s position that the building was not in compliance with city regulations. Bob Herman, from the City, agreed that the City permitted the structure in error. The issue will be mediated on December 14th. BHNA agrees with Jan’s position that the cumulative square footage of all outbuildings on a property, not just of a single outbuilding, be less than one third of the square footage of the house. The BHNA board expressed a preference to have the cumulative square footage interpretation for permitting outbuildings.  Several board members also agreed that both the structure’s height and design is not consistent with the character of the neighborhood.

 

Mary Kay also announced that the owner of the house with the “perpetual yard sale” at the corner of Armistead and Thomasville Roads is expected to seek a variance for outbuildings that are incompliant with City codes. BHNA will monitor this situation and attend the relevant meetings scheduled.  

 

Mary Kay broached the subject of a possible ordinance against repetitive yard sales and tighter restrictions on outbuildings with Commissioner Lightsey.  Currently there is no restriction regarding the number of yard sales a single home dweller can have each year. There are also no restrictions regarding the height or aesthetics of outbuildings.

 

Tom suggested that the next newsletter include an article urging residents to be mindful of their aesthetic footprint on the neighborhood. He sighted a trailer being parked for a relatively long period of time on Marston. Others mentioned waste containers left at curbside, barking dogs and early morning and evening noise related to yard maintenance.

 

We agreed that our annual Arbor Day project take place on the second Saturday in February (the 9th).

 

Eric recommended that a “neighbor helping neighbor” campaign be organized and volunteered.

 

Mary Kay’s quarterly presidency ends this month. Dean Hansen will continue as president during the first quarter of 2008.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Peter Butzin, Secretary