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Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting Minutes for 2001 January 22, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Minutes: February 12, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Guest member: Minutes: March 12, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Guest members: Minutes: April 9, 2001 Officers Attending: Visitors: Minutes: 2) OMVNA-CERT Grant Application. Peninsula Community Foundation (PCF) representatives Srija Srinivasan and Bonnie Miller paid a fact-finding visit to the OMVNA Steering Committee in connection with a recent grant application. OMVNA-CERT is one of 22 groups that have applied for a PCF grant, of which only ten will be funded. If successful, the PCF grant money will be used by OMVNA to purchase a trailer for storage of OMVNA-CERT emergency response equipment and supplies. It is anticipated that the PCF advisory committee will make a final decision on May 4. 3) Announcements. Julie reported on several upcoming meetings: On April 10, the City Council will review a proposed transit plaza at Evelyn and Central. On April 11, there will be a City administrative zoning meeting sometime in the afternoon that considers a liquor license application for an establishment at 340 Castro Street. A Community Development sponsored downtown construction update will take place the evening of April 19. 4) ND Zoning. Aaron presented the results of an analysis of the data collected from the recent ND overlay zone survey. He found that there was a high degree of existing compliance for at least four of the items that were in the survey: 1) front porch, 2) single-width driveway, 3) divided windows and 4) eave heights less than or equal to 15'. Aaron will take another look at the definitions for single-width driveways and garages that are set back from the front of the house. Jean reported on recent meetings with Councilmember Stasek and Mayor Ambra. Councilmember Stasek advised OMVNA that the City Council's decision may not depend solely on strong support of the property owners in the target area. She advised that the proposed overlay zone must also make sense from a land-planning perspective. After some discussion, the OMVNA Steering Committee members decided to invite 10-12 of the owners living in the target area to a focus group. Bruce volunteered to draft a letter of explanation and a response postcard. Philippe volunteered to reproduce the letters and postcards for distribution and to host the focus group at his home. Garth volunteered to call the Community Development Department and ask if the proposed overlay zone would apply to R-2 and R-3 parcels. Garth will also ask someone who runs focus groups professionally to be the focus group facilitator. May 16 or 17 was proposed as possible dates for the focus group meeting. 5) OMVNA-CERT Update. Tim passed out a draft plan for CERT and asked for feedback. 6) Back-up for OMVNA resources and information. There are a number of OMVNA resources for which there is no back-up. Therefore, Jean asked that such provisions be made. Specifics include: OMVNA web site passwords, detailed information and access to OMVNA-CERT supplies and equipment, information on newsletter distribution and production processes, contact information on newsletter carriers, and a second signature on the OMVNA checking account. She asked Tim to recommend a strategy for handing OMVNA official files and records. 7) Newsletter. Bruce handed out a sample of the upcoming newsletter. He also reported on new newsletter advertisers. Julie asked for help finding additional newsletter carriers. 8) Recruiting Strategy for OMVNA. Alison suggested some ways be developed to get new people involved in OMVNA and willing to fill future steering committee positions. She suggested inviting people who have visited OMVNA steering committee in the past to come back. Bruce mentioned an organization named "AltoView" which operates similarly to Welcome Wagon, providing new residents with information about their community. 9) Steering Committee Operating Principles. In order to make OMVNA Steering Committee meetings run more efficiently, Jean made the following motion: Discussion on previous meetings' minutes be limited to matters of content or clarification (grammar, typos and format questions be handled outside the meeting time); and, all steering committee members take responsibility for keeping discussion focused on the topic under consideration and making comments that are constructive and that move the group discussion forward. The motion was passed unanimously. 10) OMVNA By-Laws Clarification. Jean reminded all Steering Committee members that any email communications coming from OMVNA should come from the chair. 11) March 24 Email to City Council. After discussion concerning the content of a recent email that was sent to City Council on behalf of OMVNA which included positions which had not been officially endorsed by OMVNA, it was decided to send a revision to the email. Jean volunteered to draft an email and distribute to the steering committee. 12) Officers' Reports. Aaron reported that OMVNA has a bank balance of $3,572. Bruce reported that Nick Perry and others living on the north of Shoreline Blvd. are trying to revive SWAN. He believes that OMVNA may be called upon for advice. May 14, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Visitor: Minutes: Agenda additions and approval: The agenda was approved as hereinafter documented. 2) Minutes. There were no minutes presented for approval. 3) Announcements. Neighborhood Grants Program. We discussed grant application possibilities. In the area of association participation recruitment, two ideas were suggested: a fairly large gathering, with food possibly catered, in September or October; or a holiday party featuring lights and decorations for Mercy-Bush Park. Aaron will work on a grant application for support for a gathering. Bruce will work on a grant application related to our forthcoming Neighborhood Design overlay zone application. 