The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Neighborhood Association took place at Harwood Arts Center, 1114 7th St. NW, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM pursuant to prior approval.
Board members in attendance: Lindi Anderson, Robert Bello, Sue Byrch, Jim Clark, Jennifer DeGarmo, Dick Deichsel, Reba Eagles, David Keleher, George Kraehe,, David McCain, Jacque Wright, and Bob Yuhas,. (12) Board Members not in attendance: (3)
Other Neighbors present: Lee Blaugrund, Marilyn Bowman, Susan Deichsel, Viviette & Rick Hunt, Steve Littlejohn, and Anna Muller.
Chair George Kraehe, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present, the meeting duly convened, and ready to proceed with business. After introductions, the Board approved the agenda and minutes from the April Board of Directors Meeting as presented.
Treasurer’s Report
Jim Clark submitted the treasurer’s report for April 2009. The account balance as of April 30th was $13,854.62. We have not received the donation from ‘Crash’. Jim said he’d work on that.
Police and Safety Report
Present were Lt. Tim Gonterman, Sgt. Matt Thompson, and officers G. Luttrell & Zack Cottrell. There are a number of new officers to increase police coverage. i.e. bicycle beat, foot and horse patrol in the Old Town, Down Town Metro area. Concerns were voiced about the motorcycle speed and noise on Central. Numerous suggestions and recommendations were made, i.e. letters to City Council, installing traffic circles to slow traffic, work with down town action team, etc. The crime problems with alleys was discussed. Officers advised do not approach, but call 242-cops and e-mail Lt. Gonterman at tgonterman@cabq.gov for ongoing problems.
Downtown Growers Market & ABQ Library
Christopher Goble from the Down Town Action Team introduced Carolyn Espre who will be working to promote and improve the Downtown Growers Market and promote the library. Goal is to get more people to utilize. Send suggestions to growersmarket@downtownabq.com. Jacque Wright moved and it was seconded & approved for the DNA to donate $2000 to the DGM. Anna Muller said she would work to get a grant to install more electrical outlets in Robinson Park for the DGM.
Joann Murphy from the ABQ Library talked about and handed out flyers for library programs that are being offered in May through July. More information is available on the library website –www.cabq.gov/library.
New Membership
Marilyn Bowman acquired a list of 33 homes sold in the last 12 mos. and will contact to promote the DNA. She also distributed news-letters between 12th-16th and Central-Lomas.
Board Vacancy
Sandy Gregory resigned from the board. Lee Blaugrund was nominated and approved as her replacement. George Kraehe stated his house has sold and advised he would continue on the Board and as Chair until he moves.
Sector Development Plan Committee Report
Only 9 members of the committee attended the April meeting – no quorum. The importance of attendance was stressed. The next meeting is on Weds. May 13th @6:30PM in the Sunshine Café meeting room. Andy Garcia from Council Services will attend to advise about hiring consultants.
Zoning Report
Viviette Hunt presented her position for a variance for conditional use of an existing accessory building on her property in the 600 block of 16th St.. She asked for DNA support for this request. It was given and Robert Bello said he would send a letter to ABQ Planning Dept. to confirm.
Sue Byrch stated that she and Sandy Gregory were the only DNA Board members to attend the facilitated meeting for the property at 1810 Old Town Rd. She emphasized we are wasting the city’s time and money by not attending these meetings. There was discussion that it might be better to have the homeowner present their case at the DNA board meetings.
New Business
NM State Representative Rick Miera stated that approx. $25,000 was saved in projects that can be moved to fund other projects such as trees, electrical outlets in Robinson Park, etc. He’s working on shortening the Railrunner horn use at the intersections of Mountain and Menaul. Also, he is planning to host a meeting in June for ABQ neighborhood associations to get together.
With no remaining business to discuss, meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
