Minutes

Lazybrook Civic Club of Houston 

January 25, 2022

In-Person Meeting Held at Lazybrook Baptist Church

Meeting Call to order – 7:06pm

Meeting Minutes: Tuesday November 30, 2021 (in-person) minutes reviewed and approved

Introduction/Roll Call: 

• 1st Time Attendees
  • Kim – 2114 Seamist
  • Eric – 1707 Geuse, new block captain
  • Rodney – Willowby
  • Michael 1802 Willowmoss Ct. (has lived in the neighborhood 25 years & returning to meetings now!)
• Introduction of 2022 Board Members & Committee Chairs 

Update from Councilmember Kamin’s office (Kurt)

• City of Houston approved 5-year contract with ShotSpotter to help locate the source of gunfire in the City
• Use HTX Collects app to keep up to date on delays from waste collection, etc. There are significant staffing shortages due to COVID and problems hiring
• Free COVID vaccines
• engagehouston.org is Public Works new website to keep updated on projects and includes a map of major projects

Officer & Committee Reports:

• Volunteers Needed:

• Advertising Chair – Nathan T. volunteered
• Membership Chair – Eddie continues to handle but needs a replacement and/or help– duties include checking dues and payments, keeping membership list updated
• Beautification Chair – managing vendor for 18^th St and any other special projects
• Committees – we can use any help!

• President’s Update & SNC -14 Report – Kurt Swafford

• Met with Abbie Kamin’s COS Lance Gilliam to discuss Lazybrook and our areas needs
• Walked 18^th St and discussed problems with panels (equivalent to one lane) and learned about programs to help including certain amount of mileage that each City Council member can request to be repaved per year (in last 5 years there has been $0 spent to help Lazybrook)
• Storm water survey is ongoing with SN14 Lazybrook is included, especially where drains are undersized

• Membership – Eddie Yarbrough (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)

• Roughly 20% have paid as of this date
• Please encourage neighbors to renew and pay the $40 dues
• We would not be sustainable without additional donations that have been made by certain owners given our current/recent renewals
• Goal is 60% of houses paid in 2022

• Block Captains – Nicole Fuhrmann
• We may have x1 vacancy as of March – plan to review at next meeting

• Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner (written); (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)

• In 2021, we brought in about $18,000 in membership dues (but this includes extra donations made) and about $4000 advertising income; About $20K expenses; Net approx. $2000 income
• If we want to make progress on capital improvements and spend $5k this year on projects, we need an extra $3000 in income to break even in 2022
• Need to make sure that we have extra money in reserve in case of a lawsuit but we certainly have this base covered after many years of disciplined saving

• Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk; (Kurt Swafford provided update in her absence)

• No updates or concerns
• Judgment in our favor for 2411 W. TC Jester – still ongoing appeals process (COH legal team is on it)

• Architectural Review – Ernest Fuhrmann 

• No outstanding concerns
• Submitted requests have been approved for expansions, remodels, etc.

• Beautification 
• Carolyn Lehnert has resigned as Chair; We need a new Chair for this committee
• We do not have any obligation for the esplanades but can keep pressure on COH to keep up with mowing, tree trimming, and trash removal – call 311/use HTXConnects app to report concerns

• Communications/Newsletter – Jessica Swafford

• Newsletters require lots of time to put together as well as money in printing costs – considering alternatives such as digital newsletter, ad hoc emails as needed, one-page annual flyer for membership dues and overall updates
• Need help collecting emails and managing the email distribution list
• Consider allowing people to select paperless option during dues renewal

• Security/COPS – Joel Dubois

• No new concerns other than what was printed in newsletter
• Pursuing new Citizens Patrol signs
• David Mitchell has volunteered to work with Joel

• Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan; See handout/attachment for new information; Kurt Swafford reviewed priorities that have been discussed so far

• Committee met 1/21/22: Compiled existing ideas and categorized what we will approach COH for help with and items that we will need to use our own civic club funds to help
• Goal to raise $5000 above normal operating costs to help pay for initiatives
• New Requests from members:
  • Benches at bus stops – this is a Metro issue and has to be requested through them – maybe ask Councilmember Kamin’s office for help?
  • Return to previous approach to include names of people who had paid vs not in newsletter?
  • Focus on progress on projects to attract interest (not just deed restrictions) 

New Business

• Mosquito Spraying Program – Spraying will be 3/5/22 – 11/15/22 on Thursdays (pending weather)
• Street sign toppers are being proposed for 18^th St. for Arson Investigator (HFD Initiative)
• Discussion of potential redevelopment of Foodarama building – details still uncertain

