Sept 5, 2008 Minutes

Madison Block Association #3
Sept 5, 2008 Minutes

Handouts: Agenda, September Newsletter, Bylaws

Toya called us to order.

Jason Schneiderman read the minutes from the previous meeting. The minutes were approved.

Stars of Hope Update:
-Lush Summer of gorgeous growth
-June & Tammy have been actively working with Green Guerrillas
-We’re contemplating a plan for a path for the garden—but materials are a question (bottles? something inexpensive?)
-The Summer’s Spoken word series in the garden was small, and ghost stories were told.
-Still Question about the fence—the city is not doing it—Michael and Toya will ask Ardnes (owner of 211, which borders the garden) about the fence.
-We need to re-register with the city, reconsider the names for the registration.

Maliza Joseph-Gabriel Reported on Public Safety
-Precinct Meetings have begun again for the fall. Last Wednesday of the month, 7pm-8:30pm, followed by dinner..
-There has been graffiti at 175 Madison, both times, we painted over it.
-Graffiti Free Brooklyn will paint over graffiti, but there’s a long waiting list.
-We don’t know who owns 175 Madison-- there are family issues, and it has been closed by the Police and HPD.
-We voted to approve $100 for painting over graffiti.

Finance and Fundraising
-Andrew stepped down as treasurer, handing over the books to Rachel, who will be acting treasurer (as per the bylaws) until an election next month, and the full election in December.
-Andrew updated us on the state of the finances.
-There were some issues in the account, because the account was under Andrew’s Social Security number, and his identity was stolen—but no money was lost.
-Although Commerce Bank waived our banking fee for the first year, they will now be charging us $25 a month any time our account goes below $1,000.
-We considered becoming a non-profit, but that costs around $800, and requires an audit and hiring an accountant and a lawyer.
-Michael suggested that 40 people lend $100 to the block association to be held in escrow to keep us at the minimum $1000.
-The account will now be linked to Rachel’s Social Security number.
-Maliza audited the checks, and affirmed that cheacks 1253-1504 were present in the checkbook that Andrew gave to Rachel.
-Dues now go to Rachel
-Toya will follow up on the bank fee.

Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your Neighborhood Award
-We WON!!
-We have to plan how to spend the $3,000—and our plan has to include media coverage.
-Thoughts for the money
-More Planters (approved, in a 6 to 3 vote)
-Fixing up the Garden (no agreement on how much to spend on the garden)
-Replanting some planters
-Another Planting Party
-Evergreens in the planters for the fall?
-Creepers that will hold water (lower maintenance?)
-Plants with thorns to discourage children from pulling them out.
-We want to reshuffle (Maliza has notes on which planters are well maintained, or not)
-Rachel pointed out that trees need 20 gallons of water a week
-Michael and Rachel will put together guidelines on planter and tree maintenance for next newsletter.

Youth Committee & Block Party
-Kisha wasn’t present, but it was agreed the block party was great.
-There is still no final budget for the Block Party.

Old Business
-Rachel and Patrick are taking the city class on Tree Pruning
-Maliza would like a reading series in the garden targeted to kids.

New Business
-Joe Ray died—the funeral will be on Monday. We will put an obituary in the next newsletter in his honor, as well as sending a card and flowers.
-Halloween. We voted 8 to 1 in favor of giving out a $25, $15, and $10 prize for stoop decoration. We’ll determine the candy give away at the October meeting.



Toya adjourned the meeting.


Attendance:

209 Michael Broder
182 Rachel Hernandez
182A Toya Williford
184 Maliza Joseph-Gabriel
184 Patrick Joseph-Gabriel
164 Fran Krause
180 Siri Farmer-Vergara
173 Barbara Hopkinson
157 Andrew Robinson
209 Jason Schneiderman