March 17, 2009

Westlink Neighborhood Assoc
General Membership Meeting
March 17, 2009
Westlink Methodist Church

Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by president Ron Nutt.

Members of the board present were: Jane Byrnes, Jim Byrum, Jan Decker, Carla Lee, Ron & Sheryl Nutt, and Joyce and Richard Wood. Absent were Amanda West, and Rita Zaudke.

44 people were present, including 6 from the South of Central area.

Cookies and treats were provided by board members Joyce & Richard Wood.

The treasurer's report was given by Jan Decker. The balance in the WNA account is $2,764.72. There are no outstanding bills at this time.

Report was accepted as given.

Sheryl Nutt passed out copies of the secretary's report from last general membership meeting. That report was also accepted as written.

Sedgwick County Deputy Harris gave a presentation of the S.E.N.I.O.R.S. outreach response system, and applications were passed out to the membership. The police activity report was given by Officers Heather Frazier and Robin Douty. Members are urged to make a report when faced with incidents of vandalism, because this alerts the department that a trend exists and patrol can be stepped up. In response to one member's concerns regarding dog owners cleaning up after their pets, Officer Frazier said she would request the Park Dept to place a "poop station" at Harvest Park.

Brad Raymond, from Via Christi Hope, addressed the members about the services offered to seniors and people with disabilities. He, too, distributed pamphlets and took questions from the floor.

Webmaster Joyce Wood discussed changes to the website, www.westlinkneighborhood.org, and urged folks to visit the site and volunteer in areas of interest. She also encouraged feedback as to other things she can add to the site.

Vice President, Carla Lee, shared information about other opportunities to learn about neighborhood organizations and how local government works by attending the Neighborhood Universities held annually. She reminded the members that WNA was awarded a Bloom Grant from WIN which was used to purchase signs for our meetings. She then asked the members to list items they'd like to see addressed by WNA, and asked that they be left with our board at meeting's close.

Jane Byrnes reported on the Neighborhood wide garage sale. She asked for volunteers to help place signs, and explained that participants would be given maps to pass out to those who came to their garage sales. Ads will be placed at WNA's expense in the Eagle, Active Aging, and West Side Story.

Volunteers were again solicited from the South of Central members to deliver Link Letters. Also volunteers were asked to deliver Link Letters to businesses in our area. She concluded with the announcement of the 3rd annual Ice Cream Social which will take place on Memorial Day at Harvest Park. This year we will provide a Moon Walk for the kids.

Ron Nutt issued an open invitation to our members and other west side neighbors to attend the Westlink Neighbors Foundation meeting which will be held March 24 at 7:00pm at the Crossroads Bible Church at 13th and Brunswick.

One of the members who lives near the Westlink ditch had questions about what the City of Wichita is planning to do about the flooding issue, and how much money they plan to spend on it.Those questions will need to be addressed to our city councilman, Jeff Longwell.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.