Oread Neighborhood Association
General Monthly Meeting - Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 - Plymouth Church

Draft Minutes

Vice President Rob Farha called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.

Rob Farha announced President Rose Moore will not be in attendance at the meeting, and she will not be running for re-election. Rob Farha stated that the style of tonight’s meeting will be different from last month’s meeting. During discussion of agenda items, Rob Farha will call on you to speak, and there will be a time limit on talking.

Copies of the July and August meeting minutes were distributed. Members were given time to read through the minutes and make comments. July’s minutes were approved as written. August’s minutes were approved with corrections. 

Agenda Item II: Report of Officers and Staff
James Hicks announced that there is no treasurer’s report. Matthew Long announced that the Fall 2010 ONA Newsletter is in the final draft and is awaiting approval by the officers following tonight’s meeting. Marci Francisco asked the officers for an account balance. James Hicks replied he did not know and did not have the books on him. Marci Francisco recommended that the account balances be available at the next meeting.

Agenda Item III: Urgent Items
NONE

Agenda Item IV: Committee Reports and Old Business
1. Loring Henderson, representing the Community Shelter, gave an update on the Oread Block Party scheduled for Wednesday, October 13th. He asked if ONA would like to co-sponsor the event which would be food, money, pot-luck dishes, and/or volunteering for setting up and serving food. He said to call 832-8864 and ask for Dianne Huggins. He said in the past ONA has donated $150.

Ted McFarland made a motion to approve donating $150 for the Block Party. Seconded by Rick Kupper. Unanimous approval.          

Agenda Item I: Approval of Minutes
Steve Watts made a motion to approve the July minutes. Motion seconded by McFarland. Unanimous approval.

Minor corrections and amendments to the August meeting minutes were suggested and made. David Holroyd asked for the responses Matthew Long received from the City regarding mailing lists. Long stated that he had received a residential address list from the City Utility Department and a property owner list from the County Clerk’s Office. Long said that he is in the process of comparing and combining the two lists for the newsletter mass mailing.

Rick Kupper made a motion to approve August meeting minutes with amendments. Seconded by David Holroyd. Unanimous approval. 

2. Elise Higgins announced that City Manager David Corliss and City Commissioners are discussing using city funds for the remaining money needed to initiate the Lighting Pathway Project. Other funding streams are also being pursued. 

3. Fadila Boumaza presented the Subcommittee on By-Law Amendments report. Much discussion on this topic ensued. 

Marci Francisco asked for the process of notification for the meeting and vote on by-law amendments and if the email list represents all ONA members. Matthew Long stated that the announcements went out through email and that the email list is basically the sign in sheet for meetings which is about 60 people. Marci Francisco recommended that a By-Law vote wait until next month’s meeting due to the notification requirements in current by-laws not being met and provide members with time to review and discuss. Discussion ensued on using email and the website as public notification and how members are currently notified of the meetings as well as if the Winter 2010 Newsletter or the recent emails sent out and website served as notification for the by-laws amendment vote. It was stated that a summary of the by-laws was only provided on the website and not in print form. 

Marci Francisco stated that proper notice was given in the Winter Newsletter for the by-law amendments; however, the concern is that the notice did not include a summary of the by-law proposed amendments as stated in the current by-law document. 

Rob Farha added that in previous by-law amendments, the same process of notification and approval took place and that past newsletters did not contain summaries or info about the by-law changes.

Steve Watts made a motion to vote on the by-law amendments. Seconded by Brandy Sutton. Motion approved.

Rob Farha stated that he would proceed through each amendment for individual votes. He stated that Steven Watts property is already included, so no vote is needed. 

Amendment 1: Printed Notice. Motion made to change language.  Motion approved.

Amendment 2: Striking Language. Ted McFarland made motion to strike language. Seconded by John Davis. Discussion on what publish means ensued. Motion approved. 

Amendment 3: Number of Board Members. Jeff Hatfield made a motion to accept new language. Seconded by Elise Higgins.  Motion approved.

