Arlington Park Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors Meeting

President Carolyn Fishel called the meeting to order. Board members present, in addition to Carolyn, were Rhonda Moraca, Fay Rice, Mary Cooper and Susan Montgomery. Carolyn discussed with Board members the evening agenda.

Carolyn said a correction needed to be made to the bylaws. They presently state our boundaries as “east to the city limits”. They should read “east to Tuttle Avenue”.

She announced that Tamara Boatright has agreed to publish the association newsletter. She will edit, sell ads (keeping the revenue for the ads), publish and send out to everyone in the neighborhood. If the membership agrees, Carolyn will call her and we will try it for a year.

The yard signs need to be corrected to change the name of the association from Southeast to Arlington Park. We need membership approval on method and cost.

Carolyn wants to schedule a candidate forum. She will check on available dates with candidates and the fire station and will try for Thursday, February 20 or 27 from 7:00 to 9:00.

Minutes of Membership Meeting

President Fishel called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. She asked Board members to introduce themselves.

She then introduced Lt. Bill Wall who brought two officers in charge of traffic enforcement in the neighborhood. Neighbors brought concerns to their attention.

Lt. Wall updated members on: 1) the condition of the city motorcycle policeman injured at Hawthorne and US-41; 2) Code Enforcement citing race car repairs at 1902 Arlington Street; 3) scam artists in area.

Carolyn introduced Kathlyn Vierra of the City Neighborhood Development Dept. who spoke on the city hosting the 2003 Annual State Neighborhood Conference Sept. 11-13 at the Hyatt. City looking for volunteers and requesting attendance at a meeting on Jan. 23 from 6:00-8:00 at the Hyatt. The city needs sponsorships, fund raising, helpers for registration and marketing. Feb. 27 is last day for submission of grant requests. Up to $2,000 is available for the purpose of reducing crime.

Carolyn reminded members to sign in at front of room so she can refine the membership list.

A motion was made to approve the November minutes. Second. Approved.

Mary Cooper gave the treasurer’s report, stating that after spending $83.21 on Christmas lights, there is a balance of $499.40 in the treasury.

Because of the association name change, Carolyn explained the need to revise the yard signs announcing monthly meetings. We can use the current signs and revise them for $6 per sign if we peel the letters not needed. If the company does it, they will charge $12 per sign. The Board recommends and a motion was made that we remove the letters and ask the company to replace “Southeast Neighborhood” with “Arlington Park”
at a cost of $6 per sign. Second. Approved.

Carolyn stated that Duane Mountain of Public Works told her the Arlington Park improvements are going out to bid in February.

Carolyn announced the need to correct the bylaws that state the association is bounded to the east by the city limits. There is a new association being developed east of Tuttle. Therefore, the correction will read “east to Tuttle Avenue”. A motion was made to that effect. Second. Approved.

New Business: Carolyn brought up for discussion scheduling a forum to hear all City Commission candidates. A discussion ensued on proposed dates and availability of fire station. A motion was made to try to schedule the forum for Feb. 20 or 27 from 7:00 to 9:00. Second. Approved. The motion was amended to allow Carolyn to schedule another date, if necessary. Second. Approved.

Carolyn stated workshop meeting dates for Sarasota County Parks Master Plan were listed at the front of the room. The county wants input on what we want to see at Arlington Park.

Carolyn would like committees formed to address:

*Attendance & Membership;

*Newsletter Committee to provide articles, select paper, format, types of acceptable advertising;

*East Avenue Clean Up.

Rhonda announced the next East Avenue clean up. It will be on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9:00 a.m. Meet at Midtown Medical Center.

Carolyn asked for input for future meeting agendas. Ideas included inviting Code Enforcement, new Chief of Police, someone on the Parks & Connected Pathways Plan. She is contacting Kash n’ Karry management to attend a meeting. She will invite Code Enforcement for February or March’s meeting.

Carolyn announced the Joe Moraca built a website for our association. It can be accessed at
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/arlingtonpark/.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.