Next   Lazybrook     Civic Club Meeting is Tuesday March 22, 2022

Donations from Pat Koteras, Corresponding Secretary

Adjournment at 8:11pm

Call to order: 7:06pm

Meeting Minutes:

All Meeting Minutes going back to January 22, 2020 were reviewed and approved by the members present  

Introduction of new attendees: 

(4) New residents in attendance

Committee Reports:

Volunteers Needed:

• Block Captain Chair – Nicole Fuhrmann appointed as new chairwoman
• Security Chair – Joel DuBois appointed as new chairman
• Advertising Chair (position remains vacant)

Membership/Block Captains – Eddie Yarborough (absent)

• Collection of membership dues are 38.1% on the year. Discussion on having a second membership drive in November. 

Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner (absent)

• Financial reports provided to members present. General discussion on expenses and liabilities. 

Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk (absent)

• Update provided on lawsuit between COH vs. Homeowner on TC Jester

Beautification – Carolyn Lehnert

• Nothing new to report. Discussed TxDOT’s replanting of trees/landscaping on TC Jester for new members in attendance.  

SNC -14 Report – Kurt Swafford

• General discussion on new City projects in the area. 

Communications – Jessica Swafford

Architectural Review – Ernest Fuhrmann

• Update provided on several projects submitted to the ACC for review.

Security/COPS – Ben Dolan

• One burglary in the neighborhood on 9/14/21 on Willowby Drive

Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan

• Discussed some general ideas for capital projects and how the COH Neighborhood Matching Grant Program works. 

New Business – Executive Committee Election:

Appoint new Directors, reorganize the Board of Directors, and approve Oath of Office:

We have a Quorum of (10+) members present. Following review and discussion, President Ben Dolan moved to reorganize the Board as follows:

President Kurt Swafford

Vice President Ernest Fuhrmann

Treasurer Beth Goodner 

Recording Secretary Megan Mooney

Corresponding Secretary Pat Koteras

Preceding Club President Judy Dyk (exp. September 2022)

Preceding Club President Ben Dolan (exp. November 2023)

The motion was seconded, which carried unanimously. Oath of Office was conducted by Brenda Brummett.

Announcements: Next   Lazybrook     Civic Club Meeting is Tuesday January 25th, 2022

Door Prizes: Collected by the Corresponding Secretary Pat Koteras

Adjournment: 7:52pm

Meeting Minutes: Lazybrook Civic Club of Houston

Virtual Meeting

Call to order: 7:06pm

Will review all outstanding meeting minutes at our next in-person meeting

Introduction of new attendees:

TBD

Committee Reports:

Volunteers Needed:

            – Block Captain Chair, Security Chair, Advertising Chair

Membership/Block Captains – Eddie Yarborough

• Membership drive, dues 30.6% 207 homes, 23% increase from March. Still done 19% from this time last year. Positive feedback from QR codes.

Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner

• General Fund/PP/Money Market 132K, adding holiday decor assets is $1k more. $1000 earmarked for memorial and return to net income from last year.
• Net income of 13k; does not include invoices that are outstanding for printing take $1k off for that, also pest control $3k for rest of year + lawn services. Net income of 5k by the end of year.
• If we increase membership dues, we can spend more. Advertising income 2020, did not file taxes because we did not owe anything. We will have to pay income tax off of advertising revenue of $4k this year.

Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk

• 2411 West TC Jester, 2 story home, made of clad and hardy – board siding; engaged city of Houston deed restrictions enforcement department took case on for us trial on august 2^nd. Set for mediation this Thursday the 27^th of May. Charges : 1. Construction of 2 story home that is limited in 1.5 stories, 2. columns and front porch overhang, 3. without receiving permits, 4. stop work and allow inspections after receiving stop work order.

Beautification – Carolyn Lehnert

• start spring maintenance, pruning W. TC jester esplanade, fertilizing and trimming around Lazybrook sign around Foodarama.
• Getting Tech stop to replace trees (20-30 trees that they demolished and never put back for expansion)
• Foodarama has been sold in its entirety, intend to rehabilitate building and Foodarama will move out next year. Baker and Katz own.

SNC -14 Report – Kurt Swafford

• Ongoing conversations with Metro, adding in rapid transit bus lanes. Effects Timbergrove more than us. Phase 2 of this project (design phase) adding lane. Dallas to Houston train.

Communications – Jessica Swafford

• 100% of advertising payments for this year, no leads on advertising business for now. Jess would like help when it comes time to invoice.

