December 21 Meeting Minutes
President John Schlagetter opened the meeting at 7:35 pm at the Elberon United Methodist Church with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call:
√President: John Schlagetter; √Vice President: Tom Gamel; √Rec Secy: Tom Croft; √Corr. Secy.: Melissa Wegman; √Treasurer: John Ridder; √Membership Officer: Ginger Boller; √Director: Frank Hollister; √Director: Steve Klatte; √Director: John Lauck; exc Director: Jim Turner; √Director: John Wall; √Trustee: Ted Bird, Jr.; exc Trustee: Ken Rothman; √Trustee: Blanche Underwood
A quorum was established.
Minutes - There were no minutes to approve due to EPHIA elections held November 21, 2009.
Treasurer's Report: John Ridder submitted the report as of November 16, 2009
Reports were submitted by the following committees:
Membership Report: Ginger Boller reported 36 renewals for November.
Correspondence - Melissa Wegman said she will post the correspondence log at General Membership meetings. The log will also be posted on EPHIA's website. She will only comment on items on which EPHIA took action or are actionable. In the past month, EPHIA was notified that 1701 Purcell was declared not a nuisance at a City hearing on 11/20/09.
Other Reports
- Fire Dept. - Lt. Herth of Ladder Company #17 reported on fire, non-fire and EMS runs, and inspections by his unit and Engine Company #17.
- Police Dept. - PO Smith of District 3 reviewed EPH crime stats for November vs. year ago.
- Law Dept. Neighborhood Prosecution Program - Gertrude Dixon is the District 3 prosecutor for this program, which is intended
- to deal with blight issues. She provided contact info, gertrude.dixon@cincinnati-oh.org and 352-4715, and report forms.
- Probation - Officer John Schwind of the Price Hill street unit discussed two active situations.
- Citizens on Patrol- Ken Rothman was not present.
- Court Watch - Patti Hogan had nothing to report.
- EPHIA Housing & Development Committee - Tom Gamel had nothing to report.
- Problem Properties - Dan Boller reported that 1009 Underwood, 934 Grand, 3021 Glenway, 619 Hawthorne and 1028 Considine have been razed, demolition permits have been issued for 1031-1033 Sturm, and 3422 W. 8th is being bid. On 11/20, 1017 Purcell was declared not a nuisance, 916 Grand was removed from the agenda, and the outcome of 3608 LaSalle is unknown. 431 Considine nuisance hearing was 11/18, but it appears that it will not be declared because it is being rehabed with three other properties of the owner. Dan is working with owner-occupants adjacent to 619 Hawthorne and 1315 Purcell to have these properties transferred to them. Because of owner-occupant intentions, he did not oppose a 1-year VBML waiver for 801 Considine, and does not intend to oppose 805 Purcell. An arrest warrant has been issued for nonappearance of the owner of 1036 Purcell. Price Hill Will is looking at alternatives to Model Group for redevelopment of W. 8th & Elberon.
- Neighborhood Support Program - Steve Klatte reported that the 2010 budget approved by EPHIA in October has been submitted, but nothing will happen until the current City budget is resolved. NSP will probably not get funding at 2009 level.
- Neighborhood Business District Support Program - Referring to a summary from the December newsletter, Tom Croft reviewed the 2009 program and project requirements. He asked for input on what we should submit for 2010, including specific info required in the application. He would like to have a budget approved by EPHIA in February 201O. City budget issues make the amount of funding available uncertain.
- Price Hill Thanksgiving Parade - Ted Bird reported on the success of the 20th parade.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Awards - Patti Hogan and Dan Boller moved that the Great American Cleanup and Gateway Project awards of $500 and $250 received in November from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful be used for neighborhood cleanup project materials, with any balance applied to maintenance of the Warsaw/Glenway and Warsaw/Wilder gateways. Motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote. ElberonlMt. Hope Gateway Project - Diego Jordan and Joell Angel-Chumbley of City Architecture & Urban Design reviewed the design goals and elements for the gateway sign, including the historic incline railway, topography, brick and painted clapboard houses, and Incline District and East Price Hill identities. Three designs were presented for the sign, which will be a vertical, photo-imbedded aluminum sculpture. With its polymer finish, the sign should be virtually maintenance-free. $12,000 is budgeted for it, which should not be affected by current City budget situation. This is a very important part of the ElberonlMt. Hope gateway project, which Mary Croft has been leading for the neighborhood. She described substantial landscaping and plumbing for a water source already funded and accomplished, and integration of the sign with remaining landscaping to be done through a $10,000 Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Grant received earlier this year. There was considerable discussion of various aspects ofthe project, including 4-6 weeks fabrication time for the sign. John Schlagetter suggested that we should work to reach a decision on a design at EPHlA's 1/18/10 meeting, allowing installation as early as March.
City Budget - John Schlagetter and Tom Croft spoke at the 12/15 hearing, emphasizing the importance of continuing the NSP and NBD programs.
Warsaw Avenue Rehabilitation - John has received a report on this project, which includes new water mains and bus stop pads. Patti Hogan asked that EPHlA request that bus stops be moved to mid-block and that their number be reduced to cut down on loitering. EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants - Applications are due 1/8/10. Melissa Wegman will work on this with John Schlagetter. EPHlA Communications - See the December newsletter for info on our EPHlA blog and Twitter account.
Appreciation Letter for City Employees - Dan Boller and John Schlagetter moved that a letter be sent to the City Administration expressing EPHlA's appreciation for the work of Lou Sands (Parks), Joe Flading and Robert Herling (Transportation & Engineering), Tracy Grome (Health), and Ed Cunningham, Sean Minhan and Al Taylor (Building & Inspections), which was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Schmidlapp Grant - Patti Hogan will prepare the application for John Schlagetter to submit. This will be important if our NSP and NED funding is cut.
Announcements
- State Representative Denise Driehaus will attend EPHlA's 1/18/10 meeting to discuss HB 3 foreclosure prevention and HB 313 land banking legislation.
- See www.ephia.org for more events, including CPS meetings on the new Quebec Heights School.
- Mark Armstrong, President of Price Hill Civic Club, gave a brief update on their activities.
- Kara Ray of Price Hill Will reviewed the success of this year's Holiday on the Hill, including a record 21 window paintings and number of business sponsors. She reminded of the 1/9/10 International Potluck at the BLOC Coffee Shop.
- Pastor Dwight Driskill of God's Church of Miracles, 3770 St. Lawrence (at Rapid Run) described the need for money and volunteers to help restore and preserve their beautiful church building, which is a historic Jewish school. A roof installed a few years ago was faulty, resulting in extensive water damage. They need a new roof, ceiling, carpet and doors. The church currently holds services in another part ofthe city, but remains committed to Price Hill. He asked for advice on any organization or foundation that can provide assistance. Call him at 258-1172 or 921-4401.
A motion to adjourn by D. Busch/F. Hollister was approved at 9:05 pm.
Tom Croft, Secretary