(Board) Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2022 @ 6 PM
Oakley Park Pavilion
In attendance: 7; 4 board members present
Key-MS: Michael Stratton/SP: Soni Pitts/RL: Rich Lee/ BN: Betsy Nesbitt/GH: George Gregor Holt/ N: neighbor
MS: Bess McDavid, ONA president, is resigning from her leadership roles due to health issues, effective immediately
Topic: Bylaws and Boundaries
Only approximately 30 people voted- just enough to pass bylaws and approve boundaries
Q: What about electronic votes?
A: That number includes electronic votes
Consensus: 30 was the magic number for a passable vote
Discussion:
MS: What if we re-voted or maybe did a vote every year?
SP: What if we coupled it with a small neighborhood survey? People will show up to complain if nothing else.
MS: Unfortunately, this (the ONA) does not seem to be a priority unless there is a crisis
RL: There does seem to be an ebb and flow in attendance in neighborhood organizations with respect to neighborhood crises
MS: Do other neighborhoods struggle with this issue?
BN: Yes, Kenilworth boasted over 200 people at neighborhood meetings during a crime spree; the number has dropped of precipitously according to our CRO
MS: What is the solution?
SP: We did launch at the beginning of a pandemic, perhaps people are worn out of caring
RL: Might just be seasonal ebb and flow as well
MS: The attendance numbers are concerning- who is going to run the election?
GH: other neighborhood groups also struggle with finding people who are willing to run
MS: It is frustrating that we cannot get anyone to commit to do anything. We are moving out of the country in December
SP: What about the garden?
MS: It will change the structure of how it runs to less oversight
SP: What about an individual allotment situation?
MS: It was discussed, but it takes people to oversee that
RL: I can continue on as treasurer; maybe we drop back to 1-2 annual meetings/social get togethers
MS: We will stay on until move in December
SP: Happy to keep website running
BN: Happy to stay on as secretary
Q: How do Oakley residents get their news?
A: WLOS, Mtn. Express
Topic: Committee Reports
Anne Warren: Oakley Tree Keepers
They are finalizing grant application for $1500; old grant $600
Q: Do we have a neighborhood description?
A: Yes- BN did one at Brenda Mill’s behest a few years back
Last year used $400 to make a ‘Help Keep Oakley Green’ Brochure
It has a tree list, how to plant a tree, etc
OTK have worked with Heartwood Trees arborist services.
SP: would be good to have a project page for Tree Keepers on website
With last $200, we can do the Treasured Tree project w/ Green Works…maybe the tree at WNCAP
Treasured Tree program is nominating a tree and Greenworks comes out and measures the and makes sure it is well taken care of. If it passes, they have a little ceremony and a plaque.
SP: Does that designation help it to avoid getting whacked by the power company?
AW: Unfortunately not
MS: Is there a list of treasured trees in Oakley?
AW: We could put together a map of Oakley’s Treasured Trees
SP: We could do a walk
AW: We can put together a map to see if we have the density to support
In 2023: asking for $1500. Maybe do a workshop about removing vines, etc…
Our focus: get people thinking about their trees
In August: Oakley Tree Keepers will meet with Lakeview Tree Group
Oakley Tree Keepers also sit in on Urban Forestry Committee meetings
MS: Open Space Policy- city is thinking about redoing it?
AW: Unsure, will find out
MS: How does the Oakley Tree Keepers come down on canopy cover?
AW: Developers do have to pay $$ if they take down trees- city budget is to include Urban Forester
During Open Streets- OTK did a tree giveaway
Feels like tents are too far apart during Open Streets
Has 5 active members
GH: Have you thought about doing a tree id by the park?
AW: great idea- maybe with a QR code
SP: maybe connect with the school as an educational resource
Topic: Event - Upcoming Board Election
MS: What are we going to do about a committee for the board member election?
RL: I don’t think we need a committee; just have a meeting where everyone introduces themselves.
MS: Let’s go home and look at the section of bylaws and see if anyone is interested
COA rep: You should insist board members invite others
SP: We need an event to invite people to
MS: Like a block party
COA rep: Just a fyi- you have to book block parties 8 weeks out
RL: Let’s just hold a meeting at French Broad Brewing
MS: Are we going to do a vote there?
RL: Absolutely
BN: Agreed- we should capitalize on people’s enthusiasm before it wanes
RL: we could just vote on slips of paper
SP: Let’s send out an email describing what offices are open
ONA T-shirts: BN has them
GH: Non-profit status - We are working on it, but we got stuck at neighborhood description and officers.
We cannot lobby (city council, etc) as a 510c3 but we can provide them with information.
Will cost $650 to apply
RL: We are currently $500 in the hole ($300 from garden). Should delay until we get caught up
SP: Also, if we don’t have the numbers, a 501c3 might not be the best use of time