SHNA Executive Committee meeting
November 17, 2016

Minutes

Click here to view or download the EC meeting minutes in pdf format.

In attendance Jeanne Pees (President), Gary Weber (Vice President), Joanna Kuczera (Treasurer), Paula Kellog, Marlene Merrill.

The welcome neighbor letter, now revised with help from Gary Weber, and which features a list of applicable city codes, now has our logo on top and now includes a code regarding the pick-up of dog excrement by dog owners/walkers. The welcome neighbor letters for ’16 have been distributed in our packets.

The rental property owner letter that has been discussed intermittently over the last couple of years is also under revision, and distribution needs to be discussed further. It has been discussed that we follow up the letter by contacting the landlord/property owner with the city codes.
Why are we sending this letter? There are concerns regarding the 60-70% rental rate in Sunset Hill. Some of the rentals are unkempt and there is a hope that by contacting property owners with a friendly letter that more interest may be taken in the condition of the property. For the committee, this represents sustainability of the neighborhood.
The letter should invite the property owners to join the Neighborhood Association and mention the benefits of doing so.
The letter should inspire recipients to be conscientious property owners. Which looks like … ?
-Picked up yard, observes code, respectful of neighbors, animal care, maintenance of right of public right of way

Tone and content should be such that landlords appreciate being welcomed to the neighborhood.
Will the letter create change? Efficacy?
How much money will this cost? An estimate indicates $120. Treasurer points out the number of members being 100, so the annual intake is around $500 and funds have been spent frugally in the last few years. We could afford to send the letter once. We could always look into renewing the letter if we feel that we have gotten a good response.
Perhaps one letter could be distributed to home owners associations within Sunset Hill, instead of individual houses.

There are 259 rental properties in our neighborhood. If we do send a letter, we could have numbers for contacting one/some of us for support or answers to questions. Most present volunteers to be a contact.
The County Clerk will send a spreadsheet with the contacts. Gary will print labels and then we only need to stuff envelopes and post them.