Art Show Postponed

The Island Avenue Art Exhibition, which was to run from December 2-4, has been postponed. A new date will be announced as soon as it is available.

ANNOUNCEMENT Island Avenue Art Exhibition

TO: All professional artists living on Island Avenue

The artist-residents of 3 Island Avenue are pleased to announce that they will hold the first annual Island Avenue Art Exhibition in conjunction with Art Basel/Miami Beach. The show will be hung at Terrace Towers (3 Island Avenue) and will be on display from Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 4th. A Champagne Punch Reception will kick off the exhibit on Friday evening, December 2nd and it will be listed among the events taking place during Art Basel.

All professional artists residing on Island Avenue are cordially invited to participate in this exhibition and are actively solicited to submit work for consideration. Work in all wall-hung media and small sculptures will be considered for inclusion. If interested in participating, please submit a brief resume along with one reproduction of an available piece of your work (print, slide or jpeg) for consideration. Applications must be received by November 14th and may either be dropped off at the Concierge’s Desk at Terrace Towers (3 Island Avenue) or e-mailed to Mervyn Aronoff, Chair at:

Mervcom@aol.com

Please join us in making this a very special and important annual artistic event.

November 9, 2005 Minutes

The minutes of the November 9, 2005 board meeting have been posted.

MINUTES of

BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BIRA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
November 9, 2005
Community Room, 3 Island Avenue

Board Members Present
Josh Fisher
Barbara Frank
Herb Frank
Sandra Money

Other Attendees
Edith Gelber, 20 Island
Theodora Skolnick, 11 Island
Helene Barnett, 11 Island
Mervin Aronoff, 3 Island
Janet Perkins, 11 Island

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by President Herb Frank.

Approval of the May11, 2005 Board Minutes
Barbara made a motion to approve the Minutes; Josh seconded. Motion was approved unanimously.

December Art Show at 3 Island Avenue
Mervin Aronoff, who is organizing the event, reported that the notice was not posted in several buildings and the response from artists has been poor. He was given the names of artists known to Board members and guests. Since the deadline for inclusion is next Monday, he will propose to the 3 Island Board of Directors, at their meeting later that week, if the event should go forward as planned or be re-scheduled.

UPDATES
Parking Permit Program
It was agreed that it is working well..

Crosswalk at 17th & Bay
Muhammed Hasan, Miami Dade Engineer, told Herb that there were no plans for the Crosswalk yet, but will contact Herb next Wednesday.

Park Renovation Timing
Herb reported that they plan to start work in January. Edith, Theodora and Helene expressed their concerns about the 5 foot walkway and the difficulty it would provide to those backing out. Herb explained how the cars will be situated. The Board urged the Guests NOT to stop the renovation, which has taken so long to begin.

Moored Boats
The Commission approved new rules, but this has not seemed to effect the situation. Herb will follow-up on this.

Design of Pumping Station
Although we were assured that it would be no more than 12 feet high, it is higher than that already. Herb will follow-up on this.

Collins Canal Area
According to Jordana Rubin, they have begun getting permits and plan to start in January and complete the work in one year.

Standard Hotel
Josh and Sandy reported having a good meeting with their representatives. There is no date set yet for their opening.

Website Activities
Josh is looking into blog software, that would allow Board members to add information to the site themselves. He will report back once he has reached a decision.

NEW BUSINESS
Barbara Gillman was to attend and make a presentation on One Way Traffic on Island Avenue, but she did not attend.

Board Nominations
The one-year terms of Keith, Henry, Toby and Enrique end on January 19, 2006. Nominations for 2 year terms to replace the members who are not active and from buildings not represented at this time, will be sought by December 10, 2005.

General Membershi Meeting Date
A General Membership meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on January 18, 2006. Sandy agreed to draft a letter to the Manager of the Spa outlining what they should and should not include in their presentation to the Membership. Herb will locate a meeting place (hopefully 20 Island).

Clean Dog Park
Janet Perkins presented the concept of dog owners being “responsible parents” and suggested that we develop models that work in other parks. She agreed to sit on a Committee with Josh and Barbara to further develop this concept.

Next BIRA Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will take place on December 14, 2005, in 3 Island Avenue at 6 PM

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Prepared by:

Sandra K. Money, Secretary

Welcome to the new Belle Isle Residents Association Website!

Welcome to the association's new site. This uses "Blogger", Google's blog facility, allowing easier access, and a cleaner format.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors (Elected 2006)

Herb Frank, President (10 Venetian Way)
Josh Fisher , Vice-President (9 Island Ave)
Sandy Money, Secretary (3 Island Ave)
Keith Hark, Treasurer (10 Venetian Way)
Barbara Frank, Director (10 Venetian Way)
Barbara Gillman, Director (16 Island Ave)
Nancy Liebman, Director (9 Island Ave)
Toby Maxwell, Director (9 Island Ave)
Renee Savary, Director (5 Island Ave)
Irene Sperber, Director (11 Island Ave)
Michael Walrath, Director (20 Island Ave)


Terms expire January, 2008:
Hark, Gillman, Maxwell, Savary, Sperber, Walrath

Terms expire January, 2007:
H. Frank, B.Frank, Fisher, Money, Liebman


There are still some vacancies on the board. If you would like to be considered for nomination to fill one of these, please write, sending your biographical information, and how you might help, to mailto:nominations@belle-isle-residents.org

FROM 2005
Board of Directors (Elected 2005)
Herb Frank, President (10 Venetian Way)
Josh Fisher , Vice-President (9 Island Ave)
Sandy Money, Secretary (3 Island Ave)
Henry Mestre, Treasurer (20 Island Ave)
Barbara Frank, Director (10 Venetian Way)
Keith Hark, Director (10 Venetian Way)
Nancy Liebman, Director (9 Island Ave)
Luis Marcelin, Director (1 Century Lane)
Toby Maxwell, Director (9 Island Ave)


Terms expire January, 2006:
Hark, Marcelin, Maxwell, Mestre

Terms expire January, 2007:
H. Frank, B.Frank, Fisher, Money, Liebman

Association Bylaws

FOR POLICY STATEMENTS, SEE: Policy Statements

BYLAWS
Belle Isle Residents Association

ARTICLE I. NAME AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA: The name of the organization shall be the Belle Isle Residents Association. Its geographic area is Belle Isle, Miami Beach, FL

ARTICLE II. MISSION: The Mission of the Association is:

"To enhance the quality of life for the residents of Belle Isle. The Association is concerned with safety, security, traffic control, ease of parking, noise control, park beautification, cleanliness, open spaces, planning, development, licensing, permitting, and all issues that may effect the residents and their quality of life on Belle Isle. The Association will strive to facilitate communications among the residents and between the residents and the Government."
(Amended 12/19/06. Added last sentence to Paragraph.)


ARTICLE III. PURPOSES : The purposes of the association are to:

a) Enhance the livability of the neighborhood by establishing and maintaining communication among neighborhood residents, and liaison between our neighborhood association, government agencies, elected officials, and other neighborhood associations.

b) Provide a process by which members of the association may involve themselves in the affairs of the neighborhood.

c) Do and perform all of the activities related to said purposes, to
have and enjoy all of the powers granted, and engage in any lawful activity for which nonprofit corporations may be organized under Florida Statutes, Chapter 617, in the event the association incorporates.

d) For such other objectives as are approved by the Directors or membership.


ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to residents of Belle Isle. A Resident is a person of at least 18 years of age who owns or rents a property on Belle Isle in which he or she lives.


ARTICLE V: DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: Board members shall be elected annually by a vote of the membership at the Annual Membership Meeting. There shall be a minimum of seven and a maximum of fifteen Directors, each elected by the membership for a two year term. The names of all candidates for the Board shall be placed in nomination by a nominating committee or by any member of the residents association. Election requires a majority vote of the membership present. Initially, half of the Directors will be elected for a one year term and the other half of the Directors will be elected for a two year term. This will insure that all of the Board Members will not be elected in the same year. The Board may fill any vacancy by a majority vote of the Board. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and then be able to stand for election.

The Directors shall select Officers by a majority vote from among themselves. The Directors will be responsible for managing the affairs of the association. The Board of Directors shall elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary each for a one year term and Directors may stand for reelection at the annual membership meeting.
Board Members failing to attend three consecutive Board Meetings may be terminated from the Board by a majority vote of the quorum during a Board meeting.

The Directors have the authority to amend the Bylaws by a majority vote of the total number of current Directors. Decision making by the Board of Directors will be determined by a majority vote of the quorum during a Board Meeting. A quorum will be fifty percent of the current number of Board Members. A written proxy vote, email or fax from an existing Board Member, unable to attend a Board Meeting, may be obtained and counted on a specific vote.

Any Officer or Director who violates the Associations Bylaws or policies or whose behavior in connection with the Association's business may cause harm, injury or damage to any individual or to property may be suasbject to Censure or Removal from office or membership as determined by a majority vote of the Directors of the Association. (Amendment Paragraph added 12/19/06)


ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS AND METHODS OF COMMUNICATION:
Membership meetings shall be held annually or upon call of the Directors. Minutes of Membership meetings and Board of Directors meetings shall be taken and retained for at least four years. In addition to meetings, posted notices and electronic methods of communication will be utilized in order to maximize communication among Directors and among Membership.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least two times per year or upon call of the Officers of the Board. These meetings are open to all Members of the Belle Isle Residents Association.

ARTICLE VII: ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND INITIAL ELECTION: A date and place will be set for a meeting to formalize the association, and that information disseminated by all practicable means. The purpose of the meeting will be to elect Directors and adopt bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII: ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: An ad hoc organizing committee consisting of Belle Isle Residents who have been active in forming the Belle Isle Residents Association will take responsibility for setting a date, time and place for the initial organizational meeting, and disseminating that information by all practicable means. The ad hoc organizing committee shall invite nominations for Directors, to be submitted to the organizing committee by e-mail or mail in advance of the date of the organizing meeting, for consideration at the organizational meeting. Upon the initial election of Directors, the organizing committee is deemed dissolved.

ARTLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS:

a) Indemnification: The Association shall indemnify and hold harmless each Officer and Director, including former Officers and Directors, for any acts or omissions associated with the fulfillment of their duties under these Bylaws to the full extent of the laws of the State of Florida and the United States of America and also to the extent permitted by the Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act or any such succeeding act, law or rule.

b) Privacy and Personal Information: This Association will not disclose any personal information it obtains, for any reason, with anyone or any organization unless required by Local, State or Federal Law, or if authorized in writing by the identified person. Personal information includes name, address, email or phone number that is not otherwise publicly available. The Board of Directors will maintain this personal information for Association purposes only.

c) Bylaws Amendments: The Bylaws can be amended after a proposed amendment has been given due notice and read at one or more previous Board meetings. The Amendment will be adopted after ratification by a majority vote of the Directors present at any regular meeting in which a quorum exists. (Amendment, Article IX Miscellaneous added 12/19/06)

Bylaws Originally Created 11/23/04