MINUTES
BELLEVUE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
February 17, 2009
HOLTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Eric Gregory, President.  Eric welcomed
the attendees and introduced himself and the rest of the Board. He extended thanks to
Roy Reynolds, Past President, for all he has done to bring the Association to its current
healthy status.

JoEllen Davis awarded two gift certificates to winners of the Bellevue Newsletter quiz
contest.

Dates for upcoming BCA events were discussed:

1.       Spring Clean Up -  Bert Perkins, Committee Chair, reported that no city trucks
were available in April, and he was looking into May 2 as the Clean Up date. 

2.       Yard Sale – The plan is to hold a neighborhood Yard Sale the week prior to the
Clean Up.  BCA will again cover the cost of an ad in the Times Dispatch, and it
will also be announced on Craig’s list.  Eric commented that we would like to
keep up the enthusiasm of the last Yard Sale, which was not planned by BCA. 
He will be in touch with Arlene, who organized it last year.  Eric will contact
Ginter Park to find out when their neighborhood yard sale is being held, with
the possibility of coordinating them.

3.       The Garden Walk is June 14 – Susan Murphy, Committee Co-Chair, invited other
neighbors to include their gardens.

4.       The Plant Swap – Eric will find out the date.  All dates will be listed on the website
and in the next Newsletter.

The next Newsletter will come out in April instead of May, reported JoEllen Davis,
Publisher, so that event dates can be announced as early as possible. Eric thanked JoEllen
and Sally Dunnington, Editor, for the great job they are doing.

It was reported that tree planting by the city has begun in the neighborhood.   Andy
Mason, an arborist, agreed to write an article for the Newsletter on how to take care
of these new trees planted by the city. 

A treasurer’s report was given by Phil Strunk, Treasurer. 299 neighbors have paid their
dues and about a dozen more brought their dues to the meeting.  Currently, BCA has a
balance of $8367.

The neighborhood crime update was given by Lt. Tim Morley, Richmond Police
Department.  Since the first of the year, only two minor crimes were reported.
Lt. Morley invited everyone to come and visit the new precinct at 2219 Chamberlayne
Ave.

There is no new information regarding the Roundabout at Hermitage & Laburnum. 
There was much discussion and several unanswered questions regarding its safety
and efficiency.  City Councilman Chris Hilbert’s paper is still pending, but progress
on the roundabout hasn’t stopped. Eric will invite City engineer Tom Flynn to the
next General Meeting to answer pending questions.

The Diamond/Ballpark/Boulevard Redevelopment was discussed.  There was much
discussion about the future of the area and plan by the firm that won the bids,
Highwoods, plus potential costs to the city.  All plans hinge on whether a new ballpark
will be approved for Shockoe Bottom.  Eric will invite Highwood to a future General
Meeting to share their ideas.  A committee will be appointed to act as liaison and
report back to the Association.

Bellevue has been invited to participate in a Neighborhood Food Drive for the Food
Bank in conjunction with the one held by Rosedale.  After some conversation, it was
decided that Eric will notify Rosedale that we are interested in participating in a manner
that will be decided later.

The Traffic Committee needs a new Chair, more volunteers and to reorganize.  On the
Committee currently:  John Moser, Linda O’Neal and Barbara Taggert.  Eric will send an
e-mail to fill vacant positions. 

Eric announced that the Holton Elementary School 5K will be held on Saturday, March 7,
and all are invited to come out and cheer on the participants.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

_______________________________________________________________

Patricia A. Vitsky, Secretary