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Northfield Neighborhood - Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2009

Northfield Neighborhood Association

Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2009

The May 4, 2009 meeting of the Northfield Neighborhood Associated was called to order at 7:10 pm. by Will Bown, NNA president (the NNA president provided yummy snacks – thank you).

Agenda

Introductions

Attendees introduced themselves.

North Loop IBIZ District – Rebecca Melancon

Item postponed. Miss Melancon was ill and unable to attend. IBIZ was created and funded by a city grants to promote local business in the NNA neighborhood and 3 other areas. Ms. Melancon intended to discuss how all this works.

Treasurer’s Report

NNA Treasurer's Report - May 4, 2009

Balance 3/31-09 (includes $1,150Keep Austin Beautiful Grant) $1,918.52
Newsletter ads $70.00
Membership $15.00
Current Sub Total $2,003.52
Less $1,150 KAP Grant -$1,150.00
Current Balance $853.52

Reminder: Dues are $5.00 per person per year. $10.00 per business per year. Please see Annie to pay dues.

Labor Day Meeting

As Labor Day falls on the Monday of the regularly scheduled NNA meeting (Sept 7), it was agreed to move September meeting of the NNA to Monday, September 14, 7pm at the Dayspring Chapel. It was agreed to set the meeting dates for NNA meetings through April of 2010. NNA meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7pm at the Dayspring Chapel, with the exception of the following dates:

September 2009 – Monday September 14, 2009
October 2009 - Tuesday, October 6 AT 6: PM (location - Bruning Green) Planning for NNO to be discussed at the June meeting
December 2009 – Monday, December 7 AT 6:PM – (annual holiday party)

Scott Johnson suggested that in an effort to grow the neighborhood watch program that we might consider holding meetings at the homes of neighbors (to invite nearby neighbors) or at local businesses.

Sudie asked for the floor to thank her neighbors for their assistance in helping her with her garden show project.

Neighborhood Watch – Scott Johnson

Discussion focused on the value of the neighborhood watch program and how NNA can grow participation.

Our guest, Martha Ward, informed NNA that the Austin Neighborhood Council – Central Corridor group - meets on the first Tuesdays of the month at Texas French Breads on Rio Grande at 7:30 am and recommended that a representative attend this meeting. Will Bown offered to attend the meeting scheduled for May 5, 2009.

Scott reported on recent burglaries in our neighborhood. He also reminded NNA that he has prepared a flyer about the NW program and had copies for distribution. The flyer offers tips for crime prevention and information about the various communications resources for the neighborhood watch program.

There was some discussion about the most efficient method of communication within the neighborhood – email list serves, yahoo groups, Facebook, etc. It was agreed to have more thorough discussion of how to handle communications needs for the neighborhood.

Website Hosting – Lisa Wright

Lisa reported that Sebastian Wren has been paying for domain name and Web hosting services. She made a motion to transfer the cost of these services from Sebastian to the NNA as a recurring operating expensive of the NNA. The motion was seconded. Motion passed. The president will investigate having the costs of Web hosting covered by a donation from Grande Communications.

Green Space – Cindy Black

Cindy discussed a 3 or 4 phase project designed to incorporate state owned cemetery property and privately owned North Loop Center property into green space and muti-use public space. The first priority – Phase 1 – is to plant trees along the north border of the cemetery (North Loop). This would involve working within the guidelines of Parks and Recreation program to plant more trees in our area. Parks and Recreation will water and tend the trees for a two-year period. First order of business is to remove the ligustrums that grow along the fence line on North Loop -by September. New trees to be planted in October: Chumard Red Oaks and Crape Myrtles.

And in this phase as well, Cindy proposed a connecting sidewalks between 51st and North Loop on the west side of the cemetery . Move the fence and leave green space to make the sidewalk.

Phase 2 - investigate using the land behind the parking lot at the North Loop center for green space.

Phase 3 - Move to take over part of the parking lot/old foundation in the North Loop Center for covered space – parking and events.

Will asked that Cindy put the drawings of the plans that she brought onto the Web site. Perhaps a sub-committee should be created to work on this project.

Phase 4 - planting trees in the triangle at Lamar and Koenig. TXDOT will have to return ownership of this parcel to the City so that the City is free to plant trees or allow trees to be planted. Cindy offered to write a letter to TXDOT to start that process. NNA should enlist the cooperation of the retail entities in the Commerce Park Center – Goodwill, Half-Price Books, etc.

Rezoning Case at 100 W. North Loop – Pam Pritchard

Pam reported that the Austin City Council approved the zoning request, which means that the property is now zoned CS-1. CS-1 allows the sale of alcohol without the sale of food. Pam reported that she is targeting August or September opening for her establishment. She intends to put lights in the alley alongside her property. The alley will be gated off. She is working with officer James Bartles to address the problem with graffiti.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm



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