New BIRA Board Member

The BIRA Board welcomes new member Barbara Cowen, of 3 Island, elected to the board on February 26th.

The full board is listed at Belle Isle Residents Association Board of Directors.

(Belated Posting) December Minutes

(These slipped by without making to the website. - jf)

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

December 19, 2007

Community Room at 3 Island Avenue

Board Members Present

Scott Diffenderfer

Josh Fisher

Barbara Frank

Herb Frank

Sandra Money

Irene Sperber

Guests:

Rosemary Ravinal-Ferrara

Herb called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

Nominating Committee Report

Irene reported that she and her Committee have received resignations from Renee and Toby. They are in the process of preparing a slate for the annual meeting. It was agreed that Herb will send Building Managers a revised notice asking for residents to join the Board and will speak to the Management of the Vistas. Applications received by February 5 will be considered by the Committee.

Approval of Minutes of November 20, 2007 Board Meeting

Sandy made a motion to approve the Minutes as distributed. Barbara seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Ongoing Business

Park/Street Renovations - CIP Meeting 12/11/07

After discussion of the meeting, it was agreed that BIRA should continue to work on the list of items sent to Carla.

Venetian Causeway Update

Herb noted that some work is under way on the Causeway. Sandy noted that recent e-mails from Barbara Bisno to those in charge were very positive

Renovation along Dade Blvd. /Canal

Josh reported on a meeting of the Transportation Committee with City and County officials. He was told that the bicycle lane striping is based on Federal legislation, a copy of which has been promised. Alternatives to the west-bound traffic merge were considered and dismissed. The only open item currently is to shorten the light at 17^th Street and Dade Blvd.

Incorporation of BIRA

Herb reported that Keith has received $371.60 in funding from Board members. He spent $60.00 to renew the web site. Josh agreed that the balance is sufficient to move forward with the incorporation. Herb will check with a lawyer on the cost/complexity of incorporating as a 501(c)3 organization.

February 6, 2008 General Membership Meeting Agenda and Plans

Herb will prepare a notice for distribution. Items on the Agenda should be:

C I P Update on the Belle Isle Renovation project – Jorge Chartrand and Carla Dixon

Park Plan Update---invite John Oldenberg, Assistant Director

Venetian Causeway Update – Herb to contact Barbara Bisno for her recommendation

Nominating Committee presentation for the Slate and Election of Board Members.

The Mayor and the Commissioners are to be invited to the meeting, and time provided if any have remarks to make. Then the meeting will be adjourned and the first meeting of the new Board will take place, at which time the Officers will be elected.

New Business

It was suggested that the new Board schedule meetings with the Boards of buildings on the Island to discuss topics of interest, such as wind and storm insurance offerings now available. Rosemary has information on this insurance. All current Board members are requested to suggest such topics to Herb.

Set Time and Day for the Next BIRA Board Meeting

As noted above, the next Board Meeting will take place immediately after the February 6 General Meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

Prepared by:

Sandra K. Money, Secretary