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.