Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting - Minutes
August 22nd, 2007

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

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

Board members excused: George Zhu, Jenny Hsieh

Welcome

• [1] Agenda Review & Approval
  • [1.1] Doris requests new topic for traffic with new MP principal [End of 1.1]
  • [1.2] Cathy requests touch on new street pavement [End of 1.2]
  [End of 1]
• [2] Review & Approve Minutes from last board meeting [End of 2]
• [3] Treasurer’s Report – To Be Amended [End of 3]

Old Business

• [1] Tulip Tree Committee Update
  • [1.1] Tulip Tree Removal Protest Hearing
    Hosted by Ralph Mize, City Arborist
    • [1.1.1] Tuesday August 28th @ 5:00pm
      West Valley Branch Library Community Room
      San Tomas Aquino Road [End of 1.1.1]
    • [1.1.2] Larry and Doris will be in attendance [End of 1.1.2]
    [End of 1.1]
  • [1.2] MNA Tulip Tree Committee to meet this week with Don Draper and Larry Murchan
    • [1.2.1] Community member s please volunteer your help with the tulip tree project, it will require a lot of planning and resources. Every bit of help counts! [End of 1.2.1]
    • [1.2.2] Goal of the meeting is to outline the plan of action for committee, draft specs for MNA tree database, make initial contacts and committee structure [End of 1.2.2]
    • [1.2.3] The purpose of this committee will be to act as a conduit for information and communication between homeowners and city officials, the end goal is a low cost solution with minimal disruption to neighborhood and environment [End of 1.2.3]
    • [1.2.4] We realize there is added benefit to the homeowners in resolving this issue as a group in the form of ease of permit process, reduced labor rates for tree removal, efficient and inexpensive replacement process [End of 1.2.4]
    [End of 1.2]
  • [1.3] Dead tulip trees are eligible to be removed at city expense, currently we are working to clarify how to classify a “dead tree” as per city guidelines [End of 1.3]
  • [1.4] Our City Forest is available to facilitate the replacement of removed trees [End of 1.4]
  • [1.5] We need unbiased review of affected trees for removal priority, perhaps a panel consisting of members of Ralph’s team and Our City Forest Volunteers [End of 1.5]
  • [1.6] Pink signs posted on neighborhood tulip trees signify a tree that is being removed by homeowners at their own expense
    • [1.6.1] Green triangles mean the tree has been approved by city [End of 1.6.1]
    [End of 1.6]
  • [1.7] There may be an existing MNA property owner database that Doris has heard of, committee must remain conscious of neighborhood privacy concerns while collecting database information [End of 1.7]
  [End of 1]
• [2] Murdock / Park Turf Update
  • [2.1] Signs are up in the affected turf area, they read “No sports activity within 50ft of this sign” [End of 2.1]
  • [2.2] There are still some cages over trail plants on the Lawrence side of the fence this is the duty of the city to have them removed [End of 2.2]
  • [2.3] When questioned why the cages haven’t been removed, city representatives claimed city projects moved slow and dismissed the concern [End of 2.3]
  • [2.4] This is an issue to be brought up with Pete Constant’s Office and the City of San Jose if this type of attitude towards city projects is going to end [End of 2.4]
  • [2.5] They are thinking of taking out the sandbox in order to prevent sand from clogging up the fountains this was relayed from a representative at the parks department
    • [2.5.1] We need to address this and arrange a protest for those that do not want to lose the sandbox [End of 2.5.1]
    [End of 2.5]
  [End of 2]

New Business

• [1] Nominating Committee
  • [1.1] Doris will begin the process of gathering volunteers for the committee
    • [1.1.1] Note: Doris will not be available after October 13th [End of 1.1.1]
    [End of 1.1]
  • [1.2] We are now taking nominations for board positions, if you would like to nominate yourself or have someone in mind please mail the suggestion to [email address removed by webmaster to prevent harvest - please use the Contact Form] [End of 1.2]
  • [1.3] Cathy will generate a flyer soliciting nominations for board and tree committee volunteers within the next two weeks, Larry will provide the flyer outline [End of 1.3]
  [End of 1]
• [2] General Meeting Plans 10/24/07 Wednesday
  • [2.1] Save the Date: October 24th, 2007 @ 7:30pm [End of 2.1]
  • [2.2] Larry will get the confirmation with Judy Boehm for Lynbrook’s cafeteria reservation, MNA is now insured to use the facilities [End of 2.2]
  • [2.3] The election period will take place in the beginning of the meeting [End of 2.3]
  • [2.4] Action item for the meeting: must have some form of tracking for volunteers under different projects to keep them organized and informed [End of 2.4]
  • [2.5] Possible topics will include: Neighborhood Traffic Safety with Murdock-Portal Elementary, Current project updates, Recent crime reports in our area [End of 2.5]
  [End of 2]
• [3] Traffic Safety and New Street Pavement
  • [3.1] Murdock-Portal has a new principal, we would like traffic safety to remain a top priority under the new administration [End of 3.1]
  • [3.2] Some streets in our neighborhood were recently repaved, residential streets get reviewed every 5 years and are subject to repaving if consistent with the city’s maintenance grid management [End of 3.2]
  [End of 3]

M/S/A Adjournment at 8:55p

Next meeting will be hosted by Chappie on September 19th at 7:30pm

Respectfully Submitted by
Gabriel Trejo,Recording Secretary