Minutes of the Miramonte Neighborhood Association Board of Directors Meeting

February 8, 2006

Members present. Ruth Beeker (President), Kim Huxman (Vice President), Terry Langendoen (Secretary), Ann Corney (Treasurer), Brendon DeLucco, Teresa Jones, Diane Lopes, Dave Meko, Phil Murphy, Linda Warkomski

Members absent. Pat Curtis, Mary Ann O'Neil, Laura and Lisa Ritter-Baker

Guests. Susan Ahl, Laurie Ross, Dorothy Thomas (neighbors), Laura Burge (Ward 6 liaison)

1. Call to order. Ruth called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

2. Report from Ward 6. Laura reported on a variety of items and updates, and left brochures on various topics for everyone to pick up.

· There a large backlog of reported code violations, going back to last September, but progress is being made and she urged patience.

· Pima County has made information available on the Web on property owners. The site is http://www.dot.co.pima.az.us/.

· Neighborhood recycling drop off plans are in the works.

· Ward 6 will be holding an open house on Thursday, February 16, from 4 to 7pm. E-mail invitations will go out soon. The public is invited.

3. Approval of minutes. The minutes of the board meeting of January 11 were approved.

4. Treasurer's report. Ann reported donation income of $95. The current balance is $4184.77. She mentioned that we are getting low on stationery.

5. RTA forum. The board agreed to host a forum on the Regional Transportation Authority bond election at our March meeting. Laura will invite a “pro” speaker and Ruth a “con”.

6. Miramonte Neighborhood Plan. Ruth stated that planning for Miramonte will probably begin next month; Jefferson Park planning is supposed to begin later this month.

7. Annual Meeting planning. Ruth reminded the board that she will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in April, and recommended the appointment of a planning committee. Kim agreed to chair the 2006 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. The other members are Diane, Terry and Dave. Ruth handed Kim an information packet including agendas for the last two annual meetings, and pointed out that some plans have already been made. Marilyn Russell will arrange for refreshments, and Ward 6 Councilperson Nina Trasoff has accepted our invitation to make a presentation. As was mentioned at our January meeting, we may have as many as eight vacancies to fill on the board in April.

8. Miramonte Park maintenance. Linda reported that the cholla cactus fragments in the park continue to be a real danger, although some clean-up has taken place within the past day or so. Ruth suggested tagging those plants that we would like to have removed. She also mentioned some other problems:

· the promised planting of replacements for dead plants has not happened,

· the promised bar ring for the game table has not been installed,

· the picnic table and benches are looking shabby because of repeated graffiti cleanups,

· signage is needed to identify the “tot lot” and to discourage dog walkers from using it as a canine toilet,

· a new arrangement needs to be made to remove gravel from the paved path.

9. Appointment of Teresa Jones to board. The board unanimously approved Teresa Jones's appointment to the board to serve together with Lowell Jones for the duration of Lowell's term through April 2007.

10. Fund raising for completing the Miramonte traffic calming plan. Linda described the need to raise funds to complete the Miramonte traffic calming plan. She proposed that we divide the remaining projects into two parts: (1) installing the speed humps that are authorized in the plan but that have not been built, and (2) dealing with Camino Miramonte, and do deal with them in that order. After discussion, Linda moved and Diane seconded a motion that an effort be made to raise funds specifically to install the speed humps authorized in the plan that have not yet been built. The motion carried with one no vote. Ruth pointed out that we may get some help from the neighborhood planning effort. Laura stated that the Ward 6 office will be issuing a request for proposals for neighborhood projects probably at the end of May, and that we could submit a proposal for continuing work on our plan at that time. Finally it was agreed that the issue of the completion of the traffic calming plan will be on the annual meeting agenda.

11. Planning for MNA's future. Discussion continued from the January meeting. The board unanimously approved the formation of an MNA auxiliary as a standing committee as specified in the by-laws. Teresa reported that Lowell will circulate possible names for the auxiliary, and set up an electronic discussion group (listserv) for it.

12. Adjournment. Ruth adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 8 in the Ward 6 office community meeting room, 3202 E First St, starting at 7:00 p.m.