Four Hills Village Homeowners’ Association
May 1, 2008 Board of Directors’ Meeting
Ruth Christman, Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm

Guests: Ray Rieker, Janet Hajek, Diane Hajek, Carole Camacho, Roger Mickelson, Ed Barsis, Victoria Godwin, Charlene Baldwin, Mary Paull, Mary Lou Cochran, Pat Zmuda, Dan Christman, all Four Hills residents, plus Isaac Padilla, Assistant to Councilman Don Harris, and City Councilman Don Harris.

Board Members: Herb Wright, Joe Zmuda, Ruth Christman, Deborah Barnes-Mattie, Ernest Christman, Geneiva Meeker, Tim Gallegos, Bob Hajek, Jan DeMay, and Steve Tenorio were present.

Absent: Aaron Bettison

MEETING

President (Herb Wright)

• Introduction of Ed Barsis, president of the other FH organization. Mr. Wright indicated that the two organizations could cooperate by working together on a cleanup project of Four Hills Road.
• Mr. Barsis introduced the members of his organization: Victoria Godwin (Treasurer), Charlene Baldwin, Mary Paull, Mary Lou Cochran and George Davidson, who did not sign the sign-in sheet. Rebecca Loring (Vice President and Secretary), Cathy Loveday and Jim Church were not present.
• The Board allotted an additional ten minutes of time to Mr. Barsis to state his complaints against the FHVHA.
• Mr. Barsis gave a brief history of his organization, beginning with the issue of the speed humps.
• The programs his organization is working on are: an ombudsman program to deal with people who have disputes with their neighbors, and enforcement of covenants.
• Mr. Barsis discussed the NA dissatisfaction over the FHVHA Board of Directors’ election process and non-cooperation with “outside” members, but agreed that having only one organization was better.
• After questions and comments from Board members, it was evident that his complaints were no longer germane. Mr. Barsis said that he still has issues which he cannot define.
• Ray Rieker stated that Mr. Barsis’ NA is not abiding by the rules to which they hold FHVHA like their BOD nominating and election process. There was no response from Mr. Barsis.
• After Mr. Barsis’ presentation, he and his organization’s members were dismissed.
• Mr. Wright stated that he and Mr. Barsis met with the Mayor only for clarification of the location of the proposed fire station at the end of Via Posada. The decision is with the Fire Department and won’t be made for 6 to 8 years at the earliest.
• Mr. Wright was notified by a resident that the city requires property owners to clean the arroyo behind their house. A key is needed to gain access, and for that key one must contact the Fire Station.
• Don Harris advised that he will look up the date of city clean-up.

Vice President (Joe Zmuda)

• Joe Zmuda related that the vacant lot south of Smith’s was cleaned of trash. He credited the news coverage and the assistance of Don Harris.
• Joe Zmuda requested that Don Harris introduce a bill for the city council to consider requiring retail businesses to have trash cans centrally located in their parking lots (such as McDonalds and Smith’s). The number of containers should be commensurate with the number of parking spaces, perhaps one container for every 50 spaces.

Secretary (Ruth Christman)

• A motion to approve the minutes of April 3, 2008 was made; seconded; and passed.
• Ms. Christman mentioned the need to begin negotiations for the annual membership meeting suggesting January 17, 2009 as the date. The President and Board approved the date, designating January 24, 2009 as second choice if the Four Hills Country Club is already booked.
• The President said that he had given the treasurer the bill for renewal of Officers’ and Directors’ Liability Insurance.

Treasurer (Deborah Barnes-Mattie)

• A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made, seconded and passed.
• Geneiva Meeker asked a question about when the committee to go over the financial records will meet. Tim Gallegos will provide a list of volunteers for the committee. Deborah Barnes-Mattie wants the meeting in June.
• Ms. Barnes-Mattie asked Isaac Padilla about getting a park in the Reserve section to be used by families with children.
• Don Harris responded that in the past, the residents of Four Hills didn’t want a park. He and Isaac Padilla agreed that now is the time to get the process in motion if one is to be pursued. Pat Zmuda mentioned a proposed park for Juan Tabo Hills and the need for funding to cover maintenance of any subsequent park.
• Don Harris gave a price of 1.5 million dollars to establish a park. He will investigate location, drainage, and maintenance for the requested park.

