UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007
The meeting was called to order by the president, Arnold Martin, at 11:34 AM.

Board members present were:  Arnold Martin, Kass Prince, Esther Nachimson, Don McGee, Jim Wells, Charles Schmidt, Martin Kahn, Nell Anne Hunt, Bob Kitzman and John De Marco. Board members not present were Don Jensen and Barbara Hull.  Others present were Susan High of The Las Colinas Association.

The minutes of the December meeting, which were posted on the internet earlier, were passed out and read.  Corrections were made involving vocabulary and spelling errors.

Kass Prince, treasurer, passed out the treasurer's report. UHAOH ended year 2006 with a $243 surplus and total assets of $19,706. Martin Kahn motioned to accept the treasurer's report as presented.  Don McGee seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Kass noted that generous contributions from Ralph Ellis and for other advertising have helped to defray some of the cost of publishing our UH Directory for 2007.  Kass cautioned, however, the full expenses for this publication had failed to be budgeted in the past and should be accounted for in our new budget. A suggestion also was made to change the color from green to make the new Directory for 2007 distinguishable from prior issues.`   

Arnold Martin recommended the board work on a comparison of the 2005 and 2006 income and expenditures. Kass said she would make that information available in time for the next meeting. We need to know what issues, if any, should be addressed to be able to get a better perspective on our needs for the coming year.

Arnold explained there would be an extra strain on our funds for 2007 because of the projected need, after six years, to rehabilitate the infrastructure for our Deck the Hills display. Although some of the cost will be shared with The Las Colinas Association, serious dollars are involved. The most costly items will be the upgrading of the electrical service and adding more lights. Also, there is need to repair our present exhibits and purchase new ones.

John De Marco asked questions about the budget process.  Arnold noted that Committee chairs can only spend what they have been authorized to spend. Kass proposed that budgeted amounts specific to each committee be included as individual items for the P&L statement.

Nell Ann ( Hunt) has indicated a desire to relinquish the Chairmanship of our
Deck the Hills Christmas pagent and lighting program.  The Board received the
news with regret because of the stellar program Nell Ann has accomplished.
Efforts have already begun to begin a transition.  Nell Ann has steered this
program since it's inception, so a replacement will be difficult.  

In recapping the recent Deck the Hills event, Nell Anne stated people missed the candy canes around the area.  These candy canes had not been put for various reasons including their state of disrepair. Martin Kahn motioned to table the discussion of the candy canes until we can come up with a definitive plan for next year.  Kass Prince seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Don McGee, as a committee of one, is spearheading the search process for a new chairperson for the Deck the Hills event.  To date he has been unable to find the person he feels would bring the needed talents to this project.  When a suitable candidate is found and accepts this position, he has proposed a meeting with Nell Anne and others to transfer the appropriate files.

Don explained to the board the electrical upgrades needed for the DTH lighting and sound systems. More ground faults, circuits and underground wiring are necessary for present displays and for future expansion. TLCA donates the power through TU Electric.

Charles Schmidt reported for Pat Andres that her committee had made eight of nine awards to UHAOH homes for their outstanding holiday lighting decorations over the Christmas and New Year Holidays.  The list was not available at the meeting.

Charles advised that the City of Irving is accepting nominations from businesses and organizations to recognize those persons who have made outstanding contributions to Irving.  The board thought Nell Anne Hunt would be an excellent choice for this award considering her work on Deck the Hills and other projects. Charles was duly authorized on behalf of UHAOH to nominate Nell Anne to the city.

Charles cautioned that we are in Stage3 of our city water conservation program.  Fines are very stiff for violators.  Irving is now purchasing water from Dallas and as good citizens we all need to use as little water as possible.

Concern was expressed about trash being put out too early and left out if not picked up.  We were asked to try to schedule brush and tree removal to coincide with debris pick up days or to hire those businesses who dispose of the limbs and branches they cut down.

The Valley Ranch homeowners association has formed a very strict code for their area.  University Hills relies on city code enforcement.  The board is asking the city and TLCA to be very aggressive in enforcing the city codes in UH.  Code violations of up to $2000 can be imposed for putting trash out before 6:00 PM the night before.  If the city enforced these ordinances more aggressively, it could be a potential bonanza for the city coffers.

A discussion of the problem of yard persons blowing clippings onto the streets which included contractors working for TLCA.  Residents should be aware and hire yard persons who will carry off the clippings or put them out of sight until they can be put out at the prescribed times.

Bob Kitzman reported the directory effort was ongoing. Also, the Neighborhood Network needs bolstering. He requested those in attendance to provide him with names of residents who might wish to participate as Block Captains.  Any suggestions for potential BCs should be sent to him at rkitzman@verizon.net. The network of Block Captains is the backbone of the UHAOH and Bob is looking for new ways to bring this group together and take it to the next level.     

John De Marco asked for an updated list of the officers on the website as a contact source for residents who may have questions and/or complaints.

Arnold Martin explained that we have a real communication problem.  Only 60% of UH residents can be contacted by e-mail and it's valuable time and a 39 cent stamp to contact the rest.  For the cost of $500, UHAOH can purchase an auto-dialer that can reach all 500 homes in 5 hours.  Jim Wells, our WebMaster, will have this device installed at his home.  Don McGee motioned to purchase the auto-dialer.  Bob Kitzman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Jim Wells said he had found a laser printer for $140 plus tax. This high speed, color printer could be used for various UHAOH publishing tasks.  Esther Nachimson motioned to buy the printer.  Don McGee seconded the motion the motion passed.  Martin gave him our tax-exempt number to avoid sales tax expense.

Jim Wells asked to have a limited agenda of the February board meeting to afford a lengthy discussion and questions for a proposal to see if it is technologically feasible to install security cameras at strategic points in University Hills.

The Yard of the Month Award for the month of January is the home of Tom and Jan Hopwood at 100 Balboa Court.  A photo opportunity will immediately follow the board adjournment.

The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 11:30 AM at the Las Colinas Country Club.  Those wishing to eat lunch are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the meeting.


Respectfully submitted,

Esther Nachimson,
Secretary.