El Montevideo Neighborhood Association

Meeting Minutes

Jan 26th,2012 – 6:30 PM, Ward 6 Office, East Room

  1. Call to order
  2. Cyndi Amundson (Vice President) called to order the regular meeting of the El Montevideo Neighborhood Association at 6:30pm on January 26th,2012 in the Ward 6 Office, East Room.
  3. Roll call
  4. The following persons were present : Cyndi Amundson, Carol and Ira Larsen, Nadia Khatib, Chad Westerland, Uwe Fink, Jackie Newlove, Celeste Blackwell, Margaret Halaby, Antoinette Wagner, Janet Parkhurst, Margarethe May, Randy Van Nostrand
  5. Approval of minutes from last meeting
  6. Cyndi read the minutes from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as read.
  7. Reports, Updates and Approvals
  8. Treasurer’s Report – WR Van Nostrand – was presented and accepted
    – Reported that we have no significant changes since the October report (12601) in total.
  9. Checking account - $5294.53, CD renewed at 0.600 on the 9th of Jan. for payment of $3.93 on $7,671.00; we $57.12 in taxes to pay; Total funds $12,965.53
  10. 15 dues paying members since October. (transitioned to a discussion about neighborhood involvement (see below)
  11. Randy – updated the website – to pay for the service and the domain. We are renewed for 9 years – ElMontevideo.org. Randy turned the folder over to Celeste Blackwell for research.
  12. Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Jackie Newlove , Janet Parkhurst & Celeste Blackwell
  13. Jackie updated us on the progress
  14. 15 Volunteers, a Steering Committee of 4, A completed brochure, and website. The successful PCOA sponsored Volunteer Training took place,
  15. Janet Parkhurst moved to pay Celeste to get the record keeping established – get the “program up and running” from that standpoint – $20 an hour – maximum of $300 & Uwe Fink seconded – The motion was passed.
  16. Safety and Security – Report of Criminal Incidents, pan-handlers, sketchy people – Cyndi Amundson
  17. The group spoke of several incidents, like the presence of a stolen car (del Norte), Car tires emptied of air – all 4 – suspicion of vandalism Calle Cortex – cul de sac. Higher incidence of car break-ins. We should call 911 and report these incidents.
  18. TDOT – letter was sent by Wayne to request clean up the median hazards – to Bonnie Medler & Steve Kozachik (phone 791-4601 – fax 791-3211) – We agreed to note whether it was done, and follow up.
  19. Tripartite meeting – Uwe Fink reported.
  20. Nothing new – Shoe Carnival, a few trash violations.
  21. May 21st in the superior court. It might be good to go and listen. No action can proceed until the hearing is finished.
  22. Call to audience – primary concerns about the neighborhood safety and security and an appeal to block captains.
  23. Ira Larsen proposed more activity and activation of block captains via a walkthrough the neighborhood to inspire more participation esp. with new neighbors. Ira Larsen, Janet Parkhurst and Celeste Blackwell agreed to come up with a plan of action. They will report on progress at the April 29th 2012 meeting.
  24. Randy reported on the crime events, false alarms, incidents where someone came in their back yard and got bit by one of their dogs, but reiterated the suggestion that the people have high walls, lights, and dogs large enough to eat people.
  25. We also apparently have a “group home” in the neighborhood – 4 or more people who live together but are not related. New ordinances that seem to address college students living together. A discussion ensued about college students causing a lot of trash and disturbance – Do special rules apply? R1 or R2 lots can only have 4 or fewer unrelated people – An Orange Tag – stays for one year – and there are restrictions on the property. We don’t know if it has passed – there was a recent meeting.
  26. Transition zones were spoken about. All the activity on 5th, Dodge, and Alvernon.
  27. Other discussion ensued about building a network of reliable people – a few people were talked about - Richard Walmar, The Walkers
  28. We said we should do a Newsletter between now and the next meeting. This was thrown out as an idea and agreed upon (Mrs Fred R. Miller Neighbors Helping Neighbors donation)
  29. Minutes submitted by: S.Celeste Blackwell
  30. Minutes approved: Motion by Uwe, seconded by Cyndi – unanimous Ayes
  31. Next Meeting Thursday, April 26th at the Ward 6 meeting room, at 6:30.
  32. Adjournment
  33. Cyndi Amundson adjourned the meeting at 7:26.

2 | Page