Minutes - December 17, 2007

Minutes for SENA Meeting: December 17, 2007

Those in attendance:
Carmela Triolo,
Nellie Morton,
Sandra Obiedo (with South End Improvement Corp.),
Bill Jones,
Matt Montesano,
Mark Beaudoin,
Robert Chaumont,
Noriko Chaumont,
Yoko Chaumont,
Marie-Elise Beaudoin,
Carolyn McLaughlin,
JoAnn Morton,
Scott Jarzonbek,
Rev. Victor Covington.

Joann Morton (President) led the meeting.
1) Regarding an official address for SENA: we were given permission to receive mail at 38 Catherine St. Albany, NY 12202.
2) Volunteers for a Job Fair Comittee: Mark Beaudoin, Rev. Victor Covington, Mrs. Nellie Morton and Carmela Triolo.
Trinity Institution's Job Fair is March 26th. Do we wish to do it jointly with them? Do we wish to hold our own and perhaps cater to different people?

Scott said the library was actively looking for people to take the civil service exams for library clerk positions (most are part-time jobs).

The T-Shirt machine is connected with the Weed & Seed Program. It had been budgeted for and supposedly purchased. Who owns it? Bill Jones would check to find out. Police application for Weed & Seed grant had been denied by government offices in Syracuse and Washington DC.

Bill Jones: 1) There has been a couple of fires in the South End recently. Apparently accidental. (Nothing suspicious).
2)There is now a "vacant building court" which is a whole different court. A lot of vacant buildings have been reoccupied. Code enforcement is being tightened up. First registered letters go out this week. Minimum fines have been raised.

Matt Montesano: 1) Block-by-block to combat urban blight is moving ahead. There are four zones.
2) Can offer crime prevention training for South End residents. Just need a location and a one hour block of time.

JoAnn Morton: 1) Regarding community outreach, it would be good to have a goal to enlist at least one person from each street who could serve as a block captain.
2) How much is bulk mailing? Scott will get information regarding the "Capital Neighbors" publication which is bulk mailed roughly every three months.
3) Membership dues? Need to decide how much for individuals, familes, and businesses. Should we have a sliding-scale?
4) Fund-raising? The Delaware Neighborhood Association has in past years sold ornaments around Christmas as a fund-raiser. We need a fund raising committee.
5) Newsletter committee. How often should the paper come out? First one should be jazzed-up to catch attention. Robert volunteered for the committee. Yoko could help with production.
On columns: Matt could give crime updates, Scott could give library news, Carolyn could have a column, and Houses of Worship might be listed.
6) Yoko Chaumont constructed a web site for SENA. www.southendna.blogspot.com
7) Guests to invite for future meetings: Chief Tuffey, Mayor Jennings, Ron Consolari, Gov. Spitzer, Carolyn McLaughlin, Luci McKnight, Perrry Jones, Capital City Rescue Mission. (What does a rescue mission do? Rev. Covington: More than one might expect.)
8) SEEJ meetings are scheduled for January. (405 Washington Ave)

Robert Chaumont: Gave CANA report. (Gershwin remembrance concert at the Egg Jan. 9th, 2008; Citizen's Police Review Board; Water pollution drain-off into Hudson when it rains heavily causing a big problem.)

Next Meeting is Tuesday Jan. 22, 2008 at 6pm.

Pictures

Children and adults in community enjoy an evening of fun and games durning National Night Out in Lincoln Park


Children learn about Plants



The John A. Howe Library re-opens after major renovation


Picture of the beautifully restored windows


Rip VanWinkle tile detail from restored fireplace mantle















Join SENA

If you would like to join the South End Neighborhood Association, come to any one of our meetings and express your desire to do so. It is a very rewarding experience and a great way to help the community.

Membership fees (per year) are:

Any donations help us greatly. Thank you.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at southendneighborhoodassociation@hotmail.com or southendna@gmail.com

Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME AND AREA



The name of the organization shall be “South End Neighborhood Association” hereinafter referred to as “SENA”.

