A WebsiteBuilder Website - Notes from Past Meetings

MINUTES
NORTH / LAS VEGAS ALLIANCE OF HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATIONS and CONCERNED CITIZENS
DAY: TUESDAY
DATE: JUNE 10, 2008

GUEST SPEAKERS:
MS. KATHI THOMAS-GIBSON CITY OF NLV, FY 2008-09
DISCUSSED BLOCK GRANTS /COLLEGE HEIGHTS

NLV POLICE OFFICER MARSHECK;
DISCUSSED , GANG SIGNS, COLORS,
BREAK-INS, HOW TO EDUCATE AND PROTECT YOURSELF.

Ms. MARSHA SIMMS, CANDIDATE FOR JUSTICE OF THE
PEACE.
DISCUSSED HER GOALS IF SHE GETS ELECTED.

Ms. PIANGE’ JACKSON, CANDIDATE FOR CLARK COUNTY
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT D.
DISCUSSED HER GOALS IF SHE GETS ELECTED

MR. JOHNATHAN McARTHUR CANDIDATE FOR JUSTICE OF THE
PEACE.
DISCUSSED HIS GOALS IF HE GETS ELECTED.

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS:
EL DORADO UPDATE GIVEN BY SARAH HUMPHREYS ABOUT THE 660 APARTMENTS ON CENTENNIAL PARKWAY AND REVERE.
Jennifer Lazovich called me on 5-13-08 at 1:35pm and told me that on behalf of Pardee she will be withdrawing their plan for the 660 apartments going up on Revere and Deer Springs. She also told me that in the future Pardee could present the plans again to the Planning Commission along with the commercial or single family homes the area is zoned for. I called Marc Jordan at the City Planning Department to verify if the information Jennifer gave me was correct.

I was told by Marc that he did receive the request from Jennifer on behalf of Pardee to withdraw the plans for the 660 apartments that was on the agenda for the City Hall meeting on May 28th. At no time did Jennifer specify why Pardee made this decision to withdraw the apartments but, usually it all comes down to money, not out of the kindness of their hearts. In some way our efforts must have affected Pardee’s reputation or the company buying the land (Wood Partners). I am glad that our efforts are paying off and I am so proud of everyone who participated in the fight.

NLV PUBLIC WORKS MEETING WAS DISCUSSED BY:
HARVEY FERBER
SHIFTING FUNDS FROM WATER/SEWERWAS DISCUSSED BY: BOB BORGERSEN
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING UPDATE DISCUSSED BY:
KEN ANGELL

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October 9th, 2007 Meeting Minutes:

Meeting opened at 6PM, with 27 members, and guests in attendance. Our first member, and speaker was Attorney Marsha Simms who spoke on the the issue of Gas Lamps that some HOA's are having to pay SW Gas for the cost of abandonment in order to convert to alternative lighting. Marsha also addressed the item of the five year contract that we are being held to, even though we were not party to that agreement. She explained that as a third Party not privy to the agreement, we would not be bound by it. She stressed the importance of us to file complaints on the issue, as well as contacting our local elected officials.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Bank of NLV to introduce themselves, and explain their services. They stated that they would be happy to assist any of our communities with the necessary funding for conversions to alternative lighting .

S.A.S. services, which is a security company passed out literature on their company, and explained some of the options that could be available to us as joint clients, where by they would patrol more than one community, which in turn would lower the costs. The hours of patrol, as well as the time, and days could be customized to the needs of individual associations.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith of NLV was in attendance, and spoke on several issues concerning our city. She also reminded the members of her upcoming town hall meeting, and went over some of the topics that would be discussed.

Ms. Maria Limon, owner of "NORTH CITY MANAGEMENT COMPANY", offered her services once again to assist any member associations with any concerns, or questions.

Maria's goal as a Management Company is to provide individualized service to each client, and provide them with the training etc. that is needed for Board Members to perform their Fiduciary responsibilities in a professional manner. We also want to Thank Maria for taking the time to make up Pre-Halloween bags for all in attendance.

Our V.P. Bob Mersereau then gave his report on current events within our city, and City Government. He reminded everyone of the Neighborhood Clean up that was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27Th. Bob stressed he importance for us as an Alliance to participate with Neighborhood Services in this worthy project.

Lastly, several several members, and guests spoke on the issue of community gas lamps, and updated everyone on their progress. Due to a heavy November, Aliante Library schedule, our next meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday November 20Th, 6PM.

I was brought to the attention of everyone that we will be posting our Membership Application that was prepared for us by, Ms. Maria Limon, on our Web-Site for communities to complete and mail back to us.

