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The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by the President, Juanita Egan, who served as chair of the meeting. A quorum was present. On motion made, seconded and passed, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting was waived. The minutes of that meeting are on the club’s web site. President Juanita Egan mentioned upcoming events, including the next General Meeting to be held on October 18, 2006, at Doris Miller Center. At that meeting officers for the coming year are to be elected. Newsletter Editor Jennifer James announced the deadline for articles for the next newsletter is August 4, 2006. Lisa Murray, Vice-President, introduced Sarah Bolton, of Council Member Holm’s office, who described the process of upgrading railroad crossing safety features so that Quiet Zones could be implemented at crossings. Ms. Bolton stated that the recently activated Quiet Zones along the West Loop were possible because of an arrangement involving the City of Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, and Union Pacific, with funds from the Federal Railroad Administration and the cities involved. Upgrading the 14 crossings involved cost $500,000. Although funding may not be immediately available, Quiet Zone requests can be sent to the Director of Public Works & Engineering for the City of Houston, 611 Walker, 25th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, with a copy to Council Member Pam Holm, District G. The City intends to wait at least a year to see how maintenance costs run on the existing Quiet Zones before implementing more of them. Ms. Bolton also identified some of the staff of Council Member Holm, whose district includes Rice Military, who may be contacted regarding various City services, including herself on special projects, Dan Star for general questions, Angela Young regarding municipal construction, Samantha Munginer for appearance scheduling, and Nancy Brewer as Chief of Staff. Council Member Holm’s address is: Council Member Pam Holm, District G, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, Texas 77251 (900 Bagby, 1st Floor). Patrick McIlvain, Outreach Chair, announced plans for National Night Out to be held at the Doris Miller Center on August 1st, and the W.O.W. Parade to be held March 7, 2007, down Washington Avenue from Heights Blvd. to Memorial Park. There will also be a Halloween decorating contest this year. Frank Levi of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston gave a presentation on disaster preparedness. Mr. Levi described the natural disasters which have hit the Houston area in the past and things we can do to prepare for the next one. He emphasized planning to take or protect critical items, including medications, and planning to contact family and friends in the aftermath. He also described other programs and information available from Interfaith Ministries. On motion made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. |