The South End Neighborhood Association shall have the following boundaries: North: Morton Ave., Warren Street, and South Ferry St.; South: S. Pearl Street Extension; East: Hudson River; West: South Hawk St.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

1. Purpose

The purpose of South End Neighborhood Association (SENA) shall be to preserve and improve the quality of life for all residents in our culturally, economically, and racially diverse neighborhoods. We will promote the South end neighborhood as viable places to reside, work, and enjoy life by undertaking the following:

1. To foster and support communication among residents by encouraging neighbors to meet and help each other by identifying issues of interest and concern to the neighborhood.
2. To foster the repair, rehabilitation and restoration of sub-standard, abandoned, and historic buildings.
3. To work with State and local governments, civic and community organizations, banks, insurance companies, and other investors, both public and private.
4. To encourage the development and success of small businesses which can provide goods and services to neighborhood residents.
5. To promote public safety through partnerships with fire, police and emergency personnel.
6. To empower neighbors by providing meaningful leadership opportunities.
7. To explore partnerships with all levels of government, the city school district, faith community, businesses, and non profit organizations to provide opportunities for jobs and training, recreation and education for all residents of the South End, with an emphasis on youth, residents with disabilities and senior residents.
8. To participate with other neighborhood associations in the activities of the Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations (CANA) and the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC).

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP


Membership in SENA is voluntary and includes annual membership dues. Membership grants the following privileges and responsibilities:

* A vote during SENA meetings
* Eligibility to run for Board of Director positions
* Eligibility to serve as a sub-committee chair



Those residents who choose not to become member of the SENA are encouraged to attend the SENA meetings and voice their thoughts and observations, however they shall not have a vote.

Non-members may serve on sub-committees, but may not serve as the chair of a sub-committee.

Resident Member. Any individual living in the neighborhood who is interested in SENA shall be known as a resident member upon payment of dues.

Non-Resident Member. Any individual not living in the neighborhood but has an interest in promoting SENA’s purpose and objective, shall be known as a non-resident member upon payment of dues.

Business/Organization Member. Any business, which is located within the boundaries of the Association, shall be eligible for a Business Membership, whether or not the business owner resides within the boundaries of the Association. A Business Membership will have one vote upon payment of dues.


Anyone may join the SENA at any time during the year. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall process the membership before the next scheduled SENA meeting and the new Vote may participate immediately.

In the event that the association should be dissolved, the balance of all financial accounts shall be disbursed to a charitable organization within the boundaries of the Association by majority vote of all members in good standing.


Article IV – Organizational Structure and Officers

The SENA will have a standing Board of Director that will maintain the organization in a legal state of activity and solvency. Control and Management of the SENA, including its property and funds, shall be vested in the Board of Director. The President and the Treasurer must sign all official instruments of fiscal business. The Board of Director will have the following positions:

President – Duties include scheduling and presiding over all General and Special Meetings of SENA, as well as the formation and guidance of all Steering and Sub-Committees deemed necessary for the Association purposes. The President will sign all official instruments of business, including the co-signing of bank documents, and other financial agreements along with the Treasurer. The President and the Vice President will have authority to co-sign all bank drafts and only during the absence of one of the afore mentioned officers will the Treasurer have authority to co-sign bank drafts. The president will have a tie-breaking vote, when necessary, during Board of Director, General and Special Meetings of SENA. If the President leaves the position, it shall be filled by the Vice-president until the end of the current term.

Vice-President – Shall assist in the performance of the President’s duties and shall preside in the President’s absence at meetings of the Association and at meetings of the Board of Directors and shall represent the President when requested at meetings or other functions. The President and the Vice President will have authority to co-sign all bank drafts and only during the absence of one of the afore mentioned officers will the Treasurer have authority to co-sign bank drafts.

Secretary – Duties include taking meeting minutes and maintaining means of communications within the various committees and the SENA as a whole, including but not limited to: electronic means, paper and phone communications, maintaining the Roster of SENA members.

Corresponding Secretary – Shared duties with the Secretary including: preparing and sending out notices of meetings, collecting mail, general correspondence; by electronic means, paper or pone.

Treasurer – Shall be responsible for all funds including donations, the co-signing of all official instruments of business, including bank documents, and other financial agreements along with the President. The Treasurer will only have authority to co-sign bank drafts in the absence of either the President or Vice-President. The Treasurer will also maintain an accurate accounting ledger of all monies received and dispersed. The Treasurer will provide a written financial report, which includes a monthly projection of revenue and expense at all, General Meetings.
The Treasurer will present the Association’s Annual Budget to the membership at the beginning of the Associations fiscal year. The Treasurer will also present the Annual Audited Financial Statement at the end of the Association’s fiscal year, after review and approval by the President and the Board of Directors.


Article V Committees


The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint the chair of each of the standing committees.

The chairs of these committees shall be members of the Board of Directors but the other members of the committees need not be Directors. The chair of each committee (except the Executive Committee) will appoint the members of their committee.

The committees will coordinate with committees in other neighborhoods associations, to the extent possible, under the auspices of CANA.

Director of Community Outreach – The Director of Community Outreach shall direct and supervise the work of Block Captain. The Director shall be responsible for recruitment, formulation and publication of duties and providing appropriate training and support for the Block Captains. There shall be two Block Captains for each block. Block Captains may be elected at any membership meeting. Block Captains who fail to carry out their duties may be removed by the Director. When vacancies exist, the Director shall be responsible to carry out the duties of Block Captain for the vacant area until the vacancy can be filled. Within 30 days of commencement of his/her term, the Director shall call and chair a meeting of all Block Captains, in order to review and explain their duties. Thereafter, the Director shall conduct such meetings as may be necessary to assist and support the Block Captains in carrying out their duties.

Director of Beautification - The Director of Beautification shall coordinate a master plan for beautification within the SENA community, including greenery, tree care and decorative elements within the neighborhood. The Director shall also work with DGS, the City Gardener and City Forester to coordinate the care and development of any parks and playground, while also encouraging residents to plant trees, install window boxes and cultivate tree surrounds, organize the distribution of beautification materials from the city or other sources, as well as organizing neighborhood cleanups.

Director of Public Safety – The Director of Public Safety will coordinate a master evacuation plan with local police, fire and emergency service personnel to expedite prompt response to natural gas leaks, flooding incidents and natural disasters from first responders to community residents and business owners. The Director will work with the

New York State Department of Homeland Security, Albany Police and Fire Departments, National grid, local hospitals and Emergency Medical service personnel to develop a neighborhood communication network and standard protocols to respond to public safety threats from abandoned and deteriorating occupied housing in our community. The Director will also work with the City’s Code Enforcement and Zoning officials to identify potential threats, with the focus on prevention of danger, injury or harm to our community’s residents and business owners; this will include ensuring the proper maintenance of street pavement, vacant lots sidewalks, street lighting, as well as delivery conduits of natural gas and electric power to our community
Director of Fund Raising and Special Events – The Director of Fund Raising and Special Events will coordinate and plan the fund raising efforts and special events activities.

Vacancies: If a position of an officer shall become vacant during the year, in the absence of any other provision such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Director. Person(s) so elected shall serve until the next election.

Removal: An officer who fails to properly perform the prescribed duties of his or her office may be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Director.

Nominations: The Board of Director will appoint a committee of three resident members appointed at least thirty days prior to the Annual meeting for the purpose of presenting a proposed slate of officers. Any SENA member in good standing may nominate from the floor when duly seconded.

Board of Director position terms shall coincide with the SENA fiscal year. These terms shall last one year in all cases. The Board of Director elections shall take place at the last SENA meeting of the fiscal year. Board of Director Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of votes present. Committee members shall take office at the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Board of Director meetings shall meet at least bi-monthly and be open to all. A majority of the Board of Director members present will constitute a quorum.



Article VI – SENA Operations


The President (or the Vice-President in the absence of the President) must call the SENA meetings to order.

Article VII– BY Laws Procedures


The Bylaws of the SENA shall be reviewed and re-adopted at the last meeting of each fiscal year. Proposed Bylaw amendments shall be distributed at least thirty (30) days before the last meeting of the fiscal year. All votes regarding bylaws amendments shall pass by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of total votes present.

The Secretary shall ensure that all members have one hard copy of the bylaws at the first meeting of each fiscal year.

Article VIII – Amendments


Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the SENA at least XXXX days prior to the last meeting of the fiscal year.

Minutes - November 27, 2007

South End Neighborhood Association

November 27, 2007

Meeting Attendees:

JoAnn Morton, Scott J., Benna Eldridge, M. Montesano, Melissa Bucher, Gene Solan,

Mark Beaudoin, Robert Chaumont, Noriko Chaumont, Archie Goodbee,

William Pendleton, Nellie Morton, Virginia Hoke, Bill Jones, Carolyn McLaughlin,

Milton Wright, Rev. Victor Covington, Travis Klami, Eileen Cheong, Martha Cinnamon,

Matthew Foley, Mike Fargiore


Library Update (Scott J.):

* Library Board approved the proposed moved of the Howe to 200 S. Pearl Street. The agreement between the Library and Albany Housing has not been signed.
* Three months before the close of the Howe Branch the closing process will start. The closing process involves:
o Book reservations. The affect no book reservation after December 30th.
o Programs scaled back. During the months of January & February programs will be scaled back because of packing and cleaning.
o Monday thru Thursday activities will be scaled down.