4) Planning ND Focus Group (May 17). A subcommittee has been working on this. Bruce summarized the format: focus group 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., then unstructured conversation including any Steering Committee members who want to do this (who will have been in another room). There will be a professional facilitator, who will have looked at our survey responses. As of May 14, 12 people said they want to come, and 11 had been invited (there is limited space). Jean will call people to make sure they're coming and remind them to be on time. There was about a 20% response rate to our postcard survey of six square blocks, generally positive. Bruce summarized some of the post-focus-group activity: the proposed six points will be redrafted, then presented to CDD. 4) Planning for Summer Meeting. This will be our traditional Ice Cream Social. There was a consensus that we should try to have it at Mercy-Bush Park. Jean will look into what we need to do to make this happen. There was also a consensus that we should try to do it June 30, or possibly July 7, depending on availability of Tim and of the park. It will be advertised in the next newsletter, which comes out June 15. More detailed planning will occur at the June meeting. 5) Newsletter Space Planning. Bruce presented prioritized ideas for the June issue and modifications were suggested. 6) Emergency Backup Procedures. All or just about all the required backup information has been accumulated. The CERT backup procedures are to be determined by the CERT team. A motion was made, and passed unanimously, to accept the Treasury plan as described by Aaron. 7) Officers' Reports. Aaron detailed our financial situation. Julie asked for comments/questions on the Downtown Committee report, which had been sent out earlier by email. There were none. Jean said she had been invited by Downtown Committee Staff to solicit from OMVNA any additional suggestions regarding the Mountain View Hotel situation. None were received. Bruce proposed that the July newsletter be rescheduled from July 27 to July 20, and this was approved. June 11, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Visitors: Minutes: 2) United Neighborhoods Workshop Feedback. Twana also reported that the United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County is comprised of about 60 neighborhood associations. She provided some printed materials on United Neighborhoods and suggested that OMVNA become a member of the organization. A motion was made and passed that OMVNA become a member of United Neighborhoods. The annual membership fee is $75. 3) OMVNA-CERT Update. Aaron reported that OMVNA has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Silicon Valley. A progress report will be due on Wednesday, June 27. Jean recommended contacting Al Hageman, who can provide advice to OMVNA-CERT on how to get organized and build a CERT team. 4) ND Zoning Focus Group Debriefing. Bruce reported that most of the people in the recent focus group had initially indicated support for an ND zone as a neighborhood preservation strategy. However, at the focus group it was difficult to reach consensus on the specifics of the ND zone. The Steering Committee determined that being successful in getting broad support of an ND zone will requirement involvement of many more people who are advocates for the concept. Given the many obstacles, Jean expressed concern about any realistic possibility for success of ever obtaining neighborhood consensus on any specific ND zoning proposal. Other neighborhood preservation strategies were considered. Bruce suggested making OMV design guidelines available to those who are considering building or remodeling in the neighborhood. Aaron suggested publishing a small article on a recurring basis in the newsletter, offering to make available a copy of the OMV building guidelines to anyone who is considering building or remodeling in the neighborhood. Tim will make copies of the guidelines of the guidelines and provide them to anyone who requests a copy. 5) Planning for Summer Ice Cream Social (June 30, 2-4 p.m.). Bruce handed out copies of the upcoming newsletter, which features the upcoming event. The following arrangements were made: Setup - will begin at 1:50 p.m. Tim and Aaron will wear something conspicuous associated to CERT and come prepared to talk about OMVNA-CERT and try to recruit potential members. 6) Newsletter Space Planning. Bruce presented prioritized ideas for the June issue. Modifications were suggested. 7) Neighborhood Peeping-Tom Issue. It was reported that there has been a Peeping Tom on Oak Street. Recently, he has been seen in other areas in Old Mountain View. Jean will write an article for the upcoming newsletter, alerting the neighborhood of the problem and what to do if they see any such activity. 8) Officer Reports. 9) Review of Steering Committee Meeting Effectiveness Strategies. July 9, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Minutes: 1) Minutes. June minutes were approved with exception of Item #4, which was modified to include sending copies of the OMVN design guidelines to local architects and contractors. 2) Announcements. None. 3) Old Business. a. CERT Report. Tim provided a brief report on the organizing activities of the OMVNA-CERT subcommittee. Aaron provided an update on the status of the grants that will be used to acquire and equip the OMVNA-CERT trailer. He expects that we will get the trailer by the end of September. He will check on the DMV regarding licensing of the trailer, and look into obtaining a special "OMVNA" license plate. b. Update on Grants from City. The outcome of applications for City neighborhood grants were discussed. Both grants submitted by OMVNA were accepted, one for a potluck at Mercy-Bush Park to draw out new potential leaders and steering committee members, and the other to purchase audio equipment and a canopy for use at OMVNA neighborhood functions. 