February 16 Meeting Minutes
President Michael Wigle opened the meeting at 7:35 pm at the Elberon United Methodist Church with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call:
√President: Michael Wigle; √Vice President: Patti Hogan; √Rec Secy: Tom Croft; √Corr. Secy.: Tom Gamel; √Treasurer: John Ridder; √Membership Officer: Ginger Boller; √Director: Frank Hollister; √Director: Steve Klatte; exc Director: John Lauck; √Director: John Schlagetter; √Director: Jim Turner; √Director: John Wall; √Trustee: Ted Bird, Jr.; √Trustee: Ken Rothman; √Trustee: Blanche Underwood
A quorum was established.
Minutes of the January 19, 2009 meeting were approved on a motion by Bob Pessler/Don Bush.
John Ridder submitted the report as of January 19, 2009:
Beginning Balance: $23,490.73
Memberships: $15.00
Interest income: $152.06
Other Income $ 2,050.00
Subtotal $25,707.81
Less Expenses $ 16,644.62
Ending balance $9,063.19
Reports were submitted by the following committees:
Membership Report Ginger Boller: 4 new members
Correspondence – Tom Gamel noted some items, including:
Letter to PO Simpson, CPD Dist. 3, opposing renewal of liquor license at 8th Street Gardens.
Letter of support to John Cranley regarding City Lights' revised plan for Incline Square.
City Transportation & Engineering notification of approval of traffic calming on Enright Ave.
Cincinnati Fire Dept. - Capt. Monty Wolf reported emergency run statistics and reminded us to change smoke alarm batteries when we spring forward next month.
Cincinnati Police Dept. – PO Rick Smith of Dist. 3 reviewed EPH crime stats and details of a recent drug house bust.
Probation – John Schwind described recent arrests and ongoing investigations.
Court Watch Patti Hogan urged folks to participate.
Citizens on Patrol Patti distributed COP fund raising coupons for TGI Fridays on 2/21.
Housing & Development Tom Gamel said there was no meeting in the past month. Mary Croft gave an update on streetscaping around the Kroger store, which includes special lighting standards and brick-lined sidewalks along Warsaw Ave. Work should begin in July and be done by January.
Neighborhood Support Program - Steve Klatte reported that City Council has decided that the City will administer this program, instead of Invest in Neighborhoods. He has submitted our $7,000 2009 proposal and it will be reviewed March 5.
Neighborhood Business District Support Program Tom Croft referred to his review of the 2009 program at the last regular meeting and in the newsletter. He has received one new idea, which is to provide electrical outlets on the new lighting standards across from Kroger on Warsaw. We could reduce our watering program to make room in the $9,000 NBD budget proposal. Contact Tom with additional ideas: 556-4028(W), or 244-2882(H).
Problem Properties Dan Boller reported that 1513 Purcell has been declared a public nuisance.
Old Business - none
New Business
Public Safety
Destiny Moore of Mayor Mallory's Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet is chair of its public safety committee. They are pulling together program ideas. Some she described include a 211 number, safety fairs, self defense classes and youth activities. She invited comments and asked for more ideas. Ms. Moore's email is mailto:destinymoore01@yahoo.com.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Michael Wigle, Ken Rothman and Tom Gamel described this Federal-funded program that is being administered by the City. We are eligible for funds to rehabilitate several EPH homes for sale to buyers earning up to 120% of area median household income. An EPHIA committee led by Ken, Tom and Frank Hollister is working with Price Hill Will, which is our neighborhood redevelopment organization, to determine the focus area and specific properties. At this point, our primary focus area is the St. Lawrence area around Seton and Enright (adjacent to Cedar Grove). There is also a significant demolition component in this program. Our goal is to provide a recommendation to the City by the end of February.
Announcements
Patti Hogan said that the Great American Cleanup is on April 25. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful has challenged East Price Hill to double its volunteers to 150 people. We also need a volunteer in training to lead next year's effort; call Patti at 382-4532.
Dan Boller reported upcoming City major street improvements on Considine, Purcell and West 8th St., and lesser improvements on some other streets.
Michael Wigle said that City Lights is still working on financing for Incline Square, and is expected to commence the first phase in March or April.
Ken Rothman highlighted Bob Greenlee's Gems of the Queen City award at the Cincinnati Neighborhoods Summit Kickoff Dinner January 23.
Ken Smith noted the opening of a new restaurant Fast Eddie's at 4642 Warsaw across from Kroger, Price Hill Wills' free tax prep service at Elder, and the Town Hall Meeting 6:30 on June 18.
Michael Wigle is looking for a person to lead an EPHIA PR committee to publicize all of the great things going on in our neighborhood.
A motion to adjourn by Bob Pessler/Frank Hollister was approved at 8:35 pm.
Tom Croft, Secretary