UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING MINUTES -TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2006
The meeting, held in the President's Lounge of Las Colinas CC, was called to order
by President Arnold Martin @ 11:30am.
Board Members present were: Martin Kahn, Don McGee, Bob Kitzman, Charles Schmidt, Jim Wells, Nell Anne Hunt, Kass Prince, Craig Boleman, and Arnold Martin. Others present were Pat Andres, Yard of the Month Chair , and John DeMarco, Deputy Block Chief. Board members NOT present were: Don Jensen, Chandra Muenster, Scott Glover, and Esther Nachimson.
The minutes of the July meeting were distributed, read and approved, with corrections, for posting on the Website.
The Treasurer's report distributed by Kass Prince was read and approved for filing. Kass Prince reported only one additional membership investment for the month bringing the total number of paid members to 283.
Charles Schimdt led discussion on a project to identify homes in UH older than 40 years that could be recognized for exemplary maintenance of appearance and condition. A committee of Charles Schmidt, Pat Andres, Nell Anne Hunt, and Craig Boleman will continue to work to develop appropriate criteria for such commendation along with the design of a suitable "Medallion". The committee will report again at the September Board meeting. Consensus approval of the concept was evident.
Jim Wells advised there is little new to report on the data-based communication system which is used to disseminate information to the UH homeowners via emails. However, considerable discussion ensued relating to the frequency and level of detail in the information disseminated in these emails. Some thought many of the items might not be of interest to everyone and others thought that all this news and information were vital in sustaining a sense of neighborliness within UH. Consensus again endorsed the necessity of utilizing the internet for communications within the neighborhood.
Separately Martin Kahn floated the idea of the Association taking on the task of maintaining a list of "contractors" utilized by UH residents who had proved to be unsatisfactory. After considerable discussion a conclusion was reached that it would be best if the Webmaster were to continue his maintenance of a list of contractors "affirmed" by user residents as satisfactory.
Charles Schmidt reported on the inter-disciplinary participation in several UH projects. TLCA has plans for several upgrades and improvements to Old Rochelle Park. The sidewalk which terminates currently at the entry to Yoncopin Lake (Old Rochelle Park Lake) will be extended to provide continuous service all the way to the Rochelle/Northgate intersection. The Aerator in Pea Patch Lake will be moved to Yoncopin Lake (as soon as TXU can install the power cables) and a larger Aerator will be placed in Pea Patch Lake to more equitably match the volume of water for aeration in each of the two lakes. Once these facilities are installed it will mark another successful effort on the part of UHAOH to upgrade and enhance the beauty of its six lakes! Charles also reported that the repairs had been completed on the two entry signs to University Hills located at each of its Northgate entry points. In addition Charles noted he was still working to secure information on, and the language used by, other Cities (particularly Lubbock) to control "sex offenders" from relocating into neighborhoods there which potentially could diminish the resale value of existing homes (confirmed by Nell Anne Hunt). Susan High of TLCA reported via telephone that TLCA's attorney is reviewing whether or not this restriction can be included as part of the property's master declaration. Lastly Charles reported that the "Webber Property" had been welcomed into TLCA.
Bob Kitzman advised of the promotion of Dr. Kent Smith from Block Captain (B10) to Deputy Chief for Area B! This completes the leadership team for our Block Captain Network with Bob Kitzman as Block Chief, Gractia Austin as Deputy Chief for Area A, Kent Smith as Deputy Chief for Area B, and John DeMarco as Deputy Chief for Area C. The invaluable contributions by Linda Kormas in achieving this outcome as well as of all her unstinting efforts as Block Chief was again reiterated and gratefully acknowledged!
Bob Kitzman also reported on several meetings he, Charles Schmidt, John DeMarco, Kent Smith, Jim Wells, and Arnold Martin attended over the past month on behalf of UHAOH. On July 18th it was "Meet Your Beat Officer" where the above-named plus several other UH residents met six of Irving's finest, including IPD’s Chief Larry Boyd. Chief Boyd commented that this was "the best attended and most productive" of such meetings they've ever held and he was looking forward to continuing these meetings with Beat 45 on a regular basis. On July 25th Bob Kitzman and Kent Smith attended the quarterly City of Irving Neighborhood Roundtable. Bob Kitzman also attended a Crimewatch orientation conducted by IPD in June. Also Bob had three meetings with Penny Hayter, Director of Security for TLCA, for discussions about "security camera" placement and monitoring. These meetings were followed by a "drive around" survey of the entire neighborhood with the principals of OMNI-WATCH, a pioneering firm in automated camera and security technology. Bob noted there are many new developments in this area and much for us to learn. He promised to report more next month after review of the myriad of information the group has gathered.
Pat Andres reviewed the criteria for selection of Yard of the Month and announced a photo-op would follow the meeting’s adjournment at the home of Dan & Kathleen Mulligan who live at 306 San Mateo Court. Pictures will be posted on U H Website and Nell Anne Hunt will prepare an article for the Irving newspapers.
Since the first Tuesday in September occurs the day following Labor Day Holiday and our meeting site, LCCC, will be closed the day following the Holiday, those present concurred with the decision to move September's Board meeting to September 12.
The meeting adjourned at 1:02pm.
Respectfully submitted (on behalf of Esther Nachimson)