City Councilman (Don Harris)

• No one wants medians or bulb outs on the roads in Four Hills. He is recommending reflective striping and radar to show people how fast they are going. He is working on the problem of pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle paths.
• The Manzano open space will remain closed per a legal agreement with the city. Joe Zmuda wanted to know if the Board will be given the terms of settlement.
• Joe Zmuda requested information on Mr. Harris’ floor substitute bill for the ONC which was promised at the March meeting.
• Mr. Harris’ response was that it has not yet come up for approval.

Security, Air Flights and Roads (Aaron Bettison) absent

• Tim Gallegos reported that Aaron Jones will attend the next meeting to discuss security.
• Tim will contact Aaron Bettison to get the security committee on track with the suggestions from last year's security task force. It was assembled to spend the extra $25 dues on security issues.

Architectural Control (Ernest Christman)

• There was approval of a sunroom at a residence on Wagon Train Drive abutting the path next to Air Force Base. It met the notification and covenants approval requirements.
• There was a discussion on a photo taken by Dan Christman, e-mailed to the Board, that shows a road in the new Juan Tabo hills development built to a locked gate at the west end of Raton. Joe Zmuda pointed out that that area on the Juan Tabo Hills side of the gate was supposed to be open space for walking and bike trails. He will go back to the Juan Tabo Hills developers to get an explanation.

Covenants (Geneiva Meeker)

• Introduction of Roger Mickelson, President of the East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations with a long record of service to FHVHA.
• Roger Mickelson distributed copies of the East Gateway Coalition newsletter. He gave a description of the East Central Sector Development Plan. He recommended HA members, especially BOD members, get involved and attend the meeting on May 22 at 6:30pm at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.
• Mr. Mickelson mentioned that the next East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations meeting will be on July 24. The July 24 meeting will include district attorney Keri Brandenberg, a cop, and a Judge.
• Ms. Meeker reported people sleeping in a trailer home parked in front of a residence. A second letter of complaint was sent.

Assistant to City Councilman Don Harris (Isaac Padilla)

• The committee of the city council to set the budget is delayed to May 6. Joe Zmuda questioned whether the budget includes money to cover lawsuits like the $6 million one for Uptown. Mr. Padilla said that there is.
• Mr. Padilla distributed photos of graffiti and asked for the FHVHA support for stricter city enforcement of laws already on the books.
• A motion was made, seconded and passed to request the city to enforce code rules concerning graffiti.

Membership (Tim Gallegos)

• The membership count is now 550.
• A reminder letter resulted in 50 new members.
• Four Hills Neighbors will include a FHVHA Welcome Wagon for new residents.
• Tim Gallegos needs help in identifying all new residents.
• FHVHA should consider paying the Four Hills Country Club to have a summer event such as a barbeque.
• FHVHA needs activities to gain more members.
• FHVHA needs volunteers to help with the Chronicle.
• Ruth Christman advised the Board that one of the roles of Secretary is to edit the Chronicle.
• Tim Gallegos will get estimates from various printers to print the membership directory.

Planning and Development (Steve Tenorio)

• Steve Tenorio discussed means of raising money for projects of FHVHA based on work of Mary Herrera. Herb Wright stated that FHVHA cannot get any personal gain from fund raising.

Parks and Open Space (Bob Hajek)

• May 15th is the annual cleanup day.
• Bob Hajek needs adequate notice to change dates or any wording on the signs for various events.

Public Relations and Real Estate (Jan DeMay)

• The Board set June 7th as the day for the annual Yard Sale. There is a need for old political signs to be used to direct traffic to side streets.
• Pat Zmuda volunteered to help Jan DeMay with the Yard Sale.
• 72 houses were listed for sale at end of month, 1 sold, 6 pending.
• Joe Zmuda questioned whether we should call about security and parking for the 4th of July firework display at the Four Hills Country Club. Herb Wright agreed that there needed to be clarification from the Four Hills Country Club.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2008.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45pm was made, seconded, and passed.