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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING November 12, 2009 The meeting was called to order by President Aileen Colon at 6:00 pm. The members of the Executive Board present were: Vice President Terence Endersen, Adam Hattan, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, Treasurer Robert O'Connor, Mike Ruehle, Erik Spence and Christopher Van Horn. Executive Board members John Forstrom and Jim Lazarus were absent. Thirty-three additional BSRA members and visitors were present. The meeting agenda was approved. The minutes of the October 8 meeting were approved. Chenda Young was introduced; she is the new Youth Services Librarian at the Bay Shore Library. LBPD representative Lt. Rosenthal reported on the status of crimes and enforcement activities. He stated that a public education campaign and an enforcement task force have resulted in decreased numbers of auto burglaries and there has been no increase in violent crimes. He had no information in response to a question about a reported recent assault; it is not clear if an incident was actually reported to the police. When questioned about using traffic checkpoints in the Shore to deter drunk driving, Rosenthal responded, "We can't do roadblocks; we are working the bars every weekend." Secretary Jeff Miller requested approval to pay the invoice of $15.00 for the annual renewal of the domain name registration fee for the BSRA web site; a motion by Treasurer Robert O'Connor, seconded by Marvin Jones, was approved unanimously. Miller reported three membership renewals since last month. Our current membership is down to 247, because 133 members have not renewed and are now in arrears, as of November 1. It is expected that only about 25 of those will renew. Treasurer Robert O'Connor reported our checking account balance is $3,759.00. Executive Board member Christopher Van Horn spoke about the Beach Committee. He reported the handball courts are currently being rebuilt. Jim Corbett spoke on the subject of kiteboarding and expressed his support for a concession and kiosk on the beach to serve the sport. There was a discussion of parking associated with kiteboarding: some felt parking should be provided by the city or a commercial vendor, others felt it was not a problem. Third District Councilman Gary Delong spoke for twenty minutes providing information about numerous projects around the city. He spent the next thirty minutes addressing questions from the audience on a number of topics. He was questioned most on the issue of problems caused by unruly and drunk patrons leaving bars. He said, "I understand your concern", but when pressed for specific responses and actions, he offered none. He was also pressed on the issue of naming a resident representative to the Parking Commission. (He is not supporting the BSRA's recommendation of Terence Endersen.) He said prior attendance at the meetings was not important to him; he is "looking for skills, not knowledge of the issues", and he desires a person who is a "quick study" and who can "reach consensus". After a few additional questions, DeLong departed the meeting. President Aileen Colon reported the most recent Parking Commission meeting included this item regarding the planned Gateway Sign: In response to questions about the sign, Chairman Bill Lorbeer stated the public has been informed and there is no need for additional input. However, Colon stated that when Lorbeer spoke at the recent BSBA meeting, he said there are changes to the sign proposal. Nancy Buchanan, BSBA representative, reported several events that are scheduled, including the Christmas Parade. President Aileen Colon announced the BSRA Neighborhood Mixer scheduled for November 14, with many prizes to be raffled. She also noted these items: a "Senior Scam Stopper" seminar on November 17, the Melody Ross donation fund, the Belmont Shore holiday food drive, and a variance hearing for 150 Santa Ana. A resident complaint about people drinking in parked cars prompted Erik Spence to request better communication in the community about the problems coming from various bars, and Mike Ruehle expressed frustration with Councilman DeLong's response to these problems. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller, Recording Secretary
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