UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATON OF HOMEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
MAY 1, 2007

President Arnold Martin called the meeting to order at 11: 32, in the Presidents Lounge at The Las Colinas Country Club.
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Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Kass Prince, Esther Nachimson, Don McGee, Jim Wells, Charles Schmidt, Nell Anne Hunt, Bob Kitzman, Barbara Hull and John De Marco.  Committee chairs present were Linda Oliver and Pat Andres.  Board Members not present were Don Jensen and Martin Kahn.  Spring Fling Chair Jennifer Davis could not attend.  There were no guests.
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The minutes were posted on the UH website prior to the meeting and were read by all board members present. A copy was available for review and corrections.  None being made, the minutes were approved as posted.
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The Treasurer, Kass Prince, passed around several financial reports to the board members.  Kass noted additional 2007 UH Directory expenses of $1,372.68 were not reflected in the entries. Also, expenses for Spring Fling occurred in April last year while these will be in May for 2007. Accordingly a direct comparison of the YTD accounts for 2007 and 2006 would not be appropriate.
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Linda Oliver, Membership Chair, reported that there were 24 additional members of UHAOH who have paid their dues since the report when board last met in early April.
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The Webmaster and Communications Coordinator, Jim Wells, remarked that favorable comments were received on the first issue of our electronic newspaper, THE BEACON. The next edition will be issued shortly and will contain more newsworthy items along with an item on the Yard of the Month as selected by the committee from amongst all the beautiful yards in UH.  Once again, Jim encouraged all UH residents to notify him about people, events, or issues they think would be of interest to all our neighbors in UH so these items might be included in a coming edition.
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Jim noted that the City Council and School Board election being held on May 12th contains a proposition of great interest to UH homeowners. He explained how the change in the school tax enacted two years ago by the Texas Legislature did not carry forward the exemption for seniors. Accordingly everyone ought to be aware of the importance of casting his/her vote on Proposition No. 1 (amendment regarding homestead exemptions) in this upcoming election.
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Jim advised that the Realtor's Report at the UH website had been up-dated with figures supplied by Nell Anne Hunt. A copy of her report was distributed to the members. This is timely as the Dallas Central Appraisal District has just issued their proposed valuations for 2007.
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Nell Anne noted one home recently sold for a very low figure.  She explained there are a few property owners who, by not maintaining their homestead in a timely manner, are responsible for the lowering of CMAs (current market analysis) in the area.  If any UH resident has concerns about how any property is being maintained, they are encouraged to call James Sanders at TLCA 972-541-2345 who will see if any city code is being violated. (note to Susan High: please ask James to notify President Martin of any such action so the U H Assn can stay informed)
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Our Civic Liaison, Charles Schmidt, reported on the progress of the curb numeral painting program.  As of end April, 280 homes in UH (out of 476) have had their numerals painted. While inclement weather has caused some interruptions, the Boy Scouts are continuing as best they can and expect to have the project completed in a couple of weeks time.
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Charles brought the meeting up to date about the TV spot featuring UH that was to be created. Staff changes (Barrie Hill has resigned) have postponed ICTNs plan  to produce a program on Homes of Distinction. Because this feature would be of interest to many parts of Irving, it is thought that the program is only delayed and new ICTN staff will restart it once they're all in place.
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Charles noted Fran Witte will arrange to have a live Blue Bag Buddy on the scene to help with the Spring Fling on May 12th.

