Midtown Neighborhood Association

Minutes of General Meeting held May 16, 2000

Wright Elementary School

GREETINGS

Martha Cooper, MNA Vice-President called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Martha noted that she and David Kha would run the meeting in the absence of President Brad Holland. Martha welcomed Velma Hidden back from double bypass surgery. She also acknowledged new attendee Kelly Tracy and two guests, Jennifer Soyka and Katie from the Volunteer Center of Tucson.

 

MINUTES

Martha noted that access to the copy machine preceding the meting was not possible, due to on-going 5^th Grade graduation ceremonies. Only one copy of the minutes and agenda were available. She reported that she had reviewed the minutes carefully and they looked fine. On a motion by Anna Marie Patti and a second by David Kha, the minutes of the April 2000 meeting were approved.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT (David Kha)

Beginning balance of $2,277.62.33, deposits of $45 (tamale sale checks), expenses of $0.00 (bike club), leaving a balance of $2,322.62.

 

UPDATES

• John B. Wright Report (Martha Cooper in place of Lisa Langford) -

1. Martha noted that Lisa was busy at graduation and would not be able to attend the beginning of the meeting.
2. Cinco de Mayo - Martha reported the event was a big success with a wide variety of people attending and everyone having a "blast."

• Midtown Library and Learning Center (Martha Cooper) - an offer has been made on the property and the City is waiting to hear if it has been accepted. Martha noted that an additional $450,000 would be available for the MLLC, if the bonds passed tonight.

• Computer/Bike Club Report (David Kha) - The Summer Computer Training Program is about to start. It will be held from 6:00/6:30 - 8:00/8:30 p.m. at the TIARC Center on Grant. David is inviting people to contact him for more details on attending or teaching. Jennifer and Katie will be bringing more kids in to help with the Bike Club. David reported that tool loss was becoming a problem and that there were not the funds available to replace all the tools.

 

• Virtual Neighborhood Association (David Kha) - David noted that over 2 more neighborhoods have joined the VNA, and that two other neighborhoods have asked that their information be edited. The City is providing space for free.

 

• Green Retrofit (Anna Marie Patti) - Anna Marie showed the group a display board with the landscape designs for each of the different traffic-slowing structures and pictures of the plants, which will inhabit them. She reported that the landscaping on Village and Justin was done today. BICUS will install bike sculptures by the end of June. A four-way stop on Sycamore and Bellevue and a traffic circle on Bryant will be next. These projects will include 2 islands and 2 bump outs. Kelly Tracy noted that her neighborhood south of Pima would benefit from this type of program. Anna Marie said that they had limited budget for additional projects. The recently completed work for 3 blocks cost $200,000. She is working on ideas to fund projects for the entire MNA area. MNA may have to write their own grants to do it. Carol Clark (Councilperson Ronstadt's Office) noted that Fred Ronstadt is very interested in supporting such neighborhood improvements, especially as they reduce runoff and flooding. She suggested MNA invite Mike Holder to come out with maps and photos to show how the neighborhood is currently affected by flooding. Carol also held up an article from the Sunday Metro section that related how Congress is considering a tax credit for rejuvenating homes. She will get Martha a copy of the article.

 

• Neighborhood Speeding and Reckless Driving (Anna Marie Patti) - the discussion of Green Retrofit merged into a discussion of how those improvements have or have not slowed traffic. Anna Marie expressed a wish that the neighborhood would get behind the slow-down concept. She said that it is mainly residents, not traffic "shortcutters" who are the main problem. She asked that such a request be put in the next Newsletter. Bonnie Riley asked Officer Damonico what could be done about a particular individual who has been driving recklessly on her block. Frank said that if she could identify the individual and the car, report it to 911, and be willing to testify against the person in court (in the unlikely event it was taken that far) that the person could be fined. He further noted that it was his belief that it takes that level of neighborhood involvement to change bad things in a neighborhood. He cited the work of Jane Baker in the Balboa Neighborhood as a good example of this. Kelly Tracy suggested talking over the problem with the violator as a first step before calling the police.

 

 

• Other Reports

1. Introduction (Kelley Tracy) - Ms Tracy introduced herself as a 7-Year resident who lives south of Pima and had just heard about the MNA. She suspects mail forwarding problems had caused her to miss the Newsletter. She owns a non-profit organization that does cross-cultural art education, focusing on Cuban and other Caribbean cultures. She is very willing to help out with the group. Howard asked for help with the minutes and she agreed. They will coordinate later.

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Summer Schedule - Martha held a series of votes to determine the desired schedule for summer:

No Meeting in July and August - 0 votes

No Meeting in June, July and August - 5 votes

No Meeting in June and July - 5 votes

Martha made an executive decision to take the third option. The next meeting will be held on the third Tuesday in August. This should allow time to coordinate MNA activities with the opening of school and give us a jump on Halloween party preparation.

 

GUEST SPEAKER

none

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Bonnie and a second by Howard Ward, Martha Cooper adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:55 pm.

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