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Tremont West Development Corporation
Board of Directors
January 17, 2008

Present: S. Catania, J. Boylan, D. Mehring, H. Crowther, S. Smith, J. Chiplis, L. McLaughlin-Murray, C. Krosel, S. Nagy, P. Pavarini, M. Hundt, B. Riker, M. Leslie, Tom Cook
Excused: K. Moss Staff: C. Garland
Guests: Chris Harder, Tim Jenkins, H. Senyak

S. Catania called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

I. December Minutes: J. Boylan moved to approve. S. Smith seconded. All voted in favor.

II. Resolution approving formal application for CDBG funds for coming year: Exec. Director Garland stated that the Board needed to give formal approval so the application process can begin. J. Boylan reminded the directors they needed to read and sign statements regarding conflict of interest definitions. L. McLaughlin-Murray stated that even though this is a contract of adhesion, the executive committee should review it.

T. Cook moved that the TWDC Board empower the Executive Director to begin the application process for CBDG funds during the coming funding cycle. L.McLaughlin-Murray seconded. All voted in favor.

III. Committee Reports-Finance-this months finds us in good shape. Fund-raising efforts are doing well. The audits were good; financial standing is down because of property, economic issues. Lynn is meeting with Lynn Friedel regarding the ongoing transition. Sandy Smith questioned the classification of funds for the Metro North grant. That will be checked. D. Mehring moved to approve the financial report, T. Cook seconded. All voted in favor.

Housing: Property Management: CHN representatives had given the Housing Committee a new contract for review and then presentation to the Board. There was a significant change added after the original submission. CHN has asked for a $300 penalty per unit for each vacant over thirty days. A month's time to rent a unit is unrealistic in the light of advertising, background checks, credit qualification of tenant, etc. It was recommended that our executive director meet with other CDC's re: their reaction and possible response to this. We are not approving the contract.

J. Boylan is crafting a set of procedures for the Housing Committee regarding developers who come to committee and ultimately TWDC for approval of new projects or request zoning changes. These are based on the Master Plan and the 2001 Master Plan guidelines. Boylan stated that approval of a project will be automatically denied or retracted if the facts presented to the City or the Zoning Board are materially different from what was presented to the local Block Club or to the Housing Committee.

There was discussion re: ODOT 's four properties on Fairfield which had become a magnet for lawlessness. The police have evicted the "residents" and the properties are being boarded and will be monitored.

Economic Development: Power Point regarding key accomplishments and responses to the action plan is being prepared for the Annual Meeting.

Fundraising: Brief report on February effort - Tremont is for Lovers. The committee has prepared a very tasteful calendar of events for the coming year.

Safety: Monthly meetings continue with the goal of getting representation from all block clubs. Revival of the Bobcat effort or similar mobile patrol is a possibility if volunteers and funding can be found.

Nominations: All eleven candidates running for the seven seats meet the qualifications spelled out in the bylaws. Tim Jenkins complained that the nomination process should have started earlier… so many candidates are trying to get to relatively few meetings of block clubs. Marcia Leslie pointed out that the Nomination process traditionally began in November and it has worked well over the years. S. Catania pointed out the TWDC historically is one of the few CDC's that has its membership which is community based, elect its board.

Marcia Leslie said it was important to remember that the Board members are volunteers. They make many sacrifices for the community and this constant criticism and negativity is uncalled for.

Annual Meeting: The Power Point will present a synopsis of the SII plan and the action plan for the board. The Mayor and the two councilmen will speak. There will be recognition of departed staff and the introduction of the new hires.

A Retreat for the incoming Board is scheduled for February 19th.

New Business: Henry Senyak presented the safety issue surrounding the temporary and unexpected closing of the fire station serving the Flats and Tremont. The issue is overtime. The City Administration is trying to save funds. L McLaughlin-Murray said that this is more of a brown out rather than a closing. Director Garland mentioned just receiving a letter from an official of the Fire Department regarding this. TWDC needs to be prudently supportive of the neighborhood issues.

There being no further business, L. McLaughlin-Murray moved to close the meeting, M. Hundt seconded. All voted in favor.


