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Minutes of UHCA Board Meeting

Meeting date: June 15, 2009
Location: Chris Liddy's home, 417 Delgado Drive
Meeting opened 7:07 PM

Present: Chris Liddy, Erick Swenson, Paul Bell, George Daniels, Louis Castaing, Bob Benedict, Rob Canzonire

Apologies: Michelle Spielman, Tracy Molidor

President's Report

Chris welcomed Paul as the newest board member and thanked everyone for their continued work in support of the neighborhood. He reported that the association is in a sound position to ensure a continuity of leadership. The expansion of the board from 7 to 9 members was wise. The association has made great progress in the way that it communicates; and he thanked Louis for the continuing work on the web site. Many of the ongoing grievances such as speeding, renters violating zoning ordinances and parking continue to be a challenge but he feels that there is a sense of action and that generally neighbors see the association as worthwhile. The involvement in the median beautification of many is a sign of ownership in our neighborhood and is welcome.

Moved: Chris Liddy; Seconded: Louis Castaing

Treasurer's report

Rob reported a balance of $5802.43. 76 dues have been collected. Down from 117 last year. A discussion about dues followed and it was decided not to raise them at this time. Many neighbors have actually suggested that we should. At present, we cover ongoing expenses and maintain a small balance. When this changes we can revisit dues.

Moved: Chris Liddy; Seconded: Erick Swenson

Agenda

Election of Office Bearers for 2009/2010

• President: Chris Liddy
• Vice President: Bob Benedict
• Treasurer: Rob Canzonire
• Secretary: Michelle Spielman

All positions were unopposed and unanimously accepted.

Meeting with City

Meeting With Steve Shurtz, city-parish Landscaping and Forestry director, regarding median redevelopment.

Louis has coordinated with Steve, Bill Reich, and the board to arrange a meeting on Monday 29, June at 6 PM at Chris’ home. If this needs to change, Louis will notify all board members.

Dedication

The idea to dedicate the renovations to Genevieve Collins was accepted. However, we need to determine what type of renovation will happen before moving forward with this.

Sign of action

A NO OUTLET sign has been erected at the front of the neighborhood. Thanks to Bob and Louis for following this up.

Hardcopy newsletter

It is decided that we will distribute a summer newsletter. This is an attempt to gather some additional dues. Chris will write a President's report and we will include news from the Web site. Michelle will edit.

Unkempt property

A long discussion about 4615 Tulane Drive. It is agreed that Bob will write an email outlining that the owner has not rectified his property and that we will proceed working with the city to have the place remedied. Bob made the suggestion that, if the owner will pay, we can probably organize regular maintenance.

Meeting closed at 8:35 PM.

Minutes prepared by: Chris Liddy

University Hills Civic Association Annual Meeting Minutes

University Hills Civic Association
May 31, 2009
5 PM

• Chris Liddy made opening remarks opening remarks and introduced the board members
• At the time of the meeting, 7 members sat on the board. The association voted to have nine members on the board so as to not lose too many board members at one time.
• Dues are $35 and can be paid online or by dropping off a check to the treasurer’s residence. The new treasurer is Rob Canzonire. His residence is 345 Centenary Drive.
• We now have 60 paid out members at the start of the meeting. Last year we had 116 paid members.
• Tommy Watts/ Bob Benedict/ Zoning Report

ZONING COMMITTEE REPORT for ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING, UNIVERSITY HILLS

During the past year we have been working on problems at 6 or more locations, concentrating on the four listed below. We have been successful with the first two and are making real progress with the last two.

545 Centenary — Dr.Eric Ponti, who previously owned the property, ultimately became convinced that the cost (probably both economically and politically) was not worth it and put the house up for sale. The new owners have really fixed it up. We should be very happy to have them as neighbors.

4665 Tulane Dr. — This location, which had been uninhabitable for several years, was pushed through the necessary legal process and was torn down and removed by the city. The lot doesn’t look so great, but it is much better to have the house gone. We will now be working on seeing what can be legally done, and when, to keep it from being an eyesore.

529 Centenary Dr. — This is the property owned by Frank Fontana, a New Orleans lawyer, who knows how to work the system, but that has not stopped us from making some progress. About a year ago we were able to work with the Parish Attorney’s office to get a judgment against him. He began a series of maneuvers to delay things, but we have persisted. I am waiting now to here from the Parish Attorney’s The Parish Attorney’s office informed me on 6/3 that a court date of September 21, 09 has been office about a court date being set to hold him in contempt for not complying with directives related to the first action. We have a few actions in mind with which to keep the pressure on Fontana.

