The blogging software is getting an update today, I apologize if anyone was trying to post or read while the update was running.

We are back up and running again.

Last nights rain in the rain gage was at 2.95″. I witnessed a lot of street flooding last night caused by storm drains around our neighborhood being covered by leaves, sticks and other debris thus not letting the rain water down into the storm drain pipes. Most of the leaves and sticks are left overs from the June 27 hail and high winds. If you live near a storm drain that is covered by debris it would be a great civic activity to clean it off. If the drain is fully plugged with sand, dirt or other material you can call the Mayors Hotline at 555-4444 and discribe the blockage and give the house address the drain is nearest to.

If you drive around you will see the storm drains plugged with leaves beaten off the trees by the 110 mile per hour winds that hammered MidTown. The heavy and short duration of the rains caused street flooding throughout MidTown but especially the strech of Saddle Creek Road from Farnam to the Dodge street overpass. 

The standing water in these photos was caused by these old style storm water drains being plugged with debis allowing no water to drain away.  The storm drains just east of Saddle Creek on Farnam have a tendency to gush storm water several feet into the air during high intensity storms.  The water then flows west flooding the Saddle Creek -Farnam intersection.  The water then continues to flow north on Saddle Creek Rd flooding the street under the Dodge Street overpass.  Just within 20 feet of the gushing water coming out the storm drains, the water starts to re-enter the storm drainage system on Saddle Creek road providing the drain grates are not plugged or covered.  Regular street sweepingby the city on Saddle Creek Rd  has helped keep the standing water to a minimum.

On Thursday my rain gauge in my yard topped out at 2.2″ and the one at the Gifford Park Community Garden was at 3″ even. So the ground was completely saturated before Fridays high winds and hail. The Joslyn Castle landscape was extensively damage by the storm. Many of the largest mature trees have broken off, tipped over or been severely damaged. Here are some photos documenting the aftermath.

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Our Neighbors on 41 Street had a large limb break off their mature Silver Maple.  They are having a hard time cleaning it up with a hive of wild bees inside the tree.  From a tree planting perspective, it is not longer recommended to plant Silver Maples because they are extremely prone to hollowing out as they mature. Our neighborhood has many Silver Maples of the same age since they were planted to replace the Elm trees that were killed by Elm blight.

Around 2:30 am the storm, that caused the F2 tornado in Millard, rolled into Midtown with high winds and rain.  The rain gauge had 2.1″ in it from just a brief period or rainfall. Here are some photos of tree damage round the nieghborhood.

Tree limb on 40th street near California Street

A Buckeye tree recently planted by the neighborhood at the Caslte was damaged by a limb from a larger Ash tree on the west lawn.

Several large branches could bee seen on the west and south Castle lawn.

2.25″ of rain for our neighborhood last night to keep everything green.  There was about an inch before midnight and therest in the early morning.  Thankfully, no hail to report with this storm in the neighborhood along California street.

Our own local community garden produce (Gifford Park Comm Garden - 35 & Cass).  . 

 3.56″ of rain in the gauge this morning and the same in the rain gauge at the Gifford Park Community Garden.  Should keep everything green for a while.  No flooding was reported in our streach of Saddle Creek Road.

Joel Davies called the meeting to order.

Present:  Joel Davies, Margie Magnuson, Aaron Gillespie, Jama Somiev, NeEtta Gillespie, John McCollister, Gary Beck, Linda Hughes, Deirdre Evans.

 John McCollister candidate for Public Service Commission discussed his work on the MUD board and his candidacy for Public Service Commission.  His key areas of focus are cell phone tax and integrity.

The agenda was approved.

Sidewalk report:
Margie said that the sidewalk project was underway.  Call Big Red Sidewalk for help.
Margie said that they would rescan at the end of summer to see how many complied with the project.
A question was posed about weed control.  18 inches is the height before the city will cite the property owner.

Grant Updates:  NeEtta shared the Mutual of Omaha Grant.  The Mutual committee meets the 3rd week in May. JCNA will be notified in June regarding the success of their application.

Joslyn Castle Trust
Joel read the letter announcing the management of the castle regarding the Friend’s management. A recommendation was made to try to get a representative on the board.

20th Anniversary
Deidre Evans volunteered to coordinate a neighborhood garage sale during the 20th anniversary celebration.
A late September date was discussed for the celebration. We discussed catering for the event. Joel and Rob will
get a few bids. 

Group Home Task Force
Jim Vokal was going to attend to discuss the Group Home Task Force.  He will be on the agenda for the next
meeting.

AIC Update:  Margie announce that the old Kum & Go station is now known as Infinite Oil and will go in front of the board for two liquor licenses.  Dr. Murray from Creighton was going to provide expert testimony in front of the liquor commission.  There is a fee for using Dr. Murray.  Margie asked the neighborhood association for a donation to help assist with the expert witness fee.  Linda moved that we donate $50 to the organization.  Gary Beck seconded it.  It was approved.

We discussed the convenience store at 40th and Hamilton.  There have been threats of violence.  The owner has hired a private security company, but they are not on the premise all the time.

Recycle Nebraska (www. recyclenebraska.org) has a special program for apartments and small businesses. 

The Park
The park needs a clean up .  We discussed hiring Joel Kayser to clean up the park.  Margie identified cut native grasses.  
Margie cleaned the graffitti off the slide and the graffitti van showed up that day. Margie made a motion to buy weed killer. Gary seconded the motion. It was approved.

Aaron nominated Rob for treasure. Linda seconded. It was approved.

Dumpster Day Recap
Aaron raised the price for $15 for the membership.     Joel recommended we research membership cost of other associations.   We discussed adding a donation option to our membership form. We also discussed adding a paypal option to the website.  Julie motioned raising the membership fee by $5 for both business and individual as of July 31st.  Gary seconded.  Aaron recommended sponsoring a pizza party for Santa Monica house.  Joel made the motion to sponsor the pizza party.  Julie seconded.  It was approved.