Review of minutes of previous meeting

• The minutes of the meeting held on 3/24/07 will be circulated by email, for final approval

Agenda review

• Agenda was reviewed and agreed upon by the attendees

BOARD PRIORITIES/MAJOR DISCUSSION ITEMS

Goals for 2007/2008

• All the board members indicated that a successful execution of the traffic calming initiative was one of their principal goals.
• Kathy suggested that when deciding on priorities, the board keep in mind the overall purpose of CTRA as stated in our bylaws: "to enable residents to work together to maintain and enhance the quality of life in College Terrace." She listed the three main types of activities that our bylaws note as furthering this purpose:
  • "Providing information on and opportunities for discussion of issues affecting the neighborhood;
  • Representing the interests of College Terrace before appropriate governing bodies, institutions and agencies; and
  • Providing opportunities for social interaction and community building within the neighborhood for the benefit of the residents."
• Andrea suggested that we explore various options to communicate to the neighborhood
  • Kathy proposed that we look at some models used by other neighborhood associations. For example, the Barron Park Association distributes their board agenda via the neighborhood e-news ahead of time, and the Greenmeadow Community Association has a tradition of quarterly meetings focusing on a particular issue which also include time for the board to present general updates to the neighborhood
• Kathy noted that previous boards have issued a document called "College Terrace Issues and Opportunities" a few months before each City Council election; this might be a useful starting point for discussion. This document is on the CTRA web site; she will send out the link.
• Board will review all the proposals at the next meeting, and vote on which ones to pursue as goals for the coming year.

Neighborhood traffic calming trial

• John Mark said we should come up with an executive summary, capturing the community's reaction (based on feedback in the survey forms.) This will be presented to Gayle Likens, so that she can get a good assessment of how well the traffic calming efforts are progressing.
• One big issue seems to be a lack of awareness on the "rules of engagement" at traffic circles. People donŐt seem to yield to traffic already in the circle
  • Andrea asked if having "Yield" signs at the circles might encourage motorists to yield to traffic already on the circle
• Susan asked whether speed tables would be a better option along College Ave
  • John Mark said that the City of Palo Alto would consider speed tables, if the traffic studies show that speed tables are warranted
• John Mark suggested reconstituting the College Terrace Traffic Calming Advisory Group, as a small working group of board members and other concerned residents who can contribute time and energy to working with the city on next steps in the trial, as well as keep the neighborhood and the board updated
  • Susan suggested that we ask anyone in the original Traffic Calming Task Force to see if they would be interested in actively participating in this group. It was agreed to do this as well as approach other interested residents.
  • For now, John Mark, Kathy, Emily and Steve will work on compiling the results of the traffic calming survey

Spring Picnic

• Andrea presented the logistics of this year's spring picnic that will be held on May 12
• Posters will be put up next week
• The next edition of e-news will also cover this event

Officers' Reports

• Treasurer report
  • Financial position as of 4/21/07: Cash in bank: $897.10 (+ $4,000 reserve)
    • Net income for the period April to September 2006: $354.94
  • We are now in the black, thanks to all the donations
• Communications Update
  • Newsletter will be sent out in early June
  • E-news will come out on 4/27/07.
• Social/Building Community
  • Social/Building Community

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Arun Sastry, Secretary