September 11, 2007
GENERAL MEETING Minutes
8TH FLOOR Commission Chamber

CALL TO ORDER by First Vice President, Dr. Elizabeth Hayes at 7:30 PM followed by the
PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE.

Patriots Day Message was read by Dennis Ulmer (Attachment A) followed by a moment of silence.

ROLL CALL BY 2nd Vice President – Tom Welch with 21 present, indicating a quorum of members present.  (Attachment B)
Sign In Sheet included (Attachment C)

MEETING MINUTES of July 9, 2007 moved by and accepted as submitted.  (Attachment D).

TREASURER’S REPORT was provided by Treasurer, Ron Centamore and it was moved and accepted.  (Attachment E)

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS
UPDATE:

Jeri Pryor, Neighborhood Services Program Coordinator, made a presentation entitled “Motivation!  Strengthening Your Resolve To Do Your Best” to encourage neighborhood associations to establish goals and encourage leadership.  Ms. Pryor provided a handout and related a number of ways in which neighborhood leaders needed to be goal oriented by consensus and build allies within the community.  She said she will be returning next month to test everyone on the handout and she expected everyone to read it and call her for questions.

Jeri reminded everyone that September 21, 2007 is the deadline for 2007 NCIP grant presentations and for anyone needing help to call her ASAP.

Police Captain Ralph Nelson was introduced and he briefly explained his role. Several questions were fielded about the numbers of officers patrolling and it was explained it will remain about the same due to vacancies. He also stated that Hurricane assignments have been made.

Update: Ad hoc Code Reform Committee – no presentation, as the Chair was not able to be present.  A discussion ensued requesting that the Council advise the Commission of continued concerns that there be no delay in review and implementation of the proposed changes due to a change in staffing.  By a motion and second, the President was directed to write a letter to the Commission and City Manager expressing these continuing concerns.  The Planning Department had failed to meet the last deadline set by the Commission and was given an additional 30 days to October 2nd to prepare a schedule and plan for implementation.  (The steering group of the Ad Hoc Code Reform currently is scheduled to meeting with Staff on September 28th to get a status of the report to be provided to the Commission on October 2nd.) Update

New Business:
1. The proposed budget report for the upcoming year was deferred until the October Meeting.
2. Neighborhood Services Night has been set for November 13, 2007 and members were encouraged to invite everyone to come and visit with the various department. Volunteers are needed from the Council to assist with set up and refreshments. 
3. Neighborhood Appreciation Day will be September 16th, 2007 for more information go to www.neighborhoodday.org.  A resolution was given to the Council acknowledging this date and setting it aside in recognition.
4. A resolution regarding AT&T and other utility cabinets associated with the currently approved House Bill 529 was discussed, moved and unanimously accepted to be submitted to the Commission immediately prior to the upcoming meeting.  This resolution has been submitted to all member associations for review, comment and consideration.
5. Upcoming CVC events were discussed with a project at Bass Park called for October 13th to complete the work started there in August.
6.  There will be an election on October 09th for the vacancy created in the District 2 –Representative.  All eligible candidates should present themselves at that time or call the President ahead to advise of their interest in running.  Each candidate should be prepared to give a 1 minute talk to tell the membership about themselves.

Old Business:
1. Crime and Public Safety Committee reported there will be an election of  a new Chair at their next meeting Wednesday, October 17th at 5:30 on the 8th floor of City Hall in the Cafeteria.

For the good of the Community:
South Middle River announced on October 13th from 8am to 3pm there will be Community Home and Garden event and sale. Contact the Jo Ann Smith, for additional information.

Dr. Hays read an e-mail send to President Ellis from Poinciana Park about new issues in their neighborhood.  With a spate of “smash and grabs” it has now been coupled with identify theft, credit card use and having keys to someone’s home and address. They also expressed continued concerns over the increase in drug addicts, dealers, prostitutes that is appearing in their area.  The e-mail was passed to the Crime and Public Safety Committee for action.

Adjourned
Meeting was adjourned at 9pm