January 18 Meeting Minutes
President John Schlagetter opened the meeting at 7:36 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 - October and December 2009 minutes were approved on a motion by F. Hollister/D. Busch.
Treasurer's Report: John Ridder submitted the report for the month ended 12/21/09.
Reports were submitted by the following committees:
Audit Report: Ken Rothman, Chair of the Audit Committee reported that the committee had completed its audit and found EPHIA's financial information for the year ended 11/16/09 in good order. He commended John Ridder's work as Treasurer.
Membership Report: Ginger Boller reported 6 renewals and I new member for December.
Board of Directors Position - John Schlagetter said that the Board had elected Bob Greenlee to take the vacant director position created by John's election as president.
Other Reports
- Fire Dept. - No report.
- Police Dept. - PO Dawson of District 3 reviewed EPH crime stats for December vs. year ago. She detailed arrests at a residence on Rutledge involving drug trafficking and possession. Responding to a question, Capt. Frye described a new technique recent Iy used on Grand that uses several police cars with sirens and other noise in response to a crime to flush the perpetrators and cause them to go to ground.
- Probation - Probation Officer John Schwind of the Price Hill Street Unit said that winter visits to probationers focus on observing contents of the house; in cold weather, they tend to keep "stuff' close to home.
- Citizens on Patrol, Court Watch and EPHlA Housing & Development Committee - No reports.
- Problem Properties -Dan Boller's detailed report will be posted at www.ephia.org. He said that the nuisance hearing for 3537 Glenway (at McPherson) would be at City Building & Inspections, 3300 Central Parkway on 1/29, 9:00 am.
- Neighborhood Business District Support Program - Tom Croft said that funding for this program has been reduced from $7,000 to $2,000, which requires major downsizing from a suggested budget discussed at last month's meeting. Tom is considering a budget for approval next month that will include $1,600 for Beautification, $300 for Holiday on the Hill, and $100 CNBDU dues. Contact him with other ideas at W: 556-4028, H: 244-2882, or croftplace@cinci.rr.com.
Guest Speakers
Denise Driehaus, State Representative for the 31 st District reviewed the difficult State budget situation; upcoming ballot for Third Frontier program funding; legislation to provide for stiffer penalties for assaulting a Citizen on Patrol; progress of HB 3, Foreclosure Prevention and hearings on related legislation by the State Senate; HB 313, Land Banking Board, which would promote the assembly and development of blighted properties; and ongoing conversations to promote create a Cincinnati public port facility for rail-to-barge at a location other than by Lower Price Hill. Denise has "office hours" 1/30 and 2/6, 9:00-10:30 am at the Front Porch on G1enway, and 2/18,7:00-8:30 pm at Dunham. Contact her at (614) 466-5786, or district31@ohr.state.oh.us.
P.G. Sittenfeld provided an update on planning for the rebuilding of the Quebec Heights School for CPS. Construction will start in 20 II and take two years. He described the objective of "a school as a community learning center", and community engagements to develop this concept. Next meeting is 1/21 at Pleasant Ridge Montessori, followed by a 2/4 meeting at a time/place to be announced. Membership discussed with him aspects such as the need for CPS continued engagement, long-term maintenance, and integration of after school activities. Call P.G. at 365-2404, and go to www.cps-kI2.org/community/CLC/CLC.htm.
Old Business
Neighborhood Support Program - Steve Klatte said that the City had reduced funding to $5,000 from $7,000, so he has prepared a new budget to replace the one approved in October.
Beautification/Improvements $2,000
Membership/Communications 250
Thanksgiving Parade 1,250
Newsletter 600
Insurance 600
City Mandatory Insurance 300
Motion by S. Klatte/F. Hollister to amend the budget unanimously carried with 31 ayes, hand counted.
Elberon/Mt. Hope Gateway Project - Mary Croft reviewed projections of the design options presented by an architect and a graphic designer from the City's Architecture & Urban Design group at the last meeting. Option 2a is preferred by Mary, City staff working on the project, and a landscape architect who is consulting for us. M. Croft/K. Rothman moved that a letter stating EPHIA's approval of Design Option 2a be sent to the City, which carried with 29 ayes and 2 nayes.
EPHlA November Election - Motion by S. Klatte/J. Schlagetter that Ginger Boller destroy ballots carried.
Announcements
- Warsaw Avenue water main work begins next week. Angie Strunk of City Transportation & Engineering will update us on streetscaping projects next month.
- Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence is sponsoring a Resource Fair and 4-on-4 Basketball Tournament at PH Rec Center 2/6, 11:00-3:00. John Schlagetter and other community reps met with CIRV last week and will be reviewing their progress.
- The Annual Neighborhood Summit is 2/26 & 27, with focus on the Comprehensive Plan.
- Hillside Steps inventory has been completed by the City. 14 steps in EPH are open. See John Schlagetter for details.
- Price Hill Will has sold two more homes. Ken Smith said the one on Hawthorne went for $140,000, their highest price to date. PHW will be offering tax prep again this year. See their newsletter for other announcements. Patti Hogan expressed our appreciation for their printing EPHIA's color newsletter. Tom Croft earlier noted PHW's Warsaw/Glenway gateway project.
- Wilson Commons Park - Mary Croft said that Parks Department community programs were sustained in the City budget.
- The Great American Cleanup is in April. Patti Hogan said that EPHlA will be going for its third I st place award for this activity. Marianna Rothman and Jerry DeLape will be co-chairs.
- Pastor Dwight Driskill of God's Church of Miracles , 3770 St.Lawrence noted the story in the Enquirer last week about the need for money and volunteers to help restore and preserve their church building. Substantial assistance has come forth. He expressed his appreciation to EPHlA because the article resulted from his discussion of the situation at our meeting last month.
A motion to adjourn by K. Rothman/J. Ridder was approved at about 9: 15 pm.
Tom Croft, Secretary