Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting - Minutes
April 11, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:40p by President Larry Murchan at the home of Doris Livezey

Board members present: George Zhu, Cathy Draper, Charles “Chappie” Jones, Larry Murchan, Jenny Hsieh, Gabe Trejo, and Doris Livezey

MNA Members present: Sigi Illes, Mori Mandis and David Gomez

Welcome

• [1] Agenda Review
  • [1.1] Added Calabazas Library Update [End of 1.1]
  [End of 1]
• [2] M/S/A Approve Minutes from 3/14/07 board meeting [End of 2]

Treasurer’s Report

• [1] Balance as of March 31, 2007 is $1,936.02 [End of 1]
• [2] 57 paid members for 2007, 5 since our last meeting [End of 2]

Old Business

• [1] MNA/Youth Organization Initiative
  • [1.1] Summary – The D1 Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has approached MNA regarding volunteer opportunities for future MNA projects. We would like to provide projects that would help both groups achieve their goals while establishing a longer term relationship. [End of 1.1]
  • [1.2] Summer Picnic / Game Day
    • [1.2.1] The concept of this project is to revamp our current summer picnic to include more activities for the neighborhood children. By doing so we hope to draw larger crowds and possibly neighbors that have not yet heard of MNA [End of 1.2.1]
    • [1.2.2] YAC would be involved in the planning stage and volunteering during the actual event [End of 1.2.2]
    • [1.2.3] Coordinators for the event are Margie Murchan and Gabe Trejo [End of 1.2.3]
    [End of 1.2]
  • [1.3] Neighborhood Makeover Service
    • [1.3.1] This is another project YAC may be willing to assist us with. This project connects neighbors requiring assistance with everyday chores and volunteers seeking community service opportunities [End of 1.3.1]
    • [1.3.2] Areas could include: yard services, common handyman tasks, tulip tree residue removal, dog walking, etc. [End of 1.3.2]
    • [1.3.3] This would send a positive message to the community and could grow into a something accommodating more homes, we already have some neighbors who have expressed interest [End of 1.3.3]
    • [1.3.4] There may be opportunities for pro consulting on landscaping and handyman services [End of 1.3.4]
    • [1.3.5] Gabe – Respond to YAC with MNA’s thoughts on the collaboration [End of 1.3.5]
    [End of 1.3]
  [End of 1]
• [2] Membership Expansion
  • [2.1] Summary – Our high watermark for MNA membership is 102 members in 2005, currently we have 57 paid members. We will have to grow our member base to make neighborhood communications effective and have a larger ‘presence’ in city affairs. [End of 2.1]
  • [2.2] Membership Expansion Efforts
    • [2.2.1] All board members could actively promote MNA to their direct neighbors [End of 2.2.1]
    • [2.2.2] George and Larry – Take action to reinstate Neighborhood Watch in their area [End of 2.2.2]
    • [2.2.3] Cathy and Jenny – Draft a reminder postcard and mailing labels to send to previous members, Sigi is available to help affix labels [End of 2.2.3]
    • [2.2.4] List of families that are currently members could be included in the next newsletter [End of 2.2.4]
    • [2.2.5] Gather database of service providers offering discounts to MNA members [End of 2.2.5]
    • [2.2.6] Improve signup process at general meetings [End of 2.2.6]
    [End of 2.2]
  • [2.3] Coordinators for MNA membership expansion efforts are Larry Murchan and Doris Livezey [End of 2.3]
  [End of 2]
• [3] 4 S’s Organization/Updates
  • [3.1] Recap of the 4 ‘S’ committees
    • [3.1.1] Safety – Neighborhood Watch, Traffic [End of 3.1.1]
    • [3.1.2] Service – Leverage Buying, Neighborhood Makeover [End of 3.1.2]
    • [3.1.3] Spaces – Tulip Trees, Murdock Park, Trail [End of 3.1.3]
    • [3.1.4] Social – Summer Events, Welcome Committee [End of 3.1.4]
    [End of 3.1]
  • [3.2] The board is seeking non-board members to also contribute to the goals of each subcommittee, if there is one area in particular that interests you please contact the board at mna-board@googlegroups.com or in person [End of 3.2]
  • [3.3] Gabe – next meeting bring a sheet of who is signed up as liaison for each subcommittee [End of 3.3]
  • [3.4] The liaison will give some sort of report at want to have some sort of report at the meetings about initiatives and actions within that subcommittee [End of 3.4]
  [End of 3]

