Minutes: OMVNA Annual Meeting, December 2, 2024, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Summary
The team discussed the upcoming meeting’s time and place, the candidates for the next year’s steering committee and standing committees, and the financial sustainability of their neighborhood association. They also reviewed proposed updates to the organization’s bylaws, the treasurer’s report, and the budget for neighborhood/block events. Lastly, they discussed ongoing projects and developments in the community, the role of the Neighborhood Association, updates from different committees, and the need for better organization and communication within the neighborhood.
(1) Call to Order and Confirm time and place of next regular meeting: Chair David Lewis
The team confirming the next meeting for January 27th at 7:30 PM. They also discussed the candidates for the next year’s steering committee and standing committees. Due to Deb H’s unavailability, they decided to appoint at one more member to the at-large position at the January meeting. The team also voted on the current slate, with a majority voting in favor.
(2) Introduction to OMVNA Leadership Team and candidates: Chair David Lewis
(a) Melanie Kaye, Candidate for Secretary 2025, introduces herself
She expressed her love for the community’s diversity and small-town feel, and her desire to protect it from potential negative changes and her past experiences including:
– Saving Ann Bakotich’s house
– Reducing the impact of the Minton development
– A board member of the Old Mountain View Historical Association.
(b) (7:40PM) Deb Henigson, Candidate for At-Large, (retracted position)
(c) (7:45PM) Carol Lewis, Candidate for Parking Subcommittee Co-Chair introduces herself
(3) Election of OMVNA Leadership Team for 2025: Chair David Lewis (passed)
(4) Minor (textual correction) bylaws amendments to be voted on in 2025 (Social Chair Kristin Bailey)
Kristin presented proposed updates to the organization’s bylaws, which included minor language corrections and the addition of two optional at-large positions to the steering committee. The changes were presented to the community for review and a vote was scheduled for the next meeting on January 27th. The changes were also to be publicized on the website, Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.
(5) Treasurer’s Report: Carola
Carola presented a treasurer’s report and highlighted:
– Final reimbursement from the Community Neighborhood Grant
– Old Mountain View Neighborhood Associations expenses and income around $27,000
– Maturity of a CD with interest earned.
– Mentioned the need to consider moving money out of Chase due to low interest rates
– Proposed increasing the budget for neighborhood/block events from $150 to $500, suggesting this could lead to more participation and engagement.
Discussion of funds use:
– Melanie shared her experience with a 100-year block party, noting that neighbors were willing to contribute more when the budget was higher. She suggested conducting research to understand the needs and expectations of the community for block parties.
– Jerry suggested incorporating sustainability as a theme for events to attract a broader audience.
– Deborah proposed using some of the funds to organize events with other neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for equity.
– Kristin suggested revisiting previous ideas for spending funds and emphasized the importance of passionate individuals driving events.
– Melanie proposed hosting an event for a less well-funded neighborhood to showcase the Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association’s capabilities and its financial sustainability.
– The team attributed their success to the revenue generated from their newsletter and its ads. They considered sharing their financial management strategies with other communities.
(6) OMVNA Year-In-Review: Chair David Lewis
(7) OMVNA development issues for 2024: Vice Chair Robert Cox
Robert highlighted the importance of the council elections and the potential impact of the new council members. He discussed:
– The Jurian Agave Building office extension, which was approved by the Council
– The Castro Commons project, which has undergone multiple proposals over the past five years.
– The Moffett Precise Plan, which includes the acquisition of the Shenandoah Square area and the addition of the Willow Park condos and Eaves Apartment Complex to the precise plan area.
– The Economic tech slump and employment with impact on decreasing office space demand and vacancy rates.
– The need for the community to be vigilant about potential changes in the housing element and the possibility of builders’ remedy projects.
– The ongoing antitrust trial involving the Department of Justice and Google, which could have implications for the community.
– Robert clarified that the OMVNA’s purpose is to inform, not to take a stance on issues.
– Discussion about the state’s requirements for affordable housing and the potential for the state to override city zoning laws if these requirements are not met.
(8) Downtown Committee Update: Community Liaison Jamil Shaikh
(9) Parking Update: Parking Co-Chairs Robert Cox and Jamil Shaikh
Jamil provided an update on the busy downtown area and the upcoming tree lighting event.
(10) CERT Update: CERT Chair Sherril Brennan
CERT Activities and Bylaw Updates:
– Emergency scenario practice
– A city grant received
– A public preparedness fair
– Collaboration with other neighborhood CERT groups.
(11) Historic Preservation Update: Historic Preservation Subcommittee Chair Jerry Steach
Jerry mentioned his curiosity about the future plans for the historic Ames building on Castro Street after its signage for a new food business was removed.
(12) OMVNA Social Year in Review: Social Chair Kristin Bailey
Kristin presented the 3rd year of the Eventers, highlighting their core events and the engagement of 1,000 neighbors. She also discussed the budget, which was on track for the next year, and the various items they had for sale at events.
(13) Newsletter and OMVNAtalk Update: Newsletter Editor Susan Bickford
Susan mentioned:
– Old Mountain View’s newsletter was praised for its success in attracting advertisers and funding community events.
– Translation services, particularly for Spanish speakers, and the idea of setting up a technology subcommittee to improve the efficiency of their operations.
– The need for better organization and communication within the neighborhood, suggesting the use of technology to improve this.
– The idea of conducting a poll and utilizing social media to reach more people.
– Recruiting more people from the neighborhood to transition editing ownerships of the newsletter
– Deborah suggested reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce for potential volunteers, while Carola offered to provide information on the Chamber’s mixers.
– The group also discussed the possibility of mailing the newsletter once a year to reach more people.
(14) Adjournment: Chair David Lewis
Next steps
– Kristen to publicize the proposed bylaw changes on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and GroupsIO.
– Susan to include a message about bylaw changes approval in the next newsletter, with a link to the final version.
– Carola to research alternative investment options for OMVNA funds before August 2025.
– Robert to include residential development updates in future presentations.
– Ed and Sherril to organize another CERT emergency scenario practice in 2025, inviting other CERT members.
– Jerry to investigate and provide an update on the Ames building on Castro Street for the next newsletter.
– Susan to explore options for translating the newsletter into Spanish.
– Susan to set up a technology subcommittee to address various technical needs of the organization.
– Susan to begin planning for transitioning ownership of the newsletter in the next 2-3 years.
– Kristen to further explore the option of mailing the newsletter to more people once a year to reach more households.
