November Meeting Minutes
6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding
Board in attendance:
Carson, Ann
Anderson Bonnie
Cooke, Fiona
Grassel, Kathy
Gonzalez, Moises/Thornton, Karla
Lantry, Ruth
Redford, Bruce
Tanner, David
Sturge, Ben
Trefethen, Salley
Dobin, Howard
Here is a summary of the HHHDA meeting on November 1st.
Minutes from the October meeting/election were reviewed and approved.
Officer Report
Officer L. Davis, Crime Prevention Specialist from APD did not attend.
Holiday Hijinks
Greg Swyden of Fundraising Nonprofits LLC was introduced to the assembled by Fiona Cooke, who co-chairs the committee with Bruce Redford. Greg shared that he only charged us a small fee to get our new, hopefully annual, fundraiser started. He detailed his fifteen years of non-profit fundraising experience. Greg also gave background on how Crossroads for Women was chosen to share in 50% of our fundraising efforts.
He explained the online auction process, which will be done exclusively online. It will be very much akin to a live auction but done electronically over our smartphones. Items will be on display at the event, which will be held on Saturday December 2 nd at the Press Club from 5 to 7 PM. Bidding will close at 6:15 PM to properly assess the winning bids and distribute the items to the winners. Arrangements will be made between the committee, Greg, and winners not in attendance to collect any items. Greg will be at the auction to deal with any issues and to close the auction bidding process. The online auction is projected to go online Wednesday November 22 nd for bids.
The committee is still hopeful that there will be more items and services donated. Bruce related that three tables will be set up to display items up for bids. He asked the group to consider donations of easels to display the artwork. There was a suggestion of asking schools within our neighborhood for loans of easels.
Bonnie enlisted volunteers to post the colorful flyers like we did for the annual meeting. It is hoped that the flyers will be posted on or about the start date of the auction to limit their possible exposure to rain damage. Fiona thanked Nancy for designing our flyer.
Central Overpass
Howard Dobin gave an update on the proposed overpass. He and Carlos Villegas attended an informational meeting given by the city at the Alvarado Transportation Center in late October. The southern pedestrian underpass has been closed as part of initiating construction. It will not be reopened, but the northern pedestrian underpass will remain accessible until the southern pedestrian at-grade crossing is completed and construction on the northern pedestrian at-grade crossing is commenced.
The path to the southern underpass and part of the sidewalk to the RailRunner will be fenced off. The first phase of construction will involve determining what exactly is under the sidewalk to the RailRunner to better understand how to best construct the new pedestrian crossing. The gathered city officials, architects, engineers, designers, and construction firms project that actual construction will begin in the Spring of 2024 and be completed before the end of 2025. Howard and Carlos will continue to keep reporting updates to our association.
It was expected that the city would have sent a representative to our November meeting, but they neither contacted Bonnie nor attended.
Art Bus Lane Curbs
Harris reported on the installation of curbs which inhibit the crossing of the Art Bus lane. He thanked all fellow 311 callers about this issue for helping to bring this solution to fruition.
Good Neighbor Recognition
Bonnie proposed a 3’x2’ metal, two-sided sign with metal posts to be displayed by the recipient on their lawn or balcony at the cost of $260. The design and the expense were both approved by the board. Anyone can nominate a Good Neighbor. Recipients will be voted upon by the board.
TACA Gas Station
There was vandalism committed to the TACA property – 2 windows were damaged, and some locks were bashed. Bonnie asked the assembled to keep an eye out for the property.
119 High St
Homewise is making changes to the design of their proposal after a last month’s mediated meeting with neighbors of the property and issues brought up by Landmarks.
The meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be on Wednesday December 6th.
