CSHDA Minutes January 8 2008

Center Street Historic District Association
Meeting Minutes for January 8, 2008

The first quarter meeting of 2008 was called to order by Andrew Grudowski.

The minutes of the last meeting held on October 8, 2007 were read by corresponding secretary, Kyle O. von Kamp. Ken Hammontree moved to accept the minutes as read. Ruth Detrow seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The treasurer’s report was read by Anne Green for her husband Severn Green, as he was unable to attend. Currently there is $10,954.51 in the Association account. The increase from October 2007 was from the payment of yearly dues. A list of people who have paid dues was passed around. By February 1, Severn would like to contact those who have not joined the Association yet this year. A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by Ruth Detrow. Arlene Grudowski seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Old Business

Andrew Grudowski reminded the Association of standing committees from 2007. A discussion followed as to the need for so many committees. The suggestion was made by Andrew Grudowski for three committees including Finance, Projects, and Fundraising/Special Events. Ruth Detrow moved to reduce the number of committees to the three suggested. Anne Green seconded motion. Motion carried. A list was passed around for people to sign up for a committee.

Potential by-law changes were passed out by Andrew Grudowski and included the following:
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

a. Membership. The members of the Center Street Historic District Association, INC. shall be such individuals as may be accepted from time to time in accordance with procedures established by the Association. Ownership of a single-family home on Center Street is a pre-requisite to membership in the Association.

Suggested Change

“on Center Street” to “within the Center Street Historic District”

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

d. Notices. Notice of the time and place of regular and special meetings, as determined by the Executive Committee, shall be given to the Association members by telephone or by written notice.

Suggested Change

Eliminate “by telephone or by written notice”

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

e. Executive Committee shall meet prior to regularly scheduled meetings to prepare the agenda.

Suggested Change

“meet” to “communicate”

Discussion followed. What happens if Greens sell their rental home on Center Street? Kyle O. von Kamp read from the by-laws that they would loose their voting rights. Nancy Larsen, a new associate member of the Association, spoke about the need to have a vested interest in the organization by voting. Rodney Mohr expressed concern of 25 people off of Center Street becoming members of the Association and “voting us out”. A motion to send these suggested changes to an AdHoc committee was made by Ruth Detrow. Rodney Moh seconded the motion. Motion carried. Andrew Grudowski appointed the following people to the AdHoc committee: himself, Kyle O. von Kamp, Rodney Mohr, and Joe Mason.

New Business

Joe Mason introduced Jerry Tanner as the new owner of 819 Center.

Anne Green stated that Severn Green would like to put a portion of the Association’s funds in CD’s. Jerry Tanner suggested a tiered program of CD’s allowing for more flexibility. Dotty Tennis moved to put our funds in 3 tiers of CD’s. Ruth Detrow seconded the motion. Motion carried.

A sign up list was passed around to host meetings and programs of the Association for 2009. Programs were suggested to be at less than 20 minutes. Rodney Mohr suggested a home insurance company explaining coverage of historic homes.

Meeting dates were changed from the second Tuesday of the quarterly months to the second Thursday of the quarterly month.

Fundraisers
A sign up list was passed around for those interested in the Yard Sale in May 2008. The potential to expand to a Route 60 sale to Loudonville was suggested for 2009.
The Fundraising/Special Events Committee will deal with details, times etc.

The Historic Ashland Home and Garden Tour 2008 will be held July 5th, Saturday of Balloon Fest. Ken Hammontree expressed how much he enjoyed the tour in 2007 and that he got 2 gigs from people attending the tour. Association members expressed interest again in using the proceeds for lamp posts on the street and plaques on the homes. Kyle O. von Kamp reported that 1/3 of ticket sales in 2007 came from outside of Ashland County and we should continue marketing the tour outside of the county. Kyle also informed Association members of a verbal YES on a grant from the Visitors’ and Convention Bureau of Ashland County to secure a trolley for the tour that would like downtown, Center Street, and Balloon Fest at Freer Field. The grant would be for $1000 in 2008, $500 in 2009, and $250 in 2010. A list was passed around for home owners to sign up to show their house on the tour. The Fundraising/Special Events Committee will deal with details, times etc.

Honorary Membership was extended to Betty Plank and Alta Sims. Plaques will be ordered and the women will be invited to the April 10th meeting at Ruth Detrow’s home. Kyle O. von Kamp will prepare a press release as the meeting gets closer.
Ruth Detrow suggested a tea during the meeting and Dotty Tennis volunteered to assist.
Rodney suggested the possibility of making a Betty Plank and Alta Sims Day through the mayor.

Next meetings
April 10
July 10
October 16

Dotty Tennis told that Alta Sim’s husband, Michael Sims, would be coming to Ashland Thursday for an interview with the Mansfield News Journal about the Center Street fireplace tiles. The article would be in the paper within the next month or so.

Joe Mason moved to adjourn the meeting. Ruth Detrow seconded the motion. Motion carried.