Location: Telemeeting (via Zoom)
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2020
Items:
1. Greetings and Pleasantries – John Wooding
2. Treasurer’s report – John Thomas – People can pay dues now and be credited for all of 2021, so neighbors are encouraged to join or renew. For the year to date, we have a net profit of a little over $3,000. With no events during COVID, our expenses are well below those of normal years.
3. Treasurer’s Report John Thomas – We had revenue in October of $967 in gross sales (minus $589.90 to the vendors for manufacturing costs from t-shirts and mask and $55 from membership dues. After expenses, which included the translators for the accountability session and an enhanced Zoom subscription for one month to support the session, as well as the MNA annual liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance premium, there was a monthly loss of about $1,770, but year-to-date we have a net profit of just over $3,000. We remain healthy on the balance sheet with nearly $17,000 in cash, gift cards, etc.
4. Mixed Use report, Bill Berman:
Kathy Sokolic is taking over from Bill at the end of his term for the mixed-use board. Jeff Lusy is leaving as he is moving away so please submit an application by December 4 to Patricia Thoms if you are interested in applying as Jeff’s replacement. Row house and shop home assessments are going up $8/month and garden homes are going up $2/month. Going forward, you should be able to track your applications to the modifications committee on Town Square.
5. POA Report – Michael Jones – The Mueller Foundation has about 525 homes in the portfolio v. 480 or so last year. An independent audit had no material findings of concern. Some of the affordable homeowners are being negatively impacted by the pandemic and beginning in April, the foundation has begun providing assistance as needed to affected homeowners. Homeowners needing assistance should contact the foundation. Habitat’s new homes are now complete. They will soon be occupied by the designated homeowners. The annual lighting of the control tower will take place next Saturday online (no in-person event). The Pavilion at Branch Park should be completed in early 2021 to accept the farmer’s market shift to that location. The ownership of the building is still undecided (City of Austin v. POA). The commission is not meeting in December and will likely continue to meet during office hours on WebEx in the new year. Citizens can provide testimony at the beginning of meetings on either agenda items or any issue related to Mueller; contact Matthew Schmitt at 512.974.6415, who is the new liaison.
6. Steering Committee nominations – Dennis Mick, Chair, Nominating Committee. There are 13 total Steering Committee positions; 7 prospective and current members are seeking seats to fill 8 vacancies for 12 members in total: Pat DiSanza, Jason Sears, Sarah Roper-Coleman, Damaris Nicholson, Josh Rudow, Dale Cannedy and Taylor Youngblood. No other nominations were submitted and the slate was approved by voice vote of attending members.
7. Business of the month – Kristin Campbell, Ronald McDonald House – a new Mueller resident since June and communications chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. They love the neighborhood. They have a volunteer going on during the holiday season. The House supports the families of children being treated at Dell Children’s Medical Center here in Mueller. It provides housing, meals and other support as needed to the families. There are 500 families on the wait list currently, which is typical, so it is in high demand. Last year 701 families were served with 9,694 room nights. They also provide a family room in six Central Texas Hospitals. There is a “be the Light” campaign this year with a decorating contest featuring any seasonal lighting or decoration of your home via photo submission, with voting the week of December 14. Make donations at rmhc-ctx.org/bethelight. Enter the contest at https://bit.ly/rmhcctxdecoratesignup or sponsor at https://rmhc-ctx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Be-the-Light-Giving-Levels-Individual.pdf There is also a Santa’s Workshop drive going on to accept gifts for the children of families in the program; learn more at https://rmhc-ctx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Santas-Workshop-Flyer-3.pdf. You can view a video about how they help families at https://rmhc-ctx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Be-the-Light-Giving-Levels-Individual.pdf
8. Andrew Clements – Mobility35openhouse.com is a link for the current I-35 Public Scoping Meeting (virtual) for input on proposed on I-35 from US 290 West to SH 71/Ben White. The MNA Land Use & Transportation Committee is working on a statement to bring forward to the Steering Committee and even the larger MNA (potentially) before the Dec. 31st deadline.
Steering Committee Meeting 12/2 7PM
Respectfully submitted 12/10/2020
Alison Raffalovich, Secretary