Architectural Review – Ernest Fuhrmann

Security/COPS – Ben Dolan

Patrol Hours down from last year:

26 hours  – Feb

22 hours  – March

24 hours – April

No crime since last meeting

March 24^th, theft from vehicle on Crystal Court

April 2^nd, theft from vehicle 2200 W. TC Jester

April 9^th, 2400 block of W. TC Jester

Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan

National Night Out – Megan Mooney

New Business:

National Night Out (NNO) is Tuesday October 5^th 2021 – Megan Mooney

If you’re interested in helping, please contact Megan Mooney at meganmooney@sbcglobal.net

Lazybrook 4^th of July Parade – Sunday July 4th (Time TBD)

Feel free to call or email Erin Fuchs with questions 713-253-3746, moms@lazybrook.com

• Starting point on Brooktree, sponsors who are willing to sponsor bounce house, hot dogs/shaved ice, unique cars to be in parade, Erin will put up route soon if you don’t want to be in the parade.

Announcements: Next   Lazybrook     Civic Club Meeting is Tuesday September 28th, 2021

Adjournment:7:38pm

MEETING MINUTES – Lazybrook Civic Club of Houston

Virtual Meeting – 26 people in attendance 

Call to order: 7:02pm by President Ben Dolan 

Meeting Minutes:

Will review all outstanding meeting minutes at our next in-person meeting

Introduction of new attendees: 

Special Guest From Sally Alcorn’s office , Hannah Cobb : 

– Houston Health Dept 13k new vaccination appointments all went really fast.  

– All Texas adults will be eligible next Monday, March 29th. 

– Coronavirus and recovery report to determine the Health and economic impacts. 

– Houston will receive $615 Million in the American Rescue Act. 

– Sally Alcorn is the chairwoman for regulatory affairs committee 

– Sound ordinance: work with neighborhoods that have bars and restaurants that create sound nuisance as     well as animal welfare right issues. 

– Working with HPD and Mayor for policy change and enforcement issues. New Police Chief Fenner . 

Committee Reports:

Volunteers Needed:

Advertising Chair, Block Captain Chair, Security/Citizen Patrol Chair – reach out to Ben Dolan or any active chair members if interested. 

Membership – Eddie Yarborough

– Down big time due to freeze, only at 6.9% out of our 677 homes. 

– April is membership drive month. 

– Pre Addressed Envelopes to make it easier. 

– Collect dues all year long, 2 membership drives April and October. 

– Funds go to clean up and maintenance of 18th street, mosquito spraying, citizens patrol, and beautification. 

Block Captain Chair – Eddie Yarborough (absent)

Looking for 1 block captain

Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner (absent) 

Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk (absent) 

One person wanted to add a fence but if it is on property line both have to agree because it is co-owned. Person that wants a new fence will have to add it on their side of the existing fence. 

Beautification – Carolyn Lehnert (absent) 

Planted tree in February to honor fallen firefighter. Parks and fire department. Parks donated tree and the fire department is going to water the tree for 2 years. There was a ceremony for planting the tree. 

SNC – 14 Report – Kurt Swafford

Feb 11th was the last meeting, next is April 8th.

Officially 2 slots for delegates, and 1 open  if anyone is interested. Good chance to get contact information and hear about a greater neighborhood. 

Ann Johnson – getting started with the legislative agenda. Deed restriction side, stuff going on with state house and senate, making it easier to change restrictions due to racist language. Easier to remove discriminatory language of any kind. 

Projects in the works for improving sidewalks and overall appearance south of 18th to fix. 

Drag racing – a lot of arrests going on county wide, task force monitoring dispatch, call non emergency HPD #. 

Newsletter/ Communications – Jessica Swafford

• Newsletter issue, all up to contributions, national night out, feature in the next issue in May. 
• Social Media – good feedback, litter pick up a few weeks ago, 30 people showed up and finished early cleaned up all trash they could find. 
• Trash coming from foodarama area towards bayou and homeless population contributing
• 50 people paid their dues in the past day and a half, hoping to see a big uptick in due payment. 
• Added two advertisers, Judy Tuttleworth Salon and mobile company and Our Savior Lutheran School renewed their advertisements. 

Security/COPS – Ben Dolan

Jan/Feb hours were down 20/26 hours respectively. In 2020, we did a total of 322 hours. This year we are going to try to reach 365 hours – 1 patrol a day. 

