FOREST HILL ASSOCIATION
BORAD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
FEBRUARY 1, 2010


Board members present: Mel Bachmeier, Katie Balestreri, Kathe Farrell, Dan Kelly, Sally Kipper, Warren Krauss, Diane Wara.

Others in Attendance: Harold Wright, Bill and Terry Callan, Steve Halpern, Tom Grasshoff, Yen Bach- Meier, John Balestreri, Walt Farrell, Will Connolly, John Palmer.

Call to Order: by President Dan Kelly at 7:17PM. Dan announced that Cindy Boudreau will continue to schedule Clubhouse rentals, but that another person will be hired to do the other aspects of the Executive Secretary job. Sally is working on a job description, and the position will be advertised in the newsletter.

Minutes: of the Meeting on January 4, 2010, was MSP as written.

Treasurer's report: Sally reported that we sent invoices for $284,500 this year, and have collected $177,000 as of 1/31. Of the remaining balance, without anticipating payments from those properties with liens and non-paying non-member properties, we have a target of $85,300.
Under Withholding and Employee taxes -Tax discrepancies are still being sorted out. It was decided to pay two tax notices that have threatened liens for nonpayment and then wait for rebates.
Under Other Professional Services - $1800 was paid May Pon and the CPA in January for the continued tax work.
Under Office Supplies - The $1800 expense is for establishing a new filing system.
Acceptance of the Treasurer's Report was MSP.
Under Community Events - $1900 represents two months of activities. It is estimated that the Lunar New Year celebration will cost about $2000. The 2009-2010 budget of $10,000 probably will be reduced to $5000 for 2010-2011.
It was discussed that an explanatory letter should have been included with the dues increase, and Diane suggested that a progress letter be included with the dues bill each year.

WTPCC Report: Walt Farrell reported the police now have detectives assigned to district stations instead of their being centralized downtown.
Monique Zmuda, Assistant Controller, discussed the City's budget situation.
Jim Lazarus, head of the Chamber of Commerce, told the group that the average City employee earns over $127,000 including benefits, whereas the average worker earns $80,000 including benefits.

FHGC Report: Katie presented for Sima Talai that the group is holding a St. Patrick's Dinner and Auction on March 15 at the Clubhouse. Tickets are $20/person.

Advisory Committee Reports
Activities: Dan mentioned the Lunar New Year event on February 28, featuring food and entertainment.

Architectural Review: Steve Halpern reported

     - 44 Mendoza - re penalties for fence: the January 5 meeting was postponed.         The Committee suggested that FHA undertake a survey of illegal garbage can         storage. A reminder as to City requirements should be included in a         newsletter.
        There is an aesthetically pleasing alternative to neighborhood wind turbines:         several short turbines. In addition, the wind turbine on Hernandez         generates 65 kwh as opposed to the projected 500kwh.

     - 160 San Marcos - Tom Grasshoff spoke and agreed that it is premature to         vote until the EIR has been done.
        FHA is maintaining its neutral position.

Clubhouse: Harold Wright suggested that the automated phone message should be changed to indicate that messages would be accessed at a regular time interval, e.g., MWF, unless there is an emergency.
Dan indicated that one of the first responsibilities of a new employee would be to pursue an electrical permit for the spotlights.

Infrastructure: Dan will seek a meeting with the City re curbs, metal edgings, median strips. Christine Falvey is his contact person at DPW. Bill Callan spoke on this subject, having received a notice to make repairs to his pavement and curb. He would like a procedure established to coordinate the work. Tree roots are at the root of pavement problems, as well as curb and street disruptions, and he wants the City to take responsibility for curb as well as street repair. Diane indicated that FHA will trim roots, with the timeline that the pavement contractor tears up the pavement, and then Valley Crest will trim roots. Bill countered that he has already received an extension of deadline and desires to have a joint meeting with FHA, City, and VC. Dan will contact the DPW and inform Bill Callan so he can attend. Diane will contact VC.

Landscape: Diane Wara reported Winter evergreen pruning began on January 29. The schedule is not as yet on the web site. In May, plans are to redo the triangle and the area around the Clubhouse. Re cement/bricks in strip: Diane will draw up a proposed FHA policy. It will be published in a newsletter for input and voted on during a board meeting.

Legal: Warren announced Jonathan Lange is no longer with Sweet and Baker, our insurance carriers. Casey Scollin will make a presentation in March. Mark Wilson has requested to be able to take pictures of the Clubhouse for a book on Maybeck. The Board okayed the photo op, subject to oversight by Warren.
Warren will work on a Conflict of Interest policy for the Directors.
Valley Crest has agreed to an open and shut indemnity agreement.

Other Reports
Dan announced that the Community has contributed $6400 to the family of the deceased VC employee.

Community Input
Will Connolly requested that the Pocket Opera be allowed to rehearse July 2. Because of the possibility of renting the Clubhouse for this date, the request was denied.

Announcements
Election of the Board of Directors will take place on April 5. Therefore, an election notice will be mailed by February 8. It was MSP that John Palmer and Dan O'Neill be the election officials. Nominations are due February 26, and Candidates' Night will be held two weeks before the election. 50% of the electorate must vote, with 25% of the vote necessary for each winning candidate.

Adjournment 8:50 PM


Respectfully submitted,

Kathe Farrell, Secretary