January 14, 2009 Minutes

Minutes from the Jan. 14 meeting

January 14, 2009 Belknap Neighborhood Association Minutes
Kroger Highlands 2nd Floor Meeting Room
Present: Linda Bowles, Bill Braunstein, Nancy Carrington, Ann Coates, Paul Coates, Joan Combs Durso, Leroy Farmer, Ruth Fister; Jack Francis, J.D. Franklin, Officer Marc Hall, Clyde Lang, Mary Lang, Fred Maurer, Tom Owen, Chris Padgett, Rita Recktenwald, Dena Schwartz, Catherine Spalding, Linda Wilson
Board members excused:
President Nancy Carrington called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and thanked everyone for coming. Introductions were made. Agendas & Minutes were passed out.
Minutes--Secretary Mary Lang presented the minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting. Motion to approve. Second. Approved.
Financial Report—Treasurer Joan Combs Durso presented the financial report. The current balance is $1,620.66.
Police Report—Officer Marc Hall gave the police report.
Thanks to the Belknap Neighborhood Association for donation to Shop with a Cop.
Burglary: Several homes were broken into and valuables taken.
Robbery: Kroger parking lot-a woman was sitting in her car when approached by a male she knew. He took her purse and bit her when she resisted, then pushed her to the ground. Suspect admitted to robbery.
Theft: One vehicle was taken; several unlocked vehicles were broken into and items and money were taken.
Speaker Suggestions

* Neighborhood Helping Hands

* Mike O’Connell, County Attorney would like to come to speak.

* Nature Center has new programs, also rain barrels, and different programs to present.

* Gardener

* Portia Brown—native grasses and plants

* Rain gardens in public places

It was suggested to ask Portia Brown to come to the February or March meeting to speak about native grasses, and how they relate and grow in our different types of micro-climates
Bellarmine University dorm building meeting—Tom Fitzgerald met with neighbors to get their feelings.
Hearing was Jan. 14th. Tom drafted a list of conditions. Tom met with Tim Hagerty, the Bellarmine attorney, to resolve the issues. A large number of conditional approvals and problems with previous buildings that have been cited are being discussed at this time. The planning commission has passed Phase 3 with conditions for Bellarmine University. Jack Francis has worked with Tom Fitzgerald and the neighborhood and contributed details to the report.
Lisa Kilkelly will start the process on the 501(C)(3) petition.
Emergency sirens have been moved. There are sections of the BNA that can’t hear the current sirens. If BNA wants another siren, a home must be found for it. Several commercial property owners will be contacted to determine possible locations for the siren.
Council Person’s Report—Tom Owen

* Guidelines for Bardstown Road overlay districts have been finalized.

* Orange Basket Recycling program has been changed; the metro government is now in charge. If you have problems call Metro Call and e-mail Tom at Tom.Owen@louisvilleky.gov. or Metrocall@louisvilleky.gov and copy Tom

* Storm debris and early cold has put the street sweeping behind. The storm sewers are backing up. It is helpful if property owners clean the grates in front of homes.

* Junk Pick Up Dates for 2009: March 9, June 8, Sept. 7, Dec. 7

* Sidewalk on Newburg in front of Bellarmine will not be finished anytime soon.

* Sidewalk from Lakeside to Eastview on Bardstown Road will not be changed anytime soon.

Leroy Farmer reported that the landscaping at Douglas Loop has been trampled by some of the current demonstrators. In the future is there someone to check this out? Tom Owen indicated that calling the police and expressing a concern would be most effective.
Old Business—
New Business—Bill Braunstein was asked by Stephen Spanyer to give a report. The Plant for the Planet Arbor Day committee has $650 for trees and planting. They are short about $70. Tents and tables are needed. 13 buckets are needed for the saplings. Volunteers are needed for the sub-committees. There is a meeting scheduled on Jan. 15th at 7pm at the Pink Door (or Douglas Community Center if the Pink Door is unavailable). Brochures will be given out at the meeting. They are trying to give out 1000-2000 trees. Nancy offered to contact the Highlander to get some publicity for the Plant for the Planet Arbor Day event.
Free Theater at Actors Theater
10 top 10 minute plays from new playwriters will be presented.
Ads for the newsletter—Newsletter committee meeting is needed. Rita volunteered to be on the committee. She will have a meeting at her house in the next couple of weeks. Nancy will send out a notice.
Motion to adjourn—8:18pm

Next meeting February 11, 2009

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Lang

Secretary