Minutes of the March 9, 2009 Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Date: March 9, 2009
Time: 5:15 PM
Place: Neighborhood Resource Center
Exec. Committee Present: Pauletta Dunn, Kevin Carter, Lynn Remmark, Margaret Blakey, Randy Carpenter, Anita Kuhns, Fred Ellison, Jane Powell. Others present: Janice Parker. Copies to: Those present
Pauletta called the meeting to order at 5:15 PM.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Anita reported that she still needs a trailer and help to set up the “float.” If a trailer can’t be found, we will use Anita’s truck and put hay bales in the back. The trailer or truck will be decorated with streamers. Everyone who is going to ride on the float was asked to bring a bag of candy to throw out. Anita said she had hats, jackets, etc.
UNA Challenge Grant – Pauletta presented a document from Bob Horton entitled “Grant Beach Neighborhood Association March Update.” It outlined activities by UNA that impact Grant Beach. Discussion concerning the UNA Challenge Grant followed.
The group felt that the UNA mission statement didn’t sufficiently support the GBNA mission statement. UNA – “The Urban Neighborhoods Alliance is a non-profit community development corporation designed to inspire and promote revitalization and preservation in our center city neighborhoods through public/private partnerships, education and grass roots participation, ensuring a vibrant urban community.” GBNA – “We are a group of citizens interested in working together to maintain and improve the living quality of our neighborhood, motivate the city to address our concerns, be a spawning ground for neighborhood watch programs and build a sense of community among us.”
The group also felt that the priorities for the railroad money that were established at the January General Membership meeting should be respected.
- Sports programs for the kids in the neighborhood
- Nice signs to put up at the entrances to the neighborhood like the ones Mid-town uses
- Planting gardens in the neighborhood
- Neighborhood beautification (when folks come to the April clean-up, give them bulbs to plant)
Based on these concerns, the Executive Committee will recommend to the General Membership meeting that no funds be donated to the Urban Neighborhoods Alliance.
Baseball Update – Pauletta reported that the Park Board and Boys Club will be helping sponsor the Instructional Baseball League. GBNA will pay the Boys Club Program director a stipend to oversee the program and the umpires. GBNA will also pay the umpires. The league will start June 6 and will run for 6 weeks. The cost will be $5 for each child aged 5-12. Team should be formed by the end of April. Games will start at 9am depending on the number of teams. They will play at Grant Beach Park. Sign ups for the league will be promoted through the soccer list and the fourteen Caring Communities schools.
Lean & Learn for April 20 – GBNA is to be the host and the subject is “Kids in the Hood”. At the April 13 Executive Committee meeting, we will finalize the program. The location will probably be St. Joseph’s, but Pauletta will let us know.
Tire Toss – Pauletta reported that Becky Davis, the Grant Beach health inspector, had contacted her and was concerned about all the tires in the neighborhood. Pauletta had contacted the City about getting involved in a city-wide tire toss and they were very supportive even though they won’t be able to help. They said the last time there was a city-wide toss, there were some 5,000 tires costing some $10,000 to dispose of. Doing this will involve the DNR paperwork, getting lots of volunteers, finding a place, getting a tire hauler, etc. Pauletta to explore this further and report back at the next meeting. If we do this, it would not be in conjunction with our neighborhood clean up.
National Night Out – Pauletta reported that the national program will be on the first Tuesday in August. The Grant Beach National Night Out was tentatively set for the Friday before school starts – August 21. School starts August 25. Pauletta will talk to the Police Department before the date is set. (Since the meeting the date was set for August 28.)
Treasurer’s Report – Fred reported that current balance is $3443.39 with no outstanding accounts payable.
Secretary’s Report – The minutes of the February 10 meeting were approved as presented.
Camping Area – Margaret noted that her brother-in-law has 30 acres north of Springfield that would be available for camp outs.
Jim Butler and Sidewalk Support – Jim asked GBNA for $75 per year on an ongoing basis for fuel, weed killer, etc. The decision was made to have Jim present his proposal at the General Membership meeting March 16. The members could study it and a vote would be taken at the April General Membership meeting.
Gardening Lady – Pauletta noted that she will be coming to the March 16 General Membership meeting to talk more about gardens in the neighborhood.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.