Crime – string of Breaking and Entering’s 

– Jan 26th – 1800 foxwood, homeless person squatting while homeowner was out of town 

– Jan 30th – 2600 W. TC Jester 

– 2000 block Widdicomb – homeless and squatting in attic of construction house

– Feb 2nd – 2000 block Seamist 

– Feb 5th – 2000 block Lazybrook

– Feb 23rd, theft of vehicle parts on 2300 block of brookmere drive

Architectural Review – Ben Dolan

– Tattenhall (Section 9) – Addition – Approved since last meeting

– Sea Queen (Section 1) – Addition – Received/Approved since last meeting

– Millwood (Section 1) – Patio addition – Received/Approved since last meeting

– Foxwood (Section 4) – Home addition – Received since last meeting – Plans under review

– Guese Road (Section 2) – Solar Panels – Received since last meeting – Plans under review

– 1802 Tattenhall (Section 9) – Sent Cease & Desist Letter – No plans submitted – No COH permit

            – Multiple COH red tags on front door

– Sign just went up in front yard – Notice of Development Plat Variance Request

            – Planning Commission meeting on 4/1/21 at 2:30pm

-1814 Tattenhall (Section 9) – Sent Cease & Desist Letter – No plans submitted – No COH permit

            – Same owner as 1802 Tattenhall

City is adoopting new requirements for detention on residential properties, initial ordinance that they adopted that was going to lower requirement 7500 sq ft lot. 15000 sq feet is going to be held to commercial standards. Residential lot less than 15000 feet impervious area that is less than 65% (anything that is not grass) then they will hold you to commercial standard. Most of lots in lazybrook are less than 65%. 

Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan

New ideas of what we can do for the neighborhood: mix of improvements we can do. Event days for improvement, if you want to join a committee and have ideas to improve the neighborhood let us know! 

New Business:

National Night Out will be on October 5th. Contact Megan Mooney meganmooney@sbcglobal.net

Announcements: 

Moms Club, Easter Egg Hunt : March 28th at 4:30pm, Sinclair Elementary 

Next Civic Club Meeting : May 25th, @ 7pm, Zoom last meeting until September

Adjournment: 7:45pm

Virtual meeting – 20 people in attendance 

Call to order: 7:02pm by President Ben Dolan 

Meeting Minutes:

Will review all outstanding meeting minutes at our next in-person meeting

Introduction of new attendees: No new attendees 

Kate Dentler – Office of Council Member Abbie Kamin

Communications Director, working with the beautification committee memorial tree in the esplanade. Reminder stay safe and wear masks, please up for newsletter for updates 

District C
Phone: 832-393-3004
Email: districtc@houstontx.gov
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/distcnews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmabbiekamin


Committee Reports:

Volunteers Needed:

Advertising Chair, Block Captain Chair, Security/Citizen Patrol Chair 

Membership – Eddie Yarborough (absent) 

Block Captain Chair – Eddie Yarborough (absent)

 Looking for 1 block captain 

Treasurer’s Report – Beth Goodner 

Year end 2020 in the black by less than $1,000. Need more involvement in our membership dues. Set aside money for the free already. If there is extra, comes into 2021 business as income. 

Deed Restrictions – Judy Dyk (absent) 

No updates. 

Beautification – Carolyn Lehnert (absent) 

Has been working with the fire department and Abby Kamins office to plant a tree. Tentatively will be planted February 10th at 1pm through Houston Parks Department. Local Fire Department will water the tree, get it cleared through HPD headquarters. Not going to be a public meeting, a few firefighters and civic club members. Will put a plaque and a dedication ceremony once COVID has died down. 

SNC – 14 Report – Kurt Swafford

Went to trash clean up and talked to HPD about racing on 610. Get enough attention to the area with police presence, and get them away from the area since it’s considered a traffic offense. Take diligence on our part : https://www.houstontx.gov/police/alert_slip/ and fill out this link to submit this info. 

Leah Kilgore – Do call 911, and there is a task force that has been created to handle this. Tell them where you can hear it and where you are located. Feb 11th at 6:15pm, Sergeant Rock is a regular fixture at meetings and he will be addressing that. 

Ben Dolan – 2 car race, starting at 610 overpass or 290. 

Newsletter – Jessica Swafford

– Announcement: Lazybrook White Oak Bayou Litter Pick-up Event – Feb 20th 9am-12pm 610 to Ella get it cleaned up for Bluebonnet area the event is on Facebook 

 – link to website post: http://www.lazybrook.org/2021/01/20/lazybrook-litter-clean-up/

 – link to fb page event invitation: https://www.facebook.com/events/758473454776033/

 – Announcement: We have created an official Lazybrook Civic Club FB Page (separate from Lazybrook group as that is a discussion group) Improving conversations from civic club to community. 

