Board members present were: Arnold Martin, Charles Schmidt, Esther Nachimson, Felix Fenter, Anna Walther, Barbara Hull, Charles (Chuck) Hosler, Nell Anne Hunt, Martin Kahn, and John De Marco. Committee chairs present were: Pat Andres and Fred Odell. Also present were: Kathrine Pennington, representing the Las Colinas Association (TLCA).

Board members not present were: Don McGee, James Wells, and Linda Oliver.

With Esther absent from the last meeting, Arnold called upon John to report on the minutes of the April meeting. John noted that they were posted on the UH website on or about April 8^th and, there being no amendments, motioned for their approval as posted. Charles seconded the motion and it passed.

John also noted that the minutes of the February 2009 meeting had not been approved as yet. These were posted to the UH website on or about April 10^th and, there being no amendments, motioned for their approval. Charles seconded the motion and it passed.

Chuck advised that there were no Treasurer’s Reports for review by the board members today because the accounts had not been updated since the last meeting. Checks, deposits, bank statements, credit card slips, etc., etc., have been accumulating and these would be entered into the financial records forthwith.

In response to a question from John, Chuck advised that clarification of the special item for interest income from BOTW in amount $2,986 in year 2008 was still pending.

In response to a question from Charles, Chuck advised that the UHAOH donation of $1,650 to the 2009 Flag Program had not been effected as yet. It will be done today.

In response to a suggestion from John, Chuck advised that he would seek to make a separate item in the financial report for the UH Directory as is being done for Spring Fling, Deck the Hills, and other major expenditure items.

Charles asked for a copy of the latest listing of UH residents who had paid their dues for the current year as this information is required in the awards process. Chuck said he would send this to Charles via email.

At the suggestion of Arnold, Barbara motioned to have the financial reports approved as rendered. The motion was seconded and it passed.

Nell Anne circulated a Real Estate Report showing YTD activity comparisons vs. prior year period for the Irving/Las Colinas/Valley Ranch area as well as for surrounding cities.

On behalf of Jim Wells, John announced the Directory Project that Jim had been coordinating was now completed. Copies of the new 2009 UH Directory had been distributed to all UH residents.

Arnold commended the efforts of Jim and the others who had brought this project to completion.

Charles reported that Kent Smith had tendered his resignation as Deputy Chief of Area B. As soon as Don McGee returns to UH, Charles will liaise with Don about the search for suitable candidates to replace Kent.

Arnold provided Charles with the 20 or so envelopes &/or postal cards from the mailings in late December for membership and more recently for the Spring Fling that had been marked Returned to Sender. Charles volunteered to investigate these non-deliveries and report back to the board at the next meeting.

Charles advised that the check from the City of Irving for the Community Grant for which UHAOH had applied earlier this year was now with the Great Flag Caper. These funds are needed up front for payment of the flags. Charles added that he would be preparing the "paperwork" to complete the grant process upon completion of this year’s Great Flag Caper.

Arnold provided Charles with a Green Neighbor Qualification form recently completed by a UH resident. In response to a request from Charles, Kathrine confirmed the supply of Green Neighbor medallions will be replenished.

Kathrine and Charles took the occasion to note that the original medallions had been made of plastic hence were insufficiently green. The new medallions are made of cedar with engraving to look very much like the original attractive design.

Charles reported on the recent Neighborhood Roundtable Meeting hosted by the City of Irving. Among the topics discussed were, the 2010 Census, Water Conservation, and new developments in Vector Control.

In response to a question from Arnold, Charles advised that there was a hiatus on the program to assist at the Farine School. Charles was of the opinion that the Superintendent who will replace Jack Singley might bring more awareness of the benefit of neighborhood participation in the school’s educational efforts.

Nell Anne advised that the new organizational structure for the Great Flag Caper was operating well and noted that this year’s Flag Program is dedicated in memory of Alice Martin. The flag display around the City of Irving to celebrate the 4^th of July is certain to be bigger and better than ever. The 501c(3) status is proving a bit difficult to obtain, however, but efforts continue because this is an important aspect for donations from businesses as well as individuals.

Nell Anne also related that the order for 25,000 flags has been placed and its arrival is expected in mid June. In addition Nell Anne will host a Pot Luck Dinner on July 3^rd and another newsletter about the Flag Caper will be issued shortly.

Barbara advised that she was pursuing the suggestion made by Pat for this year’s Deck the Hills event, i.e., enhancing the lighting displays and reducing &/or eliminating other aspects such as the live Nativity Scene, animals, The Magi, Santa Claus, choral group, color guard, hot cocoa, etc., etc. With this change in its scope, production of the event will be much less labor-intensive hence the need for volunteers will be greatly reduced.

Barbara asked for the names of key individuals who might assist in providing a more rigorous definition to the project. Arnold nominated Don McGee as most knowledgeable about the electrical engineering aspects. Kathrine offered to arrange a meeting with Scott Wilson of TLCA who oversees all of the common areas. Martin Kahn will provide Barbara will the name of a licensed electrician who has done first class work on other projects of this nature.

Before Fred could give his report on the Spring Fling he was greeted with a round of applause in acknowledgement of a job well done despite the inclement weather.

Fred was quick to note the contributions of others such as Kathrine with the design and mailing of the postal cards, Marqueax with the arrangement of the sponsorships for the Lucky Draw, and Pam Hale for the cheese and wine table that she created and staffed on behalf of Christina Gears through the most difficult conditions.

Fred remarked that some costs of the event are to be reduced from the original estimate as several activities as well as some amounts of food and drink were cancelled because of the weather.

John conveyed a message from Jim saying that Jim was studying weather patterns in North Texas to discern a more suitable timing for the Spring Fling because it has rained at the last several occurrences of this event. In the interim it was Jim’s suggestion that a Saturday in early June might be taken as this would keep it in the spring.

Chuck offered an alternate suggestion that the event be planned for the fall.

Arnold thanked Fred for his efforts and mentioned that a committee of interested parties will be meeting shortly to critique the event and seek improvement for next year.

In response to a query from John, Arnold advised that there were no developments to report on Barnett Shale leasing activity. The price of natural gas is quite low and the gas companies engaged in E&P activities in this area, such as Chesapeake and Trinity East, have curtailed their operations. Nonetheless, NEIAC continues to keep a close watch on the situation.

Kathrine Pennington noted that this is a very busy time of year for TLCA. She confirmed that Regent Cross Indoor Entertainment Center had been approved at the Special Meeting on April 15, 2009.

Kathrine circulated copies of the signage that will be displayed around the Water Street worksite and of the New Home Guide produced by TLCA. She also noted that the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce had established an office on the Mandalay Canal which area is under-going resurgence.

Kathrine mentioned that a presentation on the DART Orange Line was scheduled for11:30 AM on May 13^th at TLCA offices and all were invited to attend.

Pat announced that the Yard of the Month for May is 613 San Juan Court, the home of Anne and Tim Daly. A photo-op is scheduled there immediately after the meeting.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2^nd, at the Las Colinas Country Club.

At the behest of the president it was motioned that the meeting be adjourned. The time was 12:57 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Esther Nachimson,

Secretary