We would like to thank and welcome into our Alliance our newest member,

"Classic Estates at Centennial Ranch" .

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05PM.

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August 28th Meeting Minutes:

Meeting started at 6:07pm. Attendance was in excess of forty people. Our first speaker was Ms. Kathy Somers, Our NLV Neighborhood Services Outreach Manager.

Ms. Somers briefed attendees on our new HOA / Neighborhood Association Registry, that was recently passed By City Council. Currently, an application is being developed, that would provide Communities the opportunity to become part of the Registry. The purpose, being to establish a network of communication between Associations, and neighborhoods, for various reasons, up to, and including a City, State, or National Emergency. It would also provide for certain Grant funds being available to qualified communities for various projects.

Note: The goal would be to have a specific person in our City, to contact on issues, or concerns, who would then forward that item to the proper person, or Department, for adjudication. This, together with the involvement of our Management Companies in the Registry, Could provide us with a more timely response to our concerns, and in turn a better quality of life for all our Residents. As soon as we receive the completed form, we could send it to everyone, either by e-mail, Fax, or we could have it sent to our member Management Companies, to distribute to our respective Boards.

Our Vice President, Mr. Bob Mersereau, spoke on several items related to our City, and what some of the recently passed code Ordinances mean to us as communities. Bob is in the process of getting copies of the Ordinance Changes for several people who had asked for them.

Our Treasurer, Ms. Maria Limon, who is also the Owner of North City Community Management Company, and Member of our Alliance, also spoke on the importance of the Alliance, and her desire to provide a more Personal approach to managing her Associations. As well as being available to assist any member, at any time.

We also had the pleasure of having our new friend, and neighbor, Pastor Pat Spearman, of our NLV, Covenant United Methodist Church, speak on the importance of developing a neighborhood Young Outreach program, and us working together to sponsor upcoming events. Pastor Spearman had also offered her facilities for our use if needed, and suggested regular meetings at her church, to inform residents on what is going on in their area etc. Pastor Spearman's Church is located in the Plaza, on the N.E. corner of Goldfield, and Centennial.

Our last speaker was Mr. Marvin Minushkin, who is Chairman of his community, Four Winds, Committee on Gas Lamp Conversion. Marvin outlined in detail what the issue is, and the stumbling blocks that SW Gas has placed in the way of conversions, for our Communities who have Gas Lamps. Marvin, and his Committee members, who attended as well, have been, not only supportive of the efforts of HOA's in NLV, with these problem lamps, but has brought to the table much past knowledge for us all to share, in our joint attempt to rid our communities of this blatant waste of fossil fuel, and enormous monetary burden that it is placing on many, many communities, Valley Wide.. It's estimated, there can be upwards of 60,000, of these lamps, that were installed years ago, through a deal between SW Gas, and individual Developers, whereby the Builder received free gas lamps, as we understand, in exchange for a burdensome, 5 year contract on the future unknowing Community. Although very few HOA's have possession of this so called contract in their transition documents. The negative affects of HOA's not meeting their other bills, will require, residents to continue to pay much more in monthly fees. This could contribute to additional delinquent assessments, and possible foreclosures, that will also affect non gas lamp Communities, diluting even more, our already downward trend of property values. As an Alliance, we stand together on such issues, even though it doesn't directly affect, each, and everyone of us. More information, and a request for your help, in some form, will be forth coming.

Meeting ended at 8:03 pm.

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Minutes, of the July 10th, 2007 Meeting:

Meeting opened at 6pm. Our Guest Speaker, Ms. Jill De Stefano who organized P.O.T.S., which stands for "Protectors of Tule Springs" gave a brief, but very informative Summary of what her organization is about. Which is the Preservation of the Upper Las Vegas Wash, and it's artifacts. It runs East, and West, North of Aliante. To join their e-mail list, go to pots@cox.net.
Outstanding business from our last meeting was addressed. Application of our 501c is still being worked on. Last months proposed by-laws, with members suggested changes then, were made by Ken Angell. They were presented for approval and passed.

Other related items discussed:
# 1, A report was given on the meeting at Texas Station held on Monday evening July 9Th. It concerned itself with Changing the street name of Elkhorn to Parkhighlands Blvd.
It would run directly through Aliante. Mr. Mark Pallans, Sun City Board Member spoke against it at Planning, as well as Mr. Bob Borgersen, also a Sun City resident, And long time Community Activist, and several Alliance members, from other communities. The result of their efforts, and of course the turn out of Aliante residents, and others, contributed in very large part to Parkhighlands Law firm KKBR, withdrawing the item for 30 days to consider community concerns.

