BPNA Monthly Meeting Tues. 7/24

Hi Neighbors,
The monthly meeting of the Bryan Park Neighborhood Association will be this Tuesday, July 24. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln.
Below is the agenda for the meeting.

• Purchase of e-mail domain for BPNA – Kerry Greer
• BPNA Newsletter – Kerry Greer
• BPNA Constitution - Jacob Farmer
• BPNA Elections – Jon Lawrence
• 406 E. Hillside façade – Jim Gronquist
• Neighborhood Cleanup – Judith Sylvester
• Block Party Update – Jon Lawrence

We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Jon

BPNA Monthly Meeting Tues. 6/26

Hi Neighbors,

The monthly meeting of the Bryan Park Neighborhood Association will be this Tuesday, June 26. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln.

This month, our main topic will be the proposed changes to our by-laws regarding the structure of our group. BPNA usually holds elections at the June meeting. This year, there has been a proposal to move from our current officer structure and go to a five-member executive committee. A number of Bloomington’s neighborhood associations are going toward this style of governance. 

We will look at the McDoel neighborhood association by-laws with the executive committee (EC) format. We’ll also look at changes proposed to the BPNA by-laws at the May meeting, and talk more about making this change. Please come to this week’s meeting if you’d like to contribute to the discussion.

As I’ve said, I am retiring as president. Jon Lawrence has volunteered to take over the email list. He'll send out more information on that as we make the transition. 

It's been a real privilege to get to know so many of you, and to work together on making our great neighborhood even better.  

Thanks,

Mary

Stray dog on Davis

A reddish dog with tags was sighted on Davis street near Lincoln at approximately 6:30 pm Wednesday. I was unable to catch him before he ran away. His/her photo is attached. He was obviously afraid and barking at various people who got near him.

BPNA Monthly Meeting 5/22

Our monthly meeting will be this Tuesday, May 22. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln.

BPNA Elections in June

BPNA holds elections at every June meeting.  As I’ve said, I am retiring as president at this June’s meeting. Usually, we would hold an election at that meeting. This year, there has been a proposal to move from our current officer structure and go to a 5 member executive committee. A number of Bloomington’s neighborhood associations are going toward this style of governance.  This 5 member executive committee might be a way to get more folks to be involved.

 

We will look at the McDoel by-laws with the “executive committee” (EC) format. We’ll also look at the BPNA by-laws for how we might go about making this change.

 

At the June meeting, we may vote to change the by-laws. Please come to this week’s meeting if you’d like to contribute to the discussion.

 

Blooming Neighborhoods

This year the Blooming Neighborhood Awards will be presented at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Bryan Park will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the City Council Neighborhood Enhancement Award for two projects–the bridge across the creek and kiosk in Bryan Park (coming summer 2012).

 

Report on Switchyard Park meetings?

Anyone who attended the meetings, please feel free to share your impressions.

 

Block Party Update

The block party date is set for August 24. Update on plans. Anyone with thoughts about location, volunteering, etc. please feel free to address the meeting.

 

Noise at Carlisle Plant

Has the plant been noisier than usual? Some complaints about that.

Neighborhood Yard Sale June 2

The Bloomington Reformed Presbyterian Church (1st and Lincoln), is organizing a neighborhood yard sale for Sat. June 2. The church will buy an ad in the newspaper and take care of publicity. They are inviting anyone in the neighborhood who is interested to join in by selling their things at their homes. The church members are going to bring their items to the church parking lot where they will also sell drinks, popcorn, and snow cones. If you would like to participate, you would stop by the church that morning for a red balloon for your house.

We had neighborhood sale last fall, organized by Melissa Banks, and people that participated did really well. Thanks to Richard Holdeman, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, for reaching out to us with this offer. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Contact the church at rpsecretary@gmail.com or 812-339-1922 for questions, or to let them know you would like to participate.

Please let me know if you'd like to add anything to the agenda.

Thanks,

Mary

BPNA monthly meeting, 3/27

MEETING AGENDA

Our monthly meeting will be this Tuesday, March 27. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln.

