Draft Minutes - December 17, 2008

MINUTES of

BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BIRA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

December 17, 2008

Community Room at 3 Island Avenue

 

Board Members Present

David Ballard

Scott Diffenderfer

Josh Fisher

Barbara Frank

Herb Frank

Sandra Money

Irene Sperber

 

Absent

Barbara Cowen

Keith Hark

Nancy Liebman

Rosemary Ravinal

 

Scott called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

Sandy asked for any changes to the Minutes of the March 19, 2008 and November 12, 2008 Meetings, in addition to changing the March meeting location from 20 to 3 Island There being none, Herb made a motion for their approval.  Irene seconded it.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Ongoing Business

Traffic calming for Island Avenue North

David described the current situation, where valet parkers from the Standard maintain the 20 MPH limit, but taxis and other traffic do not.  As there are children's programs in the afternoon, it is a very dangerous situation.  Scott reported that he had requested a sign that shows the limit and how fast an approaching car is going and awaited word on when it would be delivered. 

 

Update on the Park

Scott reported that the flooding has stopped, but the poorly engineered solution has not been replaced.  The Parks Department will be responsible for the problems in the park as of the first of 2009.  He is planning a meeting with the people responsible to discuss all of the problems mentioned at the last Board Meeting, all of which have been brought to their attention with no change so far.

 

Building Manager's Meeting

Continental held a meeting of Belle Island Building Managers at the Grand Venetian recently.  The meeting sponsored by BIRA and organized by Scott will take place at 20 Island early in January.  He will send a note to all Managers asking that they save the date, as well as post the signs about dog litter removal.

 

Update on Artist Proposal for Pump Station Mural

Herb reported that he attended the Neighborhoods Committee meeting run by Commissioner Ed Tobin.  He reported that Max Sklar is in charge of Art in Public Places.  We must create a Proposal and then Scott will present it at a meeting of with Mr. Sklar.  If it is approved, then it must be presented to the Art in Public Places Committee for approval.

 

Recruiting of New Members

Irene reported that she sent Notices (see attached) and went to each of the buildings not currently represented on the Board to attempt to post it on the property.  Pending the receipt of new applications, she distributed the Slate for the BIRA BOARD for 2009-2010, including those members completing the second year of their term next year (see attached).

 

NEW BUSINESS

Plans for BIRA January 21 Annual Meeting – Guests and Agenda

Invitees: the Mayor, Commissioners, Lynne Bernstein, person representing the Park Department, Carla Dixon, Olivia Almagro-Johnson, Fernando Vasquez (responsible for the Engineering Infrastructure – flooding), Helena Blat & Martin Kreidet (representatives of The Standard Spa (who have expressed an interest in planning a park party with BIRA), Barbara Bisno (Venetian Causeway Neighborhood Association), and Todd Davis (Venetian Island Homeowners Association).  The timing of the meeting is 7 p.m. unless it is in conflict with the Board meeting at 11 Island. 

 

Herb volunteered to invite the guests and prepare a draft of the meeting announcement for review by the Board.  Sandy agreed to bring a large glass bowl for on-the-spot contributions.  Irene was asked to provide a sign for the bowl.

 

It was agreed that the first meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors would take place immediately after the Annual Meeting for the election of Officers and determination of the next Board meeting date

 

Set Time and Day for the Next BIRA Board Meeting

It was agreed that no meeting is necessary before the Annual Meeting.

 

There being no further business, David made a motion that the meeting be adjourned.  Scott seconded.  The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

 

Prepared by:

Sandra K. Money, Secretary