Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

November 15, 2005
Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Fanjoy at 8:15 p.m.
Members present: Fanjoy, Jones, Murchan, Johnson, Livezey, Hsieh
Members absent: Gomez (not excused)
The agenda was reviewed and approved.

Old Business:

The Saratoga Creek Trail will open formally with a ceremony on December 10, 1-2 .pm. in Murdock Park. It is already open for use. 14 maintenance volunteers are now trained. Councilmember LeZotte’s office has asked us to help publicize the opening event. Doris will e-mail to the list. Could do a flyer or include in newsletter, if timing is right.

Murdock Park:

• MNA planted daffodils the last 3 weekends in various park locations. Doris Livezey led a small group of volunteers.
• We are still having problems with vehicles on the grass. Most events happen late at night, though Conservation Corps also was driving their truck while doing park clean-up. Bob pointed out the problem to the teenage workers – the problem should not recur. Trixie suggested a 311 call to alert police for attention during regular patrol
• Murdock/Portal School was using the field again for PE this week – at least once. School and Gary McCue are aware of the problem. We need photos. This was after we talked to Leslie last week. Also the volleyball area is worn down to dirt in places, even though MNA signs asking players to rotate locations are posted. There was some discussion that play may diminish during the winter enough to allow recovery.

Treasurer’s report.

• Books are not yet transferred from Judy to Jenny. Bob indicated there has not been much activity since the last report, although there were some new members and renewals at the last general meeting.
• We need to change the bank signatures.
• Larry had signs made to announce meetings and will need to be reimbursed – about $60. He will bring paperwork to the next meeting.
• New board members were informed of the process for reimbursement – Board approves expenditure in advance and then receipts are presented to the Board for approval of the reimbursement.

Traffic committee:

• Judy Boehm will be setting a meeting.
• Bob will call her to confirm what’s next on her agenda. Items expected: speeding and Lynbrook crossing on Johnson. Bob noticed traffic counters on several streets.

New business:

Board Meetings.

• Board will meet on 2nd Wednesdays.
• Next meeting will be December 14, 7:30 at Larry Murchan’s.

January General Meeting

• January 25 meeting will be at Lynbrook, but we should explore the possibility of Murdock for future meetings (not if we would be charged janitorial fees). Bob will check with Leslie.
• Bob will check with Judy about reserving Lynbrook for the 25th of January, and other dates for the coming year.
• Program options:
  • mayoral candidates. TJ will check on their availability for that date.
  • Recent burglaries – invite cops.
  • Emergency preparedness – bring out the coordinator.
  • Graffiti and trash problems –organize a voluntary trash pick-up day for neighborhood? Leslie could be encouraged to do more pickups at the school.
• Suggestion for spring meeting: invite District One candidates.

Burglaries:

• There is an increase in the neighborhood. Many seem to be in East Indian homes. Bob asked Maria Le to check it out – there have been 12 year to date. About 5 or 6 appear to be East Indian. Cops don’t think there is a targeting – hate crime kind of thing; probably more a perception of valuables kept in the home.
• We could ask Lt. Calderon to speak. The real answer is Neighborhood Watch.

Goals for the year:

• Double the membership to 200 homes
• National night out – August 1 – really plan ahead for a big event
• Cooperative activity with the school such as senior speakers from the neighborhood. (Website has good activities from Leslie to volunteer at the school.)
• Emergency preparedness – get real participation from a significant number of neighbors
• Neighborhood watch – every street has tried to do one meeting
• Use PowerPoint for meetings – more content
• Offer education programs: landscaping, Feng Shui, master composting, pruning (Saturday master classes)
• Facilitate the organization of neighborhood bargaining groups for services like yard work, painting, etc.
• Neighborhood signage: Charles Jones will check on Naglee Park Neighborhood signs as a possible model. This could be a grant project.

Committee review/plans:

• Judy will continue to chair Traffic Committee.
• The Carsons will continue with emergency preparedness, but need more help. This could be a meeting topic.
• Youth committee should be formed for special activities, training for pet sitting, babysitting, tutoring, services, etc. Michael Hsieh will be asked to chair and help recruit members.
• Hospitality – Larry will check to see if Cheryl wants to continue.
• Membership – This would be a new committee that will need a leader. What about James Hsieh? Radha?
• Block Captain Chair -- Steve Chell has volunteered. TJ will get list from Mori. Doris has a volunteer and will e-mail contact to TJ.
• Newsletter – Steve will work with Trixie on this.
• Website – Kudos again to Siggy! Some new ideas were discussed: featuring a neighbor with recognition – neighbor news. Encourage people to send such news to Siggy in a newsletter article. Encourage Siggy to put up phantom classifieds to encourage ads by neighborhood residents Example: Certified Babysitter – This space could be yours!
• What about a Yahoo group? This would need an administrator or convener. Needs more discussion.

Bylaws changes.

• Larry noted the nominating committee’s recommendation that this Board consider adding at-large member(s) to the Board.
• There is also the issue of the change from Sgt.-at-Arms to Parliamentarian.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Who keeps track of memberships? The treasurer did this last year. Jenny will continue to do this. She will get info from Judy and Doris.
• Jenny will send e-mails addresses to Doris to maintain the group mail.

The meeting was adjourned at10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Trixie Johnson, Secretary