UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2006

 

The board meeting was called to order by president, Arnold Martin at 11:30 AM in the president's lounge at The Las Colinas Country Club.

 

Board Members present were:  Arnold Martin, Esther Nachimson, Charles Schmidt, Jim Wells, Don Jensen, Martin Kahn, John DeMarco representing Bob Kitzman and Nell Anne Hunt,

 

Not present were: Kass Prince, Craig Boleman, Don McGee and Chandra Muenster.

 

The minutes of the last meeting, (prepared in the absence of the secretary by John DeMarco,) had been posted on the internet and were read.  A motion was seconded by Jim Wells to accept the minutes as posted.

The motion passed.

 

A cursory treasurer's report was made in the absence of Kass Prince, treasurer.  President Arnold Martin read from the bank statement of September 11, 2006 and reported a bank balance of $9,534.15 as of that date.  The balance reported by the treasurer at the September board meeting was $9, 649.20.

 

John DeMarco reported that Bob Kitzman was recovering from a successful by-pass surgery at Irving-Baylor Hospital.  He asked for prayers of thanks for a quick and uncomplicated recovery.

 

Block captains have been busily collecting of data for our 2007 UAHOH directory. About half of the packets distributed to the captains have been returned.  The gathering and collating this material is one of the most formidable tasks done by the web master and block captain network for our residents each year.  John was particularly pleased with one block captain who, on her rounds collecting data, reported a mobile home sitting on the street for a protracted length of time.  This was reported to Arnold, who e-mailed the City of Irving and the TLCA code compliance officer.  By 11:A.M. Monday the trailer had been removed.  TLCA could become involved because there was an electric cord running from the trailer to the house.  Without the attachment to the house, it is only a City of Irving problem, and they are often slower in resolving these issues.

 

The board is hopeful that the new directory will be more complete and have fewer vacant spaces than in the past.  John stated that the completion of data collection for the directory was somewhat lagging. As to date only about 50 per cent of the information sheets have been returned.  He asked to extend the deadline to October 6.  It was extended.  The final tally should be in by Friday. The next hurdle will be to get the packets that have not been completed returned in a timely manner.

 

A question arose concerning what information could be included without the explicit permission of a resident.  Charles asked Martin if information that was in the public domain, i.e., from the telephone directory, could be included.  Just a name, address  and telephone number would make the directory more useful to other residents in UH as well as remove some of the blank space in the final publication.  We would not publish any information by request of a homeowner if we had that request in writing

 

Don Jensen discussed implementing an ongoing flag program, similar to the one the Rotary and Boys Scouts sponsor.  He suggested that the board may want to consider a future position of Advertising and Sponsorship Co-ordinator. 

 

Charles suggested that we recognize high achieving block captains at our annual meeting.

 

John stated that one of the challenges of the block chiefs is to recruit and retain enthusiastic block captain. 

 

Jim Wells, our webmaster, sent e-mails to everyone soliciting advertisements.  A business card can be placed in the directory for $100.  It can be sent to:            UH Homeowner

                                             Att: Arnold Martin

                                             Box 140623

                                             75014-0603

 

Charles Schmidt reported there would be a meeting tonight at city hall, led by our new city manager, to discuss the future of Irving.  There is a new survey being conducted to see the effect of blue bag participation.  Bob Horton will be selecting a special area in the city to implement the new method.  Every Friday they will be picking up more brush and difficult trash to dispose of. 

 

Pat Andres, who was not present, asked Charles to present a special need to the board for discussion.  As she and Charles go on their monthly rounds to select the Yard of the Month, they have noticed the lack of proper house numbering on many curbs.  This problem was mentioned at the last round table. 

 

Charles and Pat thought that perhaps we could get a boy and/or scout troop or some other charitable organization to contract to put numbers on all our curbs so our whole UH area would be covered.  There arose a discussion on the legality of putting house numbers on all curbs and if there would be a need to gain permission from the homeowners to go forward with this effort?  The curbs belong to the city, and most thought that permission would not be needed.  Martin Kahn, our volunteer attorney, will check into it.

 

Everyone was happy to get a report about the big Las Colinas clock that has been torn out for repairs.  We have been assured all is well and the re-installation is awaiting a final electrical inspection and should be completed in 2 weeks.  All shrubs and flowers will be replanted.  Las Colinas will again be distinguishable.

 

Charles gave a report on the Weber property to the board.  The property has closed and was purchased by Marvin and Dwayne Randle.  This project will be a credit to this community as it is under TLCA umbrella.  In the very near future final approval to go forward with the project will be passed on a consent agenda by the City of Irving.  Named The Villas of Alta Vista the project will consist of 34 homes starting at $500,000.  The non gated project will have egress and exit on Gentry and Wingren onto Northgate. February 7, 2007 is the projected starting date.

 

The signs to recognize homes, 40 years or older are at the printers.  Nine to ten out of forty six homes in UH are eligible for the award.  Those receiving this prestigious award will be invited to the annual meeting and given this commendation.  In order to be eligible, the homeowner must be a paid member of the UHAOH.

 

The yard of the month is the home of Craig and Dianne Everett at 4107 Wingren.  There will be a photo-op immediately following the board meeting.  All board members are invited to attend.

 

Nell Anne Hunt is again chairing the Deck the Hills project for the holidays.

The date for this special event is Monday, December 4 at 6:00 PM. She reported that our present decorations are in a state of disrepair and that some new displays should be added this year.  She and Scott Glover will oversee the acquisition and repair.

 

Martin Kahn motioned that we budgeted $3,500.00 for this effort.  Don Jensen seconded the motion.  The motion passed. 

 

We will try to procure donations for the signs.  Refreshments are again being catered by the Martin family.  Chandra Muenster is talking to the new choir leader at the school.  Leo and Barbara Hull, professional musicians, are providing the sound system.  The project is in good hands. 

 

There was a discussion about the candy canes and where they should be installed.  Last year we only put them around the ponds.  They will be installed on Saturday, December 2. 

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 7 in the President's Lounge at the Las Colinas Country Club at 11:30.  Those who want to eat lunch are asked to come around 11:00 A.M.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:01 P.M.

 

Respectively submitted,

 

 

Esther Nachimson, Secretary.