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 The meeting was held at the Sherwood Forest Presbyterian Church and ran from approximately 6 -7:45 PM. About 30 people were in attendance, with Association President, Russell Jones, presiding. The meeting began with short presentations by the three mayoral candidates Mayor Bob Coble, Joe Azar, and Kevin Fisher, and one at-large candidate for City Council, Kelly Coleman. A number of people expressed how much they appreciated this opportunity to hear the candidates speak. Someone suggested that we invite those who get elected to come to meetings in the future. President's Report: Russell reported on the highlights of the last two Executive Committee meetings. The Executive Committee recommended that three elected at-large committee members be added to its membership and that the chairs of other committees be ex officio members. The plan is to elect the three new Executive Committee members at the next general meeting in May. Three people were nominated at this meeting for those positions - Bud Tibshrany, Ed Tilden, and Lewis Kirk. Additional nominations will be accepted between now and the next meeting, and at the meeting itself. Russell also shared the tentative calendar for the next year. The idea is to have something happening about once a month. A neighborhood picnic is being planned for April or May, to be held at the Sherwood Forest Presbyterian Church, where we have general meetings. A National Night Out event will be held August 1st, and another Halloween party will be held in October. General meetings will be in May, August, and November. And Executive Committee meetings will be June, September, and December. Russell also noted that as of our general meeting in May, only paid members will have the right to vote on issues. Meetings, however, are open to everyone in the neighborhood, as are all social events. Meetings are being announced with signs, flyers, and on the website. Russell also wants us to develop a neighborhood "logo" or symbol that we can put on street signs and t-shirts. Submit suggestions to him before our May meeting so that we can vote on a logo at that meeting. He also asked that everyone bring a neighbor to the next meeting! The use of the website is encouraged for announcements and "banners" for businesses. As of May 1 a business banner will cost $49. Contact Lewis Kirk if interested in a banner. We want to encourage patronizing neighborhood businesses. Dr. Patricia (Pat) DeCoursey, USC biology professor, gave a presentation on the status of the Belser Arboretum. She is now in charge of managing the arboretum and is encouraging neighborhood involvement. In general she has set Sunday afternoons from 3-5 as a time for volunteers to come help with planting and clean-up. Just in the last two weeks a lot of work has been done with entrance gardens started, pines and other trees planted in the open area on the Bloomwood side, and a nursery started. Pat explained that the Arboretum has never been funded, but that the University has provided about $10,000 in in-kind goods and services in the last few weeks in the form of mulch, topsoil, and equipment and man-power to clear trails. She said that in addition to the help on Sundays she could use donations of rocks, timbers, and native plants. Eventually she would like to see the arboretum open to the neighborhood at specified times. She is hoping for a good on-going mutually beneficial working relationship with the neighborhood. After Pat spoke, Regina Monteith made a motion that our association apply for a City of Columbia CANDO grant to landscape the exterior of the arboretum (the areas outside the fence near the two entrances). Charlotte McCreary seconded the motion. The vote was called and it passed unanimously. The proposal was for shrubs and trees, parking spaces, and perhaps benches near the entrances. Neighborhood volunteers will do the planting and weeding, USC will provide irrigation. Treasurer's Report: Our Treasurer, Rhett Bailey, was not able to attend the meeting, but submitted a report the next day. We collected $220 in dues at the meeting and now have a total of 37 paid members. Our current account balance, including the dues just collected, is $1135.81. Marcy Swan, the Social Committee Chair, encouraged new volunteers for the committee. They will be meeting with the church in late April to plan the upcoming picnic. Marketing and Web Chair, Lewis Kirk, is also organizing Block Captains. If you would like to be responsible for getting information out to about 10 households in your immediate area, please contact Lewis for more information. Legal and Zoning Chair, Kirby Shealy reported that the IRS has finally approved our application for 501(c)(3) (nonprofit) status. So dues are now tax deductible! We still need a Membership chair. Volunteers? Under New Business, we filled the vacant position for Vice President. Larry Hembree was nominated for, and unanimously elected to, the position. Submitted by Valerie Marcil, Secretary
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