Capitol Heights Civic Association
Minutes of July 11, 2006 Monthly Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Helen Harris, President.

Visitors and New Members:

New member Jamey Lowdermilk introduced herself and announced that she had been a winner of a contest with Edy’s Ice Cream and had won enough ice cream for 100 people. She invited folks to her ice cream party on Thursday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. at 1536 St. Charles Avenue. Volunteers signed up to help with party.

Minutes:

In the absence of Secretary Ciynthia McCollister, Member-at-Large Cindy Keeping read the minutes to the June 13th meeting. Minutes approved as read.

Treasurers’ Report:

Treasurer Mike Dapelo gave the financial report for the month. Ending balance is $8,211.00.

Old Business:

Ice cream social to be held in the CHUMC fellowship hall on August 11 from 6:30-8 PM- how many ice cream churns do we have in the neighborhood? A list was passed out for all to sign up if they own a churn or could help Chairperson Rebecca Williams with the event.

Committee Reports: Marilyn Rutherford – Welcoming Committee has contacted several realtors and other merchants in the area for items in the baskets. She and her volunteers have decided to provide a loaf of homemade bread in each basket given out to new comers. Source for city maps requested. No other reports made by committee chairs.

Bob Knapp was thanked for his work as President of CHCA last year.

Kathie Blackmon and her crew were thanked for their work on the successful July 4th Watermelon Fest in Armstrong Park, especially the seed spittin’ instructions and contest and the frisbee event with Brantwood family.

New Business:

National Night Out, a crime prevention event across America, will be Friday, August 1st…suggested that everyone keep their porch lights on and visit neighbors.

Russell Stringer, Urban Forester will speak at August 8th CHCA Meeting. Request was made to ask Mayor Bright to speak soon.

August newsletter article deadline is July 26th. Delivery will be August 2 – 6th…All volunteers to deliver please make note.

No opposition voiced to suggestion for a “members only” column for items wanted and offered for home improvement–as an enticement for new members.

Brantwood Children’s home, by unanimous vote, was made an honorary Capitol Heights Neighbor at suggestion of the EC, which had approved the measure. Brantwood Children’s Home Executive Director, Kim Herbert had expressed an interest in joining the CHCA in discussions with Helen Harris. The Brantwood family (presently 28 children plus staff) will be invited to attend CHCA events and will receive newsletters.

Announced that the EC voted to apply for a BONDS Grant for four more Capitol Heights street signs and one historic marker for the former site of Capitol Heights Elementary School. No votes in opposition from the membership.

Stated that the EC had been advised calendars were not reliable fundraisers. Requested that neighbors call EC members with comments about the possibility of publishing a Capitol Heights Centennial Cookbook as a fundraiser.
Red Cross hurricane information booklets were available again tonight.

Neighbors were requested to call Cindy Keeping with any ideas for the Candlelight Tour, especially suggestions for free publicity.

Requested assistance with watering new trees and everyone was requested to bring a neighbor to the next CHCA meeting.
Speakers: Linda Wool and Nita Hendrix from City Planning were introduced by Terry Robinson, who showed a photograph of Mt. Meigs Rd as it looks now and a computer-generated photo of how it might look with sidewalks, landscaping, and other proposed improvements. Wool went over the amended Draft Neighborhood Plan for Capitol Heights. Besides going over the draft material she announced the following new developments:
The Architectural Review Board is being standardized with the help of a new City Planning employee from a Historic Preservation group.
1. A new landscape ordinance has been approved which will insure all new construction in the city will have a certain level of landscape beauty.
2. Linda Wool 241-2066
The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.