Reports

Minutes

University Hills Civic Association Annual Meeting Minutes

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. Thos eyoung me 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.

Minutes prepared by: Michelle Spielman

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Finances

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