The Board
Meeting of Edgemoor Neighborhood Association was called to order at 7:05pm on
September 22, 2004 at Fairhaven Library Fireside Room.
Interim
President, Sue Tercek and Interim Co-Secretary, Lauri
Grove were present. A Quorum consisting
of Board members, Committee Chairs, and approximately 20 members/residents were
in attendance.
The minutes
of the August 18th General Membership Meeting were approved as
presented.
At this time
a motion to adopt Interim Bylaws was requested by Michael Menard and approved
unanimously.
Interim
Treasurer, Lois Miles, reported as follows:
Closing balance $969.82
A detailed report was presented to
the President and Secretary to file.
A motion was presented by Sue Tercek to approve the President, Treasurer, and Secretary as signators on ENA checks and 2 signatures be required for amounts over $150.00.
This motion passed unanimously. The interim officers approved by the organization to sign checks are Susan Tercek (President), Lois Miles (Treasurer) and Lauri Grove (Secretary)
Interim
Vice President, Michael Menard reported that the committees are off and
running with lively discussions. He
encourages member/resident involvement.
Interim President, Sue
Tercek, attended several meetings and highlighted important issues. To begin, the city council at the September
13 meeting agreed to begin the removal of zoning laws from individual
neighborhood plans and include them exclusively in the Municipal Code. At the
September 20 meeting the council adopted a new Administration of Development
Code. This Code determines who makes land use permit decisions, how public
notices are issued, how decisions are appealed, times for permit reviews and
how land use plan and code amendments are processed. See the City of Bellingham
website for details. It is important to continue to voice opinions to city
council, planning commissioners, etc., and attend Growth Forum meetings (Sept.
23rd & Oct. 5)
Sue thanked Craig Moore for attending
Association of Bellingham Neighborhoods meetings (ABN) and she will take over
as Edgemoor representative for future ABN meetings. Several speakers presented information. A
STAR representative discussed the problem of Meth
labs in most of our neighborhoods. A
representative of the County Noxious Weeds discussed the dangerous
proliferation of invasive aquatic plants in our waterways especially the
“yellow floating heart”. And a
representative of the York Neighborhood spoke about the proposed Landlord
Ordinance. One special consideration
brought to the group was for the need to hire an advocate or attorney for ABN
to sort through documents and arguments presented by the city. Neighborhoods need their own representation
in order to make informed choices.
Guidance from the membership was
solicited on methods of communication. Most in attendance want frequent email
updates, newsletters and reminders to check the ENA website.
Bylaws
Committee report was presented by Michael Menard. The first meeting was well attended and the
group is still looking for a Chair. “Hot
topics” to be discussed and decided at this meeting are membership, dues, and
the size and structure of the board.
Communication
Committee report was presented by Chair, Kathy Kaiser. The Committee is
responsible for monthly newsletters, ads, signs, fliers, etc. Recommendations
were made to post locations of flier boxes and use the library as a deposit
site for ENA information.
Membership
Committee Chairman, Sandie Koplowitz was absent so her report was given
by Kathy Kaiser. We have 85 members to date
and continue to encourage membership through the website and fliers.
Neighborhood
Safety Committee report was
presented by Co-Chair, Austin Papritz. Residents concerns include emergency
phone trees, sidewalks, speed limit enforcement, pedestrian safety, and block
watch. It was noted the in some case these concerns can be taken straight to
the mayor by Sherry Gustafson at eh Mayors Advisory Board Meeting.
View
Preservation Committee report was presented by Chair, Paul Stephenson. The
group discussed trees, new construction, height restrictions, above ground
utilities and lack of local regulations.
Paul will look into how other communities handle view situations. He plans to attend a class on dispute
resolutions and mediation training.
Growth/Land
Use Committee report was presented by Chair, Brad Rose. Updating the Edgemoor Neighborhoods Plan is a
priority. As part of the process the
committees will hold meetings and solicit input from all residents. Once the
plan is revised the committee will present it to the members/residents for
approval. Also the Committee will keep
ENA informed of developments in adjoining neighborhoods and relevant public
notices. The next meeting is on October
13th at 728 Fieldston.
Please
consult the website for details concerning committee information, meeting dates
and times, as well as ENA news.
New Business
Interim Vice President, Michael Menard
moderated a discussion that lead to motions concerning several Interim Bylaws
and Operating Rules.
#1. Organization Structure – Discussion
was held by the Interim Bylaw Committee as to whether the ENA be a membership or a board driven
organization. Because resident participation and control is a priority it was
recommended to move to a Membership Structure immediately. In so doing the need
for Directors and Officer’s Insurance was avoided.
Motion by Laurie Renne, That Edgemoor Neighborhood
Association change from a Board driven to a Board facilitated/Member driven
organization.
Motion passed unanimously.
#2. Quorum - 10% of membership - majority
to pass a motion was suggested and discussed.
Motion by Paul Stephenson, That a Quorum for Edgemoor
Neighborhood Association be 15% of membership - majority to pass a motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
#3. Membership Dues - Presently set at
$15.00 per member (as defined in
Interim Bylaws).
Motion by Paul Stephenson, That membership dues be set
at $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for members 18 to 26 yrs old.
Motion defeated.
Motion by several members, That the membership dues
remain at $15.00 per member.
Motion approved.
#4. Board – a suggestion was made to
enlarge the Board to include Chairs of the Committees.
Motion by Bill Grove, That the Board consists of
the traditional officers which includes President, Vice President, Secretary,
and Treasurer.
Motion passed unanimously.
Closing
Future
meetings to be held at Fairhaven Pavilion in Fairhaven Park on 1st Thursday of month.
Next
meeting on November 4th from 7:00-9:00.
Meeting
adjourned by general consent at 8:45.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lauri Grove