On May 5th the transportation sub-committee (Cole, Morrison, Riley) met to hear CNA’s arguments against the opening up of Morrow and Lamar to westbound traffic. No decisions were made, and the sub-committee expressed a desire to not have to choose yes/no on opening, but rather preferred the neighborhoods work together to come up with an agreeable solution. They may assist in providing mediation for Crestview and Highland to work together on the issue.
Eddie says traffic calming will start in 1 month, after the city is through with work on Rundberg.
4-5 new members joined at the Violet Crown Festival. The festival had more art booths than ever and it was a good showing.
Rails with trails meeting will soon happen with Sustainable Neighborhoods. Susan Hensley of PARD needs to be informed that Ryan AE property is usable.
The general assembly voted on the proposed by laws amendments (see previous minutes) and all passed by unanimous vote.
All eligible candidates that were nominated were elected by unanimous vote:
Eddie Gary – President
Tonia Scaperlanda – Vice President
Don Tucker – Secretary
Tim Ramirez – Treasurer
Kat Corea – Newsletter Editor
Melinda Evans – Place 1
Susan Burneson – Place 2
Emily Wilson – Place 3
Marcus Boruff – Place 4
Friends of Brentwood Park (Emily and Hedrich) together with Walter from the city’s forestry department presented their first draft for a tree planting initiative in Brentwood Park.
Walter explained that the city needs to partner with other groups to get things done because of a lack of funding and manpower. They propose to plant 98 trees in Brentwood Park, and put irrigation in (irrigation costs the city less in terms of manpower to maintain the trees). The city would provide the trees, dig the holes, provide the mulch, and pay for the first 2-3 years of water. FoBP would have to pay for the installation of the irrigation (estimated cost $9800). The city would ask for volunteers to monthly inspect the trees’ irrigation, weed status, mulch, and insect situations, but the city would maintain the irrigation after installation. To raise the funding, FoBP is writing a proposal for a grant from the Austin Parks Foundation, which is due at the end of the month. They have been told that it will go well for their proposal if they can secure funding of 30% from other groups, so they are asking the Brentwood Neighborhood Association, the Crestview Neighborhood Association, the Violet Crown Community Works, and others to donate 30% of the estimated cost. Contributions are tax deductable. FoBP is looking for feedback from neighbors on the plan. Some present suggested adding some fruit trees to the plan.
For questions or feedback regarding the plan, please contact Emily Wilson at pamelagrierrocks@yahoo.com
Executive Committee Meeting
Treasurer Report:
+$10 memberships
+$968 ads
-$392 printing costs
-#35 ANC membership
-$10 bounced ad check
TOTAL:$9901
Newsletter issues:
It was collectively decided not to follow up with legal action against the advertiser that bounced its check.
The distribution coordinator is leaving, and a replacement has been found.
No submissions for the logo contest yet.
In response to requests from other groups for CNA financial backing, the CNA is encouraged to consider what it needs and what it could ask for in return from these organizations. There are many people we only see when they want money. Why are they not more involved in the organization?
Consensus was reached to donate $100 to the VCCW in exchange for their generous offer of having a table in the welcome tent. A vendor tent costs $50 for the vendor.
Consensus was reached to donate $900 and write a letter of support to the FoBP tree planting initiative.
We voted to continue with the combined general and executive meetings.
We selected July 10th or 17th for the annual ice cream social. Eddie will speak with the Little Deli and the IGA about how to run it.
June Meeting:
- Plan the ice cream social (look for musicians, raffle, bullhorn/karaoke machine, flyer with newsletter and CNA membership renewal as raffle entry).
- Plan the renewal notice mail-out.
- Decide upon a policy for determining how much money the CNA is able to spend each year on events (ice cream social, pumpkin carving party, etc.) and in support of community initiatives or organizations. Determine what criteria (if any) must be met in order to receive CNA financial support (membership? meeting attendance?).
