Vecinos del Bosque Neighborhood Association Meeting
April 24,2008
Board Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome – Irma Ruiz

• Attendees and new board members introduced themselves.

2. Vote – Board Officers

• Irma Ruiz reaffirmed her desire to continue being Board President. Group moved, seconded, and voted unanimously.

• Dory Wegrzyn, via email, reaffirmed her desire to continue being 1st Vice President. Group moved, seconded, and voted unanimously.
• Gary Runyan, via phone call, reaffirmed his desire to continue being 2nd Vice President. Group moved, seconded, and voted unanimously.
• Lesley Molecke reaffirmed her desire to continue being Secretary. Group moved, seconded, and voted unanimously.
• Stephen Picha and Mary Jo Picha were elected Joint Treasurer. They will both have signature authority, and Richard Rivas will have backup signature authority.

3. Treasurer’s Report (Last One!) – Robert Sanchez

• No outstanding checks.

• Balance is $1728.46, reconciled to bank statements.
• Robert passed post office box keys, paperwork, and balance book to new Treasurer Stephen Picha.
• Need to file an amended signature authority list with bank to remove board members who are no longer on the board.
  • ACTION: Stephen and Irma will ensure that paperwork gets filed within the week.
• The board recognized Robert for his outstanding job as Treasurer. He has served since 2005.

4. Grant-Summer Program at Valle del Bosque Park – Irma Ruiz

• Paperwork has been submitted to and approved by the Albuquerque Partnership to run a summer program in the park.

• Partnership will provide $1100, but according to Adrian, more money may be available.
• Money envisioned to pay for coordinator and assistant, with a small amount for materials.
• Program should have a component that involves encouraging youth to avoid alcohol and drugs. Prevention includes simply keeping youth busy with interesting activities.
• Agricultural activities have been proposed as part of the program.
• Want to approach County to ask them to match the funds and expand the program.
• Questions about how many children could be expected, what age range, and how many weeks the program should run. Suggestion that a more detailed plan should be developed.
• Vision that the neighborhood association should be a guiding force, but that the coordinator, assistant, and County would plan day-to-day specifics.
• Suggestions:
  • Bike Program be involved and that the Healthy Eating program at Valle Vista (Joanne McIntire) be involved.

  • A presentation on mediation be provided in an effort to support the mission of anti-violence.
  • Drumming demonstration be provided.
• A committee was formed to work with the Partnership and the County – Jenny, Irma, Sandy, and Stephen.

5. Valle del Bosque Park
Army Corps of Engineers proposal

• Includes bridge behind the park to connect the park with the Bosque. Also proposes a boardwalk. Does not go across the river.

• Dory, Charlotte, and Martin will be a part of the group that meets with the Corps.
• Irma updated group on a meeting last Monday with Commissioner Cordova. Meeting was to give us an update on speed tables for Sunset, but we met at the park, so we discussed the park, as well.

What do we need to do to prepare for Neighborhood Night Out in August?

• Group moved to renew membership in the national association
  • Dues are $25 per year to be recognized as a participant.

  • We get recognition, and a legal document that we are an official participant in event. Commits us to having event on the first Tuesday of August, which is August 2nd, the official National Night Out night.
  • We have been a part of National Night out for 14 years. Albuquerque’s involvement started with Vecinos del Bosque.
  • Moved to pay $25 to pay, seconded. Will be continued.

6. Speed Tables on Sunset:

• 2 speed tables: One just south of Hooper and one just north of Neetsie (near address of 435 Sunset, just north of the park).

• Need to follow up with the City because City had agreed
• Irma has emailed Bobby Baker, who is in charge of coordinating the speed tables.
• Bobby reported that the tables should be installed no later than mid- to early June.
• Concern that speed tables will add to the current flooding problems at Sunset and Hooper.
• City and County have also both agreed to give us a digital speed detection sign to inform citizens about how fast they’re going.

7. The Albuquerque Partnership

• Signage count on alcohol outlets update.
  • Report will be released soon. There has been a significant reduction.

  • Mystery shoppers went to alcohol outlets and pretend to be intoxicated. 30 outlets recommended by neighborhoods, others random. 4 out of the 30 sold to underage shoppers.
• Vecinos has $600 to use by June 30, and an additional $200 donation from Cris Sanchez
  • We give invoices to Partnerships for reimbursement or payment.

8. Other Business/Updates

• Vecinos website (Lesley)

• South Valley Coalition of N.A. (Greg)
• West Central Community Development Group (Richard)
• Other

Next Meeting: Thursday, May 29, 6:30 pm at the CAC