Meeting Minutes

Present: Tina Bova, Dave Callender, Joel Cure, Margo Fesperman, Chris Hunt, Taylor
McClellan, Jon Miller, Tessa O’Regan, Chris Vasques, Mike Woika, and
Curtis Krumel. Not present: Jessica Conard

Call to Order: Mike called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.

Approval of Minutes: Jon made a motion to approve meeting January BOD minutes. Tessa seconded. The BOD voted and approved the January minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report was reviewed by the BOD. Regarding the balance of money in the account, Mike said it was a build up of funds over time. To date we have received roughly $2900 in 2025 dues. Mike believes the budget shows financial soundness and that we can move forward with the 2025 social events and calendar.

Committee Reports:
Membership Committee: Dave has been working to clean up and organize the master spreadsheet, which has been a working document for six years that’s seen lots of revisions and updates. Chris and Tessa are focusing on the business membership side to think through what the advantage is for business owners to join HDRA. Mike spoke to a member who mentioned there may be a master list of people who live downtown. Consider overlaying current HDRA members against all homeowners list to determine nonmembers and see if we could generate new members that way. Possible idea to develop a “Why HDRA?” flyer to hand out to nonmembers. Also consider using the yard signs, which seemed to spark attention. Tessa suggested we create a similar flyer
for the businesses to try to drive up business membership. Margot had suggested adding the business logos to the quarterly newsletter.

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Social Committee: The social committee met to discuss events we did last year and what we want to repeat or change this year. Jessica previously suggested an easter egg hunt for members, which under consideration. Jon contacted the city and determined the city hosts one each year. Currently waiting to hear more from the city regarding location and date. Looking at possibly hosting a HDRA hunt at the Academy building on Hancock Street.

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The Garden Party was a big hit among members and members loved having it at the Polo’s. The committee has reached out to ask if the Polo’s will consider hosting in 2025. The committee is also looking at other possible homes.

One new committee idea is to sponsor a HDRA raft for the Neuse River Race. The concept would be to have a HDRA pop up tent with handouts, cookies, drinks, etc.. Tessa mentioned this could also be a good way to get businesses involved with a sponsorship. She suggested getting a big board with business names listed, possible tshirts/ hats. Jon mentioned sponsoring an existing raft rather than building a new raft.

The Hollister House event was well received and the committee would like to repeat this event format sometime this summer, likely July. The Hollister house let HDRA have a meeting there to take a tour have drinks/cookies. The committee is considering other homes, perhaps a home that is soon to be on the market. Possible sights include the Harvey Mansion, Blue Magnolia, Scottish Temple.

Social committee felt the fall picnic at Union Point was a good event. The committee wants to host a picnic again. Possibly consider looking at a different food vendor.

The BOD discussed the supper club group. Existing supper club needs to be updated and refreshed. Folks who want to be a part of the group sign up and get together quarterly. Need to identify someone to generate an email sign up and coordinate groups. Consider a sign-up sheet at the April meeting along with an email blast to
encourage members to sign up.

If the BOD is in favor of these events, the social committee will get busy creating budgets for each event so BOD can approve and planning can begin. Jon will pull together some budget numbers and flush out the calendar.

Dan suggested a new event — a front porch music fest weekend, similar to an event in Oriental. Pick a weekend in the spring and hangout on our porches and get out and about with others. Consider what this would look like, what area we want it to be, what does it include, time of year, HDRA members only or open to others, etc. Idea seems very cool and was well perceived by BOD. To be flushed out in a brainstorming session.

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Government Outreach Committee: Throughout the year, there are a lot of things that come up and Mike thinks this committee can start pushing out emails with important information. Again, emails must have the disclaimer that HDRA is not representing a certain opinion. Dan offered to collect downtown info and disseminate to HDRA
members. How should info be presented? Could be a short 200 word write up with the pertinent info or a bullet point to make info more digestible. Mike suggested Dan write it up or pass the info along in whatever way is easiest. Info should be key items that pertains to HDRA members most directly.

To consider for a quarterly membership meeting — have the DOT present on the Highway 70 expansion project.

Margot updated the BOD on a meeting between Jessica in the city office and Margot and two other homeowners. The city gave a preview of changes being made to the city website. The meetings seem to be going well. Jessica appears to be receptive to homeowner's needs and wants to make it easier to work with downtown homeowners and make the city guidelines more consistent.

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Social Media/Communications Committee: All the email distribution lists are up. Facebook site is up. Need Facebook logon information from Dottie to set up BOD users so content can be updated. Curtis will follow up with Dottie to try and logon info.

The BOD discussed the Social Media Policy draft. Margot was concerned about certain information being put on the public website, specifically board minutes & treasurer report. Jon mentioned this was discussed earlier this fall and folks fell on the side of being more transparent. Margot suggested we continue to publish info but have it password protected for HDRA members only. Mike is not opposed to that but for transparency purposes, if someone isn’t a member and happen to read the minutes and see there is a meeting coming up, they might attend.

Dan and Taylor and Chris V. all suggested having the website two tiered — a member login area to review minutes and budget notes, etc. Then the public can review upcoming events, goals of HDRA, etc. on the main webpage.

The BOD then discussed whether facebook site be only for members of HDRA or open to the public. Joel suggested keeping Facebook open to the public. Jon suggested to open it up and see what happens. Settings can be adjusted at a later date if needed.

With regard to HDRA emails, what types of emails should HDRA send out? Immediate events/city updates versus items for sale, recommendations for a builder, painter, etc. Members have complained in the past they receive too many emails. What is the right number? What material should be sent? Mike is going to take another stab at the communication policy and update it with feedback to be approved by the BOD.
 

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Old Business: Mike will review goals and projects list based on all that was discussed tonight. Tina suggested putting the watered-down version on the website so people understand what HDRA is about and what the BOD coordinate throughout the year. Mike suggested keeping a couple of the pods alive (gardening, wine club, etc.).

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The BOD discussed the Clean Sweep program. Since the last BOD meeting, an email went out that said HDRA was ending the Clean Sweep program. Mike received a number of emails from members who were upset the program was ending. Mike suggests we continue to offer the Clean Sweep program and folks who want to volunteer will be able to participate.

New Business: Consider a rotation of secretary position. Taylor will continue to keep things moving forward for now but would like a backup BOD member. Chris V. volunteered.

 

April membership meeting will be Victor Jones/Kellenberger Room Presentation. The State Historic Preservation Office presentation is still planned for April, if they receive funding.

 

Next Board Meeting: The next HDRA BOD meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 3 at 5:30pm to be held at the library.

 

Motion to Adjourn: Jon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dan seconded. The BOD voted all in favor and Mike adjourned the meeting at 6:50pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Taylor McClellan, HDRA Secretary