Minutes, March 16, 2008 Regular Meeting

MINUTES of
BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BIRA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
March 19, 2008
Meeting Room at 20 Island Avenue

Board Members Present
Barbara Cowen
Scott Diffenderfer
Barbara Frank
Herb Frank
Keith Hark
Sandra Money
Irene Sperber

Absent
David Ballard
Josh Fisher
Nancy Liebman
Rosemary Ravinal

Scott called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

Approval of Minutes of February 6, 2008 Board Meeting
Herb made a motion to approve the Minutes as distributed. Irene seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Sandy noted that all Board members had been sent the Minutes of the February 6 Annual Meeting. Anyone with suggested changes to the draft should send those changes to Sandy. These Minutes will be approved at next year’s annual meeting.

Ongoing Business

New BIRA Membership
Irene introduced Barbara Cowan whose membership on the Board was approved by e-mail. Irene suggested that all Board members suggest that potential new members apply through the web site. Irene has provided the web site update to Josh and a full list of the Board members to a public relations consultant.

Street/Landscaping/Park Renovations and Pump Station Update
Scott reported having sent Carla a punch list of items still to be done. It was noted that the sprinklers are operational in the north end and the dog fences have begun. Scott will respond to comments about the park attributed to him out of context in a recent Miami Herald article. It was again agreed that any suggested changes be made after the park is turned over to the City.

Speed limit/slow/zone 14 parking signs; Commercial Parking Only signs in front of 9 and 11 Island
Scott has sent a list of needed signage to Carla. Zone 14 signs have now been put in front of The Standard and 20 mph signs at both ends of Island Avenue.
Sandy reported that, at an open meeting on the park, she offered to obtain the Move-In/Out hours for all of the building around the Park for Manny Marquez. She has done so, with the exception of Belle Plaza, but it was noted that delivery and emergency vehicles are not restricted to those hours. Barbara Frank made a motion that BIRA support the 24 hour Commercial Parking Only signs now in place. Keith seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Venetian Causeway Update
It was noted that the Beautification effort is being delayed to accommodate the laying of a new power cable under one of the islands.

Litigation regarding transponder fee for Venetian Island Residents
It was reported that a resident of one of the islands is suing the county for imposing tolls to her home.

It was also noted that two speed lanes are being added to the I95 without access from the Julia Tuttle and during high season this year. It was agreed that we will investigate to determine if there is a group reflecting neighborhood associations involved in this effort, so that we can express our concerns about the timing and obtain a better understand the logistics.

Chabad House signage
Scott reported that the Chabad House Rabbi agreed to no signage when it was established. Lynn Bernstein reported that there is a code violation on record since 2006. She will follow-up on it.

Letter of support for proposed parking garage in Sunset Harbour neighborhood
Scott received unanimous support from the Board and will draft a letter, keeping in mind the concerns of the Sunset Harbour Association voiced by Marilyn Freundlich, who was so helpful in our organizing the Meet the Candidates evenings last fall.

Treasurer’s Report
Keith reported that BIRA received $461.60, mostly in Board contributions. BIRA has spent $61.60 for the web site and $70 for the incorporation, leaving the current bank balance at $330.00. It was agreed that residents will not be solicited for funding until there is a cause for which it is required.

New Business

Herb made a motion that we revise the By-Laws to reflect the incorporation. Barbara Frank seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Scott agreed to draft the revision for Board review.

Barbara Cowan asked about the progress in re-routing bus 123. Scott indicated that the Parking Committee was told that any revision to its route must include the Cultural Arts Center as well, requiring additional buses, drivers, etc.

Set Time and Day for the Next BIRA Board Meeting
It was suggested that the next Board Meeting be held during the day to accommodate Josh’s schedule. Since the next meeting may be the last before the “summer recess,” it was agreed that Scott would circulate proposed dates and times to all Members.

There being no further business, Keith made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Irene seconded. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

Prepared by:
Sandra K. Money, Secretary