West Central Neighborhood Association

General Meeting

Minutes – April 19, 2010

GUEST SPEAKERS:

• Dawn Rudolph – St Joseph Hospital, CEO
• Excited to be part of St. Joe and part of West Central
• St. Joe wants to keep strong relationship and be a steward with WCNA
• Hospital has been in the same location for 140 years; and stays committed as an inner city hospital.
• Her office is accessible through the St. Joe Administrative offices.

• David Russ & Andy Dodzik
• Illustrated DLZ Flood System Protection for Thieme Drive – ECO System
• New for the US; established method used in Europe
• Preliminary estimated cost of $2 – 2.5 million dollars; funding not yet determined or finalized.
• Majority of attendees in favor of new design.
• Thieme Drive Erosion
• Wall protection on curb side & fill in current erosion
• Plans approved & look to have completed this summer
• Bids being received over the next 30-45 days.

MINUTES

· March Minutes – presented and accepted with corrections to two names.

TREASURER’S REPORT

· No report – on vacation; reports were presented at April Board meeting and accepted.

HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR COMMITTEE

· Grant application for $3,000 from Arts United was submitted by David Young

· Next meeting 4/27

· Still looking for houses - - ask friends and neighbors.

FLOOD COMMITTEE

• See guest speaker notes above

CCW

o Discussion on recent break ins – however, last week showed no reported crime.

o West Central is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Policy and Fire Dept. have strong alliance with West Central.

PLAN COMMITTEE

• New chairperson, Susan Smethers, introduced at March Plan Committee meeting
• Reviewed “Downtown Fort Wayne Study Area” housing study completed by Zimmerman/Volk Associates

o Three general household groups comprise the potential markets for the Downtown area including WCNA:

§ Younger singles & childless couples – 67 percent

§ Non-traditional and traditional families – 18 percent

§ Empty nesters & retirees – 15 percent

o “Traditional” families now comprise only 27% of the housing in Fort Wayne

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

· CHDO

o 825 Washington –

§ City wants to work with us if we moved forward with 825 Washington as our next project.

§ In the week prior, Board members gave approval to move forward in ‘gathering’ additional information from the City.

§ Association will need to approve the use of CHDO funds once we have received all needed information. Will be brought as a vote when the time comes.

o 1134 Nelson – Close Out/Completed

· Section 42

o Partnership with Henry Hall is on the table as Henry is still looking to move forward.

§ September is the next deadline date

§ City has additional funds to help with implementation and training a WC resource on CHDO administrative knowledge.

· Emmanuel Lutheran Church Remodeling - 2 of the new windows will be stained glass. Some discussion on the next steps for approvals.

· Tire Pick up – 3^rd Saturday in May tentative date – watch online e-newsletter for details. Parking lot corner of Wilt and Van Buren.

NEW BUSINESS

· WC Yard Sale

o Motion: by Mike Anderson to set Yard Sales dates as June 25- 27 with notice in the Fort Wayne newspaper placed by David Long. Seconded Laura Jackson. Ayes = all, No opposed.

o Dates: June 25, 26, 27 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

· Great American Clean Up

• 13-step House will assist WC again this year and focus on alley clean up.

· Dumpster Days (2)

• 1^st day = part of Great American Clean Up effort on June 5^th - - WCNA selected date. David has picked up gloves and
• 8 a.m. to Noon
• 2^nd day = August 25^th date set for Dumpster) with roll behind

· Canterbury Students – 75 total students assisting for ½ day in West Central. Will focus around the Harrison Street Square; looking for two additional site location possibilities. Contact David Long.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

· Joann Bruce: Cancer Services make bed and lap pads for cancer patients out of old sheets; please give any sheets to Joann Bruce. Donated sheets must be clean.

· Dennis Combs: 13-Step House – May 2, 2010. Tours & Raffle. Raffle tickets are $10.

· Judy Cole: P-E-D-I-C-U-R-E Art Project

• Monthly summertime art show along Jefferson Blvd in WC
• Flower Carts displayed in the park strip along Jefferson Blvd.
• City of Ft. Wayne Historic Preservation Office is offering support

Respectfully submitted:

________________________________________________________

Susan Smethers, Secretary

West Central Neighborhood Association