Minutes of CONA Meeting

7:00 p.m., April 15, 2009

City Hall Building

Bloomington, Indiana

Board Members Present:
6th & Ritter - David Walter
Eastside - Molly O'Donnell
Old Northeast - Jerry Stasny
Elm Heights - Kathie Holland
Green Acres - Jane Spearman
Prospect Hill - Sarah Ryterband
Arden Place - Mona Visnius

Guests: Janet McCabe from IKE, Harold Carrithers and Nancy Lynn

Program

Janet McCabe presented information on hazards in the home including lead based paints, mercury, pesticides, mold, radon, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Some or all of these substances are present in every home - lead based paints in older homes, mercury from burning coal to generate electricity, radon in basements, and formaldehyde in construction materials. She stated that lead in paints can be identified by a simple chemical test stick. She also said that using pesticides should be part of an integrated pest control program to make the home unattractive to insects.

Janet had several handout materials and invited CONA members to attend a November conference in Indianapolis.

Business Meeting

1. The minutes from the March 18, 2008 meeting were approved.
2. David Walter reported treasury balances as follows: Checking: $411.41 and Savings: $8,316.63. David reported that the $200 check that the CONA Board donated to BTop for Vukan R. Vuchic's speaker's fee was mailed to Greg Alexander's home on North Madison, but it never arrived. David issued Greg a replacement check and had the original check cancelled at the bank. The bank charges a $26.00 fee for stop payment on the check.
3. Zach Mermel handed out a listing of Permaculture seminars that he wants to hold on Mondays at the Garton Farm over the spring and summer months. Zach would like CONA to sponsor this by posting the listing on the CONA web site and distributing the information to the various neighborhood associations. Sarah Ryterband made a motion to sponsor the Permaculture seminars. The motion was seconded by Jane Spearman and the motion passed by voice vote.
4. The Board discussed CONA's survey for the Bloomington Hospital. Molly has a number of questions relating to how people use the hospital's services and asking their opinion on the possibility of the hospital moving to the northwest side between Bloomington and Ellettsville.
5. Jack Baker had sent a memo saying that Plan Commission is going to consider amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance in May. The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is under consideration - this allows a property owner to have two dwelling units on a single lot - "Granny Flat" so long as certain conditions are met. This was considered with the first UDO and voted out of the ordinance. Molly O'Donnell made a motion to that CONA should be opposed to ADU's. David Walter seconded the motion. There were four abstentions and three yea votes, so the motion did not pass for lack of a majority. Sarah Ryterband thought that additional information was required for people to make a decision.
6. Michael Simmons, who is a Program Specialist with City of Bloomington's Parks and Recreation department, will attend the May CONA Board meeting to discuss organic gardening.
7. Jim Diers will be in Bloomington on June 5 for the BloomingNeighborhood Celebration.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.