The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association meets the first Monday of every month at seven p.m. at the Hyde Park Methodist Church on Speedway. Co-President Bob Breeze presided over his last meeting of the association. Although neighbors had saved up lots of tricky disputes to send Bob on his way, the news was mostly good.

    First on the agenda was an excellent and informative presentation to the association by the City of Austin and the Austin Clean Water Program team. An extensive upgrade and repair effort is underway to bring Austin's wastewater pipes into compliance with Federal Guidelines. Areas in the central city such as Hyde Park are first on the list in the rush to meet the 2007 deadline set by the EPA. "There are no plans to relocate any of the pipes out of the alleyways and into the streets," said Gopal Guthikonda (right in photo), the City's division manager tasked with managing Austin Clean Water Program. The work is proceeding on schedule and the City has pledged to proceed in the least intrusive manner possible.

    Speaking of intrusive, cooking grease is the number one cause of wastewater clogs in the City. Please don't pour it down the sink. Anyone who has questions about the City and the Austin Clean Water Program is invited to call me, Glen Coleman, at 407-9357.

    Breeze briefed those attending on the alley clean up. The task required numerous day laborers and will require more volunteers, and especially more tools, for the next round of clean-ups.

    A motion was made by Don Balsamo that he be authorized by the association to begin exploring ways to enforce the maintenance of the alleys by property owners. The motion passed.

    The nomination committee announced its recommendation for next year's officers and the slate was approved. The new officers are:

• Gary Penn - Co-President
• Bruce Nadig - Co-President
• Mike Capochiano - Treasurer
• Glen Coleman - Secretary