Neighborhood Business:

Elections for Officers of Neighborhood Association were held and the following officers were elected:

President: Shawn Babb

Vice President: Walter Dunlap

Treasurer: Norman Albrecht

Secretary: Heidi Sowards

Petition for speed bumps has been turned in we are waiting for the research to make sure all the requirements are met to allow the speed bumps. (Spring Valley)

Collection is still going on for the landscaping project for the corner of Judson and Creekway. Norman reported the amount deposited and collected so far for the project. The idea was also discussed to set up a street collecting bucket. If every house just donated 5.00, we would have enough to really make a difference.

A clipboard was passed out to sign up to help with the landscape project.

A vote was taken on whether those at the meeting agreed with a petition made by a pre-k babysitter in the neighborhood. She was petitioning for the rezoning of her home to allow up to 12 young children in her home to care for. She currently can have up to 8 children in her home. She had complied with all the state requirements which included talking with her immediate neighbors for their approval. She had their agreement and as a courtesy had called Shawn to inform him of what she was doing. The vote was approximately 50% against and 50% in favor, so the association was neutral to the request. We will not approve or disapprove at this point.

Guest Speaker:

Fabian Molina to talk about graffiti.

Graffiti is big a business-organized. Businesses are selling equipment and information regarding graffiti on the internet.

Call 311 to report any graffiti (specific address if possible)

-if public property, they will clean it off

-if private property they are only responsible to clean it if the business is a rental property they own.

-public property has 48 hrs. to respond.

-a master list for other agencies such as AT&T, SAWS, is availabe with contact numbers. The #311 has the list.

-Traffic signs, signal boxes, drainage channels, retaining walls, curbs, sidewalks and Parks can be reported to 311 (24/7)

Volunteer clean-up program is available. You give them the number of volunteers and they will supply you with a clean-up area, supplies, paint, etc..

Free paint for the clean-up of graffiti is available at the cities recycling stations.

Two Handouts were given, one was the list of Graffiti Abatement Plans for Utilities and External Partners which included their reporting numbers and e-mails. The other handout was Smart Steps to a Toxic Free Home. It contained information on household hazardous waste products and their proper disposal, where the drop-off center is located (7030 Culebra, and a list and recipes for alternative products that are less harmful to the environment.

Police Report:

Officer Bishop’s partner spoke about our neighborhood.

-Reminded us to be vigilant in watching and reporting suspiscios behavior in our neighborhood.

-Parking the wrong direction at the curb or blocking the sidewalk with car will be ticketed this month.

-Four wheelers have been spotted. Please report them and they will be ticketed. They always cross private property to get where they are riding which is illegal.

-Police officers are making a great effort to move out the homeless from their camps in this area. If you find one of their campsites please report the location to the non-emergency police number. Give as much location and information as you can. They have moved several campsites and it is against state law to do what they are doing.

-Again, be vigilant and keep an eye out for yourself and your neighbor.

Other:

Shawn Babb went with Counselman John Clamp to Austin to talk with the legisilators regarding graffiti.

-Learned that the legislators are working to improve rules and regulations regarding graffiti.

-Legislators are trying to pass stiffer penalties for perpetrators of graffiti.

-Let the legislators know how you feel by writing a short note by e-mail regarding this issue. They pay attention to those who take the time to let them know how you feel on issues.

A Drawing was held for a $25 gift certificate to Walmart. (Joyce Jacobson won the prize.) She was the closiest to guess how many jelly beans in the jar.

Next Meeting will be May 14, 2009.