SKYVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING
SKYVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, 211 W. KOENIG
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 7:00 PM
Fellowship Hall

Present: Eric Vormelker, Lisa Schneider, Gail Bailey, Fred Daughtry, Daniel Zmud, Kevin Carroll, Robert Andrade, Lisa Mednick, Richard B. Janda, Brent Buford, Melissa Miller, Sheri Goodwin, Rob Kohler, Darlene Byrne, Pam Halter, Barrie Cogburn, Wendy Domjan, John Gardner, Hazel Allen, Kimberley Eerkes, Janice Meridith, Rindy Fox, Sam Staples, Bruce Logan, Naomi Perales, Francis McGrath, Virginia Ridings, Eric Oakmon, several Capital Metro representatives.

I. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS & THANK-YOU'S

Thanks so much to everyone who came, asked questions, listened attentively, and offered their enthusiasm. Thanks also to those who contacted us and couldn't make it, but offered their support in other ways.

-Eric and Lisa gave a brief synopsis of how all this came about and what has happened over the past two weeks.

-Much thanks was expressed to the following people for all their hard work: Fred Daughtry for the use of Skyview Church and their resources Gail Bailey & Colin Garvey for creating the petition, mobilizing forces, and other tireless efforts! Alex Zwarun for creating the flier, and the following for delivering fliers and going door to door in the record heat for petition signatures: Brandon, Nikki, Fred, Cassandra, Francis, Rindy, David, Daniel, Steve, Lisa, Eric, Wendy, Carol, and Gary!!!!!!!

II. TREASURER'S REPORT

-Lisa reported that she spent about $12 on name-tags, paper-products and sodas for tonight's meeting. This left a balance of $6.10 in our current petty-cash fund. More donations ($34.25) were collected at tonight's meeting, however, bringing our total to $40.35.

III. CAPITAL METRO PRESENTATION

-Several representatives from Capital Metro (including Capital Metro General Manager Karen Rae) gave a short presentation regarding light rail, specifically our Section 4 Option B part of the proposed rail line. We all discussed some of the drawbacks to this part of the line. They informed us that thanks to the efforts of Gail Bailey and Eric Vormelker, they have recently developed a list of fatal flaws and serious issues regarding the Option B dog-leg. Many of the items were already on our list, but the strongest "fatal flaw" is presently the difficulty of running the line through DPS property. Many questions were asked and answered regarding all of our other concerns as well. We presented them with our neighborhood petition containing approximately 120 signatures (out of a 200 household neighborhood...Good going guys!!!!:-) They assured us that they are listening to our concerns and that our efforts have already affected their plans.

ACTION ITEMS: They strongly urged us to all fill out their feedback forms or to go to their website (http://www.capmetro.org) to get on record with our concerns. Eric and Lisa have several copies of these forms should you need one. They ALSO informed us that there will be a Captital Metro Board meeting specifically regarding Light Rail on SEPTEMBER 25th (12:00 NOON, 2910 E. 5TH ST.). EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. They will contact us the week before the meeting to let us know what routes will be recommended to the board at that time.

IV. OFFICER ERIC OAKMON'S PRESENTATION

-Officer Eric Oakmon, our District Police Representative, made a short presentation about his role and what we can do to make our neighborhood safer. He stressed awareness, neighborhood watch, and property identification. He brought a number of useful handouts for us, too. His phone number is 834-7909. (In that vein, there was a bicycle theft on Skyview around lunchtime today (Tuesday)...If anyone saw anything suspicious, please contact Officer Oakmon.)

V. CLOSING REMARKS AND DESSERT:-)

-Eric and Lisa stressed that, while Light Rail is an important issue to the community at the present time, there are many other concerns and interests that an organized, active neighborhood association would help with. So, they want to try to stay focused on creating such a structure. To that end, we are still seeking people to volunteer as Block Captains for Ave. G and Link.

Anyone want to help organize a block party or potluck for the neighborhood;-)

Brent Buford has volunteered to create and host a website and a listserve. More info as it becomes available.

We then broke up to eat and converse.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

We are hoping to have a presentation on the status of the KOENIG expansion at the next meeting.

Eric received a request at the last meeting for information on the Butter Krust property. He did not get an opportunity to present the information at the meeting, but was able to contact a PR person at Hoovers Online, and confirmed that they will be renovating the structure, with plans to move in by May, 2001. They have a 10 year lease.