UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS

BOARD MEETING

March 5, 2002

 

The meeting was called to order by the president, Arnold Martin.

 

Board members present were:  Arnold Martin, Esther Nachimson, Don Jensen, Charles Schmidt, Martin Kahn, Mollie Kahn, Nell Anne Hunt, John Taylor and James Spriggs.    Not present Don McGee, Frank Murphy, Jim Wells and Scott Wilson.

 

University Hills members who attended the meeting were: Steve Scott, Beverly Hagar, Joe Philipp, Kathryn Andrulis;  Rick Bidne and Chris Wallace from TLCA.

 

The president gave a brief description to our guests outlining how our neighborhoods are organized and how information is disseminated through our block captains and the Internet.

 

Arnold Martin introduced Councilman Joe Philipp who introduced Chief of Police Lowell Cannaday and Walter Mentzer of the Irving Police Department who came to discuss the recent upturn of home invasions in University Hills and the murder of an elderly lady on Bryn Mawr last week. 

 

 

UHOAH and City Council Member Joe Philipp stated he had spoken to Mark Storey who has offered his church for meetings. 

 

Police Chief Cannaday explained that they had tactical units working on the burglaries for over 3 weeks.  Patrols have been increased and the department is staying on top of any and all calls received.    Fact and figures could not be discussed at this time because there is an on going investigation of the murder, but he felt there would be a breakthrough in a few days.  Mr. Cannaday discussed some of the reasons for the upturn in crime in the last year.  Demographically the age group of 18-24 year olds has been increasing. This is the group who commits most of the crimes.  In the nineties, there were fewer individuals in this age group, ergo, a lower crime rate.

 

Walter Menitzer of the IPD handed out Neighborhood Crime Watch Training Manuals to be used to train our block captains and homeowners.  He explained the police department is reactive, not proactive.  The police department becomes proactive after they receive distress calls. 

 

The main deterrent to crime is communication.  Officer Menitzer said that we all need to be aware of what is going on in our neighborhoods and we must report anything that may be suspicious.  We were asked to call 911 if there is a real emergency or when in doubt, but for other non-emergency information to call 972-721-2518.   Officer Mentzer’s direct telephone number is 214-496-9281 There is a City web-site with information but it has the usual problem of keeping up-to-date.  Communication needs to be coordinated between the IPD, TLCA, and the homeowners association.  Joe Philipp called for a commitment to action.   Mr. Cannaday expressed the importance of having contact points.  There should be a conduit for information to be disseminated in a timely manner.  The time lag for getting information to groups is usually 3-5 days.  President Arnold Martin will be our point to contact.

 

Esther Nachimson stated that she had noticed a distinct upturn in the number of home solicitations.  Chief Cannaday replied the solicitors need a permit and should have it with them when they come to the door.  The ongoing problem of destroyed mailboxes was discussed and Chief Cannaday explained the laws on teen licensing had been changed recently.  The department is anxious to know if they will make a difference in teen age driving habits.

 

There is a meeting this Saturday morning at MacArthur High School Auditorium at 10:00 A. M. to discuss the recent events. When our neighborhood has received the crime watch training, the city will install crime watch signs on our street signs.

 

The minutes for January and February were passed out and approved

 

Don Jensen passed out the treasurer’s report.  Total assets of UHAOH of $5,641.24 were reported.  A copy was filed with the secretary.  Don, also, presented a tentative budget for the next year, based on the membership projection from the last year.  This has been filed.

 

We have 83 past members who have not renewed their membership from 2001.  He stated that in order for the Association to go forward with expanded plans for this fiscal year and to maintain the same activities enjoyed last year we need to collect these dues, plus the 240 who did not join in 2001. 

 

There were 40 letters returned from the mailing the residents were sent for their dues. We need to reach the homeowners at these addresses.   Mollie Kahn and Nell Ann Hunt had suggestions for acknowledging those residents who have paid their dues with signs posted at the Spring Fling on May 4 and/or in our newsletter and/or on our web-site. 

 

John Taylor passed out the skeleton for the newsletter that is overdue. Several more articles are needed to fill up the space.  He as found a possible prospect for someone to lead the Crime Watch Program for UHAOH. 

 

Arnold reported the $2,000.00 grant to put addresses on each curb had been denied, but the $4,000.00 grant for our Centennial beautification project (a perennial bed at the corner of Rosita and Northgate) has been approved. In order to receive this grant, we must provide in kind labor to receive the full grant. Saturday morning, April 27, has been designated for this work to be done.  We will need volunteers from our residents to plant flowers and crepe myrtle trees in a 20X20’ raised bed to be prepared by the Brickman Company who does the landscaping for TLCA.  Everyone will need to provide their own tools, but the plans and the plants will be provided by the landscaper and the large holes for the trees will already be dug.  We need to provide $4,000.00 worth of sweat labor at $14 per hour.  Pat Andres has agreed to be the Landscape Committee Chairperson. 

 

Treasurer Don Jensen reminded us of tight budget challenges. Bills for the landscaping should be sent directly to the City of Irving and they will pay them directly.  Our treasury will not be involved.

 

Martin Kahn represents an ad hoc committee to address the problem of the lack of a DSL service to the Las Colinas area.  At our next meeting in April, ATT, Verizon, and SWBell will have representatives to talk to us about this service.  SWB is running a line from Coppell for an up-to-date switching station that is not available in this area. 

 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 2, at the Las Colinas Country Club at 7:30 A. M.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:42.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Esther Nachimson, Secretary