Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting - Minutes
March 14, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:45p by President Larry Murchan at the home of George Zhu.
Board members present: George Zhu, Cathy Draper, Charles “Chappie” Jones, Larry Murchan, Jenny Hsieh, Gabe Trejo, and Doris Livezey
Welcome
- [1] M/S/A Approve Minutes from 2/13/07 board meeting [End of 1]
- [2] M/S/A Approve Minutes from 2/28/07 general meeting [End of 2]
- [3] Agenda Review & Approval [End of 3]
Treasurer’s Report
- [1] Balance as of March 14, 2007: $1,864.54 [End of 1]
- [2] Total membership: 22 new members and 27 renewed members [End of 2]
- [3] There are a few members that have paid twice, we will contact these persons and remit their additional dues [End of 3]
- [4] ‘V’s on the membership list indicate new members [End of 4]
- [5] Jenny – Compile all memberships into one master list to facilitate reconciliation and avoid future payment mistakes [End of 5]
- [6] M/S/A to reimburse Doris Livezey for purchase of “The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" by Sturgis [End of 6]
- [7] M/S/A Approve treasurer’s report [End of 7]
Old Business
- [1] October General Meeting Review
- [1.1] Larry – make an effort to have MNA representation at Pete Constant’s public office hours (Please refer to Feb. Gen Meeting Minutes for location and times) [End of 1.1]
- [1.2] April 28th District 1 Neighborhood Association meeting, Larry and Chappie will represent our group, others are more than welcome to join [End of 1.2]
- [1.3] Contact info for Paul Higgins, Council Assistant to Pete Constant, email address is Paul.Higgins@sanjoseca.gov or by phone 408.535.4901 [End of 1.3]
- [1.4] Paul responded to inquiries about dumpster day, we are not eligible for city sponsorship until 2008 because there is a 3 year cycle time and we had one in 2005 [End of 1.4]
- [1.5] Primrose Neighborhood (Dessert Isle, Daffodil, Williams) received Community Action and Pride Grant which they used to sponsor their own dumpster day [End of 1.5]
- [1.6] Larry will investigate grant process, specifically the Community Action and Pride Grant [End of 1.6]
- [1.7] City Umbrella Association for Neighborhood Associations is in the works according to latest District 1 newsletter, Larry will forward the email to the board [End of 1.7]
- [1.8] Continue to monitor D1 public office hours and get latest version into the next general newsletter. [End of 1.8]
- [1.9] May general meeting (scheduled for May 23rd) will include PG&E grid engineer to talk about various types of power outages [End of 1.9]
- [1.10] If anyone has suggested questions to cover for our grid engineer please get them to Larry [End of 1.10]
- [2] Youth Organization Update
- [2.1] Gabe met with Ameeti Mishra from Youth Advisory Council during the last general meeting to discuss possible MNA/YAC projects
- [2.1.1] YAC has been involved in various community projects, ideas for this year include:
- [2.1.1.1] Ice Cream social with Murdock-Portal in an effort to enhance the relationship between the school and the neighborhood [End of 2.1.1.1]
- [2.1.1.2] Help in recruiting Lynbrook volunteers for help in the Neighborhood Makeover service [End of 2.1.1.2]
- [2.1.1.3] Have some sort of summer game day at the park for neighborhood kids [End of 2.1.1.3]
- [2.1.2] Where does YAC get their resources from? City? D1? Local? [End of 2.1.2]
- [2.1.1] YAC has been involved in various community projects, ideas for this year include:
- [2.1] Gabe met with Ameeti Mishra from Youth Advisory Council during the last general meeting to discuss possible MNA/YAC projects
- [3] Membership Expansion
- [3.1] Put together a hospitality kit that will welcome the new members of our neighborhood [End of 3.1]
- [3.2] Kit could include helpful local area contact info, guides to local services, MNA info, background on the neighborhood, etc. [End of 3.2]
