BHNA - March 9, 2004 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Barton Hills Neighborhood Association Executive Committee Meeting Minutes March 9, 2004
Attendees	Officers present were Don Long, Lance Schriner, Robbie Botto, Derek Stuart, and Debby Kalk (via conference call). Long called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. He explained that we may require another short EC meeting in two weeks, after spring break.
Planning for General Meeting on April 13	Because of events at St. Mark's, the meeting is rescheduled for April 13 instead of April 9. Long would like to institute a regular feature at BHNA meetings to recognize members of our neighborhood as special guests. He would like to contact historian WR "Bill" Brands to speak at an upcoming meeting. The board also discussed asking celebrities like Brands to participate in fundraisers for neighborhood-sponsored activities. The agenda for the upcoming general meeting is full so this can be considered for future meetings. Officer Dawn Leonard will speak on reinstating the Neighborhood Watch program. Long reported that ten neighbors have contacted him to volunteer for the program. Long will invite Charlie Jones, the producer of Austin City Limits music festival, to come to the general meeting and hear our neighbors' concerns about the festival's noise, parking, and other concerns. Long has information on a graffiti abatement program through the city. Botto reported on the campaign to fund a hospital district. He will have materials that can be distributed at the meeting.
Committee Reports	Bylaws and Barton Skyway entrance committees – Kalk has been out of town and has not been able to convene either of these groups yet. It will have a report for the next general meeting. Kalk will contact Cindy Bogard to determine if there are any reports from the Sidewalks committee. Wells Fargo agreed to help sponsor the Fourth of July parade. We need a committee chair. Kalk will contact Nan Clayton to determine the status of the Betty Brown memorial.
Newsletter	The deadline for the newsletter is moved because of the new General Meeting date. This newsletter is distributed through the postal service. The next Greenbelt Guardian event will be the Saturday after the general meeting. A follow-up article will describe the latest news on the Envision Central Texas project. The Barton Spring committee needs a chair. There is no news on the status of the remediation ponds. Long will write an article about the upcoming neighborhood planning project. Our neighborhood, along with several others in central south Austin, will begin the process with the city later this year. We should have results from the member survey to include in the newsletter.
Operations	With the increase in dues, the treasury is currently running a $1000 surplus. There are currently 250 members. We all need to recruit more members – especially at the July 4th parade. We are aiming for 600 members. The board agreed to continue to provide a pro bono ad to the Green Mesquite in appreciation of the b-b-q dinners served at the general meetings. Schriner said that ad sales are going well. He’s getting inquiries from potential advertisers without even soliciting. Kalk said that the quality of the newsletter this past year is clearly paying off with this interest. Long said the smoothing the distribution process for newsletters is a priority. There were not enough newsletters printed last time – we apparently need 1,400 to cover the entire neighborhood. We will need to “stick and stamp” newsletters on April 2. Should the BHNA web site and listserv provide a forum for referrals, such as recommendations for a plumber or contractor? Should other discussions be allowed? Long said that some neighbors do not like the commentary on the listserv and object to the “clutter.” Kalk recommended that we adopt a set of subject line tags that can alert members to the specific content of an email. If they don’t want to read about referrals or any other topic, they can delete the email without reading it – or even filter it straight to the trash without seeing it. Kalk also will look for information on a web site that provides groups with a referral forum at no cost. Many members have complimented the service and support of the Mobil station at Barton Skyway and Lamar. Kalk will gather these emails and print them to give to the manager. Long said that the set-up for the general meeting last time went well. He has located the round tables in another room and will have them at the next meeting – we didn’t have enough tables last time. We will continue to sell handbooks. Kalk will check with vendors such as Whole Earth Provision Co. Long will talk to Barton Market. Long said a volunteer is willing to try selling them door to door. Board discussion identified getting neighbors to join is the real priority – so those who join will get a free handbook. A volunteer is willing to offer babysitting during general meetings. St Marks approved the use of their ECP classrooms for this purpose. Long will check on any liability issues. All agreed this could be a worthwhile service.
Next Meeting	The next General Meeting is April 13. The next EC meeting is scheduled for May 25 and the following General Meeting is June 22.
Closing	The meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Debby Kalk Recording Secretary

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