Board members attending:

Bryan Chester, Gail Morriss, Charles Johanson, Tom Daniel, Susan Pascoe, Candace Volz, Matthew Wheeler, Pat Tate, Drew Miller, Elizabeth Cash

Board members absent:

Charles Heimsath, Greg Hybl

Honorary directors present: none

The meeting was called to order at approximately 7pm and adjourned at approximately 8:45pm.  A quorum was present.

Agenda Item #1: Triangle parks update

Preliminary designs have been created for all 11 triangles.  It was agreed that a 12th triangle at the intersection of Claire and Wooldridge would be of benefit for traffic directing purposes.  A design will be created for this triangle as well.  All water lines and taps have been located and the irrigation has been planned.  About 70% of the triangles already have water taps, which is helpful.  We are now working on getting licensing.  This involves a $2,000 application to the City for all 12 triangles.  There was discussion about asking the City to reduce or eliminate this fee because we are improving City property.  The City is already donating the insurance necessary for this project.  We discussed again having the City adopt the large triangle at Ethridge and Jefferson for a small city park.  A neighbor has already volunteered to fund tennis courts in this area, should the park be created.  All donations to the triangle parks project will be tax deductible if made to Keep-Austin-Beautiful.  The funds will be earmarked for use on our triangles only. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have offered to host a small fundraiser at their home on March 22nd to benefit the triangle parks.  Crista Wheeler is serving as a liaison between the board and the Hicks in organizing the event.  We thank the Hicks for their generosity.

In addition, we would like to thank Brian Block of the City for his continuing work on the neighborhood’s behalf on the triangle project.

It was mentioned that maintenance of the islands will need a steady source of funding.  The idea of an endowment was raised, as was the importance of encouraging residents to become dues-paying association members.

Agenda Item #2: Report on Neighborhood Plan process

Pemberton Heights will be participating with Brykerwoods, Tarrytown, and the West Austin Neighborhood Group (WANG) in the City Neighborhood Planning process.  Neighborhood Planning is a City requirement and Pemberton Heights has come due in the overall City planning schedule.  According to a City website, “Neighborhood planning is an opportunity for citizens to shape the neighborhoods where they live, work, own property, or manage a business. The neighborhood planning process addresses land use, zoning, transportation, and urban design issues. The goal of neighborhood planning is for diverse interests to come together and develop a shared vision for their community.”  More about Neighborhood Planning may be found at the City’s website: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/overview_np.htm.

Susan Pascoe and Elizabeth Cash attended a WANG meeting in early January, along with Ed Tasch and Mike Curry from Brykerwoods.  The goal was “first contact” between the various neighborhood association boards who will be involved in working on the Neighborhood Plan.  Because it is very important to exchange information as broadly as possible, a large meeting is being planned by the three neighborhood association boards for all interested residents in the Neighborhood Plan area.

Agenda Item #3: Newsletter

It had been proposed at previous board meetings that the newsletter be outsourced to Peel, Inc.  This company takes on the burden of printing and distributing the newsletter in exchange for the ability to sell advertising space and keep revenue generated by the advertising.  Newsletters would be published monthly using content that PHNA would supply.  A packet of information and sample newsletters from other neighborhood associations using this service were examined.  Charles Johanson volunteered to contact Peel for additional information about the contract and services.

Agenda Item #4: Tour update

Elizabeth Cash is continuing to work on the neighborhood tour booklet.  She brought in the first 8 pages as a demonstration of how the booklet will look.  She is about 25% finished with the layout, then she will need to acquire some photos from the history center or other sources.

Agenda Item #5: Notice letters

Notices of building activity have been received from the City for: 

2510 Hartford – divide the lot and construct two single-family homes

**The next meeting is Thursday, March 22 at 7pm.  Note:  This meeting may need to be rescheduled.  Please check the PNHA website, www.pembertonheights.org for details as the date approaches.

Minutes prepared by Elizabeth Cash, Secretary

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