UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS
Monthly Board Meeting
January 3, 2006

The board meeting was called to order by president Arnold Martin at 7:30 A.M. Board members present were Arnold Martin, Don Jensen, Esther Nachimson, Don McGee, Jim Wells, Charles Schmidt and Nell Anne Hunt. Also present was Rick Bidne, Las Colinas Association, and City Council member Joe Philipp.  Board members not present were Martin Kahn, Linda Korkmas, Scott Glover, Chandra Muenster, Jen Davis, Kass Prince, Craig Boleman, Gractia Austin, and Dianne Everett.
There were no minutes of the last meeting to pass out.  Last months proceedings were posted on the internet.

Don Jensen presented a proposed budget for the coming year dependent upon membership projections for next year.  The recommendations were taken under advisement.  Don gave his final treasurer’s report before leaving the office of Treasurer.  He has served long and has meticulously been a good steward of the associations money.  He will continue  on the Board and serve as Assistant Treasurer.   The treasurer’s report is posted on the internet for all on the Board and serve as Assistant Treasurer.   The treasurer’s report is posted on the internet for all to preview.

The meeting began when the subject of neighborhood housekeeping was mentioned.  The question  of who is responsible for grass clippings and leaves that are blown out in the street-the homeowner or the yard services.   People who choose to live in University Hills but are careless about their yard care and their trash call into question the spirit of individual responsibility.  There have also been complaints about homeowners leaving their cars out in the street instead of in their driveways or garages.  Certain persons are still not obeying the leash laws and are not cleaning up after their pets.  Rick Bidne committed to research code/covenant coverage to determine if enforcement might apply. Councilman Philipp indicated he would return with updated City guidelines. Rick Bidne of TLCA stated their code enforcement officers are changed every eighteen months to avoid the possibility of " tunnel vision ".  

Don McGee praised the actions of Fire Station 8, Las Colinas fire department and paramedics, for their professionalism and speedy action when they responded to a need at the University of Dallas.  Joe Philipp graciously agreed to pass the kudos to the appropriate persons.

The subject of the fire department sparked a discussion of house numbering and how difficult it is for city services to respond in a timely manner when the numbers on the houses are not visible at night.  Many times cars are parked in front of the numbers, which becomes another problem.  Nell Anne suggested that we should have a house numbering drive annually. President Martin promised to keep the idea alive for further development.
 

Jim Wells reported that a homeowner had contacted him about candy canes off the rebars around the ponds.  He feared that at night, someone could fall and be impaled on them.  A discussion followed with the suggestion that next year the rebars might be replaced with wooden dowels.  The Christmas committee will address this next year.  Vandalism seemed a larger problem this year than in the past.

Arnold Martin asked Jim Wells to send out a notice for volunteers to help on Thursday evening to take down and store the Christmas and holiday decorations until next year.  The licensed electrician, who installs the lights in the trees, will remove the lights.  Scott Glover suggested that next year he (Steve Mattox) be hired to install all of the decorations and upgrade the connections.  It was felt that improvements need to be made in the sound system and the floodlights for the Farine choir, so they can stand on higher ground. Over 300 people attended the  Festival of Lights.  The children in the chorus enjoy this event so much.  They think it’s the best event of the year. It was agreed that next year the removal of the display should be scheduled in advance of installation for better coordination.

There was a discussion about starting the campaign to get homeowners to plan early for their holiday home decoration so they can be ready for the judging on the second weekend in December.  The committee next year should be encouraged to come up with maybe six different categories instead of a first, second and third prize.  It was agreed that no one likes to be "second".  

Charles stated that some homes,  being considered for a prize had to be disqualified because they had not paid annual dues. Another good reason dues need to be paid in a timely manner.