# 2, A brief report was given on Council's approval of Neighborhood Services proposed HOA Registry. This has been something the Alliance has been talking to Neighborhood services about for almost a year. And due to their efforts, Ms Kathy Somers, and Mr. Kenny Young, and the understanding, and cooperation of Council we have taken a major step forward in establishing a communication network between our communities. This Registry will also include communities, without HOA's, that would, as a group of concerned residents, be able to participate by forming "A Neighborhood Association". The Registry would be voluntary, but would allow communities access to grant money if eligible based on several need factors, and also would provide them with a much larger notification area by the City, About a Mile radius, of development projects being proposed in their vicinity. It's our belief as an Alliance, that Management Companies, need to be part of this partnership, for numerous reasons. This also has the potential of us creating a Legislative lobbying committee to protect us from debilitating HOA Legislation. Let me note here, that after our meeting, the following night, Sun City as a Board, officially voted to become a partner in our Alliance. We appreciate their support, which now brings us the strength, and voices of an additional 2000 resident homes at build out.

# 3, A report was given on the research being done by The Parks HOA, concerning the transition from Fuel inefficient Community Gas Lamps. to either Solar, or 12volt. For any community to make such a change if they originally had these lamps installed at development, would require a 67 % approval of the residents. Currently at 550 Gas lamps, the Parks spends over $ 8,000.00 Per Month just on Gas Costs, not counting mantel, and other breakage due to Wind, and Vandalism. A meeting will be held in one of The Parks many common area's soon. The purpose will be to have the companies involved, both Solar, and 12 volt system be present to answer resident questions.
If you would like to be notified of this meeting, as a gas lamp community, let me know.

Also, we need more communities to become members. The fee is to just defray the cost of room rentals, and other misc. expenses throughout he year. Bob Mersereau, our V.P. and /or Myself would be happy to come to any community meeting to explain what our Alliance is about, etc. We will also attend to give our explanation of the Registry, as it was exactly proposed, and passed. This would be in the interim, until Neighborhood Services does the outreach contacting. We will keep everyone updated on our meetings with the City, on this, and other important issues. Communication is vital, PLEASE PASS THIS ON !

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Minutes of the June 12, 2007 Meeting:

Meeting began at 6:05pm. The topics for the night were the outcome of several items from the June 6Th City Council Meeting, and reviewing our first set of proposed by-laws that Ken Angell had put together for us. Richard reported on those City Council items 19 through 22 concerning high density proposed developments, generally located in the area of Deer Springs Goldfield, Donna, and No. 5Th. They all passed at City Council, with some modification concerning the parking spaces. Councilman, Robert Eliason, voted no to several of those items. While the issue of High Density was brought up by several Alliance members in attendance, only the amount of parking spaces were decreased, to allow the developers to continue with the projects, since both the fire, and police chiefs were concerned about obstructions of vehicles to emergency responses. Item #32 was also approved, with the Mayor, and once again Councilman Robert Eliason, voting no. This item had to do with placing a Union Police Representative ( President ) on the rolls of the City Budget. It will be called ( Labor Relations Liaison ). This was a deviation from past practice, where such issues would be part of normal union / management Negotiations. Which in this case, is now in progress. The Mayor noted, it gives the look of impropriety. Councilpersons Robinson, Buck, and Smith voted yes.

Discussion began on the first draft of our by-laws. With the exception of some minor requested changes, and clarifications to the context, they were generally favorable to the members in attendance, which totaled about 16 to 20. Attendance fluctuated due to one of our HOA's having their own meeting in the next room, and joining us after wards.

Ken Angell made note of all the recommended changes, and said he will send the President a revised version to e-mail to everyone, for a final going over. It was the desire of the members in attendance to have a completed, acceptable set of by-laws by our July meeting to vote on. Thank you to Ken for all his time, in creating wording for our by-laws. Richard stated he would contact the IRS about filing a 501c, request for Non Profit Status, also by the July meeting. Mr. Bob Mersereau, President of our Northbrook Ranch HOA. was the first community to join our Alliance, and presented us with their check for $ 50.00 ( Our Annual Membership fee), to be used for room rental, during the year, and other misc. expenses. Thank you to Bob, and his Fellow Board Members.

Richard stated that he would be willing to attend any HOA Board meeting, and explain what we are about, and how it would benefit us all to unite as a community. Final Note: Ms. Jill DeStefano, of our Aliante community, will speak at our July meeting regarding her organizational work in connection with POTS ( Protectors of Tule Springs ). This is the wash area behind Aliante, where there are numerous pre-historic artifacts, and protected plant species, where once again they are looking to build high density developments, like Park-Highlands, which originally was to be a less dense development than Aliante.