4) New Business a. 501 (c) 3 status. Now that OMVNA is receiving grant money, Bruce suggested that OMVNA should consider becoming a legal organization. He suggested that this may open up additional funding opportunities for OMVNA. Aaron offered to ask PCF for their perspective on OMVNA's legal responsibilities and some of the organizing structures that OMVNA might consider. b. Ad rates. Bruce proposed raising the rates for single ad inserts. A motion was made and passed. c. Jean reported that she received an email from an Old Mountain View resident asking whether there are height limitations on their streets. After some discussion, it was decided that Mountain View's Community Development Department should be able to answer the question. Jean will respond accordingly. d. Chamber membership. After discussion, it was decided that OMVNA will join the Chamber of Commerce for $100 per year. It was noted that Chamber of Commerce membership would provide OMVNA with free use of the boardroom for its steering committee meetings, along with other benefits. e. New steering committee members. Aaron suggesting creating a means of bringing in new people as officers during the year 5) Officer Reports a. Treasurer report. OMVNA received $31 in contributions at the ice cream social. The event costs $45.90. The current OMVNA checking account balance is $5,371, including $2,000 that is being held from a grant to pay for a new OMVNA-CERT trailer. b. Brainstorming on Pot Luck. After discussion, it was decided that the City-funded Pot Luck will serve as the Fall OMVNA General Meeting, tentatively set for Sunday, October 14, noon to 2 p.m. Aaron recommended using $800 of the recently received City grant to purchase BBQ ribs as a main entrée from one of the local BBQ restaurants and asking the neighbors to bring side dishes. Tim will check on availability of the Landels Multi-Use Room. The new principal at Landels will be invited to attend.
OMVNA Monthly Meeting Minutes August 13, 2001 Officers Attending: Officers Absent: Guests: Minutes: b. Two-year terms of office. Jean proposed changing the By-laws, increasing steering committee terms of office from one year to two years. The procedures for making changes to the By-laws were reviewed. It was decided that any such proposed changes to the By-laws will need to be brought before the OVMVA membership at the October General Meeting, with a call for a vote at the next General Meeting. Tim will write an article for the next newsletter that outlines the proposed changes. c. CERT Report. Tim (and Aaron via email) provided a brief update on the organizing activities of the OMVNA-CERT subcommittee. His report included the following items: i. The trailer has been ordered from Orlandi Trailer of San Jose. It will be located behind Landels School, and will be delivered in early September. It is a Pace American, model CS614SA Custom Series, white, 6' wide, 14' long, and 7' high, single axle, with side and tail doors and extra vents. It weighs 1,400 lbs. with a 3,000 maximum capacity and a 2" hitch ball. Total cost of the trailer is $3,935, all of which will be covered by grant money. Security locks, shelves and containers will cost extra. DMV registration is included, but had to be written in someone's name. Aaron took responsibility for this, and has notified the Steering Committee (via email) that he will maintain the trailer registration in his name on behalf of OMVNA as long as OMVNA wishes. He will transfer title to OMVNA itself if the organization gains the ability to take the title, or to whomever, whenever the organization so designates. Since the ball hitch and wheel locks will probably be key locks, access will probably be provided with keys put in a combination key safe mountain somewhere on the trailer itself, similar to the key safes that realtors use to gain entry to houses they show. ii. Mountain View School District has officially approved locating the trailer at Landels school. iii.
The Blackberry React team has been consulted about an
OMVNA-CERT communications devices and strategies. It was reported that Chuck
Piercey, an OMVNA neighbor, has expressed an interest in being involved in
organizing OMVNA-CERT communications. Chuck also expressed an interest in
going through the City CERT training class which begins in October.
b. Mercury News article featuring Old Mountain View. Jean reported that she was interviewed by a San Jose Mercury News writer for an article profiling Old Mountain View. Tim was also interviewed. (The story ran on the first page of the Real Estate Section on Saturday, August 25, 2001) c. Report on United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara
County workshop. Jean reported on a recent UNSCC workshop that she attended
which focused on legal issues related to neighborhood associations. Based on
what she learned at the workshop, Jean said it doesn't appear necessary or
worthwhile that OMVNA become a chapter 503 legal entity. b. Tim to distribute digital version of OMVNA By-laws and to ask the Webmaster to add them to the OMVNA web site. c. Tim to draft a copy of proposed By-laws changes for news newsletter. d. Tim to confirm access to Landels School for OMVNA General Meeting on October 14. e. Next OMVNA Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for September 10 and will be held at Jean's home - 575 Oak Street. f. The next newsletter will be distributed on September 13. The copy deadline is September 5. |
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Last updated: 9/12/01