Architects Row Community Association

Minutes of the May 2^nd, 2006 Meeting

In attendance: Ben, McKinzie, Elaine, Jeraldine, Isabelle, Carol, Alex, Milton, Laurie, David C., Rex, Pam, Don, Lin, Sue

There is one correction to the April minutes: Jeraldine’s name was misspelled.

There is one addition to the April minutes: The chains at each end of the alley were originally put in place approximately 50 years ago.

1. Treasurer’s Report- The total of both accounts is $670.68. The Spring yard sale funds will soon be put into the account. The $500 insurance bill was paid in April. Joining other land trusts would actually increase the insurance payment, so the association currently has a good deal. Liability insurance is necessary because we as homeowners are liable if anything happens to someone, especially an outsider, in the alley. In this event, the association would need to defend itself.

The permit for the yard sale cost $235.85. This permit was necessary because without it, the association could be confronted with a large fine. The profits from the yard sale should recover the permit expenditure and add more money to the account.

Dave C. as treasurer has collected almost half of resident dues for 2006. One payment was collected in April. $25.00 was spent on a new neighbor’s welcome basket.

2. South cable- A vote was taken on five proposals at this meeting. The fifth proposal was suggested at the meeting, while the first four were presented at the April meeting. A quorum was present at the May meeting to allow for the vote to take place.

1. A majority voted to replace the North chain with a new chain or wooden gate.

2. A majority voted against relocating the South cable to beyond the second parking pad.

3. A majority voted to post “no trespassing” signs at each end of the alley.

4. A majority voted against leaving the South cable down. (The South cable is believed to have been cut down and stolen.)

5. A majority voted to involve community mediation in an attempt to reach a compromise regarding the South cable.

Lin volunteered to look into mediation and report back. Rex volunteered to donate a swing gate to install at the North alley entrance. Ben will first contact the city to make sure that this change from a chain to a gate is acceptable to the department of public works.

Neighbors discussed another purpose of the chains, in addition to the purpose of deterring non-residents. Liability insurance must be maintained on the alley, and having a deterrent (either a chain, sign, or both) may be necessary in order to carry the insurance. Some neighbors are concerned that moving the chain and/or not having the “no trespassing” signs may open the community up for liability.

A few non-residents have been noticed cutting through yards, driving or parking in the alley, and trespassing. One person on the street out front was reportedly noticed with a gun. Many neighbors feel that the alley must be clearly marked for no trespassing. The “exit” signs that were recently installed on the cable are inappropriate, and “no trespassing” signs (which used to be posted at each end but periodically became damaged or stolen) must be installed.

To conclude, the alley is private property and should be made less likely for outsiders to get through, while still being made accessible to residents and utilities. Neighbors are also concerned with property values and protecting the scenery.

3. Proposal to change meeting day- One neighbor proposed changing the association meeting day from Tuesday to a day where more residents can come. Some neighbors like Tuesday and also like having the meeting the same day every month. Everyone agrees that it is important to attempt to accommodate all neighbors. Don volunteered to distribute a neighborhood survey to see which night of the week would be best for most neighbors.

Many suggestions were made to generate more community involvement, including mystery dinners, game nights, International dinners, and a newsletter. A special events committee, which already exists, was suggested to create a better community connection.

4. Yard Sale- A permit was obtained for the Spring Yard Sale. The permit is necessary in order to avoid large fines. No cooking or electricity is allowed. Several non-members and members paid Milton and JoAnn for table space. Renters are required to bring their own tables for the sale. One association table is scheduled for the sale. Donations of items will be sold and all proceeds will go to the association. Dave C. and Milton are scheduled to collect yard sale money on the day of the sale. Milton will call other neighbors in the event of rain.

Jeraldine volunteered to give her leaf blower to the association to either sell or use. The association decided to use it. Thanks to JoAnn, Milton, Rex, and the yard sale committee, and to Jeraldine for the leaf blower.

5. Acts of Neighborliness- Carol completed the typing of the acts of neighborliness. Neighbors who contributed stories agreed that Ben can post the stories on the community website after they read and approve the stories.

6. Summer Cookout/Crab Feast- The date chosen for the cookout is September 9th, with a September 16th rain date. The cookout will start around 5:00 pm. Neighbors who would like to eat crabs will be asked to contribute money for the crabs.

7. Historic Designation Update- This item will be updated at a later meeting.

8. Committee to review bylaws- Jeraldine and Ben volunteered to head the committee to review the bylaws. The updates will be presented at a later meeting and voted on. The association currently does not follow all of the bylaws. The bylaws discuss board of directors meetings but not general meetings. The goal is to make the voting and meeting process more democratic and to update the bylaws with current practices.

The association used to have board meetings and general meetings, but everyone typically attended both, so the process evolved into just having general meetings.

In the past, the number of directors was changed to encourage more participation.

One neighbor asked why the association bothered to vote on the four proposed issues if a subsequent decision was made to bring in mediation. This neighbor feels that this decision is not true to the bylaws. Clarification was made that the first four votes still stand and are to be followed, but the vote for mediation stands as well in an attempt to accommodate both viewpoints and ensure the interests of all neighbors. Although the vote for mediation stands, a few neighbors are opposed to it.

Contact Ben if you would like to assist on the bylaw committee.

9. Welcome basket- Welcome baskets have been given to a few new neighbors, who are announced in the meeting minutes. Some neighbors feel that some new neighbors do not know how the association works, and therefore they do not participate. The welcome basket is an expense to try to gain neighborhood involvement, but many new neighbors do not participate. A motion was passed to reduce the expense from $25 by instead giving new neighbors a small gift, a card, a phone list, and a coupon for the first year's association dues free. This allows the association to continue to welcome new neighbors and encourage participation, but also allows for more feasible budgeting.

The first to receive a "new" welcoming gift will be Mr. Robinson at 6118.

10. NECO- Ben has attended a few meetings with NECO (Northeast Community Organization) and the Northeast Police District, where neighborhood information has been exchanged. The most preventable crimes that have recently occurred in our area have been auto thefts and thefts of items left in autos. The police recommend using auto clubs and not leaving any items visible in cars.

11. Trash behind dumpster at North end- Pam volunteered to give Ben the number to call the apartment complex located at the North end of our neighborhood to attempt to have them remove the excess trash. If this does not work, Ben will contact the city to have a dumpster delivered so the trash can be removed.

12. Additional notes-

~A neighbor inquired about why we do not have speed bumps on our street. The association has attempted to have them installed many times, but each time has been denied.

~There are excess branches that need to be removed from the alley.

~The pictures from the yard sale and of the heron will be placed on the community website.

~Dave C. reported that no progress has been made on the illegal dumping that he caught someone doing. He recommends that if this incident goes to court, the association take a position.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6th at 7:00 pm at Don's-6146. Items on the agenda include a yard sale recap, crab feast plan, historic designation update, mediation update, survey summary, and contest for most beautiful garden.

Thanks to all who have helped with association events and to all who attended the meeting. Thanks to Isabelle for hosting and for the delicious food.

Minutes submitted by Carol.