Meeting Minutes, May 21, 2009

College Cultural Neighborhood Association

Minutes of the May 21, 2009 Meeting

FINAL VERSION

Officers:

President Sherry Hayden

Vice President Mike Keeler

Secretary Paul Streby

Treasurer (interim) Bethany Munsell (not present)

Vice-President Mike Keeler presided and introduced several candidates for public office: Brenda Clack (mayoral candidate), and Jack Minore, Denise Smith-Allen, and Dale Weighill (City Council candidates). Each of them spoke briefly.

Minutes of the March 19, 2009 meeting were read by Secretary Paul Streby and approved.

Mike Keeler reported that, contrary to reports at the previous meeting, Grand Blanc is not receiving a federally funded sound wall. The Flint Journal erroneously reported that it was.

President Sherry Hayden read the treasurer’s report, and reported $299.23 in the general fund, $800.01 in the Bishop Trust Fund, and $420.86 in the beautification fund.  The treasurer’s report was approved.

Dale Weighill conducted the election for CCNA officers. The current officers, including Bethany Munsell, were elected to new terms by acclamation.

Beautification coordinator Claudia Mach reported that our grant application to Keep Genesee County Beautiful was turned down. Many other organizations were also turned down due to a lack of money available in the current economy. The Ruth Mott Foundation and Applewood, the Genesee County Land Bank, and the Michigan State University Extension are sponsoring meetings for urban gardening in June and July. Hoop houses can grow food eleven months of the year in Michigan. There will be a presentation at Flint Public Library on constructing rain barrels. The next cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, June 13.

Jack Minore reported that the Gilkey Creek cleanup went well. The creek is doing better, but receives a lot of runoff from streets, though. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality fish advisories for the Flint River are comparable to those for Lake Huron. Hamilton Dam downtown needs repairs; it could be rebuilt or converted into a stair-step confinement.

Mike Keeler introduced new neighbors. He reported that School Board member Paul Jordan emailed him that the Flint Schools now have a deficit of $32 million, partly due to a reduction in state funding.

There was a general discussion of the status of Central High School, and the efforts by Powers Catholic School to acquire either Central or Southwestern Academy. Sherry Hayden encouraged neighbors to write letters to the Flint Journal. Mike Keeler pointed out that School Board members might equate public silence with agreement with their decisions regarding the sale of a building to Powers.

Mike Keeler introduced mayoral candidate Dayne Walling, who then spoke briefly.