Meeting ended at 8:10pm. (Our next meeting will be Tuesday, July 10Th).

Special FYI: I was notified on the day after our meeting night, by Jean of our Aliante Library that some time after we left, while they were still open, someone, or persons entered the building and stole their 12 day old TV Video systems from the children's reading room, and the other partitioned side where we met . Anyone seeing a vehicle, or truck that was parked around the backside of the building, or any persons looking suspicious that were loitering around as we left , please contact Jean at 839-2980.

Thanks Richard.

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Minutes of the May 8, 2007 Meeting:

Our meeting began at 6:00 PM, with several HOA's represented in attendance. A report was given on the decision of the Craig Ranch golf course. City Council approved Choice number one, which was the desire of the majority of our residents responding to their survey. This choice was the least invasive to the Park, regarding the destruction of almost 70 % of the mature trees, that would have resulted if several other proposed designs would have been adopted.
This more natural preservation choice was supported by the City's Parks Director, residents in attendance, which included members of our Alliance, who spoke on its behalf. Richard also touched on the recent code changes that our Alliance was given the courtesy of reviewing, with input before it was presented to Council.
Discussion then went on to Senate Bill 352, as amended. Richard Cherchio explained in summary what it was about, and how it likely could impact our City. He stated a copy of the revised Bill was e-mailed to our members as an FYI, last week by him. Senator Horsford proposed this bill in an effort to get the City of N.L.V. to do what should have been started over 13 years ago when then, President Clinton designated nine Census districts to receive redevelopment attention in the mature part of our city, which at the time had provisions for business loans up to $100,000. These area's, or the redevelopment, enterprise District covers, NLV, LV, and the County as well. Yet the burden of providing administrative support for this project will fall only on N.L.V. Which it is believed, will also require monetary funding. The now called Advisory Board of ( 9 people), will be by appointments of the involved entities, which will include the county commission, city of las Vegas, the city of North las Vegas , ( One Each ). The remaining six will be as follows. One from the congressional delegation, Senator Horsford, or his designee, two residents of the community, not specifically NLV. but to be jointly selected by the three entities. One appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in that community ? And lastly a representative from a non-profit
charitable, educational, religious organization, again in that community, all of which, must be jointly selected again. It was reported that a web-site by the name of <Nor'town.com> seems to get a lot of information that can be informative at times to the city, and may be worth visiting at times for city updates.. It was also mentioned that any resident could either log onto the city web-site, and submit to receive council, and planning agenda's in advance. Or call, and have them mailed. Both versions would be free.
Richard stated that he had officially responded to the Senator, regarding his concerns with the actual function of this, then called Commission, changed to Advisory Board in the amended version. He stated that his concerns were also on his previous web-site nlvward4.com, and came up also as a link on the Nor'town.com site. Richard suggested that we all become familiar with this bill, and its possible impact on us as tax paying residents, as its written, and decide for ourselves if it is a workable solution, to a very real problem.
Lastly it was decided and finally voted on, for the need to establish a minimum membership association fee to cover the cost of room rental monthly, and any other minimal expenses that we will incur with our web-site etc as we grow, and go forward. It was agreed to, and voted on that the amount for HOA's, and Management company's that would like to assist, and participate in the exchange, and dissemination of information to our members, and community of concerned citizens, would be $50.00 per year. It was also stated, that any individual member, other than the above, may donate to our Alliance voluntarily, if they choose, to help share the costs above. It passed unanimously by the members present. It was also agreed and voted on, and approved to gather information on begin creating our by-laws, and to look into filing for non-profit status. This will be done before our next meeting, which will be Tuesday June 12Th. At our Aliante Library, starting at 6 PM. Meeting ended officially at 8 PM.

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Minutes of the March 13, 2007 Meeting:

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NLV ALLIANCE OF HOME OWNERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS MEETING 13 MARCH 2007

The meeting started with a statement that we were not there to support any particular candidate for the upcoming Ward 4 City Council seat. That said, there are certain items of concern that will perhaps shape the way members will vote because of how the current and perhaps future City Council members vote and support certain items that are not in our best interest as a group. Some of these items of concern are in the agenda.

A review of the OK for the shopping center on the NW corner of North Fifth and Deer Springs. The Alliance opposed the item and the city council gave it the go ahead. It will increase congestion and is basically a poor use of the area. Again we called for a master plan that will be followed for everything between Craig Road and 215.

