College Terrace Resident’s Association
Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2006

Approved March 6, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Kathy Durham.
Directors in attendance: Kathy Durham, Alexandra McFarland, John Mark Agosta (left at 7:40), Erica Enos, Betsy Frieble (left at 8:20), Hollis Radin, Sheila Kothari (left at 8:15), and Larry Kavinoky.
Absent: Paula Sandas.
Guest Present: Holly Welstein of CT Library Working Group.

Board Priorities
Traffic Calming:
John Mark and Kathy Durham reported that after a second test, the Fire Department determined that they could maneuver around the proposed traffic circle at Yale and College and that no design changes are necessary; therefore there is no need for a meeting with nearby residents (as was discussed last month). Kathy and John Mark will meet with David Stillman (City Representative) and the Advisory Group on February 28 to monitor progress on the Traffic Calming Trial. John Mark , with help from Kathy, will try to analyze the traffic data collected last year.

Research Park Update:
A release of nitric acid from an Industrial Park facility near Barron Park created an odor that recently alarmed Barron Park residents. HazMat team members were notified, but the fire department did not respond. That event and the procedures for handling such events will be discussed at a meeting in Barron Park in the near future. John Mark will either attend that meeting or receive a report from the Barron Park Resident’s Association following the meeting.

Annual Meeting:
The annual meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18th from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Guest speakers (to be determined) will address emergency preparedness. The future of the branch library system and how to raise money for landscaping of the planned traffic circles will also be discussed at the annual meeting.

Library Update
Holly Welstein, of the College Terrace Library Working Group, brought the board up to date on the status of the library system master plan. The new City Council has made resolving the library issue one of its high priority items for 2006. Many of the library facilities are in great need of repair, and the City does not have the financial resources that it once had. There has been a perpetual tug-of-war between community members who cherish the accessibility of the branch libraries (including the College Terrace Library) and those who favor a modernized central library, presumably at a cost savings. The City Library Library Director (who was a strong proponent of a centralized library) has resigned, effective at the end of the fiscal year, potentially complicating matters. Alexandra suggested that the only way to save the branch libraries would be to show how they can be financially cost-effective. Holly will send a letter to the new council members detailing the results of our CT Library Survey, and addressing the financial and quality of life advantages of maintaining the branch library system, which Alexandra will review.

Newsletter
Articles for the next newsletter need to be submitted by February 24th. The newsletter needs to be delivered to residents by March 4th (two weeks before the annual meeting). Topics to be included are: Nominating Committee Report, Annual Meeting Agenda, Update on the Library, Update on the Traffic Calming Trial, and a thank you to newsletter delivery volunteers.

Nominating Committee
The nominating committee has managed to find volunteers for all of the CTRA Board positions except Stanford Observer. It was noted that although it has become traditional for three people to share the observer posts, only one observer need to attend board meetings. This may make it easier to recruit volunteers for this position.

The Outgoing Board will plan a joint meeting/training session with the Incoming Board in late March.

Parking Permits
No report.

Test Survey
Board members will try the free “e-mail survey” and send comments to Kathy, to determine if the Board should sent it to all CT residents.

Treasurer’s Report
$40 has been received since December 1st. As reported last month, expenses exceeded income last year due to higher printing costs. Larry will send e-mail to all members who haven’t contributed lately asking them to contribute.

Minutes
The Minutes of the January 6, 2006 meeting were approved as presented.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.


Submitted by Hollis Radin, Board Secretary

Next meeting to be held on March 6th at 7:15 p.m. at Kathy Durham’s house