HPCC - October 2003 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes by Andrea Mudd

President Bob Staresinic called the meeting to order at 7:35.

Election: Candidates for the two open Board seats were announced; Lisa Solomon was confirmed by quorum vote to assume the 2-year position and Roger Laib will complete the 1-year term vacated by Dana Thomas. Dana will continue in her position of House Tour Chair.

Children's Committee Report: Aimee DeFoe requested additional helpers for the Children's Halloween Party. The party will take place from noon to 2 pm on Saturday, October 25 at the Farmhouse. Treat donations, prizes and game helpers are still needed.

House Tour Committee Report: Dana Thomas reported 12 homes will be on the 2003 House Tour which will take place from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, October 18, 2003. The theme of this year's House Tour is "kitchens and cookbooks" and 10 of the 12 open homes are featuring kitchens. An additional highlight of this year's House Tour is the Union Project, and the CDC's presentation of the Mellon St. properties they are restoring, a house on Negley and one at 5635 Stanton Ave.

Neighborhood Schools: In 2 separate initiatives, Dilworth and Fulton are engaging the community with new and exciting projects.

Mary Beth Steisslinger reported excellent progress in bringing the arts and environmental sustainability into the curriculum at Dilworth Traditional Academy. An art auction of recycled material is scheduled for February 20, 2004 to raise funds for Dilworth.

Doug Graham is working with the Fulton school to develop a partnership with the Carnegie Museum. This will benefit the school through a membership-driven cash program.

Program: Conservation Consultants made a presentation on the home energy audits they have been conducting in the region over the past 8 years. Highland Park is the thirteenth eligible neighborhood in the Pittsburgh area and residents of the 15206 zip are invited to request a FREE energy audit of their homes by calling 412 431-4449. Conservation Consultants installs weatherization material and evaluates appliances as part of each home audit. As part of the Green Neighborhoods Initiative, Conservation Consultants is also planting all Penn Circle gateways and hosting a reception honoring the Baum at Penn Circle mural.

Restoration: Dave Hance presented progress made in the Heth's Run Community Restoration Project. While there are more decisions and commitments to be made, Penn DOT is committed to replacing the Butler St. bridge which in turn will allow for the development of the riverbank and lower Zoo parking lot into a play space including trails and a soccer field. This project is expected to eventually reclaim the area including and beyond the City storage lot for additional zoo parking and additional usable green space.

Other business:

Tania Grubbs is co-chair of the Highland Park Neighborhood Float for the First Night 2004 celebration. Tania is requesting interested people come out to the Neighborhood Workshop the first three Tuesdays in November to help develop the art for the float. Our neighborhood theme is Water. Tania is requesting donations of stuff in shades of blue to be used on the float. Cheryl Cappazutti, an artist renown for her National Lint Project, puppetry and visual arts will be on hand for the Neighborhood Workshops.

The City's 2004 Grants and Donation program was recently announced. Tania will verify Citiparks' status vis-�-vis the Reservoir of Jazz series, Sal will look into possible educational initiatives. Both will assist Bob Staresinic in preparing HPCC's proposal for 2004.

Mitch Kates recognized the HPCC and HPCDC collaboration as a model of community partnering and also announced an art auction to be held at the original Bell terminus building on November 1, 2003.

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation will be presenting stained glass masterpieces November 2, 2003.

Rev. Bruce Robison announced the 2003 St. Andrew's Lecture on October 17, 2003 with Ms. Linda Dickerson talking on business and other development issues; he also announced:

the Patricia Stone reception and lunch hour talk on bridges as architecture at Schenley Park
the 1st Annual St Andrew's All Saints Festival begins on October 31 -all are welcome to a Bohemian Coffee by Tazza d'Oro from 10 - 11 p.m. followed by organ music by Charles Heaton until midnight.