HPCC - April 2004 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Highlights by Ollie Rieley

President Bob Staresinic called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

Children's Committee: The spring event on April 3rd was a success with about 30 children in attendance. Many thanks to Shop-n-Save who donated cookies for treats.

Super playground: The scheduled spring work day was called off because of lack of volunteers. Bob Staresinic and Kate Zober repaired some loose boards in the walk. Kate resigned as chair of the committee.

Newsletter: There was a general feeling that the July issue should be a mass mailing to all residences in the neighborhood. Ollie said it probably would be issued later than most issues because of the extra work involved and personal conflicts in mid to late June.

Reservoir of Jazz: Plans are being made to hold reservoir of jazz this year without significant involvement of CitiParks. Sources of money are being explored. The number and scheduling of concerts will depend on the financing. Tania Grubbs is pulling it together. Stay Tuned for details. There is expected to be a community celebration before one of the concerts. Brenda Cole has applied for a permit.

Community Plan: Michael Johnson noted that with the imminent issuance of the revised final report it is time to start executing the key activities suggested in the report. For example: Youth Group, Revitalized Block Watch, Engaging with Fulton Academy, Housing outreach. Micheal said that sign-up sheets would be available at Tazza d'Oro and Sandi's Deli for volunteers for these activities.

New Business:

Redevelopment: Dave Hance, president of the HPCDC, described the plans for replacing the Heth's Run bridge on Washington Blvd/Butler St., the rearrangement of the lower end of the zoo parking lot, new soccer fields, and a path below the bridge down to a future river-side pathway to downtown. Several facets of the project have partial or complete funding available except for the excavation of the fill that has been placed under the existing bridge. Dave requested a motion that the HPCC supports the plans as shown. Rudy Maceyko moved and Peter Hughes seconded a motion that the HPCC supports the plans for reconstruction of the bridge in a style similar to the bridge being replaced and the re-creation of a ravine with pathway under the bridge leading to the proposed river walkway. The motion carried unanimously.

Focus Group: Lacy Vong and Monique Lanaux, two CMU graduate students, gave a brief presentation outlining their need to convene a focus group to discuss the neighborhood concerns regarding placement of a Community Correction Center (CCC, better known as a "halfway house") in the neighborhood. The objective is to obtain data about community reaction to such a facility and is NOT preparatory to any proposal for such a facility in our neighborhood. The information obtained will form some of the data in a paper planned to discuss these issues. There was a consensus developed that the club has no objection to such a group being formed, but the Club does not oppose nor support such a facility in our neighborhood. (See separate article for details)

Education: Patrick Dowd described School Board progress in revitalizing the District.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:30 P.M.