Board members attending:

Noah Kennedy, Pat Tate, Katherine Allen, Gail Morriss, Susan Pascoe, Candace Volz, Elizabeth Cash

Board members absent:

Bill Britton, Bryan Chester, Charles Heimsath, Mark Mayfield

The meeting was called to order at approximately 7pm and adjourned at approximately 9pm.  A quorum was present.

Agenda Item #1: Treasurer’s report; carriage rides report

Treasurer’s report
The PHNA account balance stands at $5,083.79, with $70.36 having been spent on signs for the picnic, and $36.00 on a filing fee, since the last report on December 14, 2005.

The picnic expenses were $2,357.94.
The carriage rides netted $180.00.
There are currently 96 paid members.

Carriage rides report
Both carriages were filled for the entire duration of the event.  Laura Bennett’s and Martha’s Moore’s contributions to the event was much appreciated. 

Due to the success of the event, four carriages are planned for next year, and possibly an antique car.  Barbara Glover has tentatively volunteered to host the event next year.  She also has extraordinary holiday decorations that she could potentially make available for viewing as a fundraiser.

Agenda Item #2: Liability insurance

The bylaws require the board to make an investigation into whether the board will purchase liability insurance for the board members. 

It was determined that more information is needed regarding the cost of the insurance and its benefits.  There was also discussion of whether the neighborhood association should consider becoming an entity registered with the Texas Secretary of State’s office, such as a unincorporated non-profit. 

Noah, Susan, Katherine, and Elizabeth agreed to ask their contacts for information about liability insurance and entity options.  The information will be shared among the board members via email.  These findings will dictate whether additional information is still needed.  The goal is to make an informed decision on whether to pursue purchasing liability insurance at the next board meeting.

Agenda Item #3: Status of LHD ordinance; McMansion ordinance

Local Historic District ordinance
The LHD task force has met only once since the update provided at the PHNA annual meeting in December.  The January task force meeting was probably the last one.  The task force had memorialized its efforts in various draft documents that were provided to the board members in advance of the board meeting.  It is estimated that the LHD process will not be finalized and available until toward the end of this year.

Based on the generally positive LHD survey results to date, the board felt it should initiate and/or promote the administrative/data gathering tasks that any LHD would require.  It is hoped this will largely be repurposing and updating the National Register District data that was already gathered.  Noah will write an article for the next newsletter, the thrust being that we are proceeding to the next step which involves documenting the characteristics of the neighborhood and developing a preservation plan.  The article will also remind neighbors one last time of the survey in which they can register their views on the LHD.  As the LHD effort proceeds,  the board envisions a process that may rely on smaller neighborhood groups that encompass each of the original approximately 12 sections of the neighborhood.

McMansion ordinance
City Council met on January 26, 2006.  Item 51 on their agenda was a resolution to initiate changes to the Code regarding building-size-to-lot-size ratios and building height guidelines for residential construction in established neighborhoods.

The board unanimously passed a motion to draft a letter supporting City Council in its efforts described in the resolution.

Agenda Item #4:  Focus for the year

This agenda item is driven by Noah’s upcoming meeting with the City Manager.  It was suggested that he discuss the following items with the City Manager: 

• Building code enforcement
• Lowering the speed limit in the neighborhood to 25 m.p.h.

Note:  A newly passed state bill allows neighborhoods to request lowered speed limits.  Austin Police Department also plans to begin ticketing drivers going 5 m.p.h. over the speed limit, a lower threshold for speeding than has existed to date.  Lowering the speed limit in the neighborhood has been a constant request from neighbors and will be pursued.

Agenda Item #5:  Westover/Northwood exit reconfiguration

The initiative by TxDOT and a member of the Brykerwoods neighborhood to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at the Westover/Northwood exit east of MoPac was originally described at the annual PHNA meeting in December.  A diagram of the proposed changes as sketched by TxDOT was re-reviewed.  The plan would eliminate the roadways allowing non-stop exit from and entrance to MoPac.

A unanimous motion was passed to send a letter to TxDOT supporting their efforts and providing additional suggestions to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety and to prevent queue-jumping at this intersection.

Additional item discussed:  December meeting date

The board agreed not to meet in December but to meet on November 16, 2006 instead.

Minutes prepared by Elizabeth Cash, Secretary

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