WEST
Minutes of June 15, 2009, Meeting
SPECIAL GUESTS
·
AEP
o
Representative from AEP/I & M discusses City’s plans to break with AEP
o
Representative provides the history of the City
and AEP’s relationship beginning with the 1974 public
referendum to enter into the lease agreement
o
AEP pays $2.1 million in taxes and $1.74 million
per the lease payment
o
City has option to purchase facilities or extend
the lease for 15 years
o
Lease set to expire on February 28, 2010
o
IURC has to approve any agreements
·
Restructuring of Calhoun Street
o
City Officials (Shan Gunawardena-Tom
Cain) (supported)
o
Benefits
§
Calhoun Street Enhancements – will create
additional North-South artery which is needed due to closing of Harrison Street
§
Project was discussed when Grand Wayne was
constructed since Harrison was
blocked
§
Will require 3 ft off east side and 7 ft off
west side
§
Lane will be created for delivery vehicles and
trees will be removed
§
Mudrack Tree Service
will access tree condition
§
¾ of buildings are not retail businesses
§
Problems with infrastructure which need to be
addressed
o
Resident (Jim Sack) (opposed)
§
Discussed closing of Swinney
Park Pool because no money is available to fund
§
Questions how city can close pool yet afford
$1.1 million for two-way restructuring
§
255 signatures were presented to Mayor Henry in
opposition to the project
§
Congestion anticipated by downtown development
has not occurred
§
Sewer problem needs to be addressed which has
not been done yet
§
Fort Wayne does not have another pedestrian-friendly
area other than Calhoun Street
§
Focus is wrong – should be on pedestrians but
goal is to get traffic through more quickly
§
Will encourage more traffic and eliminate 6,000 sf of space
o
Motion by B. Codding
to take a position; C. Amiker seconds; motion passes
14 to 10
o
Motion by T. DeLong to
support two-way project but at the lesser amount of $23,000 and not the $1.1
million; no seconds; motion fails
o
Motion by M. Shank to support project as
presented by the City; L. Jackson
seconds; motion passes 17 to 6
REPORTS
·
No reports
o
Due to special presentations on two topics which
were provided first, reports were delayed until the end of the session at which
time no time was left to give reports
COMMITTEE REPORTS
·
Thieme Drive
– J. Stark met with city officials and presented the tentative plan discussed
in a previous meeting
·
M. Walsh moves to accept the proposal
officially; L. Codding seconds; motion passes
OLD BUSINESS
·
None due to lack of time
NEW BUSINESS
· None due to lack of time
ANNOUNCEMENTS
·
Reminder of June 27th yard sale
ADJOURNMENT
· Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed
Respectfully submitted
______________________________________
Charlotte A. Weybright, Secretary
West Central Neighborhood Association