UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2008
The meeting was called to order by the president, Arnold Martin, promptly at 11:30 AM in the Presidents Lounge at the Las Colinas Country Club. Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Charles Schmidt, Martin Kahn, Nell Anne Hunt, Jim Wells, Barbara Hull, Bob Kitzman, Anna Walther, and John De Marco. Board members not present were: Esther Nachimson, Kass Prince, Don McGee, Don Jensen, and Kent Smith. Committee Chairs present were: Pat Andres, Linda Oliver, and Ann Aghassibake. Committee Chair not present was Jennifer Davis.
Because of technical problems the minutes of the board meeting held in January were not available, neither in hard copy nor on the UH website. Consequently their review was postponed.
Arnold referred to the financial reports for February that had been prepared and circulated by Kass. In response to queries there were clarifications; (i) all expenses for the Deck the Hills celebration had not yet been booked, and (ii) the item for Professional Fees actually belongs in Printing & Reproduction. Martin moved to approve the reports as clarified. Linda seconded and the motion was passed.
Arnold reported that our CD with Bank of the West was about to mature and suggested we consider its renewal albeit at a lesser amount to ensure sufficient liquidity in our cash account. Martin moved to do so and Linda seconded. The motion passed. Accordingly, Arnold and Kass will proceed with the renewal at Bank of the West in amount $15,000 for 11 months at approximately 2.5 % APY. The overage from the expiring CD along with the interest earned will be returned to the cash account.
Apropos of recent reports of suspicious activities by strangers, Jim advised that UH homeowners may avail themselves of a more effective response when approached. The City of Irving has an ordinance that requires a license for soliciting. Report of absence of such license will bring immediate remedy from IPD. Jim will publish these details in THE BEACON so all residents may avail themselves of this deterrent to potential invasions of their privacy.
Jim noted with regret that our UH website has been out of service for 3 weeks now as occasioned by problems at Yahoo. If this situation is not ameliorated soon, Jim will seek alternate website providers. However, this may cause some loss of content as over the years all facets of the UH website have not been backed-up.
In response to a query from Arnold, Jim confirmed that the Auto-Dialer System was operating satisfactorily. He also provided some tips on how to handle calls from tele-marketers.
John asked about the status of the UH marketing brochure that Jim has been developing as one of the Six Action Items for 2008. Jim will circulate a copy to all those board members at interest for comments and suggestions.
Charles provided an update of the Green Neighbor Program. Since the AGM in November other residents in UH including The Mayor have qualified as Green Neighbors and the participation rate has increased to about 15 %. Also, some neighborhood associations in Irving have expressed interest in our program. Cardinal Village already has adopted the Green Neighbor Check List.
Bob added that the City of Irving plans to establish a Green Advisory Committee whose charge will be to make recommendations about green initiatives to all City Departments. This input will be incorporated into the City’s budget process later this year.
Charles informed the meeting that the orange paint along parts of Coronado and Santa Clara is a prelude to the city’s repair of broken curbs and sidewalks. Charles cited the efforts of our UH Curb Survey Team last September as the likely impetus for the City’s action in these areas.
Charles reported that the application for a Community Grant had been submitted to the City last week in accord with prior discussions. The project entails office equipment including a computer, laser printer, DLP projector, etc. to enhance UHAOH communications with our residents. Jim provided further details and an estimated total cost of $3,100. Charles moved that this project be approved. Bob seconded and the motion was carried.
As leader of one of the Six Action Items for 2008, Charles briefed the meeting on developments respecting Farine School. Other neighborhood associations, viz. Woodhaven, Cardinal Village, and Northgate Heights, are willing to join with UHAOH on our offer of assistance. In addition, Charles has made contact with the Principal at Farine School who will come back with some specific tasks for the volunteers. All were pleased with the progress that Charles has made.
On another of the Six Action Items, Charles noted that a City of Irving Code Enforcement officer was seen last week writing a ticket in UH for rubbish left at the curbside outside of the normal trash collection hours.
Bob related a wide-ranging survey of the various projects in and around the Las Colinas area including DART and the Orange Line, the Texas Stadium Re-development, imminent ground-breaking at Water Street, shifting boundaries in the Heritage District, the Convention Center, the Hines/Fram Project-Tract 10, and the South Irving campus of North Lake College.
Bob also remarked on the curious situation at the Rochelle Park office building (SE corner of Rochelle and RTE 114) wherein the ARC approved neon lights because the lights are embedded in the covering of the monument-like slab inscribed with the building’s name.
Pat Andres announced that 613 Sonora was awarded Yard of the Month for February. Pat confirmed our arrangement with Calloway’s continues and the winners will receive a $50 Gift Certificate.
With respect to the annual Holiday Lighting Contest, Pat noted that other associations charge a fee to homeowners who wish to enter. But that is something UHAOH will never do. She suggested, however, that the judging categories be less specific in future. It is almost impossible to discern any difference between Traditional, Religious, and Classic Christmas themes. All were appreciative of the good work Pat is doing to encourage beautification of our UH neighborhood.
As an aside, Arnold requested Pat or Charles to collect the YOTM sign that had been deposited with him by TLCA a week or so ago.
Jim reported that he has convened a meeting this evening to establish the timetable for production of the 2008 UH Directory. A short, intensive campaign is intended with only two weeks for data collection. If all goes according to plan, a finished product could be ready by the end of March.
Linda advised that 219 members had paid their 2008 dues. This is an excellent response to the notice sent out on January 1st. A reminder to those who have not as yet remitted their dues will be issued shortly.
Arnold implored everyone to attend the Irving City Council meeting to be held on Thursday, February 7th at 7 PM. The Parks Department is recommending the purchase of the 5.4 acre tract at the SE corner of Rochelle and Northgate. It would then be developed and maintained by TLCA as a public recreation amenity. This use would be a boon to UH. The presence of UH residents at the Council meeting will be most helpful toward inclining the City to make this acquisition. As such this would be the final chapter in the long history of The Red Wall.
Arnold announced that Katherine Pennington is the new Directory of Community Affairs at TLCA. Unfortunately she could not be at today’s meeting but she will endeavor to do so in future.
The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 11:30 AM.
There being no further business to conduct, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed and the meeting ended at 1:12 PM
Respectfully submitted,
John De Marco on behalf of Esther Nachimson