Betton Hills Neighborhood Association Minutes

March 6, 2008

 

 

Chair Dean Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

 

Attendees were: Dean Hansen, Tom Schulte, Peter Butzin, Donna Legare, Margie McInnes, Mike Brezin, Melissa Jacoby, Mary Kay Falconer, and Tom Vickers Guests:  Eric and Carolyn Smith (new Betton Hills resident)

 

The minutes from the February 7th meeting were approved unanimously.

 

Dean entertained reports from committees as follows:

 

Treasurer’s Report, March 6, 2008             

Submitted by Donna Legare, 386-1148

dlegare@comcast.net

 

Balance as of February 7, 2008:  $7476.38

 

Checks written since last report:

1206    02/15/08          466.99 Native Nurseries          Arbor Day

 

Deposits:

03/03/08          220.00 dues and funds

 

Treasurer Donna Legare also circulated the invoice for $466.99 from Native Nurseries, which reflected a $29 contribution and charging half price for a new house for Purple Martins ($89.50). The invoice also included plantings for Arbor Day and plants for the traffic island on Betton Road.

 

Tom Vickers presented the membership report. Dues have been received for 352 members. Dues and donations totals are: Bellamy fund $1581.50, Partners in Excellence $921.50, Mansfield Fund $616.50; dues and undesignated donations of $3,660, with a total received to for the membership year of $6,779.50.

 

Mike Brezin reported that the next newsletter will be sent shortly before the “Spring Fling” annual social event. Dean suggested including the names of the donors to the gift baskets for new neighbors.

 

Dean suggested that the neighborhood participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate Marvin Weinberg’s turning over the park between McCord and Winthrop Parks to the City Recreation and Parks Department. He suggested that the date coincide with the Spring Fling.

 

Melissa Jacoby and Bonnie Gaughan-Bailey attended the last CONA meeting on February 11th. Tom Pelham, Director of Community Affairs spoke on the topic of the “Home Town Democracy Amendment”, which would establish that before a local government may adopt or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment would be subject to a vote of the electors of the local government by referendum. CONA will not sponsor its annual banquet this year.

 

Dean circulated a draft of an application for BHNA to be named Neighborhood of the Year and has taken responsibility for filing the application.

 

BHNA will pay registration fees for two board members to attend the June 26-28 state-wide conference of neighborhood associations in Tallahassee.  It was suggested that if two people cannot commit the time required to attend the entire conference, perhaps attendance could be shared between several board members. Melissa and Mary Kay agreed to attend at least part of the conference.

 

The Board unanimously passed a motion to approve payment of our annual CONA dues renewal (about $70). Bonnie Gaughan-Bailey will continue to represent BHNA at CONA.

 

Tom Schulte will assume the responsibility of Chairman of the BHNA board during the second quarter.

 

The Board thanked Donna Legare for her leadership in organizing the annual Arbor Day activities and for the donations from Native Nurseries.

 

We agreed that the Spring Fling social event will occur between 3 and 5 PM on Sunday, April 27th, with a suggestion that the City conduct the ribbon cutting for the park behind Ashford Club between 2 and 3 PM. Margie McGinnis agreed to coordinate purchase of the goods and services, which are likely to include pizza, soft drinks, and entertainment. Melissa will contact Bill Jones about arranging for the music, with an offer of $25 per musician, plus expenses. Tom will research the possibility of renting a simple sound system. The Board authorized spending about a $1,000, for the same level of activities that were included in last year’s event.

 

The Board also authorized spending $300 for each of the three schools in our neighborhood (Kate Sullivan, Cobb and Leon). Margie agreed to contact Leon to suggest an appropriate donation; Donna will contact Cobb and we will request that Vickie Schwartz contact Kate Sullivan.

 

The Board agreed to support Donna’s suggestion that a memorial to Chuck Salter, a long-time promoter of native plants, be added to McCord Park. Dan Miller has suggested a large, natural rock, which can be used as a bench.

 

Donna pointed out that a bat house can be erected in one of our parks for approximately $800 to $900. She will file the information for possible action in the future.

 

Mary Kay has successfully discouraged a resident from discarding a truckload of expended household goods along Armistead Road and McCord Park. We agreed to continue to discourage people from discarding trash days prior to the designated pick up day.

 

It was also pointed out that the controversial shed was removed from the property on Lee Avenue and the non-complying outbuilding at the corner of Armistead and Thomasville Roads has also been removed.

 

Donna indicated that she did not have time to organize another garden tour this Spring, but hopes to do so in the Fall. Mike suggested that we promote a similar event for energy efficient homes.

 

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

 

Respectfully,

 

 

Peter Butzin, Secretary