UNIVERSITY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF HOMEOWNERS
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
JULY 7, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 11:30 AM by the president, Arnold Martin.
Board members present were Arnold Martin, Charles Schmidt, Chuck Hosler, Esther Nachimson, Jim Wells, John DeMarco, Anna Walther, and Don McGee. Also present were Fred Odell and Pat Andres, committee chairs, and Kathrine Pennington, representing The Las Colinas Association (TLCA).
Board members not present were Linda Oliver, Martin Kahn, Nell Anne Hunt, Barbara Hull, and Felix Fenter.
The minutes of the June meeting, as posted on the UHAOH website, were made available for correction by John DeMarco, acting secre tary. As there were none, a motion was made by John to approve the minutes as written. Esther Nachimson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously A motion was made to approve the minutes of the May meeting as posted on the UHAOH website by Arnold Martin. Charles Schmidt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Our treasurer, Chuck Hosler passed around the UHAOH financial report for the first six months of 2009. After discussion, Arnold motioned that the minutes be approved at presented. John seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Chuck also advised that an error had been discovered in the year-end financial statements for 2008. The interest income item from BOTW was, in fact, partially derived from interest earned with the balance coming from the transfer of monies to the cash account from the reserve account. The corrected year-end statements for 2008 were made available to those at interest.
Don McGee reported on a recent encounter he had with a contractor who was soliciting for curb numeral painting in UH.
Charles Schmidt took this opportunity to note there is a problem with some of the numbers painted on the curbs in the project under-written by UHAOH several years ago. Many curbs are broken and numbers need to be replaced. He recommended that we get an accurate count on the curb numeral in need of repainting. The Deputy Chiefs were asked to muster the Block Captains to perform this survey and report back at the next meeting. In the meantime Charles will make enquiries of the Boy Scouts about taking on this project. A motion was deferred until the scope and costs can be determined.
Don mentioned that the names on the memorial bricks in Wingren Park are worn down and the lettering needs to be defined with black waterproof ink. He mentioned that this, too, would be a good project for the Boy Scouts. Don has the ink.
Kathrine Pennington said that TLCA has installed surveillance cameras in Wingren Park under a pilot program.
Charles stated that the home at 3700 Hidalgo (next to Nell Anne Hunt) is being refurbished by the new owners and will be painted a beige color. There is an ongoing investigation of the burned home at 4004 Acapulco and=2 0 that it would probably be several months before rebuilding would begin.
Don McGee reported that renovations are to be commenced shortly on the neglected home on Wingren. This property is part of a foreclosure proceeding and the financial institution will be looking to make improvements such that it will be in saleable condition.
Charles thanked Kathrine Pennington for our new, environmentally friendly, Green Neighbor medallions made of cedar.
Charles reported that the “No Garbage Collection This Friday” signs put out in UH prior to the July 4th holiday were quite effective as compared to other neighborhoods where rubbish bags were sitting at the curb-sides over the weekend.
Charles advised the some 40, 000 flags were planted for the Great American Flag Caper (4th of July Flag Display) and these flags were all harvested in a timely manner. Nell Anne Hunt, founder of the program, was featured on Channels 5 and 8. Pat Andres added that Nell Anne was recently named Realtor of the Year as well as a Yellow Rose of Texas, honors richly deserved.
Pat stated that her fond hope was for next year our UH homeowners would participate in greater numbers in the Boy Scouts/Rotary Flag project. This is the program whereby individual homeowners pay $25 to have a flag displayed in front of their home 5 times each year. Charles Schmidt suggested that program flyers be mailed along with the dues notices next year.
The board was pleased to be informed by Charles that Farine Elementary School has been designated an Exemplary School. This status is a great asset for home sales in this area.
Charles noted that several UH sign toppers are deteriorating and will need to be replaced or repainted. The sign topper at Pacific and Rochelle was illegible. Arnold suggested that Robbie at the City of Irving be contacted. They are the only ones who can add or remove things from the street signs. The cost involved has yet to be determined.
Arnold also mentioned that a UH sign topper is still “missing” at the intersection of Rochelle and Northgate.
Charles related that the next meeting of the City of Irving’s Neighborhood Roundtable is scheduled for next Tuesday, July 14th, at city hall. The topic of discussion will be The Restructured ICTN. Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM and the program will begin at 7:00 PM. Arnold encouraged everyone to attend.
There was a discussion about enhancing the lighting around the parks for the Festival of Lights next year. Don McGee cautioned that the electric outlets were at maximum capacity and would be impossible to add anymore voltage. The only source would be to tap into TLCA’s electric systems.
Charles reported that plans are being made for a Neighborhood Night Out to be held at an undetermined date in October.
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In response to a question from John Arnold reported that the Barnett Shale gas leasing activity was non-existent for all intents and purposes. Nonetheless, NEIAC and its sub-committees are still intact and are keeping watch on the situation. Bill Dearing has been appointed head of the Steering Committee at NEIAC and some meeting with consultants are being scheduled. Gas exploration activity will not be resumed in this area until the sale price of the gas gets will above the present price of $4.00 per 1,000,000 cubic feet, probably in the $11-12 range.
The Diamond Interchange being developed in the Texas Stadium area is expected to disrupt our traffic patterns for over 8 years and will be 3 times greater than the High Five in Dallas.
Pat Andres was happy to announce that the Yard of the Month homes have been selected for both July and August. For July, the Currie home at 3116 Hidalgo was chosen. There will be a photo opportunity immediately following this meeting. The Gabriel home at 3908 Cabeza de Vaca was chosen for the month of August.
Kathrine Pennington said that updates on the highway and DART Orange Line construction were being posted on the TLCA website, www.lascolinasassn.com. ; She stated that there was reported vandalism and theft of private property from the golf course homes in UH. Arnold said that any theft or vandalism should be called in, immediately to the Irving police non-emergency number, 972-259-2085.
Kathrine reported the recent graffiti outbreak was immediately cleaned up. She said TLCA is also mowing several yards of empty homes and will continue to monitor them.
There being no other business, they meeting was adjourned at 1:04 PM.
The next regular board meeting will be Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the Las Colinas Country Club at 11:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Esther Nachimson,
Secretary.