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Belmont Shore Residents Association MINUTES GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING September 8, 2011 The meeting was called to order by President Aileen Colon at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Elizabeth Borsting, Vice President Terence Endersen, Marvin Jones, Secretary Jeff Miller, and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Executive Board members Julie Dean, John Forstrom, Adam Hattan, Jim Lazarus, and Heidi Van Horn were absent. Thirty-six additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Election ballots were distributed to members as they entered the room and their membership status was verified by election volunteer Mary Jane Lazarus and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. Librarian Debi Gurley warned about the recent ticketing of autos in the parking lot of the defunct restaurant next door. She also explained that three city libraries will be converted to "reading rooms" due to recent budget cuts. Secretary Jeff Miller explained the Executive Board election process, announced the slate of candidates, and called for additional nominees; none were offered. The election was declared open, and members were instructed to mark their ballots and place them in the ballot box. The meeting agenda and the minutes of the August 11 meeting were approved. Dede Rossi, BSBA Executive Director, announced the annual Car Show September 11 and the Art Walk October 22. Several new businesses on Second Street were noted. Gene Rotondo introduced Matt Peterson and Eric Johnson, new owners of Legends. Vice President Terence Endersen reported these items from the Third District Councilman's office: Parking meters in the beach parking lots will be changed to "smart meters", a traffic survey will be conducted as part of the evaluation process for a signal at Claremont Ave., the Taxicab Line hours will be changed to begin at 10 pm instead of 7 pm, and sidewalk repairs are in progress. President Colon reported there was no Parking Commission meeting in August. Secretary Miller reported the current BSRA membership is 192; more than half of these have paid their dues for the next fiscal year. The checking account balance is $2,980.35. At 7 pm Miller announced the closing of the election; the counting of ballots commenced. Three residents on Corona Ave. spoke about their problems with Legends and Panama Joe's. They described the numerous and frequent disturbances to nearby residents caused by the patrons of these bars and asked the association for assistance. A lengthy discussion followed, in which the now-familiar problems caused by the bars were recounted. Fabius Rizk, manager of Panama Joe's, and Gene Rotondo offered to meet with residents to discuss problems, as they have offered previously, but they did not address the complaints. Suggestions were offered by residents, as they have been previously, such as: additional police presence, private security staff, and more responsible activity by the bar owners, such as eliminating the drinking promotions which invite the clientele who are the cause of the problems. Kurt Borsting, BSRA presidential candidate and a longtime Shore resident, suggested a dialogue between residents and bar owners to address the problems, and noted the responsibility of the bar owners to serve the public. He pointed out that the bars have been granted the privilege of using publicly-funded sidewalks for their businesses and that privilege requires responsible use. The Executive Board election results were announced: All candidates were elected without opposition. The board members for the next fiscal year (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012) are: President Kurt Borsting Vice President Terence Endersen Secretary Jeff Miller Treasurer Robert O'Connor Members at Large Max Alavi Chrisjeon Clemmer Aileen Colon Julie Dean John Forstrom Marvin Jones Robert Stropky The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm. Submitted by: Jeff Miller Recording Secretary
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