NACA GENERAL MEETING
Thursday June 17, 2011
Little Walnut Creek Library
Introductions:
Eleanor Langsdorf called the meeting to order at 7:02pm
Announcements
APD Officer Santiago Diaz and Rafael Kianes were introduced. Since the cameras have been installed on Rundberg and IH 35, they have noticed an increase in arrests and a decrease of suspicious activity in that area. They acknowledged that some of the illegal activity has moved to other areas; for example, in the area behind Motel 6.
A resident stated that cars playing load music have frequented Quail Meadow. Call 911 if you are able to identify the vehicle. They must have probable cause to pull over the suspect vehicle.
The June meeting minutes were distributed and approved with some corrections.
NACA currently has $884.52 in general operating funds; there is $14,031.06 in Allied Waste Beautification Funds. This includes a $5,000 donation from the YMCA which will go to the Austin Parks Foundation. We currently have 131 members.
Susie Milam made a motion that NACA use Beautification Funds to purchase four trash cans, four cable locks and a one year supply of trash bags for the Wooldridge Elementary playfield (purchase price not to exceed $200), contingent upon the principal of Wooldridge agreeing to have the custodial staff empty the cans. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
A resident asked if we would approach HEB or Target to donate the trash containers.
Randy Teich stated a ground breaking will occur on site on Monday Sept 26th at 10:30am at the North Austin Recreation Center located just west of HEB.
Stage Two water restrictions are effective on Sept 6th.
Speaker; Rebecca Lanbdin-Abraham, Teacher at Wooldridge Elementary
The school was chosen by the State of Texas for an obesity prevention project. The grant is a joint use agreement; where the community can utilize more of the external features of the campus. The grant also makes the grounds an active feature.
What will be effective? The best change in behavior is not just education and exercise but making the environment more inviting the community to participate. Using media and point of decision labeling is a method to making a change.
The project has accomplished the following: adding a garden and water fountain; soccer field; tennis nets on courts; sign boxes on the track; the limestone track has been replaced with a granite track. They will be installing six raised garden beds that could be used by the community. Saturday workshops with Master Gardeners will be held.
Speaker: Sari Waxler, Mentor Director Trainer for the Seedling Foundation:
Their focus is on mentoring children of incarcerated parents and campus beautification projects.
They will have Saturday workdays in partnership with school faculty and area residents. They recently completed a painting project at Lamar Middle School. McBee and Walnut Creek Elementary are being included this year.
1,000 children in 60 schools and 4 school districts have been serviced over the last six years.. Volunteers go into school once a week and visit with their child for 30 to 45 minutes. They do not recruit college students for this volunteer work. They target older adults for sustainability with experience.
Training provided includes orientation meetings; lunchtime seminars; Saturday academy;
A formal school based evaluation is done every year. Children have better attendance and TAKS scores than children without mentoring.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 pm. Next meeting Thursday Sept. 15th
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