Architects Row Community Association
Minutes of the February 7th,
2006 Meeting
In attendance: Ben, McKinzie, Carol,
Alexandra, JoAnn, Rex, Laurie, Milton, Lin, Rotunda, Clifford, Reed
Guests: Landra, Mark
Welcome to Reed Cooper, the new resident
at 6136!
The minutes of the January 2006 meeting
were accepted.
1. Bylaw review- A resident noticed that
some of our current bylaws are no longer in practice and suggested that the
association change them. Bylaws in question so far are regarding board of
directors meetings and the dates of the fiscal year. A motion was passed for
members to review the bylaws in more detail and discuss possible changes at the
next meeting. Carol will email a copy of the bylaws to everyone with email
access. If anyone would like a copy of the bylaws in print, please contact
Carol at (443) 956-7793.
2. Historic Designation Update- To review,
the association voted to pursue National Historic Designation, which does not
apply restrictions to homeowners. An application complete with black and white
photos must be assembled. Laurie will head a committee to begin the application
in Spring, the goal to finish by Summer. There will be a cost for the
application process, which will be discussed at a later meeting.
3. Website Update- The association now has
a website created by Ben at www.architectsrow.org.
Two years of hosting and the domain name were purchased for $86.28. On
LiveBaltimore.com, our community pictures have been removed from the Chinquapin
Park/Belvedere section, and one has been moved to the correct section of
Lake/Walker. The new association name was also updated.
At
www.architectsrow.org, viewers can see a
brief history of our homes, view city resources, and link to residents’
websites. One neighbor is offended by the two resident business websites
currently listed. He feels that the community website should not promote
personal business and profits. Others feel that there is no ethical problem
with such links, and even think that promoting homeowners’ businesses is a good
idea. After a lengthy discussion, meeting attendees reached a compromise. If a
resident chooses, s/he may list a profile, including such information as name,
occupation, pets, etc. If the resident would like a link to a personal business
site added, it must be included within the profile. A disclaimer page will
appear between the profile and the actual link, stating that the Architects Row
Community Association does not endorse or recommend any residents’ business and
that the Architects Row website is being left. A motion was passed unanimously
to accept this compromise.
If
anyone wants a profile and/or link added to the website, please contact Ben at blefstein@cavtel.net or (443) 874-8015.
One
additional suggestion made to promote residents’ businesses was to sell
advertisement space on community newsletters. While this is a possibility, it
was pointed out that only 39 homes would receive the newsletter, which is not a
large group and may not warrant charging a fee.
4. Spring Yard Sale update- A committee
has been assembled with Milton as the chairperson. The yard sale date is
Saturday, May 6th from 10am-2pm, with a rain date of May 13th.
The
association will advertise the sale in the pennysaver, as well as pass out
fliers in surrounding neighborhoods and hang a banner. JoAnn will create the
flier and banner. Ben will also post the sale information on the website.
Rotunda will inform NECO (Northeast Community Organization) so that other
neighborhoods will be informed.
In
2005, the price for vendor space was $10 member, $15 non-member. A motion was
passed to increase the 2006 price to $15 member, $20 non-member.
A
permit must be obtained by April in order to hold the sale.
The
first yard sale committee meeting will be held Sunday, March 19th at
4pm at 6178 (Milton’s).
5. Monthly Cleanups- A motion was passed
to hold monthly neighborhood cleanups on the first Saturday of every month. If
another day must take the place of the first Saturday, a memo will be dispersed
to inform of the new date.
The
first cleanup will take place on Saturday, March 4th from 10am-12pm.
Neighbors are encouraged to participate for as much time as possible.
6. Treasurer’s Report- The balance as of
January 1st, 2006 was $390.00 in the checking account and $683.85 in
savings, for a total of $1073.85. Since, the association has paid $20.00 to the
Herring Run Watershed Association, $86.28 for the website, and has collected
$320.00 in dues. The current balance is $1287.57. $40.00 was collected
additionally at the meeting, and $40 was left with the treasurer, to be
deposited, which will bring the total to $1367.57.
Announcements:
~The Cylburn Arboretum is offering
training sessions for tree stewards. Anyone interested in more information
should contact Ben.
~On Wednesday, February 8th,
NECO held a meeting with the Baltimore City Police Department to discuss
neighborhood safety issues.
~Three residents across the street on
Chinquapin have recently been the victims of check theft from their mailboxes.
A detective will be investigating the thefts. Neighbors are adviced to keep
their mailboxes locked.
~A memorial service for Nancy Lee Dix will
be held on Friday, February 24th at the Grace Methodist Church,
located on the corner of Northern Parkway and Charles Street. Immediately following,
the church will provide food and beverages.
~"Residents are invited to attend the launch of NECO's
Acts of
Neighborliness story-telling project on February 16, 2006 at the
Northside Baptist Church, 1100 E. Northern Parkway at 7:00 PM sharp. On
that evening, NECO members will begin to record stories, instruct on
interviewing, give story demonstrations, and help equip community
participants to collect stories within neighborhood meetings and
gatherings.
Shirl Byron, the Executive Director of the Northeast Development
Alliance (NEDA) will also be attending the March 7 ARCA meeting
(confirmation pending) for the same purpose."
~The next meeting will be held on Tuesday,
March 7th at 7pm at Lin's (6164).
~The April meeting will be held on Tuesday,
April 4th at 7pm at Rotunda’s (6138).
Thanks to Ben and McKinzie for hosting, to
Laurie for typing the bylaws, to all who have contributed time, and to all who
attended.
Minutes submitted by Carol.