West Central Neighborhood Association

Minutes of the Board

April 13, 2010

ATTENDEES: John Simerman, David Long, Cherie Starks, Jack Starks, Susan Smethers, Casi Bromelmeier, Mike Walsh, Al Hofer, Mike Anderson., Charlotte Weybright

GUESTS: Judy Cole, neighborhood resident

REPORTS

Minutes: April 2010 Board meeting minutes – entered and accepted

Treasurers: April Reports - entered and accepted

Membership: Reported updated numbers

Plan Committee

• Reviewed April Meeting minutes
• New Chairperson, Susan Smethers, introduced to committee
• Committee to start breaking down WCNA Plan and focus on Action Items
• Reviewed “Downtown Fort Wayne Study Area: housing study conducted by Zimmerman/Volk Associates, Inc. Most notable, demographic of residence has shifted to younger singles and childless couples representing 67% of potential market.

Tour Committee

• Ongoing Arts Fest location discussion
• Looking for additional homes

EXISTING BUSINESS

· CHDO Projects

• 825 W. Washington Blvd. (possible project)
• Continued discussion of viability as next project
• Need in writing our options from the City

· Dumpster Days (2)

• 1^st day = part of Great American Clean Up effort on June 5^th - - WCNA selected date.
• 2^nd day = 3^rd Week in August (before Tour) with roll behind

· WCNA Yard Sale

• Will reach out to those that organized last year; discuss at next Association Meeting

· Great American Clean Up – May 15

• June 5^th and use 1^st of our Dumpster Days;
• Tire clean up 3^rd Saturday of each month.

NEW BUSINESS

· Arts Fest – discussion on if it is overshadowing Tour.

o Represented Committee members – discussed reason’s it is not overshadowing Tour

· Bricks – Guest, Judy Cole; recently cited by Neighborhood Code on various violations; one violation “prohibited outdoor storage” regarding the large number of historical bricks stored by alley.

o Issue – City will remove material at owner expense if not removed in 30-days.

§ Taking viable material off property; do we need to make recommendation to change policy?

· Recommendation: Mike Walsh proposed Charlotte Weybright seconded: Mike Anderson and John Simerman talk to Neighborhood Code representatives and recommend historic bricks neatly stacked outside property not be included in violation citing. Vote: 8 yeas, 1 nay.

· Canterbury Volunteers

o May 26^th, selected date to assist West Central

o Originally through to half only ½ the crew of last year, but later it was announced it would be the full 60 – 75 person crew.

o Need to determine location & effort. Back up plan will be Washington Blvd cleanup.

· Section 42 – Mike Anderson contacted Henry Hall and Henry indicated wanting to move forward; meeting on Monday with Henry, Mike and Heather (City); will have more insight by WCNA Assoc. meeting. Henry Hall is working on September deadlines.

o Impact of the WC Neighborhood Housing report - - report has good data; should look to see how information in report impacts our decision on Section 42.

§ Single Family vs. Townhouses; Condos on new builds

§ Is Heather aware of the difference between Housing Study and Section 42 project?

o 17 properties being held for project; June 1^st another 14-16 may be added (building and lots)

· Cougar Trail – Trail Systems looking for neighborhood representative for discussion groups – Jack Starks volunteered

· Emmanuel Lutheran Summer Projects

o Summer of Service – 12 weekend in a row 8-12; property projects for those that need help and homeowners. Get suggestions to David or Mike Anderson; need to be projects that complete during that 4 hours

o Paint-A-Thon - - painting one homeowner; Mary Wedowski, this year; will need another option if not using Mary.

o Lutheran Housing Foundation – $50-60K; to spend on major project (windows, installation, - - homeowners, elderly, and not able to take care of items themselves. Mike needs to get suggestions to back by end of month

· City Ordinance – Representative Pape; ordinance against cooping pigeons. Mike Anderson will send letter he received to John Simerman.

· Fund Raisers Opportunities discussed

§ Windows of WC Calendar (doors, doorknobs, porches, gardens… of WC)

§ Pens with WCNA logo, website & number

· WCNA (2 lines, centered), with telephone number and website

· .37 cents +100 quantity.

· Motion: made by Susan Smethers to move forward on ordering pens as promotional items in a quantity of 250; seconded by Casi Bromelmeier. Vote: 1 abstained; 8 yeas, 0 nay.

· April Speaker Association Meeting - New CEO of St. Joe Hospital

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted:

___________________________________

Susan Smethers, Board Secretary

West Central Neighborhood Association