Minutes from the Joint EC/BL Meeting 

February 21, 2007

Attendees:  Carol Brost, Matt Naughtin, Patty Phleger, Randy Fitz, Teri Green, Tom Chin, Stan Kurz, Suzanne Tucker, Pauline Soffa, Tom Opdycke, Laura Bowlby, Patrick Viera, Katherine Lehmann, Greg DiPaolo, Mark Nocerini

Minutes were not available from last months meeting for review, nor bank account information.  As a reminder, it is now time to pay dues for 2007.  Introductions were made, including the new BL from the 600 block of 14^th Ave, Katherine Lehmann from the Hebrew Academy.

The Park Presidio Neighbors theme for this year is: It is Everybody’s Boulevard.

Workday Support:  Consistent with our theme, Teri proposed that we take a holistic approach to the boulevard, and encouraged all neighbors to work on any block being worked on.  The 300 and 400 blocks of Funston and 14^th Ave. have the initial priority, based on the calendar established with Lorraine Banford in January.  The January workday was a great success.  Currently, there is no gardener assigned to the boulevard.

A planting palette has also been established with Rec. and Park, with the 600 and 700 blocks of Funston serving as examples.  A CLEAN TEAM event will be held on April 14^th on the 300 and 400 blocks of 14^th Ave.  This will prepare the 400 block as the pilot block for planting on April 28^th.

Communications:  Carol raised the question of how PPN can help the BL.  A question was also raised as to whether we are reaching all potentially interested neighbors.  It was suggested that going door to door (Greg) or holding a party (Katherine) to get emails and other contact information might help.

It was questioned as to whether PPN is getting adequate feedback from the neighborhood and what the priorities are.  Based on feedback from the attendees, priorities can vary widely from block to block. 

Action Item:  Suzanne and Patty will develop a survey in an attempt to determine what the priorities are for the membership along the boulevard.

A goal this year is to encourage each quadrant to function as a quadrant, rather than 4 separate blocks.

Action Item:  Mark will schedule a meeting with the Quadrant Leaders in March to develop a plan to accomplish this.  In addition, consistent with getting feedback from the neighborhood, the Quadrant Leaders will draft an agenda for the May Town Hall meeting based on what the PPN neighbors would like to hear about and discuss.  Soliciting this information will be done via the Quadrant Liaisons, as well as any other available source.

It is clear that a Membership Chair is needed to handle membership issues.  This person would focus only on membership, and would work with Carol/Communications.  Any PPN member should be considered for this position.

Action Item:  All PPN members should propose candidates for this post.

Community Outreach:  Randy proposed that the Fall Festival need not be the same festival as it has been in the past.  He proposed that creative brainstorming may help to determine how to take it to the next level.

Action Item:  Randy and Katherine will assemble a team to develop a plan.  It was suggested that team members consist primarily of Block Liaisons, and also of the general membership and EC members who are interested in contributing.

The Boulevard Neighbors website introduced by Patty is a potential source of ideas consistent with the mission of PPN Neighbors.  A person is needed as a conduit to bring these ideas to the EC.

Long Term Vision/Agency Relations:  Greg and Tom updated the attendees on items including the traffic calming pilot study which is proposed for the Inner Richmond for 12^th to 15^th Ave, from Fulton to Lake.  Breakout sessions will facilitate obtaining information which will be distilled into a set of recommendations.  An advisory committee will be formed which will include Pauline.  The quarterly meeting with Denny Kern will focus on maintenance and staffing.  The 19^th Ave/Park Presidio Boulevard signal upgrade program might include funds which relate to the Master Plan.  A roundtable meeting to solicit feedback on the Master Plan from neighbors on the west side of Park Presidio is important.

Action Item:  Greg will schedule a meeting this spring.

A meeting was held with Daniel Sider, the city’s new ‘Green Director’ to present the Master Plan, which he enthusiastically endorsed.  Dan Sider will be responsible for spearheading and coordinating all of the City, State and Federal agencies to bring the Master Plan to fruition.

Next Events

February 24, Workday, 300-400 blocks of Funston

March 29, Quadrant Liaison meeting

March 21 – EC meeting at Pauline Soffa’s house, 735 – 14^th Avenue

March 24, Workday, 300-400 blocks of Funston

April 14, CLEAN TEAM, 300-400 blocks of 14^th,

 preparation of pilot block (400-14^th) for planting

April 18 – EC meeting

April 28, planting of pilot block

May 16 – EC meeting

May 26, Workday, 100-200 blocks of 14^th

May ?, Town Hall meeting