Sunday, May 30, 2010

First official meeting a success!

Hello all,

Thanks to everyone who came out to the meeting. If you weren't able to attend, see below for the full meeting minutes.

Thanks,

Justin Lemoine


Monte Vista Neighborhood Association

First Official Neighborhood Meeting

May 27, 2010 7pm-8pm

The Red Shoes, 2303 Government St.

Attendees: Rose Ruffin, Justin & Lauren Lemoine, Mike McClosky, Creag Banta & Jann Briesacher, Mellissa Braud & Shelley Warrington, Sam Muffoletto, Adolph & Ever Voigt, Ryland & Camie Wall, Michael Johnson & Jim Vogler, Julie Betz, Reno Broussard, Cody King, Jeff Snell & Sheri Thompson, Kate Suchanek

Meeting Minutes:

Julie Betz started out by thanking everyone for attending and giving a little background about The Red Shoes.

Justin then introduced himself and invited the group to go around saying their name and their address.

He then stated the purpose of the neighborhood association.

Justin outlined the boundaries of Monte Vista as shown on the map provided for attendants. Sam Muffoletto stated that Monte Vista was actually a smaller area as defined by the City-Parish. Justin stated that that was in fact true, but that the boundaries for the MVNA were drawn to be larger so as to include adjacent neighbors within the logical area as is defined by adjacent conditions.

Sam stated the necessity to follow City-Parish designations for legal matters. Justin & Sheri Thompson stated that the purpose of the NA was more about fellowship and a sense of community and less about legal matters. Justin said that all avenues would be explored as the group develops further and solidifies its purpose.

Sheri then read aloud the bylaws for the neighborhood association and fielded questions on a few portions of the text.

The Bylaws were then approved without an official vote and are subject to change as the group further develops.

The discussion focused back onto the bylaws and the topic of membership dues. Possible dues were discussed similar to those of Bernard Terrace. It was decided that those dues were too high and that we should do something much lower until there is a dedicated direction with which to spend any funds.

Creag Banta asked if it was necessary to have police presence. Several people described recent incidents and the need for some sort of presence.

Lighting was discussed as another way to deter crime from the area after dark.

The conversation was brought back to membership dues and it was decided that $10 per household per year would be set until further notice. Sheri put it up for a vote. All present voted ‘yes’. No one present voted ‘no’.

Sheri then turned the conversation to the nomination of officers. Sheri Thompson was nominated to the role of Secretary/Treasurer. She was then nominated to the role of Vice President. That vote was seconded and Sheri accepted the nomination. Justin Lemoine was nominated for the role of President. The vote was seconded and Justin accepted the nomination. Michael Johnson was nominated to the role of Secretary/Treasurer. He declined the position. Jim Vogler nominated Camie Wall to the role of Secretary/Treasurer. The vote was seconded and Camie accepted the nomination. Sheri Thompson put the vote of all officers for a vote of approval before all in attendance. All present voted ‘yes’. No one present voted ‘no’.

Jann Briesacher asked that all those present at tonight’s meeting be considered founding members and be grandfathered in so that if membership dues are raised, the members present would pay the original amount decided upon for the first year.

It was decided that meetings will occur on the last Thursday of every month. There was no decision as to whether there was a need for monthly meetings, but monthly socials were discussed.

Sheri thanked everyone for coming and the meeting was officially adjourned.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Meeting tonight

Hey guys,

The meeting is tonight at 7pm at The Red Shoes. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.

Justin
931.4863

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Meeting 5/27 at 7pm! Here is the agenda

Agenda:

-Mingling

-Statement of Purpose for the Neighborhood Association

-Boundaries of Monte Vista

-Membership/Dues

-Officers/Block Captains/Committees

-Meetings

-Approval of Bylaws

-Priorities

-Issues/Concerns

-Adjourn

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

MVNA Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that the first official Monte Vista Neighborhood Association Meeting is this Thursday, May 27, 2010 @ 7pm at The Red Shoes - 2303 Government St.
Refreshments will be provided.


Come on out to meet your neighbors and learn more about our neighborhood!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010


The neighborhood is now included in the Mid City Cultural District, and residents are eligible for some tax credits for historic rehabilitation. Thanks.



TaxSeminar2010.jpg





Carrie Broussard

Economic Development Manager

Carrie.Broussard@brgeneral.org

_________________________________

Mid City Redevelopment Alliance

419 N. 19th Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

225-346-1000

www.midcityredevelopment.org

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Draft Bylaws!

Here are the draft bylaws for your review. We will finalize and vote on the bylaws at our 5/27 meeting. Please send any changes to the email address: montevistabrla@gmail.com.

