Minutes from 5/9/2009 Meeting

MONROE STREET MINUTES
05/09/09
In attendance
Derek Cradle – President
Celeste Lewis – Secretary
Yolanda Jordon – Member
Ms. Pat – Member
Ms. Rice – Member

Meeting called to order @ 10:15 am
1- Move forward in Incorporating the block association to become a business entity
2- The next phase is to become a not for profit entity which will consist of getting grants on the city, state and national level to improve the block
3- We have to file taxes as a business which will help to alleviate putting funds in out of our pockets and help to receive funds as a not for profit organizations
4- The 5 members in attendance agree to change the name of the Monroe Street Block Association to The Monroe Street Block Association Inc.- this will be done via internet to the State of New York
5- We are currently recognized by Community Board 3 and we want to become an incorporated business entity. The cost of this is $75.00 to process the papers and an additional $125.00 to be submitted to the state to get the paper documented and filed. Once incorporated we will receive an EIN number (Employee Identification Number). We can then purchase things as a business entity – which will have a card to for purchasing use to help increase the look of households on the block
6- The second phase to become a not for profit organization. The status of the business entity will then be pending and official with the government. Incorporation is a 1 time fee. The fees we pay up front are write offs for next year’s taxes – as a business entity we will have to file taxes as such. We are looking to have both phases complete by August 2009.
7- The vision of the Block Association is to become a larger entity
8- The block association is being slated for Landmark Preservation (A National Program) which gives recognition to Historical Landmark homes. This means the homeowners cannot change the original physod of the homes. Further research shows that there are grant monies put aside by the government for the upkeep of such homes. They are trying to help you preserve homes.
9- Derrick brought to the table that there are brown signs that can be purchased for the block with the block association name on it at a cost of @ $650 each. A question was raised as to whether the taxes for the block go up as a result of this – which the answer was yes. It was further discussed that Land marking gives the block more credibility.
10- A tag sale is slated for May 30th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
11- It was further discussed that there is a need of $15 per barrel for purchase of flowers for the block. We currently have 8 barrels = $120 and an additional $40 will be needed for soil which will total $160.00
12- The idea of selling dinners on a Friday night was brought to the table in order to raise funds for the block association in early June.
The address to the blog on line is www.monroestreetbk.blogspot.com
Dues were collected as follows:
Ms. Pat $20
Yolanda Jordon - $20
Ms. Rice - $10
Derrick Cradle - $10

Yolanda Jordon – 502 Monroe Street – 347-750-7972


Meeting ended at approximately 11:15 am