WEST
Minutes of August 18, 2008 Meeting
GUEST SPEAKER
Cindy Joyner of Neighborhood Code was our guest speaker. Ms. Joyner addressed the upcoming changes to the City’s policy in dealing with abandoned and dilapidated buildings. Since each area is different, the City plans to work with each area separately.
The goal is to have an administrative law judge hold hearings on the properties which will involve citizen input. The process provides a method by which the property is subject to expedited tax sales and an easier method to reclaim the property for future use.
The City will provide a person to rank the houses from 1-5 with 4 and 5 being the worst. A neighborhood person will accompany the City employee on his or her rounds of the West Central Neighborhood. One issue will be the value that is placed on an abandoned property. The neighborhood may have a difference of opinion as to the value the City provides.
Currently, Chapter 152 homes are listed on a city website.
On September 19, 2008, a housing symposium is being held.
REPORTS
·
Minutes
o
Minutes from the July meeting were read and
approved
·
Treasurer’s Report
· accepted
·
Membership Report – estimated (same as in
June and July)
o
45 individuals
o
6
businesses
o
1 organization
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Planning Committee
o Scott Greider spoke on behalf of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church plan to work with the West Central Neighborhood in area 3.
· CCW
o Drug Den ordinance – need to call in potential problems
· House Tour
o We have a sufficient number of volunteers.
o Tickets are available at several different locations
OLD BUSINESS
·
Expansion of Local Historic District
o Ready to begin educational portion of project
·
o
Need to figure out some way to better distribute
info about the house
o
Perhaps use NGOs and charities – they could then
distribute to low income families
o
Could also contact Interfaith Transition –
Diane/Linda
·
National Historic District
o
City has received a number of applications which
have priority at this time
o
Grants are dispensed during an annual grant
cycle
o
Will need a new application – previous app was
1984
o
The railroad tracks may pose a major problem and
the state may not approve
o
Thieme Drive is a part
of the George Kessler parks and boulevard system, so there will probably be
some overlap with the National system
§
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
·
Scott Greider
addressed the work with WCNA CHDO.
·
Goal is to access pre-development funds through
the WCNA CHDO funds
·
Emmanuel will check into hiring a firm to work
on planning next steps
·
In the next few months, the work will involve
using a “BluePrint Plus” model
·
A meeting has been held with West Central
churches
NEW BUSINESS
·
Arsonist – arsonist was from West Central
area and has been arrested
·
Dog Bombs – Jody Hemphill-Smith purchased
signs to be placed in residents’ yards to remind dog owners to pick up waste
after their dogs
o
Motion was made by Tom DeLong
to purchase 28 more signs; second by Casi Bromelmeier; motion passed
·
ARCH House – ARCH house (the Grand Blue
Lady) located at 802-804 W. Washington has been sold.
·
Nominating Committee – will be needed –
no volunteers as of yet
·
Part-time Bookkeeper – discussion about
part-time bookkeeper was held with no decision reached
·
Miscellaneous Issues – stop signs at Wilt
and VanBuren; brick street replacement
o
Motion made by L. Codding
to send letter to City re: stop signs; seconded and passed
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· October 10, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Wellspring and Firefighters are hosting a Chili Supper – will close Lavina
ADJOURNMENT
· Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed
Respectfully submitted
______________________________________
Charlotte A. Weybright, Secretary
West Central Neighborhood Association