Council Of Neighborhood Associations
Of Monroe County

Supporting Neighborhood Associations in Monroe County, Indiana

Minutes

Minutes of CONA Meeting

7:00 p.m., May 20, 2009

City Hall Building

Bloomington, Indiana

Board Members Present:
Eastside - Molly O'Donnell
Southampton - Richard Carr
Maple Heights - Greg Alexander
Prospect Hill - Sarah Ryterband
Green Acres - Jane Spearman
McDoel Gardens/HAND - Vickie Provine

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

Guest Speaker - Michael Simmons

Program

Michael Simmons, a program specialist with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, spoke about community gardens and organic gardening. He has a natural, holistic view: strive to emulate the natural process. We "feed" the soil (with biota as well as minerals) so it can feed our plants, while providing a habitat for birds, bees, etc.

Michael handed out a listing of People's University summer classes on gardening (see PUB@bloomington.in.gov or call 349-3737 for information). They also offer a thirteen-week certification course on sustainable gardening each fall, with the hope that attendees will then become teachers. (Vickie Provine gave a personal endorsement!) He gave a brief history of gardening in this country, from the letters of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, to the public resources that have been poured into commercial gardening/farming. Michael then answered many questions about organic gardening and composting.

Of special note to CONA: Michael said that instructors were available to attend neighborhood meetings to discuss particular issues in situ for a modest fee.

Business Meeting

  1. The April 15, 2009 meeting minutes were read and approved.
  2. Treasurer's Report: In the absence of Dave Walter no new report was given this month.
  3. Discussion:
    1. Maple Heights: Greg asked if there is a way to communicate with Neighborhood Compliance Officers about what natural landscaping techniques and results are acceptable. (Perhaps a good CONA program would be to invite Linda Thompson to speak?)
    2. Green Acres: Jane reported that they had a plant share and mini clean up. Jane also suggested neighborhood tours as a way for people to connect and to share skills, knowledge and labor. And perhaps a neighborhood blog.
    3. Prospect Hill: Sarah reported that many cars in their area had been broken into and CD players stolen over the Little 500 weekend, and said they had not had a satisfactory response from the police.
  4. Vickie Provine, on behalf of HAND, reminded people that Jim Diers would speak about Neighbor Power: Building Community the Seattle Way on Friday June 5th at 7:00 after a reception at 6:00 for which CONA would be providing refreshments.
  5. Vickie Provine also reminded neighborhoods to attend Blooming Neighborhoods on Saturday June 6th, where several citizens and one neighborhood would be honored for their contributions to their neighborhood and the City. A goody bag, including a copy of Jim Diers' book was given to each neighborhood that signed up for a table.
  6. Vickie also reminded people about the Ice Cream Social grants available for up to $200.00 a neighborhood.
  7. City Planning issues: Molly reported that a proposed amendment to the UDO, to incorporate a formal process to apply for Accessory Dwelling Units, had again been defeated at the recent Plan Commission meeting. Many neighborhoods attending CONA's meeting would support this amendment. However strong opposition by the Bryan Park and Elm Heights neighborhood, with support from Eastside Neighborhood, helped again to defeat the proposal. It may come up again, so Molly will try to keep informed.
  8. Bloomington Hospital Survey: The final hospital survey is ready to be uploaded to CONA's website and e-mailed to members.
  9. Suggested Topics for June's CONA meeting agenda:
    1. Hospital Survey: give out the link to the survey and ask CONA representatives to distribute the link &/or actual surveys to their neighborhoods.
    2. Discussion of CONA's goals. (The statement at the bottom of each agenda is a good starting point. Molly will ask Dave Walter to help articulate past discussions.)
    3. Ways to highlight and/or improve CONA's image and improve communication with and among neighborhoods:
      1. networking & communication among neighborhoods. (Could CONA's website be updated to act as a blog? Could we get a volunteer to help with that?)
      2. Promote CONA's tax deductible status to help with and manage donations to neighborhood associations.
      3. Could CONA apply for an ice cream social?!
  10. No further business to be discussed, the meeting was adjourned.