Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting -- Draft Minutes

April 12, 2006

The meeting was held at the home of Doris Livesey.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 by President Bob Fanjoy.
Board Members Present: Fanjoy, Murchan, Johnson, Livesey, Gomez, Hsieh, Jones
Board Members Absent: None
Other attending: Judy Boehm

Minutes of March 8 Board meeting were approved with one change.

Treasurer’s Report

• Hsieh reported on membership – now 61 paid for this year, but that is less than last year. She submitted the written report of income and expenses. Balance is $1,627.15.
• The board noticed no payment for newsletter paper; Trixie will ask about that when contacting Steve Chell about the next newsletter.
• Larry suggested the Board have a subcommittee to discuss a more formal budget.

Old Business

Traffic Committee:

• Judy Boehm, committee chair, asked the Board for direction on next steps. The results of the traffic study showed that Ora and Wunderlich qualified for a guard, but was very low on the list.
• She has had some committee feedback, including very negative comments that the situation is no better. One committee member suggested photographing or videotaping the situation in front of the school, perhaps with a presentation to the school. Others expressed concern about blocked driveways, especially on Castle Glen where cars are lining up for the school. People are having difficulty leaving for work. The same happens with blockage at the corner of Littleoak and Castle Glen. Others have documented near misses. One reported that tow trucks will not come when the traffic is heavy.
• This raises questions about school plans for emergency evacuation. The neighborhood needs to know about the plan, and the school needs to coordinate with the neighborhood on evacuation plans.
• Gomez said it is the school’s responsibility to get volunteer crossing guards, not the neighborhood’s.
• Board discussed elevating the issue to the district level. There are at least three other schools with similar issues, but Faria at least has better parent cooperation.
• We understand the principal’s efforts and frustration, but we need results. Partly it is logistics – too many people and cars in too short a period of time. Carpools would make a difference, but school has not been successful with those.
• One suggestion was a flyer for parents asking them to be courteous to people trying to exit their driveways. Another was for parents to arrive a bit earlier, park on the south side of the park and let kids walk – especially if the students are older.
• Judy will contact district about emergency plans and about getting help with a volunteer program. She will contact school again about another big meeting with city and district staff present.
• On the video or photo option, the board declined to sanction it, though did not disapprove that option.

Neighborhood Watch:

• Larry is having a meeting for the Glen Haven area on 27 April.
• Board discussed need to follow-up on invites.

Tree Ordinance Meeting:

• Discussion about higher fines and other changes. There will be changes before next phase. Doris will follow the issue.
• Lot Setback Meeting: Still pending.

April 26 Meeting:

• Bob will check with Tom Carson on final arrangements for main speaker from San Jose Prepared. David has arranged with OSH for display of security items. Charles has arranged for the ADT speaker.
• Cafeteria is reserved.
• Website announcement is up. Bob suggested that Doris contact Siggy about more prominent placement as Hot News.
• Realtors will be contacted for announcements in their flyers.
• Larry will be traveling, so Charles will help with the A-frame signs.
• Judy will reserve the small microphone.
• Doris will do signs to guide people into the room.
• Refreshments: Use Safeway card for cookies. Doris did a renewal letter to get us back on their list. Burns will be asked about water again.
• Discussed agenda – approved as presented, except for starting at 7:15 to allow time for open neighborhood forum before the speakers.
  7:00 p.m. social and security display
  7:15 p.m. MNA business and open forum for neighborhood concerns
  7:45 p.m. ADT presentation; Murchan pitch for Neighborhood Watch
  8:00 p.m. Presentation by San Jose Prepared
  9:00 p.m. Adjourn
• Do need to have push for volunteers – refer them to the sign-up table. Bob will prepare a volunteer sign-up form. He will also ask Jennifer Lee to sign-up folks for her activities at the table, which will be staffed by Jenny Hsieh. (Doris will continue trying to contact Cheryl for the welcome packet materials she had developed so we can get them to Jennifer.)

Newsletter Items:

• Be Prepared Night (TJ will write)
• Importance of membership (see President's letter)
• Need distributors – there will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting, and we got one volunteer at the candidate forum. (Steve write?)
• Story on the candidate forum (ask Steve to write)
• Need for volunteers in general – look for the sign-up form at the meeting.
• President's letter on values and importance of membership (Bob will write).
• Coming events notice for summer picnic and National Night Out (TJ will write)

Neighborhood Signs:

• Report by Charles on the Eden Neighborhood sign program: They are doing an elaborate sign and process. Need $1400 just to apply. Then need city contractors to make and install – expensive.
• Board prefers signs like the Eichler signs in Cupertino. Charles will take pictures of those and show to the city for evaluation.
• Once we have more ideas about costs and process, go to members for views.

Youth Project:

• Curb project possible but it needs adult help – put on the volunteer sign-up sheet. . Michael is concerned that it will be hard at the end of the school year to get kids involved.
• Board really wants this to happen.

New Business

National Night Out

• This will be the next general meeting on August 1 (first Tuesday).
• Bob will not be available, so Larry will preside.

Summer Picnic

• This also needs volunteers.
• Need to select a date in late June, and Larry will propose.
• He and Margie are willing to lead.
• Will have sign-up at the April 26 meeting.
• David suggested making more of it – games, bounce-house, visits from fire dept. and police, etc. Push for involvement – will need officers next year! Board agreed

Letter to Lynbrook Principal:

• Bob will send sample to Doris and she will send a letter on behalf of MNA thanking them for use of the library for the candidate forum.

Next Meeting Location: Charles Jones’ home

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Trixie Johnson, Secretary