HPCC - October 1998 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes by by Mitch Kates

Committee Reports

Beautification Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the flower beds and planter boxes on Bryant Street. The Community Club has been approached about supporting an annual garden near the entrance to Reservoir #2. The Club is in favor, but would like to provide input on proper site.

Public Safety: report from Officer Bonkowski stated that Highland park is seeing no out of the ordinary rise in crime. There are currently 8 Bicycle patrol officers working the neighborhood, a higher number than any other neighborhood in the city. Over the Summer the was an undercover sting operation in the park which netted some small time drug busts. By August there were no additional significant arrests made - considered by the Department a big success. If the Club would like, there can be a program added to bring a burglary detective to a Community Club meeting.

East End Neighborhood Forum will be hosting a dinner party on November 20th at St Nicholas Greek Church in Oakland for the various community groups in the East End neighborhoods. The Forum is also leading a formal boycott of all Nabisco products with the hope of making an impact on what happens to the site of the soon to be former Nabisco plant in East Liberty. There are weekly Task Force meetings with the Mayor's office, which so far have netted the results of a commitment from Nabisco to leave equipment behind that will allow the city to market the plant to other manufacturers with baking requirements.

Reservoir covers: Reservoir #1 has officially been saved. The Water and Sewer authority has officially voted for building a water filtration plant on the grounds of the reservoir. The building will have architectural details aesthetically appealing, and fit to match the time period in line with the other restorations the park is undergoing. The reservoir will also get a face-lift in the form of a new lining and a fully restored wall. There will also be new landscaping.

This year's Community Club party will be held at the Nuin Center on Bryant street. Time and date will be announced.

New Business

Amy Enrico briefly discussed her plan to open a coffee shop in the Marcus Pharmacy location. A Club member, who lives across North Highland from the location expressed opposition because there already are parking problems in the area due to the apartment building on the corner of Bryant and North Highland. In response to a suggestion by Councilman Ferlo, Ms Enrico said she would set up a meeting to discuss her plan with all interested parties.

Councilman Ferlo passed out a draft ordinance which would start the process of annexing Heth's Run ravine (currently used for a dump of asphalt reclaim and other recycling activities) to Highland Park.