Not too much on the agenda, so far. We've set the block party date for August 24. I'd like to propose that we pay to have the tables and chairs delivered, rather than Jon picking them up and returning them with his truck. We have money in the bank account that could pay for this.

Several people have asked for an update on the Hillside and Henderson project. The developers have shared that it was too late to break ground in time for August occupancy, as they had hoped. They are waiting to start the project in the summer.

This would be a good time to talk about how to encourage more people to get involved with BPNA. We have almost 300 people on the email list, and I'm sure there are plenty of good ideas just waiting to be heard.

BPNA elections in 3 months, nominees needed

Hi neighbors,

After serving as BPNA president for the past three years, I've decided to step down when my term is up in June. It's been a great experience, and an honor to represent Bryan Park. We've just wrapped up several long-term projects, and it's a good time to hand it on to someone new. Elections are held at the June meeting, so we have some time. Please start thinking if you, or someone you know, would be interested in running.

The best part of the experience has been getting to know so many of you. This is truly a special place. I'll still be around and still be involved with BPNA. See you at a meeting!

Thanks,

Mary

BPNA Meeting Minutes, Feb 28th 2012

Bryan Park Association meeting

The monthly meeting of the Bryan Park Neighborhood Association meeting was held on February 28, 2012 with president Mary Miller presiding. [Mary Lou Mitchell acting Secretary]

Due to the fact that there was an IU ball game attendance was sparse with only 6 people.

• Mary touched on all subject listed in the agenda.
  
  
• Tonia Matthew reported on the raised bed gardens and passed out brochures.
  
  
• The growth policy and neighborhood tree program were both discussed.
  
  
• The new bridge at Bryan Park is in place but the walk up ramps haven’t been installed
  
  
• Meeting adjourned about 8:30 PM

BPNA Meeting Minutes, January 24th meeting

Bryan Park Neighborhood Association

January 24, 2012

Minutes

The Bryan Park Neighborhood Association met at the Free Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana, on January 24, 2012. Mary Miller, BPNA president, presided over the meeting.

1. Flooding. Mary Miller reported that the City Utilities Department finished the street work designed to prevent flooding and it seems to be working. She said there were no complaints after the recent heavy rains. Mary also reported that she contacted the Utilities Department about clearing debris from the Davis Street creek and the department plans to do the work immediately.

2. Proposed project at Hillside and Henderson. Mary Miller reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals met on December 15^thand approved the variances requested for the properties. She said the buildings on the properties were razed the day after the approval.

3. Switchyard property.Daryl Neher reported that the steering committee for the switchyard master plan met recently. The group plans for public input on the property in April with a design charette planned for May. The group plans to submit a final plan for the switchyard property to the City Council in September. Daryl reported that there are environmental issues on the property because of coal ash. The group is also discussing connecting Hillside through the switchyard for an east/west corridor.

4. City Council.Daryl Neher reported that his first meeting as a councilman will be tomorrow. The Council will discuss the condominium proposal for the old RCA property at Grimes and Morton Streets. Daryl said he will continue with monthly constituent meetings and plans to hold them at the public library.

5. GPP Steering Committee. Daryl Neher reported that the steering committee for the city’s Growth Policies Plan will be working for the next 3 months and wants input from neighborhoods. The revised plan will cover growth policies for the next 20 years.

6. Conservation District. Mary Miller reported that the sub-group working on the issue of conservation district status for the neighborhood has met several times and will pick up the work again soon.

7. Online bulletin board/Facebook page. A suggestion was made to create an online bulletin board for use by neighbors. Mary Miller said she will look into putting such a bulletin board on the BPNA website. Also, BPNA has a new Facebook page.

8. Treasury. Mary Lou Mitchell reported that BPNA has $1900 in its treasury account.

9. Next meeting. The next BPNA meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2012.

BPNA Monthly Meeting Tuesday 2/28

Our Feb. meting will be this Tuesday, Feb. 28. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln. Lots of nature-related topics this month–a sure sign that Spring is coming!

Clean Out of Davis Creek

The Utilities department was planning to clear out some of the debris in the creekbed of the Davis St. creek. Please speak up if you still see branches and debris blocking the flow of the creek.

