March Minutes

MINUTES of
BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BIRA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

March 14, 2007
Community Room at 3 Island Avenue

Board Members Present
Scott Diffenderfer
Josh Fisher
Barbara Frank
Herb Frank
Keith Hark
Nancy Liebman
Toby Maxwell
Sandra Money
Renee Savary

Herb called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

Approval of Minutes of the February 13, 2007 Board Meeting
Nancy made a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 13, 2007 Board meeting as distributed. Keith seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ongoing Business

Park/Street Renovations
Herb repeated information transmitted to the Board in an e-mail, that Jorge Chartrand has changed the 5 foot ADA-mandated walkway from outside the park to a walk path in the park and only a 1 foot space with tire stops in the street. This will NOT cause a significant delay in completion of the project. Jorge was thanked on the website and in a letter to the Mayor.

Venetian Causeway
Herb reported that Howard is the official BIRA representative to the Venetian Causeway Association. A meeting of Police and other causeway agencies from the community was held to address emergency situations on the Causeway, such as the closure of either of the bridges. A plan was developed spelling out a procedure to be followed. This includes a call list. The BIRA Association representatives will be advised if and when there is a need. Howard would be notified for BIRA and he can contact each Board member. When he is gone for the summer, Toby will do so.

Renovation along Dade Blvd./Canal
Herb reported that the County will not take down the fence and do the plantings until the renovation of the sea wall is completed. All of this work should be finished in the near future. Josh noted that the striping of the street will be re-considered at a meeting tomorrow.

New Business

Candidates for Mayor/Commissioner....Presentation
After discussion it was agreed that we will have two separate public meetings – one with the mayoral candidates (on October 15th) and the other with those running for Commissioner (on October 22nd). Nancy agreed to contact Juan at Sunset Harbour to see if they would like to co-sponsor the meetings, holding one on their property and one at 20 Island. Nancy and Josh will contact the candidates to put the dates on their calendars. Sandy agreed to coordinate the distribution of announcements with Herb and Juan. Scott said he would make the arrangements with 20 Island for their meeting room.

Boat Show/Sunset Harbour Ramp
After discussion, it was agreed that Nancy will ask Juan, (Sunset Harbour) if they plan to do anything about problems that arose from the use of the ramp this year. We agreed to support an effort by Sunset Harbour if they take a position opposed to continuing this practice.

Other – Parking
Josh reported that, as a member of the city’s Parking Committee, they were not consulted when new areas, such as the lot on Michigan Avenue or the one behind the SunTrust Building (which may result in the LOSS of 29 parking spots in the street) were approved. Nancy noted that the Michigan Avenue lot is on public land and should provide normal parking space but it seems that monthly and corporate accounts have taken all or most of the parking.

Set Time and Day for the Next BIRA Board Meeting
It was agreed that the next Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in the 3 Island Avenue Community Room at 6 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

Prepared by:
Sandra K. Money, Secretary