4615 Tulane Dr. — This is, of course, the big eyesore at the intersection of Delgado and Tulane. As with the other pieces we have worked on, one of the biggest problems encountered here has been establishing meaningful communication with the owner. As of my latest and most recent contact with the city complaint office, they had not been successful, even though they have been sending registered mail to the supposed owner, a questionable mortgage company in Arizona. The city had had one mailing acknowledged, but no real communication. I am working on it. The Arizona owner was given, by the mailing from the city, until May 19 to clean up the property, but obviously that has not been done. I will continue working on it and would appreciate any information that would help me truly establish contact with the owner. The city office told me that they may have to go through the legal process of appointing a “caretaker” over the property to finally get the problems resolved. Meanwhile, I must ask you to please refrain from doing anything that gives the impression the house is occupied as that has been confusing to city crews or inspectors that have visited the house. After considerable effort, it now appears that the owner, David Bazzell, has come forward to apologize for the condition of his property. On 6/3/09 he wrote an email to the board in which he stated “I expect to have the initial cleanup completed within the next week, and I assure you that I will keep it maintained in the future.” Hopefully, we can depend on this.

McGlynn property behind Druid Circle — There has been activity by one or more persons during the past year who have wanted to purchase several acres along the bayou for the purpose of developing it. So far they have all been discouraged from doing so upon learning that they would face serious opposition to the rezoning that would be required for the projects they had in mind.

Please send me an email (rcwbsr@aol.com) or call me at 769-1401 if you want more information, have information you can provide, or want to work with our committee on these projects.

• Tommy Watts says that we have no restrictions to property in the University Hills neighborhood. He will look into the protocol to developing property restrictions and then present them to the board for review.
• Bill Reich Presentation

Bill Reich, of Reich Associates, landscape architecture and land planning, presented to the Association members landscape design plans for the front medians on Delgado.

Submitted by Michelle Spielman

Minutes of previous annual meetings

Meeting Date: May 18, 2008
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
Place: University Hills median on Delgado

Present: MaryAnn Coleman, Erick Swenson, George Daniels, Merrill LaPlante, Karen Deville, Louis Castaing, Sharon Collier, Elizabeth Wilton, Marsha Baker, Jim & Sharon Rivet, Ken Hoffstetter, David Lindenfeld, Jerri Becnel, Tom Wilton, Noel Hammatt, Margee Fawley, Bryan Carstens, Philip & Laura Wolfe, Jean McGuire, Rachel Guidry, Mary Speyner, Jen Roach, Andrew Whitehead, Rebecca Hall, Michelle Spielman, Bob Benedict, Elizabeth Spanhoff, Chris Liddy

Old Business

President's Report
University Hills President Chris Liddy recapped the minutes to the 2007 Annual Meeting which included the installation of the officers as well as a background report from Clyde Day on the progress that the civic association has made in protecting the rights of the residents and enforcing city laws for A-1 zoning.

Liddy then reported on the progress of this year’s Civic Association’s Board of Directors and Steering Committee. He reported that all 2007-2008 Board of Directors have agreed to serve for the 2008-2009 year. Therefore there was not a need for a vote of the officers. He said that Board of Directors met this year and accomplished the following initiatives.

• Created the University Hills Civic Association Web site. This Web site was developed by Louis Castaing. Castaing currently serves are the Web master. The Web site address is www.universityhills70808.net
• Formally incorporated the civic association with the Secretary of State’s Office.
• Under the incorporation UH Civic Association now has a set of articles and bylaws that details the purpose of the incorporation, dues structure and voting powers. he articles and bylaws are posted to the University Hills Website.
• Made progress with the city parish attorney’s office on the enforcement of A-1, single-family zoning in the neighborhood. Liddy recognized Bob Benedict and Van and Clyde Day on their efforts to get landlords to comply with city-parish zoning laws.

Liddy thanked the Board for their efforts for the year. Board members include: Christopher Liddy (president), Michelle Spielman (vice president), Sharon Collier (treasurer), George Daniels (secretary), Erick Swenson (board member), Louis Castaing (board member), Robert Benedict (board member).

Liddy asked that all present to stay up-to-date on the progress of the neighborhood throughout the year by visiting the University Hills Web site on a frequent basis, He also encouraged the neighborhood residents to send content to Louis Castaing at web@universityhills70808.net for classified, ads restaurant reviews, photos, etc...

Liddy also thanked the young men that mow the University Hills median. Those young men include: David LaPlante, Jared Rivet and Marshall Watts. Liddy mentioned if other youngsters would like to be a part of the mowing rotation, please contact him at president@universityhills70808.net

Treasurer’s Report
Sharon Collier reported that the University Hills Civic Association has $2778.01 in its bank account. Since the call for dues in late April-early May, Collier has received checks from 36 households out of the more than 222 households. She reported that last May the association held $3,135 in the bank at this time.

Currently, the association is collecting dues for the 2008-2009 year. Those that were present at the meeting were asked to submit their $35 dues check to Collier or drop it off to her address, 505 Polytech. Collier reminded that dues goes to paying for the upkeep of the entrance and median at the front of the subdivision, dues to the Federation of the Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations and for other repairs and projects that the neighborhood, decides to take on.

New Business

1. Liddy reported on the work that Bob Benedict has done to get the city-parish attorney’s office to enforce its own laws on A1 Zoning (See Zoning on the UHills Website for details and definitions). Currently Benedict has been successful in reeducating landlords of zoning laws and their current violations.

