UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS

MONTHLY BOARD MINUTES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2007

The meeting was called to order by the president, Arnold Martin, at 11:28 A.M.

Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Kass Prince, Esther Nachimson, Jim Wells, Charles Schmidt, Bob Kitzman, Barbara Hull and John DeMarco.Committee Chairs present were Linda Oliver and Pat Andres along with Anna Walther, Deputy Block Chief.

The minutes for the board meeting as posted on the UH website were approved as posted.

Kass Prince, Treasurer, presented the financials for UHAOH as of August 6, 2007. These reports include 8 newly paid memberships.  She noted the expense for Spring Fling was $750 over budget. Also, the cash balance in our checking account was only $6,000.  In this connection the board was reminded that $7,000 was expended last year for our Deck the Hills event including expenditures for the storage of lights and other reusable displays.  Arnold stated that the board should wait until November to move funds from our reserve account for any unbudgeted expenses. This provision had been arranged with our Bank when the CD was renewed earlier this year.  Kass motioned for the treasurer’s report to be approved as read.  Linda Oliver seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Jim Wells advised that the computer memory had been up-graded to be able to generate the enhanced real estate reports that now include a detailed MLS sheet. (These reports are a courtesy of Nell Anne Hunt.) A copy of the July real estate report was furnished to the board members.

Jim also reported that the Auto-Dial phone announcement system is working very well.  It has been used successfully to alert homeowners of important meetings and events and is also used to remind board members of meetings.

Respecting our monthly newsletter, The Beacon, which Jim publishes and distributes by email, Jim advised that he was working to post it on the UH Website. In response to a query by John there was consensus that email and the website distribution of the monthly newsletter are commendable, but more efforts are needed to insure everyone in UH receives a copy of this fine publication each month.

Charles Schmidt reported on developments with the Green Neighbor Program. Although Susan High of TLCA presently is on vacation, work is on-going and the final proposal will be ready for presentation to the Village Presidents of Las Colinas by the end of September.  TLCA is hopeful that all of the residential areas will adopt these energy- saving techniques to help our environment and to reduce homeowner’s utility bills.  Residential winners in UH will be announced at the UHAOH annual meeting in November. 

Charles also reported on the recent Neighborhood Round Table hosted by the City of Irving. At that meeting Chief Boyd of IPD stated the Red Light Program, where cameras are placed at random intersections in Irving, has resulted in 700 citations at just one location (the intersection of O’Connor and Lane).  Chief Boyd also noted that illegal aliens numbering upwards of 200 per month found in the Irving jail are being referred to ICE who arrange for their further processing.   

Another discussion topic at the Round Table was the Corridor Enhancement Program. Its purpose is to provide "beautification portals" throughout the city and several new ones will be constructed.  This program was begun several years ago during the tenure of Morris Parrish, as mayor.  The closest to UH of these new portals will be at Rochelle and McArthur. Another mini-park will be located at the intersection of Riverside and SH161.

Charles mentioned the resurfacing of Santa Clara is already underway.  There has been significant damage to that road during the construction of Alto Vista. He also noted the Littlejohn property at Northgate and Rochelle has been re-platted as 9, R10 lots and a new larger For Sale sign has been erected on the site.

Because of our abundant rainfall during the spring and summer seasons this year, the City has been able to return to a Stage I water restrictions.  It is recommended, however, that UH residents water their lawns only on the two days allocated per week according to your address, between 6 PM and 10 AM; this is a voluntary decision.

Arnold Martin stated that the future looks very good for our area, but the problem will be getting there.  The City of Irving and TLCA are working hard to identify sub-standard properties and to find a way to bring them up to code.  The board is aggressively trying to come up with methods to increase our property values.  Aerial photography is being used to map areas most in need of help. In general, the infrastructure of the city is in need of improvement.

Charles distributed a statistical analysis he had prepared for all the UH properties using data from the Dallas Central Appraisal District website. There were marked differences between the three areas of University Hills and this would be given further thought.

Charles remarked that code enforcement differs for the City and TLCA, the latter having no fining authority.  Homeowner associations in Valley Ranch, Hackberry Creek, and Cottonwood Valley all have the ability to fine their members for code violations. (N.B. UHAOH does not.) Until about 2 years TLCA had the capability to levy fines but this was voted against at a referendum. However, some further consideration is being given to this as well as to separating architectural control into commercial and homeowners rather than having all codes apply to all entities within TLCA.

Arnold added that both the City and TLCA are demonstrating a need to work together and move forward on codes.  Most recently the City is becoming more aggressive with multifamily apartments where the crime rate is above normal.  A program is being created by the City to recognize the status of crime-free apartments. With these and other such efforts, City Code Enforcement is very confident that apartment living in Irving will be enhanced.

Arnold drew the board’s attention to some special Maps of UH prepared by the City which will be used to identify the deficiencies, such as cracked curbs, sidewalks, and alleyways, which may not be code compliant. These maps will be used for the completion of the survey and returned to the City.

Bob Kitzman reported on the recent ICAC Meeting. Many transportation topics were discussed there and Bob noted that UH residents will be affected greatly by road construction over the next five years.  There are 26 projects in the pipeline and 15 of these projects are involved with the Loop 12-Route 183-Route 114 interchange at Texas Stadium.  UHAOH will be communicating to our neighbors in UH so that all residents may be aware of what’s going on.  The State is buying rights of way, as we speak. 

Arnold added that Northgate road from Carl Road to the University of Dallas will undergo re-surfacing starting in January of 2008.  There will be public meetings in upcoming months about various transportation projects and all concerned citizens ought to attend.  Arnold extended an invitation to all board members to attend the public sessions of the North Texas Transportation Summit which event commences this week at the Westin Hotel on Hwy.114 at Esters.

Barbara Hull reported that her efforts on the Deck the Hills event for early December this year already are up and running.  She is scouting through catalogues and on the internet for new lighting displays to replace those that have become beyond repair.   Arnold asked that a meeting with Don McGee be arranged at an early date to establish the need for electrical and other enhancements. Barbara noted that University Park has asked to participate in the festivities

At the behest of the president, John noted that this evening was National Night Out. Many homeowners associations in Irving will make this an event. However, there are some associations that regard August as not the time to have it, too hot.  Instead a date in October was being considered as an alternate. This later date might permit UH to participate in this wholesome event for this year. However, the possibility of having a National Night Out in UH will not be realized unless someone comes forward to volunteer to get this program off the ground.

The next meeting of the UHAOH Board will be Tuesday, September 11, at  11:30 AM, in the Presidents’ Lounge of the Las Colinas Country Club.  Persons eating lunch are asked to arrive at 11:00 AM.

Everyone was invited to a photo opportunity to see this months choice for Yard of the Month, at 505 San Juan Court, the lovely yard of La Ba and Linda Van Tran Nguyen. 

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Esther Nachimson, Secretary