Rice Military Civic Club – Minutes of General Meeting held July 11, 2007 at Doris Miller Center

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by President, Phyllis Thomason, who served as chair of the meeting.

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.

Treasurer, Michelle Wolpert, gave the Treasurer’s report, and we are still solvent.

Newsletter editor Jennifer James reminded us the next newsletter deadline is August 3rd, and that news items can be emailed to news@ricemilitary.org. She also mentioned that residents with kids are meeting from time to time and that parents can contact her at the same email address for that schedule.

Michelle Wolpert reported on the wine tasting and book groups. The wine tasting group will meet on July 16th at 6:00 pm. Michelle can be contacted regarding those activities at money@ricemilitary.org.

Lisa Walters reported on the community garden activities and asked that anyone who would like to work in the garden and share in its produce come there on any Saturday morning at 8:30 am for orientation.

Patrick McIlvain reported on preparations for National Night Out activities which will be held at the Doris Miller Center on August 7, 2007, from 6 to 9 pm, and is planning a fall or spring fundraiser for Nellie Keys Park swings.

Peggy Moore announced the next social will be held beginning at 5:30 pm Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at Cyclone Anaya’s.

President Phyllis Thomason mentioned that residents can prepare for hurricane evacuation assistance by calling 211 and asking to be put on the City’s list of persons who might need such assistance, and that it is best to get on that list well before a storm approaches.

The annual election of officers for Rice Military Civic Club will be held at the next General Meeting on October 10, 2007. Jack Hardin will chair the nominating committee and may be contacted by email at notes@ricemilitary.org if you have questions about the duties of the officers or nominations to make.

Dale Temple of the City of Houston Urban Forestry Division explained the Landscape Ordinance which requires a permit if one wishes to remove a tree from a City right-of-way. The Landscape Ordinance can be found in Chapter 33 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances. The City can be notified of activities which would appear to damage trees in a City right-of-way by calling 311 and asking for the Forestry Division. The City also has a program for supplying trees to be planted in City right-of ways.

Vanessa Mintzer of the Galveston Bay Foundation described the Galveston Bay watershed and the activities of the Galveston Bay Foundation in maintaining and restoring the Bay.

The next General Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 10, 2007, at the Doris Miller Center. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Jack Hardin, Secretary