* Public meeting for The 60% Design Plan for the Howe Branch will be held on December 3 at 6 pm at the Howe Library
o The review design at 60% will be open to input



Albany Police Dept. Update (Matt Montesano):

* Delivery drivers in the uptown area are experiencing a lot of robberies
* Flyers are being distributed on driver safety
* “Take Your Keys” flyers are being distributed. It is illegal to leave a car running that is unattended. The only legal way to leave an unattended car running is by having a car starter.
* PAL Toy distribution starting next week
o The number of toys given out is down. Between three and four thousand toys will be distributed.
o Toys R Us gave $6000 to the program
o Next year they might reach out to other areas for help
* United Front Youth Organization will march on Saturday from Giffen School to the MLK memorial. This is a group against violence.




Neighborhood Resource Center (Gene Solan):

* Neighborhoods Work Conference8 will be on Sat. Dec 1 at the First Lutheran Church located at 646 State St.
* Purpose of the conference is to get a handle on community assets, encourage residents to stay and to encourage others to live in Albany.
o The Challenges for Neighborhoods
o Senior Panel: Options for Seniors,
o Family Panel: Attracting and Keeping the Family in the Neighborhood,
o Youth Panel: Growing Up Safely and Successfully




Albany Fire Dept.:(Bill Jones)

* Demolitions have taken place at the following addresses:
o 59 Broad Street
o 30-32 Morton Avenue (structural and internal collapse)
* Codes initiative for the Block by Block
* Disaster Preparedness program now available. The Albany Fire Department is available to give the half hour presentation. (Need to schedule Bill Jones for a future meeting to discuss Disaster Preparedness)



Harriet Tubman Free School (Eileen Cheong):

* Students from the school want to work on a Public Art Works project. The school will work with the Grand Street Community Arts and would like SENA support with advice in locating a place to display the Artwork. Benna Eldridge from Trinity volunteered to assist.



CANA Report (Robert Chaumont):

* At the CANA meeting discussion on the Comprehensive Plan.
* Vacant Building discussed



Trinity (Benna Eldridge):

* VITA Tax program will start in February and is Free. Need help in spreading the word about the program.
o To take advantage of the program people must schedule an appointment. The hours will be from 9 – 12:30 and 4 – 7 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
* Trinity is just one site that will be available for the VITA Tax program.

NYS Civil Service (William Pendleton):

* Workforce is low
* Community Job Fair discussed. In the past Ken Braswell(Editor of the South End Scene newspaper) organized a job fair in the Southend.
* NYS is willing to work with SENA for the Community Job Fair.
* Suggestions: Involve Churches, Trinity and other Neighborhood Associations. Invite employers who have jobs available.
* Use job fair as a means to raise revenue for SENA. Need to form a job fair committee to work out the details on date, location, who to invite, how to promote, sponsors for food, determine insurance requirements. The job fair should include a workshop to cover the basics about how to go about getting a job.
* Information on jobs with New York State: NYS Dept of Tax and Finance accepting applications for Temporary positions; Internships available with the Attorney Generals Office for graduate students, Building Services Aide positions available with the NYS Office of General Services, Exam Announcement for the Keyboard Specialist

.


SENA Nominating Committee (Mark Beaudoin):

* The nominating committee presented its recommendations for the officers and opened it up to the floor for additional nominations. The following people were nominated by the committee or from the floor and were voted in unanimously for the following positions.
* JoAnn Morton, President
* Mark Beaudoin, Vice President
* Robert Chaumont, Secretary
* Carolyn McLaughlin Corresponding Secretary
* Terry Walton, Treasurer



The members ratified the Officers nominations.

Concerns expressed by residents:

1. There is a bumpout on South Pearl Street in front of a residents home, which prevents parking near her home. The resident parks in the parking lot of the liquor store. In addition to the inconvenience to the resident it is a safety issue because of the unusual shape and location of the bumpout. There is pole fixture that has been struck by passing automobiles.
2. Need information on the Paint Program
3. How to inform residents about SENA meetings.




Next SENA meeting December 18, 2007.

SENA Officers will meet on Dec 6 at 5:30 at the SEIC 38 Catherine Street

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