June 2011

Preservation Station, June 1, 2011, 6:35 pm, Amberley Pyles, presiding

Board Member Attendance:

Term ending August 2011		Term ending August 2012
		Anderson, Bonnie	X
Bromberg, Ryan	X	Donaldson, David	X
Carson, Ann	X	vacant
Forrester, Phoenix	X	Gonzalez, Moises	X
Grassel, Kathy	X	Grant, Steve	X
Hoch, Liam	X	Pyles, Amberley	X
Thornton, Karla		Spittler, Lee	X

Minutes from May 4 were approved.

Movie locations—David asked the Board if they knew of any neighbors who were interested in having their homes used as sites for movies.  Ann shared the names of neighbors who might be interested and noted that typically neighbors were paid for the use of their homes for a movie shoot.

Branding Huning Highlands—Jesse Arneson discussed the process he would follow in donating his services to create a logo and masthead for the neighborhood.  He asked for additional input from the Board and said he would bring one or two ideas to the August meeting.  He would be willing to modify the designs based on input at that meeting, but then he would be done.  The group discussed the descriptors for the neighborhood that had been selected over email and how the new branding might be used on flyers, newsletters, T shirts, and other products we may create n the future.  The Board thanked Jesse again for his willingness to donate his professional services.

Proposed parking lot at 119 Arno SE—The Board discussed the merits of a conditional use permit for a parking lot at 119 Arno, next to the old house next to the Standard Diner.  Typically once a property has been granted permission to be used as a parking lot, it never returns to a residential use.  In addition, the empty corner lot adjoining 119 Arno may also request conditional use as a parking lot and then practically the whole block would be used for surface parking.  The Board would like to see a use that added more vitality to the neighborhood.  The Board voted 8 to 1 (with 2 abstentions) against the request for a conditional use permit for this property to be used as a parking lot. The property owner has requested mediation from the City with the neighborhood and Moises agreed to head up the neighborhood team that would attend the mediation.

Proposed destruction of the parking lot near the Press Club—Birgitta Gabel, a neighbor who lives across the street from the Press Club, spoke to the Board about her frustration in getting the Press Club to limit loud music on the back patio.  She compared the noise to that from a frat house and said it often lasted past midnight.  Amberley explained that the City’s design team for remodeling the park has called for the destruction of the parking lot at the top of the hill, near the Press Club.  The Press Club is opposed to the destruction of the parking lot and said it would impact their business.  The Board discussed the value of having a bar that plays loud music in the middle of our neighborhood.  The Board reached consensus that it supported the City’s design that would eliminate the parking lot while retaining the circle drive access to the Press Club. David agreed to write a letter to the City on behalf of the Board stating this support of the City’s plan.  Ryan said he would get the name of the person at the City to whom David’s letter should be addressed.  Liam said he would also write a letter in support of the City’s plan since he is affected as a property owner.

Mother’s Day Tour—The profit from the tour was $2,000 and the Board authorized $500 to be used to acquire planters for the front of the station.

Block Party—The Board affirmed the August 21 date and authorized a $400 budget for the event.  Volunteers are needed.  Moises and Steve agreed to get a band.  Liam agreed to head up advertising. Food, decorating, and set up still need coordinators.

Energy efficiency grant—Ann reported that TACA had received a $3,300 grant to upgrade the energy efficiency for the station, including work on insulation, the garage door, and a cooling system.

Adjourned:            7:45 PM

Next Meeting:            Wednesday, August