Fairmount Neighborhood Association Board Meeting minutes, 02/5/2018

Board Members in Attendance:

Melanie, Geri, Sara, Sean, Deanna, Betty, Leah, Breinn, Susan

Special Guest: Fred Harper

7:10 call to order

Director’s Updates:

Motion made to approve previous Board meeting minutes, approved

Finance –

• current storage unit paid through end of February
• Debit card used successfully to pay FNA bills. Noted that we need to make sure to turn card over to new Director when they come on Board.

Promotions –

• Casino Party had great attendance. Made $634 in donations for drinks, made almost $1500 total from event (this fi. There were about 140 in attendance.  Great reviews overall, but a few areas that need to be addressed for next year:  Coat/Purse check area?  Should we have security present (considering the alcohol consumed)?  There needs to be more tables altogether.  Be more clear about the amount of food being provided to ticket holders (appetizer vs. dinner).  Also, more games next year!
• Cowtown Marathon coming through Fairmount, Brenda Howell and Martin Dahl organizing event
• Fairmount 5(k) – Joe Hyun continuing his work on this project, providing frequent updates
• Cowtown Cycle – wants to collaborate on upcoming events, such as home tour and home tour parade (they have their own insurance). Motion made to continue to work out program with Cowtown Cycle made, motion passed by Board.
• Garage Sale dates proposed – 4/14 or 4/21 (Sean will confirm no other big events happening on those dates before selection made)

Membership –

• Next Social 3/17 from 12-2
• Avg 12 welcome packets monthly
• Deposit made to Preservation Hall for 2018 FNA Holiday party (12/8/18)

Administration –

• Continuing to coordinate efforts for FNA cookbook. Will write quick story for newsletter and will talk about the cookbook at the next General Membership meeting
• Business Cards and Nametags complete for all who requested
• Discussion regarding storage – Sara is going to measure space at Bastion to get an estimate on the new space we need to rent

Infrastructure –

• Daggett is getting a new track
• Brief meeting with Mike Brennan, Near Southside. They are getting ready to move Micro Park to S. Main, breaking ground on hotel in March 2018
• Parking study still supposed to be forthcoming (which should encompass congestion, parking permit and truck loading zones) – being requested by NSI through city, possibly utilizing tif funds to pay for
• NEZ (Neighborhood Empowerment Zones – consensus is Magnolia no longer needs, but it would it would still benefit Hemphill area
• Still getting bids for park and greenspace
• Motion made that Breinn has authorization to pay landscape architect $299 or under, motion approved
• Fairmount Park was adopted by the FNA, which means it is the FNA’s responsibility to maintain, this was renewed by the previous board and carries through 2022.
• City needs $15k to install the water and electric at Fairmount Park, which leaves us with a budget of $35k for planting/design and other improvements
• Geri pointed out The City still owes us a tree for the “public art” (one tree died)
• Block captain project currently on hold

Preservation –

• Susan to check in with Archie’s this week to see if they are interested in sponsoring YOTM
• HP Ordinance Changes – city wants to be able to approve things at the City level without running it through the historic districts.
• Martin Dahl will create a Preservation Palaver flyer to be included in welcome packet for new residents
• Indow who installs interior storm windows will speak at February meeting and demo their product for general membership
• Chad Lorance (TRWD) and Eartha (Code Blue) will be rescheduled for future meetings
• FNA is a Society Member of American Bungalow, and has sent a discount code for FNA members to use to obtain a discount to subscriptions and subscription renewals

Safety –

    Next COPS class is 2/10 at the Felix Street Police headquarters.  Don’t wait till last minute to register for these classes because you must pass a background check before you are approved for enrollment

Communications –

• Please remind neighborhood kids to submit ideas for newsletter covers – theme for March is GREEN. Submit to communications@historicfairmount.com.  Deadline for March submission is 2/14.  Can be photography, drawing, painting, etc.

General Discussion:

• Julie Mathis working with Arise Africa to be a “Bonus Property” during home tour. Arise Africa has tentatively agreed.
• FNA has reviewed all information available surrounding Arise Africa and their restoration efforts and will continue to support them in their efforts.

Next FNA Board Meeting 3/5/2018.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm

Meeting minutes submitted 2/7 by Leah Suasnovar