BHNA - March 8, 2005 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Barton Hills Neighborhood Association Executive Committee Meeting Minutes 8 March, 2005
Attendees	Officers present were Don Long, Debby Kalk, Eddie Torres, Howie Richey, Diana Stangl, and Scott Smith. Guest present included Jerry Harris, Patricia Edwards, Sam Smith, Nan Clayton, and Melissa Whatley. Long called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.
Deed Restrictions	Long gave an overview of the neighborhood planning process and explained that Sara Bartos had approached the Executive Committee about a construction project on Dip Cove that she was concerned about. Long explained that he had then invited the Neighborhood Planning Committee to come to the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the issue. Attorney Jerry Harris, a local resident, provided an overview of his research of the issue and discussed his findings with the Executive Committee. Attorney Harris explained the deed restrictions that are in place throughout the neighborhood and the fact that as private contracts, they take precedence over all other city zoning rules and neighborhood planning processes. There are approximately 150 subdivisions within the BHNA and each one has its own set of deed restrictions. However, they are all basically the same (as far as he has been able to determine so far). Harris indicated that the deed restrictions are pretty clear about what is allowed. However, since the Architectural Control Committees referenced in the deed restrictions are all defunct now, the deed restrictions can only be enforced by lawsuits brought by individual property owners within those subdivisions. A homeowners association may also enforce deed restrictions; BHNA is not a homeowners association and therefore has no legal authority in this regard. Long asked Harris to attend the next General Meeting and discuss the deed restriction issue. Harris agreed. Long will draft a letter from the BHNA Executive Committee to Sara Bartos and the other property owner stating that the role of the BHNA in such issues is to provide objective information for both parties in the interest of conflict resolution; that BHNA respects the fundamental authority of deed restrictions; and that BHNA expects the neighborhood planning process to further reinforce that the will of the community is to support and enforce deed restrictions. The guests all left at 8:15.
Newsletter and other items	Discussion regarding the content of the next newsletter and other items needing action followed. The following articles/items were proposed/discussed: Neighborhood Planning - next step. Long proposed a survey to determine the neighborhood wishes. He suggested reviewing the Zilker survey and the City survey. Kalk will research options on the internet such as SurveyMonkey.com Neighborhood Watch - John Luther. Kalk will interview John Luther Botanical Gardens - Long will ask someone from the other viewpoint to submit an article. ANC - Torres will prepare an article and will submit updates monthly to the listserv Member survey - Kalk will prepare a summary of the results Deed Restriction Article - Stangl will prepare an article Mural Committee - Kalk will prepare an article Dedicated Funds - Stangl will research the minutes and find out what the original intentions were for the Officer Jones Memorial ($40 remaining), Sunken Gardens ($2200 remaining) and Oak Wilt ($82 remaining). Richie will find out the status of the Sunken Gardens project with the City. Community Partnership Liaison - Long announced that Darrell Kreitz is interested in this position. Long will follow up with Kreitz. Kreitz would also be the SOS neighborhood liaison. Fundraiser for neighborhood planning project such as sidewalks - Smith suggested that it be held in the fall and promoted at the 4th of July Parade. Long will prepare a short article for the newsletter. The newsletter deadline is March 22. It is expected to be delivered April 5th to all households by the Boy Scouts. Long and Stangl will obtain bids for the copying.
General Meeting	Long asked that EC members try to arrive early to help set up. Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 and the meeting will start promptly at 7:00.
Next Meeting	The next General Meeting is April 12, 2005. The following Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for May 31 with a General Meeting on June 28, 2005.
Closing	The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Diana Stangl Recording Secretary

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