Steering Committee Minutes 9/1/2021

MNA Secretary Meeting/Meeting Minutes

Mueller Neighborhood Association Steering Committee Meeting, September 1, 2021

Date: September 1, 2021

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92368025880?pwd=VzY2SnA0Vm1DTzJxL0plaXMzdnVSdz09

Meeting ID: 923 6802 5880

Passcode: 251297  

Participants: John Thomas, Pat Disanza, Koreena Malone, Joshua Rudow, Jason Sears, Marta White, Laurene Jacob, John Wooding 

Minutes – Laurene Jacob

     Approved and posted on the MNA website.

Financial Report- John Thomas

We currently have 282 paid members, 46 new members in August.

Because of the increase in membership the ZOOM subscription will be increased to allow for additional attendees to the General Meeting this month. 

Motion to increase the Zoom subscription for one month, $50.00 – John

2nd – Jason 

Motion passed.

I-35 Project NCINC (North Central I-35 Neighborhood Coalition) – Josh Rudow

    NCINC is requesting Mueller support their position on TxDOT’s I-35                expansion, which includes the elimination of business/housing near Cherrywood and continues exclusion of crossroads to East Austin.

Josh will follow up with additional information at future meetings.

Motion:  The Mueller Neighborhood Association (MNA) condemns TxDOT’s process and plans in full as non-responsive to stakeholder feedback; and empowers NCINC to share this position with TxDOT City and State elected leadership and other stakeholders on behalf of the MNA. – Josh

2nd – Pat

Motion passed.

Nominating Committee

John and Marta will form a nominating committee, including themselves, and 3 non-Steering Committee members.   A slate of candidates will be presented by October for the November election.

Front Porch Flyer

Kathy Sokolic needs a co-editor and more articles.  Marta will request help on the MNA and Mueller Neighbor’s FB pages. Koreena will check with the Equity committee for volunteers

MNA Website

The current host, Janel Simms, of the MNA website has moved out of the neighborhood and no longer wants to maintain the site.  If the MNA hires her she charges $600/yr and $65/hr.  Marta will put out a request for tech support on the MNA and Mueller Neighbor’s FB pages.  

COVID Testing

Laura Bruce has volunteered to arrange free COVID testing in Mueller.  The MNA will not be directly involved but supports this effort.

Business Spotlight

Karisha Community Center has requested time to present at the General Meeting.   The MNA’s policy is to focus on businesses that are located in Mueller, unless the business becomes a sponsor.  Marta will have Ted notify Karisha of our policy.

Kareena will check with Ascension for this month’s selected business.

Yard Sale – October

Elizabeth Nudd has volunteered to coordinate many of the yard sale activities, but would appreciate assistance.  If Austin remains at Stage 5, the yard sale will be postponed.

Equity Committee – Koreena

The book club will be meeting with the moderated group September 25, 12pm – 2pm, but will meet when convenient for group discussion; both over zoom.  This month’s book is, “How To Be Less Stupid About Race,” by Dr. Crystal Fleming, and the moderator is Dr. Yasmiyn Irizarry. The fee is $25.00 per person and the books can be loaned to participants for free by the Equity Team.

The Anti-racism subcommittee, tasked with locating companies that can train and facilitate larger groups, will be bringing a proposal to the Steering Committee either in October or November. 

The Equity Team will be presenting to the MNA a letter of Commitment to Anti-Racism Training that will be presented to the POA/PIAC/Catellus/Mueller Foundation. The Equity Team wants the letter to be signed by all of the above and the MNA. 

The BIPOC event hosted by Catellus and the POA has decided to postpone the event until next year due to COVID.

Meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.