UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
MARCH 6, 2007
President Arnold Martin called the meeting to order at 11:31 A.M. in the Presidents Lounge of the Las Colinas Country Club.
Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Kass Prince, Esther Nachimson, Charles Schmidt, Jim Wells, Don McGee, Don Jensen, Barbara Hull, Jim Wells, and John DeMarco. Also present were Pat Andres, Linda Oliver, and Anna Walther.
Board members not present were: Bob Kitzman, Nell Anne Hunt, and Martin Kahn.
Arnold introduced Linda Oliver as the new membership chairperson. She will promote the benefits of paid membership to all the residents of UH. Anna Walther was introduced as the new Deputy Chief for Area A replacing Gractia Austin.
The minutes for the February meeting were passed out and read. After reviewing them, corrections were made. John motioned the minutes be accepted as corrected. Kass seconded the motion. The motion passed.
An extensive treasurer's report was passed out and read. Kass also pointed out that our 11 month CD was coming up for renewal and that we had earned $618.29. Kass motioned to renew the CD for a 12 month period with reinvestment of the interest in the new CD. John DeMarco seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Kass asked Esther to forward the meeting minutes to her ASAP as they would be needed to complete the transaction at the bank.
Jim Wells updated the board on the new Auto-Dialer telephone communication system he has been testing. There are still some glitches but he has obtained the software that should smooth out the process so there will not be a need for him to "baby-sit" when messages are being sent. Several favorable comments were made about the telephoned reminder notice of this board meeting that Jim had auto-dialed with this new system.
There was a question if there were any new developments and/or additional information about the use of security cameras. Arnold stated that this discussion would be postponed until next month when Bob Kitzman will be able to report.
In the absence of Bob Kitzman, Arnold was happy to report that all of the block captain slots are filled. Esther asked when there would be a block captain meeting. John responded that the completion of the new directory was the key to setting a date for the meeting. John also noted that Ann Aghassibake had joined the Directory Team to assist Bob with data compilation and formatting. In addition, Ann Aghassibake has taken on the co-ordination of the Ads/Sponsorship section of the directory.
Arnold expressed gratitude to all who are involved in the current directory effort and noted how much we owe to Linda Korkmas and others who were instrumental in the original development of a directory for UH residents.
Charles reported that Calloway Garden Supply may be willing to provide a $50 gift certificate to our Yard of the Month homeowner. Since this contest is now four years old, Pat and Charles said we are ready to start over so that past winners would be eligible to win. Arnold stated this would be most timely as the previous winners could now strive to obtain the benefit of a Gift Certificate.
Charles was happy to announce the approval of our application to the city for a $1,500.00 grant for our curb numeral painting project. Boy Scout Troop #508 has been selected to paint the curbs, one number for each residence, including vacant lots.
The second Saturday in April is the date set for the work to be done, weather permitting. Forty boys and forty men from the troop will be doing the painting. In response to queries from Don McGee, Charles advised that a luminous paint will be used, green numerals on a white background and this paint is expected to last 7 years. Placement of the numbers will be in the middle of the plot to align with the middle of the home. It is expected that the work can be completed in one weekend. Charles also noted that the check from the City of would be forthcoming with the completion of the work but there will be a cash requirement beforehand for the costs of the materials.
The beautification and maintenance of University Hills, south of Northgate was a topic of discussion by Heinz Simon at our annual meeting in November. Charles and Pat have been very busy reviewing the properties and prepared a postcard to prompt the homeowners to update their properties as well as remind those persons who are eligible for the medallion designating their home as a 40 years Home of Distinction.
Charles made a motion to send this Spring Mailer to our homeowners to encourage them to fix up for spring. Kass seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Charles stated that there is a big push for the suburbs to join in a green movement. In conjuntion with the KIB program Charles suggested UH participate in an annual award called The Ben Carpenter Vision Award to honor the Las Colinas' founder. A list of 27 environmentally conscious things our homeowners could do to safeguard our planet and promote conservation was complied and circulated by Charles. There would be recognition for homes who were able to comply with 9-18 items on the list. He extrapolated the possibility of taking this project citywide and perhaps even statewide.
Esther motioned that the board should go forward with this effort. Linda Oliver seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Arnold added that he would endeavor to meet with Susan High asap to encourage TLCA to participate with us, perhaps including the other villages as well.
Kass cautioned that we already had accumulated $5,200 of expense for unbudgeted items. However, she did note that dues were coming in at a good rate, thanks to the efforts of our new membership chair, Linda Oliver. Success may be due to the inclusion of a return envelope with the mailer as it makes it easier to just put a stamp on and return. Linda will be compiling a list of those members who have not as yet sent in their dues and sending them a gentle reminder.
Arnold reported that Jennifer Davis, who was not present, had started making arrangements for the Spring Fling which will be held on Saturday, May 12. The Las Colinas Country Club will be furnishing tables and umbrellas and some goodies for all to enjoy.
After the several recent incidents, Arnold reported that there is an increased presence of the Irving Police in the UH area. Unmarked cars can be seen many times throughout the day. Neighborhood Watch will be one of the topics for the upcoming block captain meetings. Arnold noted that IPD Chief Larry Boyd and Penny Hayter head of Security for TLCA said that the average minimum for a response to a crime in progress is six minutes.
Don McGee announced the search for a replacement for Nell Anne Hunt as chair for The Festival of Lights was right here under our very nose. No one is better qualified that Leo Hull, aided by his wife, Barbara to fill this post.
Pat Andres asked that we procure new and sturdier signs for our Yard of the Month presentation. She felt we would only need 2 or 3 to do the job. Don motioned to upgrade the signs. Esther seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Arnold reported that the Farina property at Rochelle and Northgate had been approved by the P&Z as platted. No changes were necessary. Accordingly there are 9 lots with R10 zoning for single family residences ready to be developed.
All board members were invited to the home of Wolfgang and Anna Walther at 2906 Coronado, this months YOM awardees.
The next meeting of the UHAOH board will be Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Las Colinas County Club, at 11:30 AM. Please come early if you are having lunch so our meeting can begin promptly.