Ken Angell gave us a report on the latest 3 sites that Olympia Group is proposing for the area south of 215 between that has had several increases in density approved by the city council members. It appears that anything the developers and their attorneys request they get. Ms. Buck the present ward 4 council person spoke in favor of the proposals. Richard Cherchio, a candidate for the Ward 4 seat is adamantly opposed to the plan. Ken pointed out that we need to sign the petition that is being circulated (Contact Ken at secondstep1@earthlink.net) to get copy of the petition. The critical date is that we need not only to sign the petition (you do not have to be a voter to sign) and the most important action we must take is to be present at the City Council that starts at 6:00 PM on the 4th of April and to fill up the council chambers with people opposed to the development as it stands now.

An overview of the provisions provided in the Nuisance Ordinance that was passed by the City Council on 7 March and was supported by the Alliance. A power point presentation is available and so are the details in the NLV website.

Brief discussions about some of the current P & Z plans were presented by Harvey Ferber and any affect that they might present.

Karen Dyer gave the group a report on the group from the alliance that meets with the Police Department on a regular basis. The items included gangs infiltrating several neighborhoods in the NLV area and some of the steps being taken to alleviate the concerns. It is going to take a direct and concerted effort on the part of the parents, schools, churches, community support facilities, various city departments and of course the Police Department. The Alliance ought to be a real factor in supporting the NLVPD. A second area of concern for the Alliance members are the speeding, the ignoring of the right turn only signs and the parking of trucks and vehicles in unauthorized areas. Ticketing has started on these items. Another area is the afternoon and early evening break-ins, jay walking by school students, landscape areas being destroyed or damage by the students and several other similar items. Enforcement will be stepped up and fines are going to be issued.

Craig Ranch came up in a surprise 1630 city council meeting before the normal meeting on the 7th. Several of us attended the meeting only because we found out the day before. Is essence in spite of the fact that the voters, approved the first plan at the November election, it appears that Shari Buck requested and obviously is supporting a fourth plan with puts in larger recreation fields, takes out more trees than any of the other plans. Bob Borgersen spoke against the proposal and was basically ignored. This is critical because this is currently set for a vote of the city council of the 4th of April. Obviously the will of the people is once again being ignored. Along with stopping the Olympia Group on the evening of the 4th we need to force the City Council to listen to the people. Everyone’s help is needed to voice our objections to these items!

Steve Lauber was not available to give us an update on the web site. However, it is up and running and a great source of information.

The group was reminded that we need the precinct number and contact information for all the members so that we can disseminate the information expeditiously when it becomes available.

The last thing we discussed was the importance of voting for the Ward 4 City Council Seat. It is critical to the future of North Las Vegas that we put people in decision making positions that are not beholding to the special interest groups and are for the residents, the home owners, and the other concerned citizens about where North Las Vegas is heading and where we are going to be a year, two, five, ten even fifty years from now.

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Minutes from the January 16, 2007 Meeting and the February 13, 2007 Meeting are not available.

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Minutes from the December 19, 2006 Meeting:

NORTH LAS VEGAS ALLIANCE OF HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND CONCERNED CITIZENS MEETING

December 19, 2006 at 6:00pm

At the Aliante Library

Richard Cherchio opened the meeting at 6:05pm. Richard Cherchio reminded the citizens that the alliance is a group of citizens that is concerned about their Association and/or area and concerned about the North Las Vegas City as a whole.

Richard Cherchio informed the citizens there were two citizens working on the PNC. Richard Cherchio explained that this will help us indicate were the members are and how to communicate.

First speaker was Harvey Ferber. Harvey informed the citizens that the next planning and zoning agenda is for January 24th. He informed the citizens that normally the agenda is available on Thursday for Wednesday’s meeting. By getting the information earlier the alliance will be able to notify the areas earlier. The alliance will give the heads up to all citizens within a 3 mile radius.

Second speaker was Bob Mesereau. Bob informed the citizens that the city wants to work with the Alliance, neighborhoods and the homeowner Associations.

Third speaker was Steve Lauber. Steve informed the citizens that robbery went up 3 times and there are only 7 police officer per shift.

Richard informed the citizens about the Yahoo Group Website that was setup by Mark. This led to considering a basic website that would post information for the members and interested people. Steve Lauber and Karen Dyer will get together after the holidays to create such a website for the alliance.

Richard Cherchio announced he has opened a back account with Bank of Las Vegas for the Alliance. Also, he has applied for the official name: North Las Vegas Alliance of HOA’s and Concerned Citizens. The Alliance is officially a Non-profit Organization with the EIN #.

Richard Cherchio was named President of the Alliance. He then appointed the following:

Bob Mesereau as Vice President, Maria Limon as Secretary, no treasurer at this time, Karen Dyer as Membership.

Next meeting is January 16, 2007 at the Aliante Library. Meeting ended at 8 P.M.