Raised Vegetable Beds

Minifundia (www.minifundia.com) is a new company that installs and maintains raised bed vegetable gardens in Bloomington. This new business is in our neighborhood at 1121 S. Henderson St. Tonia Matthews has been in touch with the owner of Minifundia, and will speak about their services.

Pedestrian Bridge in Bryan Park

The city is waiting for ground conditions in Bryan Park to dry out enough to get a crane in, in order to install the pedestrian bridge across the creekbed. The crane operator does not want to take his equipment into the area until the ground dries up quite a bit.

Neighborhood Tree Program

The City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) and Parks Department are partnering to offer trees to our neighborhoods in an effort to increase the number and quality of street trees. HAND is expanding the 2012 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program this year to provide a means for neighborhoods to replenish trees in the public right-of-way.

The trees will be planted in the City-owned right-of-way not on private property. Areas to be considered include unimproved areas that do not conflict with other public utilities or improvements along public streets, roads or alleys.

BPNA can apply for one of these grants, if we can get some volunteer support from our BPNA members to write it.

ImagineBloomington

As you may know, the City of Bloomington is in the initial stages of revising its Growth Policies Plan. In an effort to maximize citizen engagement in the process, Mayor Kruzan has announced a series of public workshops for residents to attend. The GPP serves as a guiding document for how we plan for the future of Bloomington. If you would like to review the current GPP, you may find the document at http://bloomington.in.gov/gpp.

The first meeting was Tuesday, February 21st at the Monroe County Library. Darryl Neher says there are nine more meetings, and suggested that we all get involved in Bloomington's long-term planning process.

Conservation District

We are ready to start gathering signatures for our application letter, in order to get the process underway.

Let me know if you'd like to add anything to the agenda.

Thanks,

Mary

BPNA meeting minutes, Nov 22nd meeting

Bryan Park Neighborhood Association

November 22, 2011

Minutes

The Bryan Park Neighborhood Association met at the Free Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana, on November 22, 2011. Mary Miller, BPNA president, presided over the meeting.

1. Holiday Specials. Mary Lou Mitchell brought homemade treats to the meeting along with fresh apple cider for members to enjoy. She invited all neighbors to come to her house at 1202 S. Palmer to see her Christmas Village, which includes a replica of the B-Line trail this year. Mary Miller announced that BPNA t-shirts and aprons have been reduced in price in time for Christmas.

2. 7-unit Apartment House at Washington and Hillside. Ed Rensi, who lives across the street from the apartment house at Washington and Hillside, reported that he is interested in purchasing the apartment house since the owner died recently and the property is for sale. He asked for suggestions from BPNA members on what the property could be used for.

3. Proposed project at Hillside and Henderson. Mary Miller reported that the Bloomington Plan Commission approved the variances requested for the proposed project at Henderson and Hillside on November 7th. The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the request on December 15^th.

4. Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Mary Miller reported that BPNA re-submitted the application for the kiosk on the north side of the park. The hearing on the application is December 5^th.

5. Alley Problem. Ian Woolen reported some positive news on the alley problem discussed at previous meetings. He said that the city installed “Emergency Access” signs at the west end of the alley that seem to have decreased traffic from the gas station. He thanked Isabel Piedmont for her assistance with the issue.

6. Conservation District. Mary Miller reported that the sub-group working on the issue of conservation district status for the neighborhood has met several times and will meet soon with Nancy Hiestand from HAND.

7. Next meeting. The next BPNA meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2012.

BPNA monthly meeting 1/24

Our first meeting of the new year will be this Tuesday, Jan. 24. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln. I have not written up a formal agenda, but see this meeting as a chance to re-group and review any neighborhood developments since we last met. We can also talk about plans and goals for 2012.

One question–has anyone experienced flooding in their homes with all the rain we have had lately? The Utilities Department has finished work on the drainage project on Dunn, Dixie, Allen and Palmer. I want to be sure there are no further flooding problems. As best I can tell, it seems to be working well.

It was reported this weekend that the Davis creek was not draining as fast as it normally would. I have contacted Utilities, and they plan to clear the stream bed of brush and debris later this winter, especially where it passes under Grant, Lincoln and Washington.

Let me know if you'd like to add anything to the agenda.

Thanks,

Mary