BYLAWS
BYLAWS OF MONTE VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I PURPOSE
The purpose of the Monte Vista Neighborhood Association is to engage the area businesses and residents in order to build and maintain a strong sense of community, maintain the integrity of the neighborhood and provide a collective voice for neighborhood issues to the local government. The Monte Vista Neighborhood Association will not engage in activities otherwise prohibited by law or for tax-exempt, non-profit corporations.
ARTICLE II. BOUNDARIES
The boundaries of the neighborhood are set as:
Arlington and Kenmore south of Government and north of Claycut. South Eugene between Government to the north and Myrtle to the south.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
A. The membership of this association shall be residents, property owners or businesses within the neighborhood.
B. A Voting Member shall be a household or business within the boundaries of the neighborhood that has paid dues. Each household or business within the neighborhood shall be entitled to one vote.

C. Dues will be determined by the voting members. Yearly dues are to be $_____ per voting member.

D. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of views or opinions contrary to the goals and purposes of the association.


ARTICLE II. OFFICERS
The voting members of the neighborhood association shall nominate and elect the officers of the association. The officers of this association shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting. The officers of the association shall be President, a Vice President, a Secretary/ Treasurer. The officers of the association will comprise the Board of Directors.
A. The President shall call and preside at all meetings, shall act for and in behalf of the membership of the association, shall appoint any special committees necessary for the operation of the association business, and shall act as official spokesperson for the association.

B. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, assume all of the duties of that office and shall be responsible for publicity and notifications of meetings of the association.

C. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a permanent record of all formal meetings, all legal documents and legal transactions of the association, all financial receipts and a permanent record of all financial business of the association. An up-to-date financial report shall be submitted at each meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for membership.

F. Any officer can be removed from office by a 2/3rds majority vote of the dues paying membership (if applicable) after a special meeting has been requested at least ten (10) working days in advance.
ARTICLE III. COMMITTEES
A. The President shall have the power to appoint committees as necessary to implement the purposes of the charter.

B. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
An annual meeting shall be held during the month of May at a time and place designated by the President.
A. Not less than 10 percent of the Voting Members shall have the privilege of petitioning a special meeting at any time.

B. The Voting Members present shall constitute a quorum.

C. At least a 10 day notice shall be provided in advance of any association meeting. Every effort will be made to notify all interested parties and members of the Association of upcoming meetings either by email, flyers, official blog posts, or Facebook announcements.

D. All meetings shall be public and open to any interested persons.

ARTICLE V. NOMINATION, ELECTIONS, ANNUAL REPORTS AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
A. Nominations of officers shall be made from the floor at the annual meeting.

B. Election of officers shall be held on the same day as the nominations.

C. Upon installation of the officers whose terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting, all documents, records, and any materials pertaining to the duties of the office as designated in the bylaws which are in the possession of the outgoing officers shall be submitted to the newly elected counterpart within 30 days of the installation.

D. Any vacancies occurring during the year of any Officer or member of the advocates shall be filled by appointment by the association advocates.

E. Any officer may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the voting members.

ARTICLE VI. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
A. Expenditure of funds of the association may not be made without the signatures of at least two (2) Officers and the Treasurer.

B. Financial records and funds of the association shall be audited at least once a year by a committee of at least two (2) Voting Members appointed by the President/Chairperson prior to a new Treasurer's taking office.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
A. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote.

B. Proposed amendments shall be sent to all members at least working days in advance of the meeting where action is to be taken or shall be read at the presiding meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. GENERAL
A. The rules in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the association, the Board of Directors, and all subcommittees in all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the specific provisions of these Bylaws or any special rules that the association may adopt.

B. If any part of these Bylaws or the application thereof is hereafter held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby, and only the affected portions are declared eliminated.
C. No officer, representative, spokesperson or member shall have any financial liability of the association.

DATE ADOPTED:_______________________________

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

710 Arlington Avenue - $164,500

Adorable home in the neighborhood for sale! 710 Arlington is listed here.

Coleman held on B&E only

The girl whose house he was in, called the police station yesterday to find out what charges he was being held on. It's only a Breaking and Entering charge, which is nothing major and he might not be in jail for long. Maybe even already out for all we know. So be very careful and call us if you see him.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Jamie Coleman update!

Jamie Coleman was arrested last night after breaking into the two story rental on Kenmore close to Government. He was naked and in the bed of the woman that rents the apartment - she was not home! The upstairs neighbor called the police. When the police arrived, Jamie had drugs on him and a pending felony charge ... so as far as we know he is back in jail.

Jamie Coleman is back

Mr. Coleman has left rehab (or wherever he was) and has once again made his presence known in the neighborhood. According to the police, someone matching his description was propositioning women for sex. He also made the mistake of returning to the Wall residence. He has been forbidden to return and the police will be called if he does again.

Upcoming Meeting 5/27

Cami, Jeff and I are blanketing the neighborhood with flyers for the upcoming Monte Vista Homeowners Association meeting to be held at The Red Shoes at 7pm on Thursday, 5/27. All Monte Vista residents are welcome to join us (renters and owners included). I am working on a draft of the Bylaws and will post it here sometime this week. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Sheri