Archive for June, 2006

ASNA Minutes 2006-June-12

June 12, 2006

7:00 P.M., Gavin Residence, 1714 W. Winona St.

President Kevin Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. Also present were Allen Reed, Chris Bayard, Greg Ratliff, Kate Robinson, Trudi and John Gavin, Vereen Nordstrom, Camilla Krueger, Marv Anderson, and Gary Forell

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Forell, Reed seconds, approving minutes of May 8, 2006 meeting. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Nordstrom reported a balance of $1,089.45 in the main account minus $125 for the alderman’s recent fundraiser. There is a total of $2,689.45 in the landscaping account but that will be depleted once outstanding expenses are paid.

Committee Reports

Social

Chair Robinson reported that plans for the Neighborhood Party on July 15 are proceeding as detailed at the May 8th meeting. Donations from businesses for raffle prizes will be sought. Motion by Forell, Bayard seconds, directing that up to $500 be allotted from the ASNA general account for party expenses. Motion passed.

Membership/Communications

Chair Wallace reported that renewal letters were delivered to ASNA members. She encouraged board members to also pay up. Membership flyers will be distributed along with the neighborhood party flyers and there will be a membership table at the party. The person who signs up the most new members will get a free membership.

Greening

Gary Forell reported that Co-Chair Bunn has suggested that ASNA pay for someone to water the new plantings and cut the grass on the Ravenswood parkway, since few residents had signed her volunteer sheet for this. Co-Chair Christy had estimated the cost at $230 a month and contributions are welcome. Four families then volunteered to pay for a month:

Chris Bayard/Kate Robinson

Linda Wallace/Gary Forell

Greg Ratliff/Kevin Thompson

John & Trudi Gavin

All those present thanked these folks for their generous gestures. Checks should be made payable to ASNA and delivered to Treasurer Nordstrom.

New Business

Property Tax Increase

Forell and Gavin on a meeting at Bell School with a representative of the assessor office. They recommend two actions: Appeal your valuation and urge your state officials (governor, speaker, state senator and representative) to reinstate the 7% cap on tax increases. The group agreed to host a meeting on August 28 with an ombudsman from the County Assessor’s Office and to invite State Representative Larry McKeon (pro-cap) and State Senator Carol Ronen (anti-cap) to meet with ASNA at its September meeting. The Methodist Nursing Home will be contacted for a location. President Thompson advised that the State Legislature’s “veto session” in November is a critical time for legislators to act, should they choose to do so.

Other Business

Also agreed that the October ASNA meeting should focus on neighborhood traffic concerns and that a representative of the alderman’s office will be invited.

Adjournment

Motion by Ratliff, Krueger second, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 P.M. The next meeting is

Next Meeting

Monday, July 10, 7 p.m., home of Linda Wallace & Gary Forell, 5109 N. Ravenswood.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen Christy

ASNA Minutes 2006-May-08

May 8, 2006

7:00 P.M., Ratliff/Thompson Residence, 1712 W. Carmen Ave.

President Kevin Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. Also present were Julia Bunn, Trudy and John Gavin, Harijs Friss, Gary Forell, Art Gregg, Camilla Krueger, Cathy Leszczynski, Bill Montgomery, Gregg Ratliff, Kate Robinson, Kathryn Ruetz, Erich Schrempp, Linda Wallace, and Sara Wetzel.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Schrempp, Robinson seconds, approving minutes of April 10, 2006 meeting. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Vereen Nordstrom was unable to attend; Thompson gave her report. At present the Ravenswood Parkway fund has $1500.00 in it and the ASNA General Fund $1098.85.

Committee Reports

Social

Chair Robinson reported all permits in hand for the July 15 block party; her group will contact local businesses for support (except those on Ravenswood that contribute to the parkway work). Trudy Gavin joined this committee on the spot. Wallace further added suggestions of “Dancing at Dusk,” a talent show, and a neighborhood band.

Membership/Communications

Chair Wallace reported the latest newsletter is out. Trudy Gavin has found two new members. All dues are up for renewal on July 1; Wallace will hold a membership drive on May 21 and 22, with an e-mail solicitation as well. Trudy Gavin further suggested waiving the membership dues for whoever recruits the most new members.

Greening

Co-Chair Bunn reported all plans ready for the May 13 ASNA Greening Day, with flyers and posters to be sent out soon. Work starts at 9AM planting new bushes and flowers and picking up trash along Ravenswood. She further noted little success in getting people to sign up to maintain the parkway, and suggested that ASNA pay local labor to water the new plants and cut the grass. The group agreed and she will look into this idea.

Old Business

Garage Sale

Thompson noted this is set for June 3 with a flyer to go out two weeks before; a master permit will be pulled from the City for all those participating. All sales will be either in front of the houses or in back; this was not decided however.

Speed Bumps

Thompson reported petitions underway for same on Winona and the Winona-Carmen alley. There is some dissention however about installing speed bumps on Winona.

New Business

Graffiti

There has been a small rash of “tagging” on Winona; a bad house has three urchins believed to be the source of this. Thompson and Wetzel volunteered to attend the next CAPS meeting to voice ASNA’s concerns.

Aldermanic Relations

Alderman Schulter’s annual fundraiser is June 8. Motion by Thomson, Wetzel seconds, for ASNA to purchase one ticket to same. Motion passed.

Adjournment

Motion by Bunn, John Gavin seconds, to adjourn; the meeting concluded at 8:33 P.M. The next meeting will be at 7.M. on June 12 at the Gavin residence, 1714 Winona.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen Christy, Secretary