May 08, 2007
GENERAL MEETING Minutes
8TH FLOOR Commission Chamber

CALL TO ORDER by President Genia Ellis at 7:30 PM followed by the
PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE.

1st VP Dr. Hayes asked for a moment of silent in honor of the death of Sarah Horn of Tarpon River Civic Association, a long time activist for her neighborhood, Council and the City.

ROLL CALL BY 1st Vice President – Dr. Elizabeth Hayes indicating a quorum of members present.  (Attachment A) Sign-In Sheet included (Attachment B)

MEETING MINUTES of April 10th, 2008 were moved and approved accepted as submitted. (Attachment C).

TREASURER’S REPORT was moved and approved as submitted.  (Attachment D)

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS
1. Dr. Pam Brown reported the outcome of her dissertation and use of the Council members as part of the study.  In addition, she invited the public to participate in the Education Forum to be held on May 21, 2007 see attached Flyer (E)
2. A legislative update was provided by Representatives Ellyn Bogdanoff, Jack Seiler and Perry Thurston on a variety of bills that passed and failed. Each representative provided their prospective on what needed to be done to address the current property tax inequities and discussed the upcoming Special Session on June 12th.
3.  Jeri Pryor discussed the up National Neighborhood USA Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. The City is hopeful that the joint NCIP Grant of the Council and Navy League will be selected as the winner of the National Community Award.

UPDATE:
Ad Hoc Code Reform Committee Report – Richard Mancuso
Concerns, Findings and Recommendations of Membership to City/Commission included discussion of the plans of the Council to solicit support from each of the District Commissioners to increase the priority of having the recommendations implemented.  The Committee is completing the final document and each District will assign members to discuss the urgent need for change.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Proposed Budget for upcoming year –   It was requested by the President to have the Treasurer draft up a proposed budget for representative at the next Board Meeting on May 21st, 2007.
2. A motion was made and accepted to continue the Neighborhood Services Night at City Hall this fall. The President will secure several dates when this may happen and obtain an agreement from the City Manager to support the event with staff.
3. Membership Drive -District Representatives are asked to contact all associations in their District and invite them to attend a Council meeting and to join.  Second notice Renewal letters have been mailed prior to our meeting tonight.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
Cate McCaffrey, Director of the Code Enforcement Department will be the presenter at the June 12th Meeting

COMMITTEE REPORTS/ASS IGNMENTS – Richard Mancuso
No report was made due to lack of action.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY
Doug Sterner – Old Progresso Village discussed continued concerns from their neighborhood regarding the difficulty in getting projects through the planning department. President Ellis asked him to provide his comments and concerns in writing to be distributed to the Council Membership to ascertain what issues other neighborhoods are having.  A discussion at the June Meeting on the problems will placed on the agenda.  All Associations are encouraged to bring their problems and concerns for further discussion.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 PM