DEL REY HOMEOWNERS & NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING - December 5, 2005


Board Attendees: Janice Santos, Parliamentarian; Chris Nevil, President; George Gross, 1st VP; Wendy Averill, 2d VP; Michelle Rudo, Treasurer; Elizabeth Pollock, Recording Secretary; Kathy Brier, Director; Casey Anderson, Director/Membership; Tobyann Mandel, Director; Lillian Jenkins, Advisor.

Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the November 1, 2005, general meeting were reviewed. The minutes of the November 7, 2005 board meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report - The treasurer’s report for November 1 through November 30, 2005 was reviewed and approved. The Treasurer also prepared a report comparing Jan. 1 – December 2, 2004 with Jan. 1 – December 2, 2005. Copies are being kept with these minutes.
Nonbudgeted expenses in excess of $50 are to be approved before they are incurred. We have been approving certain regular expenses (newsletter, meeting refreshments) after the fact. We want to have a budget for 2006 so that special approvals will only be needed if the expenses exceed the anticipated amounts.
Tobyann Mandel moved that for the January 2006 meeting, Michelle Rudo should prepare a sample budget using the information that was gathered to prepare the five year overview that we submitted with our application for tax exempt status.

Crime Report – “CXC” refers to the Culver City Boyz gang. There is graffiti in the alley between Mesmer and Margaret, one block from Jefferson. It will be reported to SLO Heidi Llanes. Next meeting of Basic Car 14A49 Advisory Council will be December 14, and Kathy Brier will ask what arrangements have been made to provide food to the officers on duty during the holidays. (Susan Wagner used to organize that, but she passed away this year.)
We moved that DRHNA would contribute up to $100 toward any effort to provide food for the police on duty on December 25 and January 1.

Traffic Committee – No meeting until February 2006.

Newsletter – Tabled. Steve Knight not present. Discussed having an article in the newsletter asking people whether/how the DRHNA reserve should be spent. Should we spend it on marketing the organization?

General Meeting Redux– Same location as November 1. Mar Vista Family Center will do flag salute. Will only have written questions about Del Rey. Will use the school’s sound system. Committee is Chris Nevil, Wendy Averrill, Aaron Bernardin, Steve Knight and Marlene Savage.

Membership – About $1200 in dues need to be deposited. Chris Nevil will send thank you notes to all people who donated $50 or more. There are not many new people. We should charge the same dues to individuals and households. Should we try to raise the dues at the April 2006 general meeting, or will people be more inclined to donate if we leave the dues where they are?

Website – We have 154 email addresses. All mailings to this list must be approved in advance. A draft text was circulated and edited at the meeting. George Gross will circulate a revised text after the meeting. The email advises of the December 6 meeting with the mayor and asks people to bring unwrapped toys for the police toy drive if they are able to do so.
DRNC - Website has been getting 1200 hits a month. Lillian Jenkins will ask if DRNC wants to have a table at the general meeting.

Del Rey Park Task Force – The bids have not yet been sorted. Chris Nevil got new letters of support from Loyola Marymount University, Congresswoman Jane Harman, City Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

OLD/CONTINUING BUSINESS:
501(c) (4) status: California Department of Justice decided we did not need to register as a charitable trust and returned our registration fee. U.S. Postal Service has not yet decided on our application for a nonprofit postage rate.

Motion Regarding Expo Line: Tabled. Should we send a letter supporting extension of the Expo Line to Santa Monica, and if so, what route would be best for Del Rey?

Draft of Letter Re Police Staffing - Tabled. Should we send a letter asking the L.A.P.D. to restore force strength to the level of Autumn 2004?

Ballona Creek Parkway Support Letter – No motion or vote. Guy Doeh opposes

NEW BUSINESS
Proposed By-Law Change To Allow for Increased Dues - Tabled. Will people donate more if the dues remain low? Do we need to raise the dues, given that we have a reserve?

Del Rey Day - December 10, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marina Middle School. A man has been hired to post flyers. The city will provide tables and chairs. The Mar Vista Family Center kids will be helping. DRHNA should have someone sit at a table during the event. No one at the Nov. board meeting could be available.

Next board meeting: Monday, January 9, 2006.