Amendment 4: Tony Backus made a motion to accept new language. Seconded by John Davis. Motion approved.

Amendment 5:  Ted McFarland made a motion to accept new language. Seconded by Tom Devlin. Unanimous approval with 3 obstaining. 

Amendmet 6: District Representatives. Fadila Boumaza summarized the proposed amendment. Marci Francisco discussed the description of the district and its duties in the past and asked what the responsibilities are now. Marci Francisco stated ONA needs to make it clearer what is expected of a rep. She also brought up questions on representing more than one district and being able to vote more than once. Fadila Boumaza stated that the defining the role is important, but a rep should not be able to represent more than one district therefore not vote more than once. Marci Francisco stated that there is nothing in the by-laws to prohibit members from representing more than one district. Lois Schneider stated that property owners need more of a seat and need a clause to only be able to serve one seat on one board and there must be awareness of residents vs. property owners. Lois Schneider suggested designating the At-Large members one as Property Owner and one as Non-property owner and defining the roles of all reps. Dabid Holroyd stated that Deb Milks email needs to be included in the discussion. Brandy Sutton stated that the current by-laws make it possible for one person to be the entire board. Other members vocalized concern on who is representing them and how well they advocate for their district. 

Ted McFarland made a motion to approve Sec. VII. A.2.c. with the additional language “living or owning property in the same area.” Seconded by Sutton. Friendly amendment to include “living or owning property in the same area” in last sentence of same paragraph. Marci Francisco stated that it is important to have a clear idea that residents will serve on the Board because of CDBG funding requirements for residential representation. Lois Schneider stated that a way would be figured out to have both sides represented.  Motion approved.

Ted McFarland made a motion to table the non-consensus items in the Subcommittee Summary Report. Seconded by Linda Haskins. Discussion on the Conflict of Interest Amendment ensued. Marci Francisco stated that it would be helpful to have info of nominated board members and that it is not asking to prove info, just include property interests. Steve Watts made a motion to file minority report. No second. Ted McFarland reminded members of the motion to table the items and refer them back to committee. David Holroyd suggested to members that Jon Josserand needs to be present in order to present and discuss his ideas.  Motion approved to table non-consensus items.

4. Oread Hotel – Rob Farha commented that the first tailgate party was a flop, and that there were no plans for another tailgate for the 2nd or 3rd game.

5. Boarding House Amendment – Rob Farha commented that the Planning Commission is stuck on the parking density requirements and the amendment has been deferred back to staff for recommendation. Rob Farha also added that they are looking at requiring every property to have an on-site manager, not just for current boarding houses but also apartments complexes also.

6. Drop-In Center no report

7. Up date on Port – a – Potty no report

8. Community Garden water installation – Tony Bachus stated that its done. He said ONA will pay for the first 3 months then review the bill to determine continuation. 

9. 11th & Indiana – It’s a 4-way stop now!

10. Board Nominations – None Received

Motion to extend meeting to 9:15.  Motion Not Approved.

11. 1043 Indiana – It is surrounded by orange netting and site has been graded

12. CDBG 2011 Projects – Water Meter in Community Garden; 14th & Tennessee Pedestrian Crosswalk because of dangerous corner, have crosswalks and lights similar to Lawrence Arts Center.

Marci Francisco announced that 1043 Indiana has requested a demolition permit. Rob Farha announced that City Commission had approved the ONA Plan although concern remained on the wording for Overlay Districts. Rob Farha said that the Wheel and the Hawk were granted Mixed Use zoning definition.

David Holroyd made a motion for the secretary to write a letter to LAN asking if it is in favor of overlay districts. Seconded by Marci Francisco. Motion Not Approved.

Marci Francisco announced that it was her last meeting on the Committee that oversees the CDBG program. 

Elise Higgins made a motion to end the meeting. Seconded by Phil Hemphill. Motion Approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm. About 50 members attended the meeting.