While Bob’s efforts have improved the situations at houses in violation, rental homes are constantly changing hands and the association sees that there needs to be a clearer message sent to rental landlords that this neighborhood will continually enforce A-1 zoning. To assist with continual education of our commitment to enforcement, the association leadership is considering the purchase of signs for residents to place in their front yards, near homes that are typically rented.

2. Liddy reported that UHills resident Dan Andrews will chair a committee to devise a plan to renovate the front median and UHills entrance. Currently, Dan is seeking other residents to serve on the committee which will take the next six months to make recommendations to the board and the membership. These changes will be in place in time for the next annual meeting in May 2009. To become a part of the committee or offer suggestions e-mail Andrews at landscaping@universityhills70808.net.



3. Liddy then opened the floor to questions by those present.

Sharon Rivet asked about if there were plans to repair the broken street signs? Liddy reported that the association was working to determine who originally erected the signs so that contractor could help to do the repair.

Laura Wolfe offered to scout the neighborhood for the damaged sign and report back to the Board with what she discovered.

Andrew Whitehead asked about the appropriate use of the neighborhood’s e-mail distribution list and asked if it could be used to let neighbors know about items being given away, sold, etc.. Liddy recommended that all UHills residents take advantage of the classified section of the UHills Web site to post notifications.

Following the meeting all we invited to participate in a tree dedication and blessing ceremony to memorialize University Hills past president John LaPlante who died in April 2007.

Meeting adjourned at: 6:30 p.m.

Submitted by Michelle Spielman

Reports on meetings of the Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations

I attended the Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations (FGBRCA) meeting on Tuesday night, May 13, 2010. The general topic of the meeting was ideas on communicating with members of your association. The presentation (to be posted on the FGBRCA web site which is currently being revised) focused on what to communicate (information, rules, violations, and events) and various means to communicate (letters/postcards, newsletters, flyers, emails, phone trees, websites, info-boards, meetings).

Representatives from the various associations shared various methods that they employ to communicate with their association members. These included social functions (crawfish boils), quarterly “Town Meetings,” block captains who host get-togethers and “Porch Parties.”

Several associations stated that they send out newsletters on a regular basis (quarterly to monthly). The associations that do this use an on-line bulk mailing service. They upload the info to the service that then mails the newsletters to a list of addresses. There was some discussion about placing advertisements in the newsletters. Several associations do that for a business that is close to their subdivision. The income from the ads usually covers the cost of printing and mailing.

Country Club does not put ads in their newsletter but does distribute a “service directory.” It was pointed out that if you have ads you should put in a disclaimer. Another item talked about was having a “neighborhood mailbox” at the entrance of the subdivision where residents can place comments and concerns.

The Federation would like to see more participation in the ongoing master plan meetings known as FUTUREBR. Attendance at the last meeting was poor. The civic associations were vocal about planning and should be attending the meetings; ideally, the entire board from a subdivision would attend a meeting. The take away message was “Don’t be upset about where Baton Rouge is headed if you don’t supply any input at the meetings.” (Editor's note: UHCA has joined FUTUREBR as a member organization. Individuals can also join. Click here for more information.)

There were a few “legal” issues mentioned: The disclaimer on any advertisements; check newsletter content carefully if anything is being presented as an official statement from the association. The last item was to be sure that your elections properly followed your Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation especially concerning proxies.

The Federation meetings for the rest of 2010: June 10, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9. The meetings start at 7:00 pm at the BREC Tennis Facility (7500 Independence Blvd).

Erick Swenson
Vice-president and board member, UHCA
628 Centenary Drive
769-2177
vice-president@universityhills70808.net

Meeting with Councilman Bourgeois (3/19/09)

On March 19, 2009, the University Hills Civic Association board members met with District 12 Metro Councilman Rodney “Smokie” Bourgeois at the home of UHCA President of Chris Liddy.

The purpose of the meeting was to meet our new councilman and to make him aware of the concerns of University Hills residents.

Topics covered with Councilman Bourgeois included:

1. Abandoned houses at 4615 and 4655 Tulane Drive
2. Violations of A1 zoning at 529 and 545 Centenary Drive
3. A request to reduce the speed limit on throughout the neighborhood from 30 to 25 or less
4. A request of the city to erect “Children at Play” and “No Parking on the Median” signs near the entrance of the neighborhood
5. A request to repair public sidewalks on Highland. Also a request for sidewalks being built between UH and Lee Drive
6. A request for signalized pedestrian crosswalks to be created at across Highland Road at LSU Avenue and across Stanford Avenue near West Lakeshore Drive
7. Gate entry and exit violations at the Highland Estates Condominiums onto Highland Road
8. His support of the UH neighborhood to apply for a city landscaping grant to improve the neighborhood entrance and median

Bourgeois took copious notes at the meeting and promised to investigate these concerns. He also shared his personal cell phone number with president Chris Liddy and other board members.

Submitted by Michelle Spielman

Questions about Association finances? Contact treasurer@universityhills70808.net.