Newman Park Neighborhood Association September Board Minutes

Minutes for Newman Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting, September 26, 2008 at Cinco Puntos Press, 701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX.

In attendance: Becky Ayala, Lee Byrd, Lynn Coyle, Lisa Degliantoni, Abbie Majerczyk and Jim Tolbert.

President Lynn Coyle called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.

Minutes of August 23, 2008 meeting were approved.

Treasurer Lee Byrd reported that we have $1095.37 in the bank of which $400 is dedicated for bench memorials. We received $500 for the Romance Latino event from the City. Our expenses for that event were $363. So we netted $137.

Board members gave feedback about the Romance Latino event attended by 230 people. Reasons given for success included getting flyers out early, pitching the event in email, having an event that attracted more families.

The Board next discussed its participation in Pride Day on October 18th beginning at 8 a.m. Lisa said that she would ask for flyers and a dumpster for the event. Lisa will also make copies of the flyer and get to distributors. Jim will talk to the President of the Rim Area Neighborhood Association, Richard Teschner, about working together to pick-up trash along Scenic Drive. The following is our calendar for the publicity for this event:

October 10 (or prior) Electronic file of Pride Day flyer to me
October 11 Hard copies of Pride Day Flyers to board members/distributors
October 18 Pride Day

There was considerable excitement when discussing the Halloween event on October 25th beginning at 4 p.m. Becky F. has volunteered to get the pumpkins again this year. Abbie and Lisa said that they would get some kits for doing face painting. Becky A. and Lisa will bring extra tables. Abbie will bring buckets and Becky A. will bring soap for washing up. Lynn and Abbie will bring some things for collecting seeds, etc. Lee will see if Bobby Byrd will read a scary story or two. We will not encourage kids to come in costume this year. As we did last year, we will promote safe trick-or-treating in the neighborhood by asking people to keep their lights turned on. Lee agreed to prepare the Halloween flyer. We will ask Sergio if he will prepare the Spanish version for this flyer. Lee will copy flyers and get to all distributors. The following is our calendar for the publicity for this event:

October 16 Deadline to complete bilingual Halloween Event flyer
October 17 (or prior) Electronic file of Halloween Event flyer to me
October 18 Hard copies of Halloween Event flyer to board members/distributors
October 25 Halloween event

The Board began discussing CDBG grants for the neighborhood. The deadline for application is in November. Different ideas for the grant were discussed: new playground equipment, a basketball court, or a natural (e.g., Texas Sage) border along Alabama. Lynn suggested that we discuss these ideas via email.

There will be a community meeting on September 30 at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Garden Center, 3105 Grant. to discuss the Wheeling Street changes and the impact of those changes on traffic on Richmond and Louisville.

Jim will follow-up with Richard Garcia about the status of new swings for the Park.

The McKee Mansion (2630 Richmond) will be auctioned off by the Trustee at the County Courthouse on October 7 at 10 am.

Meeting was adjourned a few minutes past 9 a.m.