Meeting called to order by Will White at 7:44 PM.

Board members in attendance: Will White, Lucy White, Aren Cambre, Terry Syler, Richard Fleming, Josh Theodore

Other neighbors in attendance: Rory Yoakum, Molly Walters, Todd Howard

Guests: Mark Miller, Tiffany Allison

Galway Circle

Presented by Molly Walters

• $11,650 to do everything
• $4,450 for wall
• $5,700 for concrete work
• $1,500 for plant materials

Ideas discussed:

• Phased in approach
• Go ahead and do concrete footing for wall now
• Suggested that we do the wall in a limestone look to match appearance of neighborhood
• It looks like we have to apply all at once with city.
• Need to know who takes care of lawn: mowing and water.
• Liability concerns: who absorbs liability for problems or suits related to the wall?
• MOWMentum grant pays for part of everything.
• Grant requires project be completed in 6 months.
• Discussion about various ideas on how to maintain it. Consensus seems to be towards hiring neighborhood kids for maintenance.
• 1200 sq ft of concrete, 4” deep
• Concrete costs estimated at $4.75/sq ft

We have similar arrangement with Waterford Circle, done in 1996.

VOTE:

• Approve expenditure of funds with understanding that costs will be reduced and that cash does not need to be committed at this time.
• Approved without objection.

Mark Miller

Mark Miller gave a presentation on the proposed high rise and the halo effects it should have on the greater Garland/Buckner area. He pointed out that http://savewhiterocklake.org has misinformation about the project.

Key points:

• Dollar General is the only prominent lease in the past 12 months in the area. It is NOT a good sign because it creates bad perceptions that spread well beyond just that store. This is a problem in part because Dollar General is known for only entering blighted areas.
• This project alone is $50,000,000. Additional investments that could immediately occur that could add an additional $50,000,000 of investment, yielding one hundred million dollars of total investment in our back yard.
• Doctor’s Hospital board has seriously considered moving out. Projects like this are absolutely crucial to keep vibrant businesses like Doctor’s Hospital in the area.
• Many business owners with a long-term stake in the area are staunchly in favor of this project.
• This could enhance use of and connectivity with the lake.
• Deed conditions will be put into the sale of each condominium such that a percentage of each sale or resale will go directly into lake rehabilitation. Funds from this will far outweigh all funds raised from all current foundations.
• Bottom line: if someone is going to develop $50,000,000 in our area, what’s the downside? Investment and reinvestment and redevelopment are what ensure sustainability of a community.

Texas Trap

Father property owner moved stuff in Texas Trap for storage. Son is rekindling whole idea and wants to get Texas Trap going again. All the protests are still filed and still valid. Due to excessive crime already in area, we could have a stronger case to keep any bar out of that property.

Crime Watch

Quarterly Crime Watch meeting is upcoming Tuesday at Dallas Northeast Substation. Rory Yoakum is the new Crime Watch chair. Peavy @ Garland is out of control and petty crime in neighborhood is still high, so crime watch is essential. Crime could be moving into our neighborhood because adjoining neighborhoods are adopting patrolling or hiring cops, but we still have no formal crime watch system. Key times: night, weekends, when it’s raining. Need to do Citizens On Patrol; it’s cost effective for one.

Rory and other people on his street will attend classes soon to get trained for Citizens On Patrol.

COP requires us to call police through cell phones, but portions of the neighborhood have zero cell phone coverage for all major carriers.

501(c)(3)

Board affirms importance of filing as a 501(c)(3). Board unanimously votes in favor spending all funds to incorporate ASAP. Josh Theodore will check with lawyers he knows about getting this done.

Other

Discussion about need to do a membership drive. Ideas include another SASE campaign, door hangers, etc.

Meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM.