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RICHWOOD PLACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION

November 15, 2011, 7:00pm-7:25 pm

General Meeting Minutes

Zoe’s Kitchen, 3701 S. Shepherd

Meeting Start time: 7:00 p.m.

Number of Attendees: 19 neighbors, including all six board members

Approval of Minutes from July meeting – All approve, no abstains

Old Business (7:18 pm)

a) CIP Update – Daniel Baker, chair – the neighborhood continues to look into ways to improve our sidewalk and streets. One necessary requirement to meet the application process is that a large number of signatures must be obtained supporting the work. The RPCA is looking for volunteers form individual blocks to help in this effort. Please contact Daniel Baker for more information: dbaker@cuckoo.com

b) Security Update – Rebekah El-Hakam for Larry Wood – Recruiting is underway for volunteers for Citizens on Patrol. A copy of the information has been posted on the http://www.RichwoodPlace.Org website. Crime watch signs are in and expect them to be up before our next meeting.

c) National Night Out – Rebekah – What a great night with over 125 members present. A special thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers.

d) Drainage at Erwan Chew Park – the bid for the work fell through and the city will need to re-bid the job with hopes that it will be resolved soon.

New Business (7:28 p.m.)

a) Deed Restriction Committee – If you haven’t seen the sign already the 1900 block of Norfolk will have a single family home erected on it.

b) Montrose Management District – residents are encouraged to visit the Montrose Management District website (http://www.montrosedistrict.org/) for information on the goings on in around our area

c) Block Captain for 1700 Lexington – A representative is still needed. Call for volunteers.

d) Elections – Elections were held by way of verbal voting process. First call for nominations and then a call for those in favor and those against. The election process was led by out-going vice-president Daniel Baker:

President – Rebekah El-Hakam

Vice President – Brian Kilpatrick

Secretary – Andy Stefaniak

Treasurer – Sue Bailey

Counselors – John Geiss and Ruth Adams

(A.Stefaniak joins deed restriction committee and R.Adams joins CIP committee)

e) Goals for 2012 – Increase membership and look for ways to create a more tight knit community.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

RICHWOOD PLACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION

July 12, 2011, 7pm-8pm

General Meeting Minutes

Zoe’s Kitchen, 3701 S. Shepherd

Meeting Start time: 7:00 p.m.

Number of Attendees: 28 neighbors, including all six board members

David Robinson (7:04 p.m.)

Following a brief introduction of David shared his personal history with involvement in protecting and enhancing our Houston neighborhoods, from in his local civic group all the way up to his current position of President of the Houston Superneighborhood Alliance. He congratulated Richwood Place for the approval of the Minimum Lot Size (MLS) application for the 1900-2000 Block of Norfolk. Now running for the office of Houston City Council At-Large Position #2 he looks forward to working with local neighborhoods in protecting our unique charm and heritage.

David fielded a number of questions from the civic association ranging from road conditions to red light cameras.

Old Business (7:18 p.m)

a) 1857/1901 Richmond – in our efforts to improve security and safety at the corner of Hazard and Richmond we worked with local business leaders to install a wrought iron fence behind the property to hopefully cut down on any illegal activity. Local neighbors have volunteered their time to improve the lighting and general upkeep of the area. Residents are reminded that if they observe any suspicious activity in the area to call the Houston Police Department non-emergency number at 713-884-3131 (what a great time to put this number in your mobile phone directory!).

b) Security Update – Safety training was held on July 19th at 7:00 pm at Home of Larry Wood – 1823 Portsmouth.

c) Sign Toppers – A new design capturing the essence of the signature bridges over 59 on the south side of our Neighborhood were shared. They look great and we are working with a fabricator for cost estimates and timing. Local realtors in the area have graciously agreed to pay for the signs. When you bump in to them, say thanks and keep an eye out for the new signs.

d) Ervan Chew Park improvements – we continue to work with the city to improve the appearance of the park. It looks like drainage improvements around the soccer field will begin sometime in August!

e) By-laws update – Rebekah shared some highlights of the new by-laws that were approved at the last meeting. The updates include strengthening the language around deed restrictions enforcement and clarifying some of the roles and responsibilities of the board members. The most recent copy of the by-laws can be found on www.richwoodplace.org.

New Business (7:28 p.m.)

a) Minimum Lot Size for 1900-2000 Block of Norfolk – APPROVED by the planning commission and we can expect word from the City Council in the next couple of weeks. Congrats to all the neighbors who helped out with the application and a special thanks to those who came out to the Planning Commission’s hearing. Our presence made a difference!

There are three more blocks that are without a Minimum Lot Size or a Minimum Building Line Setback. They include: 1700 block of Lexington, the 1900-2000 block of Portsmouth, and the north side of the 1800 block of Portsmouth. If there are any neighbors on those blocks that want to look into these applications please contact any one of the board members.

b) Socials – Over the past few years the 1800 Block has hosted the National Night Out events. In previous meetings other neighbors have expressed interest in having the party on their block. If you are interested, you have a lot of neighbors that are willing to help, please contact any one of the board members. If not, we will see this October for National Night Out on the 1800 block of Norfolk!

c) Membership – neighbors are reminded to join their civic association and pay their dues. Information as to dues and how to pay them online can be found at www.richwoodplace.org.

Block captains – are responsible for communication information between the RPCA and residents on a given street. The block captains meet with residents on their block, distribute flyers, raise neighborhood awareness, and more. Below is the current list of block captains but if you are interested in becoming one for your block or even just letting your current block captain know you can be there to help either contact them directly or contact one of the board members.

Block Name

1800 Portsmouth Chris Anger

1900 Portsmouth Gaelyn Lesher

1700 Norfolk Jeffrey Kolb & Mary Jane Black

1800 Norfolk Cliff Helmcamp

1900 Norfolk Brian Kilpatrick

1700 Lexington Claudio and Lee Pineda

1800 Lexington John Geiss

1900 Lexington Liuda and Gustavo Flores

Treasurer Report (7:38 p.m.)

Year to date we have received $975 dollars in dues. To date, we have spent $1181 on security ($675, gate behind businesses on Richmond), neighborhood parties ($346, Spring Party), and dues to the Neartown Association ($100) leaving a balance of $2382.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:40 p.m.