Minutes

1. Call to Order and Attendance
   The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm. In attendance were Len Ramirez, Steve Pollack, Elizabeth Driedger, and Darcie Green, Patty Sullivan, and Shirley Smith.
2. New ARNC Officers
   1. Welcome and recap of the new officers
1. President - David Sanchez (ncvl3615@yahoo.com)
2. Vice-President - Steve Pollock
3. Treasurer- Andrea Flores-Shelton
4. Secretary- Elizabeth Driedger
5. Board member at large - Darcie Green


3. Community Announcements
1. ARNC President, David Sanchez, announced he will be hosting a booth at the Berryessa Art & Wine Festival on May 12th where there will be a table available to place information/flyers on ARNC and other Alum Rock organizations/attractions. Anyone available to sit at the table from ARNC would be welcome so that they could talk with anyone who might be interested in becoming members.
2. Darcie announced there will be a Cinco de Mayo Literacy Event hosted by Assemblymember Joe Coto’s Office at the Hillview Library on Saturday May 5th. There will be a story reading, folklorico dance performance, games, book give-aways and lots of fun.

4. Alum Rock Village Update
   1. Attracting quality business to the Village: Len spoke about situation with the vacant buildings in the village. Apparently building owners are looking for local businesses that can fill the vacancies and redevelopment agency is looking to get a mix of chain restaurant/retail businesses and local independent ones in the village.
   2. Cleanup – David informed the group that Bud will not be able to attend the next several meetings due to having to teach a class. Therefore, the Village Business report will be resumed when he is able to return.
1. Elizabeth proposed that ARNC should hold a litter pick-up day at the Alum Rock Village as a way to not only clean up and beautify the village but also to give more visibility to ARNC in the community. She added that it would be good to where ARNC shirts or have a sign. Steve indicated that there had been some ARNC shirts printed in the past and that there may still be some in storage. Overall the group liked the idea of doing a litter pick-up day and Elizabeth will work on organizing a litter pick up day through posting on ARNNE.

5. Neighborhood Issues
   1. Beautification
      1. Shopping cart task force: Andrea Flores-Shelton, who was not able to attend the meeting, was still researching this issue and would hopefully have information to share at the next meeting.
      2. Neighborhood Trees: Steve, who has been in contact with Our City Forest, said OCF would provide trees to anyone who knows of a location where a tree can be planted He will work on getting a representative to come to the next meeting.
      3. Graffiti Response: Elizabeth offered to look into the San Jose Anti-Graffiti Program.
      4. Illegal Signage: David reported that ironically after having brought the problem up in the last meeting, there hasn’t been a significantly continued problem with them returning. Let’s hope it stays that way.
      5. SJ Job Corps/East Hills Corridor: David reported that he responded on behalf of the East Hills residents who attended the last meeting and complained about the litter problem around the SJ Job Corps facility near them. The Job Corps facility manager showed great concern over the complaint. Regular internal meetings will be held in order to remedy the problem.
         1. The issue of blighted/run-down properties was discussed noting that it is a complex issue where there are some individuals in the community that are serious violators while there are others that are low income and without resources to maintain and improve their properties. It was thus noted that it may not always be appropriate to simply call code enforcement. Elizabeth pointed out, though, that many of the blighted properties in the area are commercial properties that should and often do have the resources to do the proper upkeep. She also pointed out that also many of the private residences are actually rentals which are income generating; thus, owners of such residences are required by law to maintain their rental properties and in those certain cases it would be perfectly appropriate to call code enforcement. Elizabeth also recommended disseminating the number for the organization Rebuilding Together which is a volunteer organization that does home maintenance and repair free of charge for low income home owners.
   2. Building Community
      1. James Lick Flea Market: Darcie informed that she is in contact with the organizers for the flea market will inform us when plans are solidified for the anxiously awaited flea market.
      2. ARNC Wine and Food Pairing Event : Although Bud LoMonaco was unable to attend discussion was led back to the idea of an Art & Wine Festival in Alum Rock similar to the Berryessa one that David will work at on May 12th which is a fundraiser for the music program in Berryessa schools. The group thought this would be a great ARNC project to focus on especially as it could be a fundraiser for the JLHS music program. Ideas for potential locations such as JLHS parking lot, Alum Rock Park, San Jose Country Club or Foothill Presbyterian Church were suggested by meeting attendees. Darcie offered to find out if Foothill Presbyterian would allow alcohol on its premises. Alum Rock Art & Wine Festival will be added to the agenda for the meeting.
         1. JLHS New Principle Welcoming Party: Darcie proposed, as a near term project, having an ARNC hosted “Welcoming Party” for the new James Lick High School Principal, Glenn Vander Zee. The group unanimously agreed on the idea. Darcie offered to contact Glenn to find out if he would be available early in June and David agreed to host the party at his house.
6. Adjournement: The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. Next meeting set for Thursday, May 17th at 7pm in the same location.