THE UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF H0MEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRURY 8, 2008
President, Arnold Martin, called the meeting to order at 11:32 AM. In the board room of The Las Colinas Country Club.
Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Charles Schmidt, Charles Hosler, Esther Nachimson. Jim Wells, Nell Anne Hunt, Barbara Hull, Anna Walther, Martin Kahn, Don McGee and Fred Odell. Committee chair, Pat Andres was present.
Board members not present were Garland Sherrod, and Jennifer Davis. Katherine Pennington, representative of TLCA, was not present.
In the absence of Katherine Pennington, it was the presidents honor to introduce Jan Paradis, executive assistant to Rick Bidne, who was representing the TLCA. She was welcomed with warm applause.
Martin asked that approval of the January minutes as posted on the internet, be tabled until March as a hard copy was not available at meeting time.
Treasurer, Charles Hosler, presented copies of the report to the board and noted that with $640 dollars in the checking account, all bills were paid for the Festival of Lights and that he was expecting not more expenses until the Spring Fling. Don McGee motioned to accept the treasurer’s report as presented. Anna Walther seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Jim Wells updated the board on the publication schedule for the UHAOH Yearbook.
The initial mailing of information forms went out on January 25. As of this meeting time seventy three (73) forms had been returned.
Jim reported that despite the new address style to prevent mail returns, he had already had 18 letters returned, despite the “or to current resident” feature. Arnold will contact Jim to discuss mailing a second letter for the yearbook information.
Jen Davis sent word she was unable to contact and collect our advertizing base. The board acknowledged that we needed a volunteer to accomplish this task and that it would be beneficial to have the contract in electrical form. It was agreed that we adopt the policy NO MONEY, NO ADVERTISEMENT. We were reminded that two advertisers from last year have not paid, ignoring several written requests.
Jennifer has edited the 1st 10 pages of the directory. She has persuaded a friend, Amanda Ciencus as a volunteer to engage the administration at Farine Elementary School at some level. Charles Schmidt will contact her.
Jim reported that our phone service has been upgraded and is working very well.
Barbara Hull attended the Neighborhood round up meeting at city hall. The Irving Fire Department presented the program about fires in the home. Most fires start in the kitchen. The grant applications will be mailed in June to be applied to National Night Out neighborhood efforts. The city was commended for the excellent job done in the clearing of Irving’s streets and putting down sand on streets to prevent accidents.
Fred Odell was happy to report that the Spring Fling major vendors have been contacted and was wondering if a larger tent would not be in order. Anna has volunteers ready to help Fred. Music will again be played by Barbara’s husband, Ralph. Fred said he would have all invoices come to him and he will turn them over to Charles.
Nell Anne Hunt agreed to chair our Astrological Event on Saturday, April 16, at 6:30 PM in Wingren Park. This will be a kid-friendly event with pizza, cookies and soft drinks being served. Everyone is asked to bring a blanket for laying on the ground and the tube from a roll of paper towels to look at the stars. Dr. Richard Olenick, from the University of Dallas will be conducting the event. Publicity will be by e-mail and street signs. Nell Anne said she will submit a budget at the March board meeting.
Barbara Hull said we will need 2 more reindeer for the festival of Lights, next year. Barbara Nelson is donating their Gabriels to UHAOH for our yearly event. They will be stored at DCURD.
Anna Walther, the newly appointed block chief, reported on the block captains meeting, January 29th at Esther’s home. Their duties were defined as:
Anna stated that it was agreed that no one was interested in pursuing the topic of National Night Out. For the directory, she added that she would need a spread sheet from Jim to make her assignments. It was decided to add the rules for Yard of the Month and how to qualify for the 40 Year Old medallion to the yearbook.
Pat Andres reported that there was no Yard of the Month for February. It has been too hard a winter.
Persons who attended Irving Day at the state legislature returned with information affecting homeowners’ associations. Legislation is afoot. Martin Kahn said this legislation, if passed, will include both HO and Condo associations. He felt the bad publicity received recently about actions of certain HOA’s has spurred renewed interest in the legislature to restrict some of their power.
Martin suggested that we should look at our by-laws and determine if it would be necessary to rename our organization from “homeowners” to “neighborhood.” It would “fix” what we are and what we are not. Arnold wondered if we should use the new name early, before members had a chance to vote on it. It was decided there would be no urgency to act unless the legislation come to fruition.
Don Jensen motioned to table the issue of changing our association’s name until the next meeting and to put on the agenda for the next general meeting. Anna Walther seconded the motion. The motion passed.
The next meeting for UHAOH is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 11:30 AM at the Las Colinas Country Club. Those wishing to have lunch are asked to arrive at 11:00 AM so our meeting will begin promptly.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Esther Nachimson,
Secretary