Charles made a request for an alphabetized list of residents who are current on their dues payment to UHAOH as this is needed in the YOTM evaluation process.  Esther volunteered to do it if the Excel spreadsheets used for recording the UHAOH dues collection can be made available to her. Kass Prince assured her these would be forthcoming.
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Charles reported on the Keep Irving Beautiful Awards. TLCA won both the Ben Carpenter Vision Award and the RM Hudson Business and Industry Award.  These entries will now go onto the state contest to be judged in competition with entries from all over Texas. One of the major components for the award was The Las Colinas Green Neighbors Checklist.  Charles passed around this checklist of 32 attributes and, after a brief discussion, motioned that a score of 16 out of the 32 green habits be required to achieve designation as a Green Neighbor.  Esther seconded the motion.  The motion passed.
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Charles also distributed a letter from Arnold to be sent to our homeowners in University Hills entitled GOING GREEN. This letter will accompany the TLCA Green Neighbors checklist and invite everyone to participate in the program. Those homeowners who achieve the Green Neighbor designation will receive a Green Neighbor Award medallion to mount near their front door. Chris Bidne has kindly offered to create a design for the medallion. All homeowners desiring the designation need to have their checklist returned by October 1.
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The Neighborhood Network Block Chief, Bob Kitzman, announced that the UH 2007 Directory is ready for issue.  Copies were passed around to all the board members. Bob noted the many new features in this directory and remarked that every address in UH is reflected in the publication. He praised the efforts of Ann Aghassibake and many others who were involved. Special mention was afforded to our printer Minuteman Press for their reasonable prices and timely service.  650 directories were printed.
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Barbara Hull was pleased to see the new directory as she hopes to use it in conjunction with the block captains to give new residents a welcome to the neighborhood in an effort to tell them about us.
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Bob Kitzman further advised that invitations had been mailed to all the Block Captains for a meeting at LCCC on May 8.  All board members are urged to attend, too.  The directories will be distributed to the Block Captains for their onward distribution to the residents in their block.  This meeting will also refresh the Block Captains on their roles and there will a slide show regarding the future developments in the area.  Dramatic changes will be taking place that will affect us in one way or another for the next 5-7 years.  Six billion dollars will be spent in highway construction alone.  The development of Highways 183, Loop 12 and 114 will be greater and grander than the now famous High Five in Dallas. It is predicted that these developments will affect University Hills more than any other single LC Village.  More information will be available at the annual meeting.
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Pat Andres, Neighborhood Integrity Efforts Chair, confirmed that the YOTM Committee has followed through on the boards recent decision to start the YOTM awards afresh.  Beginning this month, past YOTM award recipients will be eligible once again to be considered to win. Pat also reported the program with Calloways for awarding each YOTM winner a $50 gift certificate is underway.  A picture of the homeowners with their award will be sent to Calloways home office and the gift certificate will be mailed within 7 to 10 days. (N.B. The Airport Freeway location of Calloways closed, but they have a location in Grapevine.)
Pat mentioned that the new, sturdier YOTM signage to be displayed at the homeowner's property is being ordered as approved by the board at the March meeting.
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Nell Anne announced the ongoing plans for the Great Flag Caper, the annual 4th of July flag planting all over Irving. The kick it off a Patriotic Potluck Party will be on Sunday, May 20, 6:00 PM at Nell Anne's home at 3709 Hidalgo. Everything is casual and all are invited to come and have fun.  Flags are to be picked up at Nell Anne's and planted on July 1, 2 and 3.  Another potluck dinner will be held on July 3 at the same time and address to celebrate another successful effort.
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Arnold Martin asked for a motion for UHAOH to contribute $1,500 to the flag planting campaign as we have done in past years to help cover the cost of the flags. Charles Schmidt did the honors and Don McGee seconded the motion. The motion passed.
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John De Marco noted that our No Rubbish Collection signs went missing on the weekend of April 6th.  Some of them were recovered but there was a net loss. These will be replaced as it is very important to remind our residents about those occasions when the City of Irving will not make a regularly scheduled collection.
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To avoid a recurrence of this situation for our up-coming Spring Fling, John suggested the Code Enforcement groups at TLCA and the City of Irving be forewarned about our need to display some signage for UH's gala annual event. Arnold and Charles agreed this would be in order.
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The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, June 5, 11:30 AM in the President's Lounge at the Las Colinas Country Club.  Attendees who plan to eat lunch are asked to come at 11:00.
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There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:07 P. M.
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Respectfully submitted,

Esther Nachimson, Secretary