 – link to new fb page https://www.facebook.com/lazybrookcivicclub/

Security/COPS – Ben Dolan

Citizen Patrol 20 hours on October 26 in November, 32 in December. Participation was up. Crime was down in the neighborhood 2 were report 200 block of millwood theft of car parts, and then one vandalism at a construction project. Report of homeless man camping in center point easement north of 18th street, homeowner got in contact with center point and they are going to make a formal request to HPD. Citizen patrol magnets fell off the car if it is found please let Ben know. 1802 Foxwood there were a bunch of police cars — the person was out of town and there was someone squatting in the house. They also reported that the car was stolen. 

Architectural Review – Ben Dolan

2 applications in section 9. 1 approved 1 in review. 1 other resident in section 1 sent preliminary sketches in advance and provided them an unofficial review. Settled the issue in section 2 for 1803 and 1807 tannehill. They had started construction without submitting for application and completed multiple other homes in the same fashion. They removed the siding and fully bricked one of the homes agreed variance in the first home to get the brick in second. Lawyer wrote it in a way that it will not affect other projects. 

Capital Improvements – Ben Dolan

We did start — in the research phase and coming up with ideas for improvements will span all different sorts of categories. If you are interested, please volunteer for it and a good thing going forward. 

New Business:

Communications Committee

Proposal by Jessica Swafford: Combine the Website and Newsletter Committees into one “Communications Committee”. Communications committee to manage the functions of the Newsletter, Website, Social Media, and eventually the revival of our email distribution list

Leah Kilgore – Super Neighborhood 14 

Talking about getting speed cushions, 88 neighborhoods for the councils and alliances, letter writing campaigns going in front of senate and house and senate bill 221& 442. Change the speed from 30 miles to 25 mph. Meeting on Feb 11th. 

Announcements: Next Lazybrook Civic Club Meeting is Tuesday March 23rd, 2021

Adjournment: 7:34pm 

December Meeting Minutes – 16 participants 

This meeting was called to order at 7:03 by President Ben Dolan. 

 Location: ZOOM

Committee Reports:

Membership –  Eddie (absent):

Collection of membership dues has not improved since the last meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Beth (absent) 

We are ahead of last year’s numbers based on the increase in membership dues, but we have additional expenses this year.

Security – Ben 

We have had some break ins and arson incidents. 

Architectural Review – Ben 

Two enforcement cases going. We are trying to resolve the case in Section 2 without an amendment to deed restrictions. 

2 applications since the last meeting that were approved.  

Beautification – Carolyn (absent) 

We are planting a tree at 18th street and Seamist to honor the fire investigator who passed away. Carolyn has been working with the fire department so that we can take care of the tree without adopting an esplanade and installing an irrigation system. Need to get approval from parks to plant trees. 

New Business:

Capital Improvements

Discussed starting a Capital Improvement Committee

A program that we could take advantage of the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program.

Some ideas could be: put in new plants, adopt the esplanade, go towards murals to improve community and improve property values. We will look into projects and see what it would cost and vote to approve a sum of money knowing we will split the cost with the city. 

Open Positions in the Club – Volunteers Needed

Advertising Chair – is vacant

Security/Citizen Patrol Chair – looking for new volunteer

Block Captain Chair Position – Eddie Yarborough is looking for a replacement, but would stay on as captain for her block. 

Guest Speaker – Kaylen from Abbie Kamins office

Update on the Approved Cares Act

Update on Covid in our District – Case are on rise. If you are traveling for Christmas and thanksgiving, mask up and stay cautious free testing sites mouth swab instead of nasal swab 

Encourage us to sign up for our newsletter, district c biweekly have the local fire department involved Sign up for District C Newsletter!https://www.houstontx.gov/council/c/newsletter-signup.html

My email is Kaylen.Sennette@houstontx.gov if you all have further questions!

Guest Speaker – Ms. Joally Canales from Rice University

Community Outreach Coordinator at the Kinder Research Center

Discussed COVID-19 registry and local research project (survey).  This will help measure impacts over time to track response efforts. Real time data and community dashboard can use data to build experience through the pandemic. Take a survey registry.rice.edu/covid19 optional surveys every 2 weeks. Email isjmc35@rice.edu.

Next Meeting is Tuesday Jan 26^th. We will reassess COVID situation before deciding to hold in person meeting can go back to church, otherwise continue with zoom meetings. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm.