QUARTERLY MEETING - THURSDAY, October 17th, 2002

I.          Call to Order

a.      No minutes to approve due to Cindy’s computer getting the KLEZ virus, which wiped out her hard drive.  A motion was made and approved to move forward from this point. 

II.        Special Guest – Mark Housewright – City Council District 3

            State of the District Address:

            Councilman Housewright has been in office for 7 months.  It has been a whirlwind of activity.  There have 3 town halls around town.  Mr. Housewright advised that if we haven’t been hearing about  the town hall meetings, we can be updated by either calling the  district office at  (214) 670-4199 or e-mailing at dallascityhall.org.   Mr. Housewright stressed that he does return phone calls.  Jason, his assistant handles the majority of the code compliance requests.  

Events at City Hall that have some effect on Oak Cliff and/or our neighborhood.  Two weeks ago the budget was passed.  There will be a slight property tax increase.  There was a $95M shortfall in the budget.  There was a downturn in revenues, and health costs for city employees were significantly higher.  Health insurance increases were approximately $20M.  The City of Dallas was  down over $30M in sales revenues.  All other revenue areas such as franchise taxes are also down.  Even trash revenues are down.   Laying off employees and delaying future expenditures have addressed the budget shortfall.   The property tax increase is 4.7%.   Across the city, voters told their representatives they would rather maintain city services and pay a modest tax increase.

The City will try a bond issue in the Spring for roughly $500-600 million.  The bonds will focus on parks, buildings, etc.  Our infrastructure needs tremendous improvements.  Standards & Poor has threatened to drop the city’s rating without improvements.   If we have any suggestions for projects that would be covered by a bond issue, we need to contact Mr. Housewright and let him know what it is.  The projects need to be finalized by January.  He needs to be advised ASAP.  

Smoke Free ban – a majority on the council are leaning towards banning smoking in all restaurants.   The vote is divided as to bars and hotels.  If you disagree, you should let Housewright know.  

Trinity River Project – Things are moving ahead in a methodical fashion.  The litigation has been settled.  The Courts have required an overall economic assessment of the project.  Laura Miller has worked hard on getting top people to work on the project.  There is still great concern about pouring concrete in the greenbelt unless we have to.  Voice your input, as this is a project that will affect Dallas for the next 30 years.  

The I-35/Hwy 67 discussions are going on right now.  They will be expanding 67 and I-35.  We don’t want any taking of homes.  They will be taking some of the commercial properties along Beckley by the zoo.  They are leaning to a 5-3-5 configuration.    Tx.dot has a website available on the topic.  There is a tremendous amount of pressure from the south to make the highway even wider.  We want to know why this is the first we have heard about this.  It is important to voice your opinion to Housewright on this expansion. 

City Services – Dallas wide there are problems with animal control and there are not enough proper facilities.  The shelter is deplorable.  Efforts are underway to try and get private funding to help with the shelter.  We are putting to death 400 animals a day.  Looked at dropping the recycling program, the program was included in the budget for this year.  Looking at new technologies, which would be a pay as you throw program.  The more you dispose of, the more you would pay. 

Petty Crime is up in Oak Cliff as well.  We are trying some new programming.  The police have started a volunteer patrol program.  This program is a step above crime watch.  Sergeant Gonzalez leads the program.  

Economic development – There will be a new Wal-Mart on Ft. Worth Avenue, new electronic store, new home improvement store and some other developments.  Along Mt. Creek there is another new distribution area being developed with new retail development as well.  Ft. Worth Avenue retail development is also working to bring in new business.  Housewright and the Mayor have been working to try and get some development along the gateway by Methodist Hospital, however this will require some Texas legislative changes.  The area doesn’t even have basic infrastructure.   300,000 sq ft has been added to the Dallas Convention Center.  The project was finished under the wire and the Convention Center is booked up for the next 15 months.   Looking at trying to build a Convention Center Hotel built.  There are two options – one on Lamar, the other above the parking garage. 

