January 2006 Minutes
A Summary of the Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2006
7:00 – 8:30pm
Clark School Library
The meeting was called to order by Chris Gensic, President.
1. By-laws and officers
Nominations for officers were received. Mr. Gensic noted that officers and a board are necessary for formal establishment of the nonprofit organization; together with
bylaws, they make the organization eligible for grants and create a tax deduction option
for contributions by businesses and private underwriters.
Nominations and offers to serve had the following results:
Chris Gensic agreed to continue serving as President
Elizabeth Smiley agreed to continue serving as Treasurer
Mare Hunter volunteered to serve as Secretary
John Sweet, John Woodruff and Rob Iten agreed to serve on the Board
Copies of the by-laws were made available to those present at the meeting; it
was agreed that line-by-line readings would be possible at home, with a formal reading
set for the next Association meeting (February). Mr. Gensic offered to field individual
questions in the meantime.
2. Dues
Ms. Smiley noted that the Association does not have a clear demarcation for the collection of dues; she suggested that the Association operate on a calendar year,
making the $6 membership due and payable in January of each year. All agreed.
3. Meals on Wheels
Mr. Gensic stated that Meals on Wheels still seeks a volunteer to deliver
in the Belmont-Carlton area. He noted that this job requires about 1 hour at lunchtime
one day per week. Contact cvillemeals@earthlink.net or at 293-4364. Meals on Wheels
has is also hosting a tour of remodeled (or otherwise interesting) kitchens in the neighborhood, which is intended to be a fundraiser for that organization.
4. Project / task force updates
Traffic: Although the likelihood of posted (reduced) speed limits in the neighborhood is reduced by the vacancy in the post of City traffic engineer, Mr.
Gensic suggested that a citywide speed limit of 25mph might be possible with
a City Council vote. This issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting of
the federation of neighborhood associations with Mayor David Brown and
City Manager Gary McConnell set for January 19.
Schools / PTO: The plan to make bike helmets available at the recent
Clark School Carnival was quashed by bad weather, and the helmets are in
storage. Mr. Gensic said he will bring them out again in the spring.
Development: Developers of the construction at Avon and Palatine have given permission for anyone wishing to salvage bushes and small trees from the property.
Treasury: Ms. Smiley reports that the Association bank balance is running
a negative balance of about $20. (See the note above regarding dues collection.)
Mr. Gensic, Ms. Smiley and Ms. Hunter will meet at 625 Monticello Road at 7pm on Thursday, January 19 to discuss the matter. All are welcome.
Newsletter: T&N Printing has been printing our newsletters as less than $.05 per copy. The group discussed whether any of our local businesses might be interested in underwriting the cost of bulk mail delivery in exchange for a small advertisement in the newsletter. This subject was tabled, pending further discussion during the January 19 meeting.
5. Oral history project update
No one had anything to report; Mr. Gensic noted that tape recorders are still available from the Historical Society. He suggested that a writer might team up with
someone using a videocamera, (preferably a digital one.)
6. Items for the January 19 meeting
Mr. Gensic invited those in attendance to submit ideas and or questions for the meeting scheduled for January 19 with the Mayor and City Manager. Ms. Hunter asked
about a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Carlton Road and Monticello Road.
After several creative suggestions from others, Mr. Gensic noted that narrowing of that
intersection has been / is being discussed. (?)
7. Next meeting
The next regular meeting of the Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association will be February 13 at 7pm in the Clark Elementary School Library.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