New Business

• [1] Advertisements on MNA Website and Newsletter
  • [1.1] Summary – Local businesses would be able to advertise on our communication channels in exchange for discounted MNA member services or a fee
    • [1.1.1] This would offer direct benefits to our members for receiving discounts on the services they already use [End of 1.1.1]
    • [1.1.2] Companies allowed to advertise would have to pass some sort of screening either through referrals or certifications [End of 1.1.2]
    • [1.1.3] MNA members would be allowed to advertise as well [End of 1.1.3]
    • [1.1.4] We would have to adopt some sort of fee schedule and general policy for allowing advertisements [End of 1.1.4]
    • [1.1.5] The MNA would act as the medium for advertisers and would not be held liable for any products or services being offered, similar to how other newspapers run their advertisements [End of 1.1.5]
    • [1.1.6] We can use the web metrics provided by Sigi to back how many people visit our website, we also need to figure out how to draw more traffic to the site [End of 1.1.6]
    • [1.1.7] There is potentially some useful info that was drawn up in the original 2005 effort for allowing advertisements [End of 1.1.7]
    • [1.1.8] If we draft a webpage or section of the website we can do a live demo at our next general meeting using the data projector and wi-fi [End of 1.1.8]
    • [1.1.9] ? – Does anyone want to volunteer to be part of the coordinating team for this project [End of 1.1.9]
    [End of 1.1]
  [End of 1]
• [2] District 1 Neighborhood Summit
  • [2.1] Rescheduled to April 28th at 9:30am
    • [2.1.1] Moreland West Community Center 1850 Fallbrook Ave., San Jose, CA [End of 2.1.1]
    [End of 2.1]
  • [2.2] The purpose of this open public meeting is to bring D1 Neighborhood Associations together under the Strong Neighborhood Initiatives Program [End of 2.2]
  • [2.3] The goal is to make it easy for neighborhoods to create a Neighborhood Associations in their area if they don’t have one, have a forum for information sharing between NA’s, and share city resources [End of 2.3]
  [End of 2]
• [3] Calabazas Library / Rainbow Park Update
  • [3.1] Summary – A meeting was held April 9th to discuss plans for the Calabazas Library and Rainbow Park. The current plan is to shut down the current branch location on Blaney Ave. and build a 9,000 s.f. library on Rainbow and Johnson.
    • [3.1.1] The flyers sent out were misleading and the meeting was scheduled following a holiday weekend [End of 3.1.1]
    • [3.1.2] The plans would require 1/3 of Rainbow Park land to be developed into the new library facilities, trees will be removed in the process and surrounding homes could be affected by the increased traffic [End of 3.1.2]
    • [3.1.3] There has been no mention of any traffic surveys or public input other than the April 9th meeting [End of 3.1.3]
    • [3.1.4] Concern has been expressed about losing open spaces at Rainbow which were are currently used by local sports teams, this could potentially impact Murdock Park foot traffic [End of 3.1.4]
    • [3.1.5] Initial plans to expand the current Calabazas location into the adjacent community garden have been dismissed, forcing the move to Rainbow Park [End of 3.1.5]
    • [3.1.6] The community needs to speak up if we want to have any input on this rapidly moving process, if you are either for or against the library proposal your voice should be heard [End of 3.1.6]
    • [3.1.7] Currently it looks like the City of San Jose plans to move forward with this project at a rapid pace [End of 3.1.7]
    • [3.1.8] Larry – Will get in touch with Pete Constant’s office and update the group [End of 3.1.8]
    [End of 3.1]
  [End of 3]
• [4] Request from young Boy Scout seeking project to earn eagle rank
  • [4.1] Possible Projects
    • [4.1.1] Paint fluorescent curbside street numbers for interested neighbors [End of 4.1.1]
    • [4.1.2] Get a group together to make the street numbers visible at night? [End of 4.1.2]
    • [4.1.3] Maybe we could involve him in the neighborhood makeover project [End of 4.1.3]
    • [4.1.4] Doris and Larry - will respond to his email to establish direct contact with him [End of 4.1.4]
    [End of 4.1]
  [End of 4]
• [5] Date for next newsletter to be drafted is May 2nd w/ agenda, speakers, announcements, membership list and membership form [End of 5]
• [6] George – will be in charge of printing the upcoming newsletter [End of 6]

M/S/A adjourn meeting at 9:20p

Next Board meeting
Date: May 9th, 7:30pm @ Larry’s

Respectfully submitted,
Gabe Trejo, Recording Secretary