ASNA Minutes 2005-Nov-14
7:00 P.M., November 14, 2005
Noel Suarez Residence, 1706 W. Carmen Avenue
President Kevin Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. Present were Julia Bunn, Chris Bayard, Kate Robinson, Harijs and Dace Friss, Art Gregg, Gary Forell, Noel Suarez, And Camilla Krueger. Stephen Christy arrived late.
Motion by Kate Robinson, Gary Forell seconds, approving minutes of September 11, 2005, and October 13, 2005 meetings. Motion passed.
Vereen Nordstrom, in absentia, provided the Treasurer’s report. As of October 11, 2005, there was $1694.51 in the general account and $363.904 in the Ravenswood Embankment account.
Kate Robinson noted she will supply a detailed report on the block party.
Committee Reports
Membership/Communications
In absentia, Linda Wallace sent word that her committee would be meeting this December to discuss a membership drive in the Spring and in the next newsletter.
Social: The group discussed the pros and cons about having a traditional Christmas Party, as was done in the 1990s, versus having a caroling party where neighbors could help trim a tree along Ravenswood, sing carols along with Audrey Morrison on trombone and possibly other instrument players, and bring some canned goods to donate for charity. The group agreed with this and selected December 11th as a date.
Community Development
No report.
Greening Committee
Co-Chair Julia Bunn reported that the Fall bulb planting day had been a great success, with over 500 bulbs planted along the Ravenswood parkway. She also noted that Co-Chair Stephen Christy and David Bier had re-seeded the entire parkway in late September, due to the failure of the original grass planted in May because of the Summer 2005 drought. The grass re-planted was the same as in the Spring and is supposed to be salt-tolerant of the City’s Winter dousing of that material. She noted that the neighborhood will have to wait to Spring to see the results, despite the lush growth apparent now.
She also noted that she had filed an “as built” report with the Greenscape grant project who had given ASNA a grant last Spring. All thanked Julia for her follow-up work on this necessity to show that grant funds were properly accounted for.
Julia then laid out a more intense effort for 2006 to have more neighbors work on the maintenance of the Ravenswood parkway. She recommended that ASNA buy a weed-eater and will prepare a schedule for bi-weekly maintenance sign-up for the January meeting. All, however, thanked Harijs and Dace Friss for their continuing weekly pickup of litter along the parkway.
Stephen Christy added that he will shortly be preparing letters from ASNA asking for corporate sponsorship along the parkway for 2006. The last time these businesses were solicited was in the Summer of 2004, and all present agreed that the considerable changes on the parkway since the Fall of 2004 should elicit strong support from those fronting on it.
Old Business
Kevin noted that Chris Bayard and Stephen Christy had, with some legal review, revised the ASNA bylaws, making them more accessible and understandable from their original and archaic 1986 version. The new bylaws are posted on the ASNA website for general approval at the January meeting.
Questions arose regarding ASNA becoming a full not-for-profit organization. Stephen Christy agreed to check with his lawyer as to why this was not recommended, and present the findings at the January meeting.
New Business
Kevin wants to project a budget through June of 2006. Julia Bunn will also prepare dates for Spring planting on the Ravenswood parkway.
The group agreed that meetings from now on will be held on the second Tuesday of the month.
Other Business
Kevin Thompson asked those present to check out “Chicago Cares” for holiday donations or volunteering. Chris Bayard noted that folks could also volunteer at local schools.
Kevin Thompson then presented Stephen Christy with the first-ever ASNA Good Neighbor Award, consisting of a thankful plaque and a gift certificate to Rioja’s restaurant. Stephen thanked all those present, noting that no good ideas come to fruition without the help of many in the neighborhood.
There being no further business, motion by Gary Forell, Chris Bayard seconds, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 P.M.
The Next meeting is 7:00 P.M., January 10, at the Christy residence, 1747 W. Carmen Ave.
Respectfully submitted
Stephen Christy