- [3.3] Newly compiled membership list can be used to mine feedback and generate member leads [End of 3.3]
- [3.4] Amend the listing to be one list and have columns for each year [End of 3.4]
- [3.5] Mail out flyers to people that have signed up in the past and are not current members, divvy up neighborhood sections and ask for feedback personally [End of 3.5]
- [3.6] Neighborhood watch is also an avenue for reaching new members that have not signed up for MNA [End of 3.6]
- [3.7] Benefits of our neighborhood in West San Jose include having a strong communication between neighbors in the Neighborhood Association [End of 3.7]
- [3.8] There could be a translated message for the international neighbors that are reflected at our meetings and functions [End of 3.8]
- [3.9] Address the question: What are the downsides of me not paying? [End of 3.9]
- [3.10] People respond to crisis, something that affects them personally, a good example of this is the turnout at the vector pest control meeting last year [End of 3.10]
- [3.11] Fireman representative could attract people as an educational experience about fire safety [End of 3.11]
- [3.12] Let people know even if they don’t find benefit every moment, at sometime there will be something that benefits them directly [End of 3.12]
- [3.13] Good opportunities to reach new members are in the summer events and the newsletter [End of 3.13]
- [3.14] Neighborhood watch, summer event, flyers are the main membership drive activities [End of 3.14]
- [3.15] Bob Fanjoy and Steve Chells have come up with thoughts on the benefits, we can compile these [End of 3.15]
- [3.16] Membership goal is 150-200 members, this will allow us to have a stronger voice in city issues [End of 3.16]
- [3.17] Let’s make use of our local Realtors to help the membership drive, tear off membership letter or any sort of free printing advertisement
- [3.17.1] Strong neighborhood involvement equals higher values in the homes [End of 3.17.1]
- [4] May 23rd in the cafeteria at Lynbrook for our next general meeting [End of 4]
- [5] 4 S’s Organization/Updates
- [5.1] Safety – George will take ownership [End of 5.1]
- [5.2] Services – Larry and Chappie have taken ownership of this one
- [5.2.1] We have 4 households interested in group discount on tulip tree treatment, is there anyone else interested? [End of 5.2.1]
- [5.2.2] MNA discount to members for services [End of 5.2.2]
- [5.2.3] Chappie will create a general Request for Proposal to distribute to local service providers [End of 5.2.3]
- [5.3] Spaces – Doris and Bob Fanjoy
- [5.3.1] Murdock Park Grass
- [5.3.1.1] Doris talked to Todd after the last meeting, we may stake the reseeded area with yellow caution tape [End of 5.3.1.1]
- [5.3.1.2] Larry – build an artificial turf court [End of 5.3.1.2]
- [5.3.1.3] Doris – kind of like the canine grass at the dog park behind OSH [End of 5.3.1.3]
- [5.3.2] Tulip Trees
- [5.3.2.1] Cathy – We need better communication from Ralph on the status of the city sponsored tree program? [End of 5.3.2.1]
- [5.3.3] Makeover Initiative
- [5.3.3.1] Larry – talked to a local landscaper that might be interested in some pro bono work for any neighborhood makeover projects [End of 5.3.3.1]
- [5.3.3.2] Next newsletter could include community outreach for those that need help with their yard or other chores around the house [End of 5.3.3.2]
- [5.3.1] Murdock Park Grass
- [5.4] Social – Larry, Margie Murchan, and Mori
- [5.4.1] There is still interest in doing a movie in the park [End of 5.4.1]
- [6] Possible topics for next general meeting in May – PG&E Power grid, Civil defense, vector control [End of 6]
- [7] Chappie – acknowledged Gabe for taking comprehensive minutes for those that were unable to attend the general meeting EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks! [End of 7]
Meeting was adjourned at 9:40p
Next Board meeting
Date: April 11th 7:30pm @ Doris’
Respectfully submitted,
Gabe Trejo, Recording Secretary