	Tremont West Development Corporationnn

	*"To maintain and improve the living, business, and cultural conditions for all of Tremont."***
		Tremont West Development Corporation Board of Directors January 17, 2008 Present: S. Catania, J. Boylan, D. Mehring, H. Crowther, S. Smith, J. Chiplis, L. McLaughlin-Murray, C. Krosel, S. Nagy, P. Pavarini, M. Hundt, B. Riker, M. Leslie, Tom Cook Excused: K. Moss Staff: C. Garland Guests: Chris Harder, Tim Jenkins, H. Senyak S. Catania called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. I. December Minutes: J. Boylan moved to approve. S. Smith seconded. All voted in favor. II. Resolution approving formal application for CDBG funds for coming year: Exec. Director Garland stated that the Board needed to give formal approval so the application process can begin. J. Boylan reminded the directors they needed to read and sign statements regarding conflict of interest definitions. L. McLaughlin-Murray stated that even though this is a contract of adhesion, the executive committee should review it. T. Cook moved that the TWDC Board empower the Executive Director to begin the application process for CBDG funds during the coming funding cycle. L.McLaughlin-Murray seconded. All voted in favor. III. Committee Reports-Finance-this months finds us in good shape. Fund-raising efforts are doing well. The audits were good; financial standing is down because of property, economic issues. Lynn is meeting with Lynn Friedel regarding the ongoing transition. Sandy Smith questioned the classification of funds for the Metro North grant. That will be checked. D. Mehring moved to approve the financial report, T. Cook seconded. All voted in favor. Housing: Property Management: CHN representatives had given the Housing Committee a new contract for review and then presentation to the Board. There was a significant change added after the original submission. CHN has asked for a $300 penalty per unit for each vacant over thirty days. A month's time to rent a unit is unrealistic in the light of advertising, background checks, credit qualification of tenant, etc. It was recommended that our executive director meet with other CDC's re: their reaction and possible response to this. We are not approving the contract. J. Boylan is crafting a set of procedures for the Housing Committee regarding developers who come to committee and ultimately TWDC for approval of new projects or request zoning changes. These are based on the Master Plan and the 2001 Master Plan guidelines. Boylan stated that approval of a project will be automatically denied or retracted if the facts presented to the City or the Zoning Board are materially different from what was presented to the local Block Club or to the Housing Committee. There was discussion re: ODOT 's four properties on Fairfield which had become a magnet for lawlessness. The police have evicted the "residents" and the properties are being boarded and will be monitored. Economic Development: Power Point regarding key accomplishments and responses to the action plan is being prepared for the Annual Meeting. Fundraising: Brief report on February effort - Tremont is for Lovers. The committee has prepared a very tasteful calendar of events for the coming year. Safety: Monthly meetings continue with the goal of getting representation from all block clubs. Revival of the Bobcat effort or similar mobile patrol is a possibility if volunteers and funding can be found. Nominations: All eleven candidates running for the seven seats meet the qualifications spelled out in the bylaws. Tim Jenkins complained that the nomination process should have started earlier… so many candidates are trying to get to relatively few meetings of block clubs. Marcia Leslie pointed out that the Nomination process traditionally began in November and it has worked well over the years. S. Catania pointed out the TWDC historically is one of the few CDC's that has its membership which is community based, elect its board. Marcia Leslie said it was important to remember that the Board members are volunteers. They make many sacrifices for the community and this constant criticism and negativity is uncalled for. Annual Meeting: The Power Point will present a synopsis of the SII plan and the action plan for the board. The Mayor and the two councilmen will speak. There will be recognition of departed staff and the introduction of the new hires. A Retreat for the incoming Board is scheduled for February 19th. New Business: Henry Senyak presented the safety issue surrounding the temporary and unexpected closing of the fire station serving the Flats and Tremont. The issue is overtime. The City Administration is trying to save funds. L McLaughlin-Murray said that this is more of a brown out rather than a closing. Director Garland mentioned just receiving a letter from an official of the Fire Department regarding this. TWDC needs to be prudently supportive of the neighborhood issues. There being no further business, L. McLaughlin-Murray moved to close the meeting, M. Hundt seconded. All voted in favor.








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