Kidd Spring Park – expansion

Review of Kiest Park softball center

12 Hills – Volunteer group pushing to do a Nature Center

Q&A:

 Any possibility of getting sidewalks on Tyler/Vernon – e-mail previously sent.  He will make a note to check on the status.   Funding would be out of Step-Funding.  He is 97% sure the request on the list submitted by Dallas.   If on the list, would be funded within the next two years. Terry gave Housewright the neighbor’s number and address and asked him to contact him directly. 

Lynn Johnson – on the I-35 expansion, is there any budget for a sound barrier?  Housewright advised that they will do studies as to where sound walls will be needed.  They measure the current noise from the highway and have computer modeling that will measure the sound increase.  It takes a 5 decibel impact before there will be Federal funding for the sound walls.    Planning stages will be finished by early next year.  In about two years construction will begin.  

Trash question – couldn’t hear the question.  We have the Don’t Mess With Texas program and that’s about it.  TXDOT budget is stretched as well. 

Lana – re:  Animal Shelter.  The private sector in San Diego donated $4M to the animal shelter program there.  (unable to hear the comment)

Mayor and council members all need a little more power.  

III.       Crime Watch – Terry Thomas

Some good news, the Dallas Police Department is patrolling more frequently.  Terry got a parking ticket by parking in the wrong direction.  First auto theft 700 block S. Manus.  Attempted burglary, Shelmire, but the alarm scared them off.  Burglary Woolsey, and Mayrant.  Bizerte – alarm went off and scared them off.  Reviewed past offenses – if you are on a corner or on the green belt, your chances increase for a burglary.  

IV.            Beautification Update - Joseph

Tremendous progress.  Electric and sprinklers have been installed.  We are hoping to have the landscaping done in time for the Tour of Homes.   We have received funds from OOCCL and the City of Dallas.  The triangle at Woolsey and Manus will be done in the Spring.    Still looking for people to help on the Beautification Committee.  Cheree and Beth have yard of the month for November.    Voting for the Holiday Decorations will be December 6^th this year. 

V.            Publications - Christine

a.      New Signage – signs can change as needs change

b.      Raffle – This year will be three prizes.  Two round trip tickets on SW Airlines, two night stay Embassy Suites in New Orleans, and two night stay at the Embassy Suites in Austin.  $10 per ticket or three for $25.00  The raffle will be held at the Holiday party. 

c.       Free magnet for Wynnewood North – has relevant phone numbers.

 VI.              Treasurer’s Report/Pass the Hat - Sue

We started out the year with $4,300.  We are down to $1,899.37.  However, we have made numerous changes this year and the money has been used to benefit the neighborhood. 

 VII.            Upcoming Events - Morgan

a.      Wynnewood Wanderer – The format has changed to appetizers and desserts only.  We currently have 3 homes hosting and are looking for a 4^th.  It starts at the Sullivans, then the Libby’s then the Horecks home.  We are selling 50 tickets at $20 a ticket.  Morgan is selling tickets tonight. 

b.      Holiday Party – December 7^th, starting at 6:30 at 528 Hoel, hosted by Tom Reeves.

c.       New Neighbors – Alan and Mike on South Manus.  Richard and Jeff Updike.

d.      Neighborhood Directory – will be updated in January, but need any new information.

VIII.            OOCCL Update - Tom

The Libbys and Silver and Bill won tickets to the home tour.  We have a home on the tour this year (Carol and Stewart’s home).  Tickets can be purchased at any home or at the Stevens Park pavilion. 

IX.       Open Discussion/Adjourn - Dean

            Elections in January – Dean and Scott have moved outside of the neighborhood and Dean can no longer serve on the Board.  He will stay through the January elections.  Morgan will also be leaving the Board as will Joey.  We need new blood on the Board, and we want to keep the momentum moving toward progress in the neighborhood. 

No one from Owenson's was present at the meeting.