NOBL
Minutes
January
13, 2009
Welcome!
Meeting was
called to order at 6:09pm. Present were Chair Robert Roosenberg,
Vice-Chair David Swartwout, Joe Berens, Kristi DeKraker, Executive
Secretary Walter Taylor, Housing Chair Andy Johnson, Marty Morgan,
Safety Chair Jayne Johnson and Treasurer J. D. Formaz. Guests
included: Marilyn Walker, Bonnie Johnson, Lynn Lenz, Brian Bremer,
Tom Bulton, Paul Haan, Dale Fitz, Gail Heffner and Carol Townsend.
Review of
Minutes
Bob
Roosenberg requested for a motion to approve the minutes from last
month: Phil McConahy made a motion and JD Formaz seconded; all were
in favor and the minutes were approved.
Presentations
Joachin
Martinez from the GRFD spoke about his role in our neighborhood in
regards to their community advocacy program. He also informed us of
certain give-aways and services that the fire department provides.
He will be available to answer any questions that we may have. His
contact information was provided to Kristi DeKraker. He mentioned
that the Kent Count Health Department received a grant to install
carbon monoxide detectors in certain at risk homes that qualify:
seniors, homes with children, and low income families at risk.
If you are interested in one, contact Joachin at
jmartinez@grcity.us,
or Kristi DeKraker.
Carol
Townsend and Tom Bulton (from MSU Extensions), along with the
assistance of Dale Fitz from the Grand Rapids Planning Department,
gave presentations about the new zoning laws; building orientations;
updates of the Area Specific Plan and Master Plan; definitions of
differing densities; signage; use regulations, and how to categorize
and determine structural building types. After the presentations,
evaluation forms were handed out, filled out, and returned.
Committee
Reports
Safety
Jayne Johnson
is gathering names for the Walking School Bus and several people are
already interested. They will meet in smaller clusters and hand out
questionnaires. Jayne will call the interested parties when school
starts.
Kristi said
that we have money available to make Walking School Bus T-shirts
too!
21 cars in
the neighborhood were towed just last month. It is up to residents
to call the city regarding abandoned and illegally parked cars.
Other than
those few instances, the neighborhood has been relatively quiet…
Housing
Andy Johnson -
Nothing to report
Finance
J.D. Formaz read the financial statement.
BBC
There will be a
Treasures & Oddities sale March 21, 2009 at Coit School at 10:00
am.
Doctor’s
Day at Coit School will be cancelled.
Picnic in
the Park & Softball game is scheduled for June 13th,
2009 from 12-4pm. There will be a softball game, remote controlled
car races, and hotdogs for everyone. Teams will be chosen before
each event. There will be a donation basket on hand for donations.
Items
needed:
Volunteers
Roasting
pan
18 pkgs
hotdogs
18 pkgs
hotdog buns
2 tables
from Clancy Street Ministries
Streamers
for the softball diamond and car races
Washable
spray paint for the softball diamond
8 posters
for the event
Ribbons
for 1st thru 4th Place
Donation
basket
(Those
wishing to play in the softball game or compete in the car races
need to bring their own supplies, i.e., bat and glove, remote
control car, etc.)
NOBL Informal
Executive Meeting
Robert
Roosenberg discussed how the agenda for our monthly NOBL meetings
should be e-mailed to each board member two to three days prior to
its being mailed out; by doing so, it would give those interested
in adding to, or revising the agenda, the option of doing so before
it goes to print.
There must
be more activity concerning the Treasurer’s role and
responsibilities.
Kristi
DeKraker: what is her job description?
TFOB/NOBL
joint effort regarding a fundraiser during TFOB’s Heritage
Days.
What grants
are being worked on?
There was a
discussion about holding a Neighborhood-wide Yard Sale as a
fundraiser and having food booths available. (Possibly held
during TFOB’s Spring Fest?)
NOBL/BBC
joint effort to hold a Flat & Flower Sale.
We need
active Board Members willing to participate and volunteer in the
community. If you sit on the board, you will be expected to
volunteer and participate this year.
Amendment
to bylaws: Is it possible to include that a NOBL Board Member’s
position is dependent upon their participation and volunteerism
within the community. A board member should participate in a
minimum number of events in the neighborhood if they are to retain
their positions of office. Failure to be active is grounds for
removal from office. (We cannot afford another ineffective,
lackluster board.)
Discussion
about reaching out to other parts of our community: Creston Plaza,
various churches and neighbors east of Lafayette; in an effort to be
a more inclusive neighborhood association.
Website for
NOBL: What was the cost of the blog?
Possible
TFOB/NOBL joint fundraiser on July 4th: Cookout at
Lookout.
Talk to
those at Creston Plaza concerning their Doctor’s Day and
BBC’s. Can we perhaps combine them to make it easier?
Invite pastors
from each church in the neighborhood to come and speak about their
ideas, their organization and what they hope to achieve within the
Belknap area. (Perhaps a different pastor each month?)
Parking
task force
There will be
work done to create a task force to discuss ideas concerning
hospital, GVSU and resident parking issues. Those involved will
send out letters throughout the neighborhood to gain interest.
Forming Bylaw
Committee
Chair Robert
Roosenberg requested for a motion to form a committee to look at
revising the NOBL Bylaws: Jayne Johnson made a motion and David
Swartwout seconded; all were in favor and the motion was passed.
NOBL
elections must follow a set practice of standards
NOBL Board
Member obligations: there must be a minimum number of neighborhood
activities in which each board member must participate or volunteer.
We were elected our positions to serve this community; therefore,
we should consider serving the Belknap Neighborhood as an honor, and
not a burden.
NOBL Board
Members should attempt to make a presence at every neighborhood
function.
We are also
working on disciplinary actions for those who fail to meet these
standards.
Both the
NOBL Policy and the Conflicts of Interest policy need to be placed
in the NOBL bylaws.
The first
draft of the Conflicts of Interest policy will be sent out by
e-mail (or mail) to all NOBL Board Members before the next NOBL
meeting in February 2009.
Every month,
drafts of the bylaws, policies and procedures will be afforded the
NOBL Board for their reactions, additions, revisions, etc., up until
May; whereby, we should have a final draft available.
New
Business
Area Specific
Plan Steering Committee: Set for January 26th.
Website
update: Marty will work to add job listings to the NOBL website
RFO for
continuation of city funding: Kristi needs motion for approval
for her to work on the grant. Bob Roosenberg requested for a motion
to approve her work on the grant: Jayne Johnson made a motion and
Phil McConahy seconded; and all were in favor and the motion was
carried.
Public
Comment
Marilyn Walker reminded everyone about the Winter Fest and that they
need some kind of lighting for the outdoor activities. To go to:
thefriendsofbelknap.org to find out more about the event.
Adjournment
Bob
Roosenberg requested for a motion t adjourn: JD Formaz made a motion
and Walter Taylor seconded; all were in favor and the motion was
carried. The meeting ended at 7:52pm.
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