HPCC - September 2003 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes by Shannon Mischler, HPCC Secretary

President-elect, Bob Staresinic, called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

Block Watch: Jan Stayianos introduced Sgt. Jim Malloy. He is new to Zone 5. Jan and John Ciroli recently attended a Zone 5 Citizens Public Safety Meeting. At the meeting they discussed Red Cross training and emergency preparedness.

House Tour: Dana Thomas displayed the House Tour fliers and tickets. Dana still needs about 20 volunteers to welcome visitors to the homes on the tour. A volunteer would work one of two shifts: 11-2 PM or 2-5 PM. If you volunteer, you get free admission to the tour. Please call Dana for more information.

HPCC Web Site: Rudy Maceyko held a web site meeting, and five people attended. They will redesign the web site, and help Rudy maintain the site.

Children's Committee: Aimee De Foe will organize this year's Halloween event. Please call Aimee if you are interested in helping with the event.

Super Playground: The committee chair is looking for assistance. Kate Zober would like assistance with the spring maintenance of the playground. Please call her.

Education Committee: Sal Wilcox, owner of the non-profit Education Innovations on Bryant St. and Doug Graham, Treasurer of Fulton Academy's PTO, are interested in ideas for the Education Committee.

Elections of new Board Members: John Ciroli, Brian Byers, Marie Jackson, Andrea Mudd, and Amy Maceyko were elected to the HPCC Board of Directors. Bob Staresinic was elected President of the HPCC. The HPCC is seeking two more Board members to fill incomplete terms of directors who have resigned. Please call Bob Staresinic if you are interested.

Community Plan: Michael Johnson spoke about the Community Plan's retreat at the HP Farmhouse on Friday October 24, 5-9 PM. This will be a formal strategic planning strategy. HPCC Board members and officers, and HPCDC Board members and officers are invited to attend. The retreat will enable these leaders to meet each other, and begin to implement the strategies that the Community Plan recommends.

Community Issues:

1. A woman from Bunker Hill spoke about her efforts to establish a dog run in Highland Park. Mary Beth Steisslinger (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and HP resident) and Sgt. Malloy recommended that she research both the environmental feasibility of a dog run and the experience with dog runs in other City Parks.
2. Bob Staresinic informed the HPCC of Conservation Construction, Inc. They came to his home and installed a new low flow shower valve and insulated windows for no cost.
3. A longtime HP resident mentioned that a "casino" is operating at the corner of Bryant St. and N. St. Clair.
4. Many complaints were made about the speed of the tow trucks on Bryant St. In addition, many tow trucks park in the yard or in the street at the "Six N Slice" business on Bryant St at all hours. There is a city ordinance forbidding trucks from parking on residential streets for more than two hours between 7 PM and 7 AM. If you notice their presence during these hours it is recommended by Zone 5 police that you phone 911 and report them.
5. Tania Grubbs mentioned that Dilworth Academy will have an art auction in February.
6. State Representative Joseph Preston spoke about the results of his endeavors with the HP Water Filtration Plant.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.