Tremont West Development Corporationnn

Present: S. Catania, M. Hundt, S. Smith, S. Nagy, L. McLaughlin-Murray, K. Moss, B. Rikker, M. Leslie, J. Boylan, P. Pavarini, C. Krosel

Vice President Catania called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

I. Minutes of November 16, 2006 Meeting were distributed. L. McLaughlin Murray moved to amend them to reflect that she was the one who had moved that the Board go into Executive Session. K. Moss seconded. All present voted in favor.

II. Program/Committee/Updates:
A. Economic Development/Housing/Long Range Planning: S. Nagy reported that Keith Sutton and David Territo had given a presentation on the Starkweather Place homes (formerly known as Valley View Homes.) Prices range from $180,000 to $200,000. Construction is set for June in the proximity of Thurman and Starkweather. Sutton wants local tradesmen for the rehab piece. Residents in proximity of the development on Thurman can receive driveways at reduced costs due to bulk purchases. NPI has renewed Model Blocks for the next three years.

S. Catania stated the board needs detailed information from developers in order to properly do its job. If we (TWDC) need to acquire additional property for these projects, we should revisit the issue of development fees.

Sutton and Territo have sought a letter of support from the PTV block club. The block club saw the matter of support as contingent upon the examination of final plans and determination of whether the price point for affordability can be maintained.

The fate of the Buhrer lots is still unclear. One developer has withdrawn. CHN is firm on the sale price.

Please Executive Director's report for additional information.

B. Strategic Initiative Planning Process: City Architecture has not completed the Master Plan. TWDC officers have met with City Architecture principals re: concern over time-line and overall format of plan. Acting TWDC Executive Director, S. Bloom will inform the membership of TWDC regarding the status of the plan. A special membership meeting in April will be called to present the plan to membership.

L. McLaughlin-Murray and K. Moss expressed concern that the Christmas Story House needs better signage and better directions for its visitors.

C. Finance Committee: Financial Reports were distributed and questions arose regarding the negative amount in the checking account. Acting Executive Director Bloom stated that monies had been transferred into the account to maintain balance. Additional questions arose regarding large amounts of accounts receivables and amounts in doubtful accounts. Bloom stated that the accounts receivable related to fees owed by McCormick-Baron and CHN. The doubtful account pertained to fees owed by Metro Lofts. Bloom promised full explanations in an e-mail to directors scheduled for the next day.

Pending information on the three issues listed above, L. McLaughlin Murray moved and S. Smith seconded to accept the financial report. Ten directors voted in favor; one opposed.

New Business: The agenda was set aside so Frank Ford of NPI could present information on receivership and the role of a CDC. Ford stated that the concept of a receivership dates back to medieval England. It was a method of ensuring that assets be protected and preserved for creditors.

In 1940, New York City established a process for receiverships to take over properties that presented health or safety risks. The Supreme Court struck that down since all affected owners had not received adequate notification. The concept of receivership to deal with nuisance properties was tried again in Chicago and subsequently in the Union-Miles area of Cleveland in 1983. Ford was the attorney in the successful test case.

Receivers can be any neighbor within 500 feet, a non-profit with a housing mission or a municipality. Properties eligible for receivership are vacant, abandoned properties which are determined because of their deteriorated state to present a clear hazard to the community. Properties meet the criteria for condemnation and only repair or demolition are the options. The Housing Court will make the determination.

Receivers must report regularly to the Court regarding the status of the property. They will be eligible for reimbursement for expenses. Their claims supersede all other creditors except the IRS. TWDC (with funding support for costs) has been approached to become the receiver for three properties in areas that are experiencing major re-dev elopement. These three properties have been abandoned and have been havens for criminal behavior.

L. McLaughlin-Murray moved that the directors of TWDC accept NPI's offer of financial assistance to meet the costs associated with TWDC's applying for and accepting the receivership of any property meeting appropriate criteria. S. Bloom, Acting Director of TWDC, has been empowered to begin the process of accepting the receivership of these properties.

D. Fund-Raising and Marketing: Committee will meet in February. Annunciation Hall has been chosen as the site of the Reverse Raffle to be held in June 2007.

E. Community Organizing: See Inside Tremont

F. Property Management: Refer to Executive Director's Report.

New Business: (contined)
A. Agenda of Annual Meeting: S. Catania outlined responsibilities of various Board members. J. Boylan reminded the directors to inform TWDC members that they should not vote until all nominations have been closed. Ballots will not be collected until the nominating process has been closed.

B. Executive Director Search: Lynn McLaughlin Murray moved and K. Moss seconded the motion for the Board to go into Executive Session to discuss procedures for the executive director search. After discussing possible executive search firms, J. Boylan moved that the Board leave Executive Session. Lynn McLaughlin-Murray seconded the motion. Ten Board members voted in favor ( one had to leave because of an appointment_.

Adjournment: There being no further business, K. Moss moved to adjourn and M. Leslie seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m