This was a special meeting to receive input from neighbors about the proposed BBQ restaurant at the old fire station.  After a brief introduction to the assembled neighbors (about 30) about the regular meeting schedule of the HHHDA and the issue on the agenda, Bo Barnwell (the restaurant owner) gave a summary of his proposal.  Then, in two-minute segments, neighbors shared their concerns about the proposed BBQ restaurant at the old fire station site:

Mayor’s Spring Clean Up—Ann said anyone interested in participating could get trash bags at the station and leave them there for pickup by Solid Waste.

Tree Project—For our re-treeing project, the neighborhood should expect to receive $25,000 this fall and the second $25,000 in the spring of 2015. Neighborhood leaders will be named, who will endeavor to get promises to water and care for the trees.

Park Renovation—After a long period of inactivity re plans to renovate Highland Park, Councilor Isaac Benton had a m

Public Restrooms—EDO is planning to add one or two public restrooms in the Central neighborhood area and we discussed the need in our area.  It was agreed that public restrooms were needed, but we think it would be smart to build them in a way they cannot be easily vandalized or toppled.  The park service has created a small but sturdy version.  Perhaps we could put some in the parking strip (near the bus stops) on Lead and Coal.  They would only take up the place of one car.  No decisions were made. 

Advertising – Website and Newsletter—We discussed whether businesses not located in the neighborhood should be allowed to buy ads in our newsletter and on our website.  Although no vote was taken, it was the feeling of those present that generatin

Easter Egg Hunt—Ann Carson announced that a neighborhood realtor, Lauren Austin, has offered to sponsor the annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt in the amount of $400.  The event will be held on Saturday morning, April 19, and Jackie Smee and Tom Coe volunteered to help Lauren and her daughter, Marina, with preparations.

Re-Tree Project—David Day and Fernando Delgado gave us a status report on the project to re-tree our neighborhood.  This all-volunteer project

Dickens of a Dinner—Ann Carson gave the board a rundown of the very successful Dickens of a Dinner that took place last month. The event made $1,788. Plaques given to hosts of houses on the Dickens route cost around $700, bringing net profit down to $1,000. Attendees totaled 66 people. Board member Joe Boyd brought eight women! Manny and Paul on the 300 block of Walter won the lighting contest and received the $50 gift card. Dave and Audra won 2^nd prize. Third prize featured horses inside a wagon at a house on Walter NE. We congratulated Ann for the 200+ hours she spends every year to recruit houses, volunteers, and stores, as well as managing behind-the-scenes tasks too numerous to list. Salley Trefethen added that the event is much more about community building than the money.

Project Innovate—Bonnie has been following the progress of the slow-but-steady UNM/private/public purchase of the downtown Baptist Church site that when built will provide an “incubator” environment for enterprising people wishing to investigate

Subway update—Subway’s appeal now goes to City Land Use (LULO), which will be based on Subway’s contention that the Hearing Officer’s decision was arbitrary.

Non-irrigated xeric plants in bulb-outs on Lead and Coal—No trees were planted in these six areas due to lack of underground irrigation. In the interests of keeping them alive through our hot and dry months, Bonnie Anderson, Lee Spittler and other

Block party/annual meeting—Feedback re the block party was positive. Newcomers to the neighborhood Amy and Larry said they were able to meet many people. Joni commented that the non-amped music was better suited to conversation and meeting people. Everyone agreed. The block party was a money maker: Moisés donated $40 in tips and donations from the keg; the raffle earned the chickens $170; and fees from first-time and renewing members garnered $92. Expenses were in the $200 range. Paid members voted for candidates for board for a two-year term.

New board member—Board member Jesse Arneson and family

Block party—Since the block party doubles as the annual meeting, the board planned a newsletter to be distributed the required 30 days before an annual meeting. The newsletter will include the slate of candidates and annual report. Zoey Fink, who is heading up the party, will write an article announcing it. Joni will ask Greg and David C. about distribution.

Tree project—The board voted its $5

Tree Project—Since several residents of the neighborhood attended the meeting, Elaine McGivern began with a summary of the tree project grant from its beginnings on July 1, 2012, to the present. The terms of the project have gone through many evolutions, the latest being the granting of a much-needed extension from June 30 to December 31. The extension was granted by Bernadette Miera, Cultural Services Manager/Neighborhood Coordination, with whom Elaine has been working closely. Additionally, a revised plan to plant the trees on Elm and High was again revised to provide the trees to neighbors willing to take on care and maintenance.

Mother’s Day Home Tour—Bonnie reviewed tour assignments.

Newsletter—Joni Neutra reiterated her desire that the Newsletter go “green” by going exclusively to a web-based version to eliminate the need for use of paper. The board generally felt that the newsletter published biannually was infrequent enough to maintain the print version.

Newsletter—Because people need advance notice of the Mother’s Day tour in the Huning Highlands neighborhood, the board discussed timing of the newsletter and agreed on other articles to be written.

Updates

Tree project—Elaine summarized the grant and progress thus far for the benefit of several neighbors who came to the meeting. One change to the original plan is that neighbors will volunteer to plant and maintain the trees in front of their homes.

Easter Egg hunt—The annual event was a big success with 48 kids. Bonnie and Kathy went over to clean the park prior to the hunt only to find it spic and span, thanks to David Chamberlain whose

Easter Egg Hunt—The annual hunt will be March 30 at Highland Park. Zoey Fink will deliver flyers door-to-door on the north side of Central. David Chamberlain will do the same on the south side. Bonnie Anderson and Kathy Grassel will clean the park. Lee Spittler and Steve Grant will hide eggs and keep order.

Fire Station—Our position has been to wait and see. We discussed being more proactive by encouraging creative development through an RFP. The RFP would be presented to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency to let to garner creative ideas. Bonnie said

Minutes—The November minutes were read and approved.

Dickens of a Dinner—We shared highlights of the Dickens of a Dinner fundraiser that was held on Saturday, Dec. 1.  While attendance was down slightly from previous years, the event was very successful.

Expenses—The Board approved two miscellaneous expenses: $60 for a live animal trap (for a neighborhood raccoon) and $85