Lazybrook

Lazybrook Civic Club

Lazybrook Civic Club Meeting Minutes January 25th 2022

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Minutes

Lazybrook Civic Club of Houston 

January 25, 2022

In-Person Meeting Held at Lazybrook Baptist Church

Meeting Call to order – 7:06pm

Meeting Minutes: Tuesday November 30, 2021 (in-person) minutes reviewed and approved

Introduction/Roll Call: 

  • 1st Time Attendees
    • Kim – 2114 Seamist
    • Eric – 1707 Geuse, new block captain
    • Rodney – Willowby
    • Michael 1802 Willowmoss Ct. (has lived in the neighborhood 25 years & returning to meetings now!)
  • Introduction of 2022 Board Members & Committee Chairs 

Update from Councilmember Kamin’s office (Kurt)

  • City of Houston approved 5-year contract with ShotSpotter to help locate the source of gunfire in the City
  • Use HTX Collects app to keep up to date on delays from waste collection, etc. There are significant staffing shortages due to COVID and problems hiring
  • Free COVID vaccines
  • engagehouston.org is Public Works new website to keep updated on projects and includes a map of major projects

Officer & Committee Reports:

  • Volunteers Needed:
  • Advertising Chair – Nathan T. volunteered
  • Membership Chair – Eddie continues to handle but needs a replacement and/or help– duties include checking dues and payments, keeping membership list updated
  • Beautification Chair – managing vendor for 18th St and any other special projects
  • Committees – we can use any help!
  • President’s Update & SNC -14 Report – Kurt Swafford
  • Met with Abbie Kamin’s COS Lance Gilliam to discuss Lazybrook and our areas needs
  • Walked 18th St and discussed problems with panels (equivalent to one lane) and learned about programs to help including certain amount of mileage that each City Council member can request to be repaved per year (in last 5 years there has been $0 spent to help Lazybrook)
  • Storm water survey is ongoing with SN14 Lazybrook is included, especially where drains are undersized
  • Membership – Eddie Yarbrough (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)
  • Roughly 20% have paid as of this date
  • Please encourage neighbors to renew and pay the $40 dues
  • We would not be sustainable without additional donations that have been made by certain owners given our current/recent renewals
  • Goal is 60% of houses paid in 2022
  • Block Captains – Nicole Fuhrmann
  • We may have x1 vacancy as of March – plan to review at next meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner (written); (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)
  • In 2021, we brought in about $18,000 in membership dues (but this includes extra donations made) and about $4000 advertising income; About $20K expenses; Net approx. $2000 income
  • If we want to make progress on capital improvements and spend $5k this year on projects, we need an extra $3000 in income to break even in 2022
  • Need to make sure that we have extra money in reserve in case of a lawsuit but we certainly have this base covered after many years of disciplined saving
  • Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk; (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)
  • No updates or concerns
  • Judgment in our favor for 2411 W. TC Jester – still ongoing appeals process (COH legal team is on it)
  • Architectural Review – Ernest Fuhrmann 
  • No outstanding concerns
  • Submitted requests have been approved for expansions, remodels, etc.
  • Beautification 
  • Carolyn Lehnert has resigned as Chair; We need a new Chair for this committee
  • We do not have any obligation for the esplanades but can keep pressure on COH to keep up with mowing, tree trimming, and trash removal – call 311/use HTXConnects app to report concerns
  • Communications/Newsletter – Jessica Swafford
  • Newsletters require lots of time to put together as well as money in printing costs – considering alternatives such as digital newsletter, ad hoc emails as needed, one-page annual flyer for membership dues and overall updates
  • Need help collecting emails and managing the email distribution list
  • Consider allowing people to select paperless option during dues renewal
  • Security/COPS – Joel Dubois
  • No new concerns other than what was printed in newsletter
  • Pursuing new Citizens Patrol signs
  • David Mitchell has volunteered to work with Joel
  • Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan; See handout/attachment for new information; Kurt Swafford reviewed priorities that have been discussed so far
  • Committee met 1/21/22: Compiled existing ideas and categorized what we will approach COH for help with and items that we will need to use our own civic club funds to help
  • Goal to raise $5000 above normal operating costs to help pay for initiatives
  • New Requests from members:
    • Benches at bus stops – this is a Metro issue and has to be requested through them – maybe ask Councilmember Kamin’s office for help?
    • Return to previous approach to include names of people who had paid vs not in newsletter?
    • Focus on progress on projects to attract interest (not just deed restrictions) 

New Business

  • Mosquito Spraying Program – Spraying will be 3/5/22 – 11/15/22 on Thursdays (pending weather)
  • Street sign toppers are being proposed for 18th St. for Arson Investigator (HFD Initiative)
  • Discussion of potential redevelopment of Foodarama building – details still uncertain

Next   Lazybrook     Civic Club Meeting is Tuesday March 22, 2022

Donations from Pat Koteras, Corresponding Secretary

Adjournment at 8:11pm