Northridge Community Council Minutes of Meeting 4-23-03

Minutes for Meeting held on April 23, 2003 at Holmes Middle School, 9351 Paso Robles Ave.

Directors attending the meeting: Walter N. Prince, Charles E. Brink, Don Faber, Andy Anderson, Frank McGinnis, Dorothy Boberg, John Ramadan, Jane Lowenthal and Sandra Kardos.

Walter Prince called the meeting to order. The purpose of the meeting was to elect new officers. Under our by-laws, only directors can vote for officers. Walter declined to run for office. Dorothy Boberg questioned who was on the board. There are 16 board members and a quorum of 1/3 of the directors is necessary to conduct business (or 5 1/3 directors). Nine directors were present.

Don Faber made a motion to make all nominations at this meeting and to have another meeting to actually vote. After discussing the matter Don withdrew his motion.

The type of ballot was discussed and the board agreed with Walter Prince to have a secret ballot. Nominations were made for each office and then a vote taken before moving on to the next office.

President: Dorothy Boberg and Jane Lowenthal were nominated. Jane requested each candidate to speak for one minute as follows:

Dorothy stated she served as President for 1 year prior to Walter. She said we need issues to discuss at each meeting. She contacted the VP of the school about our meeting place. She says she has more time to devote to getting work done.

Jane stated she is a professional mediator and arbitrator. She believes  her mediation skills may assist us certification process. She expressed that issue is outreach. We should have more stakeholder at the  meeting. She suggested need to set up committees to get the work done along with additional creative programs.

Jane won 5 to 4.

Vice President: Charles Brink and Andy Anderson were nominated. Andy declined. Charles was elected unanimously.

Secretary: Sandra Kardos was nominated and elected unanimously.

Treasurer: Andy Anderson was nominated and elected unanimously.

Andy gave the treasurer’s report. We have $194.00 in out treasury.

Walter handed the meeting over to Jane. We discussed the agenda for the next meeting on May 21, 2003. The Northridge pool was agreed upon as the main topic. Walter suggested James Burkhardt, assistant to the Mayor, may find us the right person reguarding the pool issue. The pool has been closed for several years and we were told there were no funds to repair it, at a price of $3 million. It was questioned why Councilman Bernson gave Prop K city park money of $953,000 to the YMCA in Porter Ranch, a membership club, rather than using the funds for the Northridge pool and park which does not charge a membership fee.

Dorothy wanted the North Valley Planning Commission to be added to the agenda to tell us what to expect for the North Valley in the future. Chuck said it would be too long a program and suggested having the Planning Commission in June and the pool issue in May.

To promote the May meeting it was suggested that we attend the May 10 Northridge Street Fair, and an event at the Northridge Park, and send out flyers to parents through the local schools.

Walter suggested the new City Councilperson be invited to the June meeting (election is on 5-20-2003). Everyone agreed.

Walter Prince said we should have a table at the May 10 Northridge Street Fair, which is run by the Northridge Chamber of Commerce. He thought we could get a free space (not a table) because we are a non-profit group.

Walter announced that he is now on the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils. He suggested that Jane and any one else, who could attend, should attend.

We need to start working on our certification presentation, which is scheduled on July 8. Don volunteered to do the printing we need for the presentation. This committee includes Frank, Dorothy, Don, Chuck, John, Jane and Sandy.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.