SUMMIT MEETING NOTES

April 13, 2006

 Location: Aiken High School

 ACTION ITEMS

The key action items as agreed to in this meeting are as follows:

ATTENDEES: (See Abbreviation Key)

 ABSENT:

College Hill Library
Mercy Hospital, Mt. Airy Foundation
ARCH
CH e-Newsletter
Facilitators (Ron Cowgill & Valerie Hershberger)

AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions

• Agenda Review & Modification

• Review of Minutes from Last Month’s Meeting

• Opening Prayer

• Review of Action Items from Last Month’s Meeting

• College Hill Gardeners

• College Hill Housing Team

• College Hill Schools

• Community Learning Center

• City Camera Funding

• 3^rd Annual Block Party

• Gateway Project

• Community Oriented Policing (CPOP)

• Historical Society

• Christ’s Community

• Llanfair Commons

DISCUSSION: 

1.   Review of March 2006 Minutes
The corrected minutes for the March meeting were agreed to, with no corrections.  

 2.   Review of Action Items from Previous Meetings

A.  Discussion of Summit Goals for 2006 was tabled until the May meeting.

2. Tom Strothers reported that the Summit minutes are on the Arch website, 66.49.227.132.

Tom is working with Ken Lyon to update the Forum collegehillohio.org website, and will report on that at the next meeting.

3.   College Hill Gardeners – by Phyllis Schoenberger

“Gardens of College Hill” Saturday, June 24.  A self-guided tour of eight gardens that will be open to the public, each will offer features of interest.  A plant sale and container contest will round out the day.  Light refreshments are included in the price of $8.  Advance passes available by calling 588-6465 or at College Hill Coffee Company, Schwartz Jewelers, Visconti-Lechler, National City Bank, Piazza-Discepoli Wine Shop, PNC Bank, or LaRosa’s.

4.   College Hill Housing Team – by Tom Haid and Phyllis Schoenberger

A proposal has been made to CHCURC requesting they approve of being the overarching non-profit entity for this effort.  The Housing Team has met with three established housing rehab developers, Paul Rudemiller of Camp Washington, Working in Neighborhoods, and Cincinnati Housing Partners in order to learn more about this kind of effort from organizations with extensive track records.  Coming out of these discussion, the team has recognized the possibility of starting with an established successful partner.  This would allow the team to begin work more quickly, reduce the learning curve, and decrease the risks.

5.   Aiken University High School – by Donna Perzigian and Joan Pack-Rowe

Principal Donna Perzigian will be retiring at the end of this school year.  Virginia Rhodes, a CH resident, will be the new principal of Aiken University High School starting in the fall school year.  Aiken University students participated in the Pinwheels for Abuse Prevention at the Freedom Center.  This project was fostered by Aiken and this year they placed 5600 pinwheels that represented the number of abuse cases. 

June 30 is the last day of summer school.

 6.   Aiken College & Career High School – by Eric Thomas and Rick Schroer

The CH Recreation Center and Aiken C&C have teamed up for a two-hour open house on May 11 from 4-6 pm.  This is geared to introducing 9^th graders and their parents to the community, the Rec Center and Aiken C&C.  

Rick & Eric have sent a recommendation to the CPS Administration and Cincinnati Recreation to consider an indoor swimming pool when Aiken is renovated.

 7.   Community Learning Center – by Phyllis Schoenberger for Helen Habbert

Cincinnati Public Schools is asking for the residents and organizations of College Hill to help plan and design the new or renovated school facilities of Aiken and CH Fundamental Academy.  Your input is needed not just for the buildings but how they can become centers of neighborhood activity as Community Learning Centers.  A Core Planning Team of volunteers from CH schools and civic groups is now collecting input from the community to begin developing a shared vision for continuous learning.  What do you want to create together that would make THE difference in College Hill schools?   You can complete the survey through a link in the College Hill electronic newsletter, or by clicking a link to the survey on 66.49.227.132.  You can pick up surveys at the CH library, CH Rec Center, school offices, and businesses on the Avenue.  Please submit your survey by May 20.

8.   City Camera Funding – by Jim Bodmer and Carol Lyon

Carol Lyon reminded the organizations that CHCURC signed a contract for the current City Watcher cameras with pledges by individuals/organizations to contribute funding.  The cameras cost the community $369.93 per month.  At present there is $300 in the fund.  Carol circulated a list of organizations and their pledge with the understanding that those pledges be honored or the cameras may have to be cancelled.

Jim Bodmer stated he would have a definitive procedure in the next few weeks.

The questions for the community are:

• DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES OF CITY WATCHER CAMERAS FOR THE NEXT YEAR AT WHICH TIME THE CITY WILL CHANGE VENDORS, CAMERAS, AND WILL PAY FOR THE COST? 
• SHOULD WE CULL OUT A FEW CAMERAS IN THE MOST NEEDED AREA?

There is enough money through April.  PNC Bank is providing high speed internet access at a big expense to them.  They need an answer soon.  It was agreed that all organizations need to contact their constituents for answers and/or funding so we can give City Watchers advance notice.  Each organization needs to have answers to above questions before the May 11 Summit meeting.

Jim Bodmer will ask for $1000 from the Forum which will provide coverage for three months.  CHBA has a $600 set aside for the cameras.

9.   College Hill 3^rd Annual Block Party – by Wayne Darbonne

The four day Block Party is planned as follows:

• Tuesday, August 1 National Night Out sponsored by CH Forum
• Wednesday, August 2 Celebration of the Arts/Intergenerational Emphasis/Big Band
• Thursday, August 3 Youth Basketball/Three on Three coordinated by CH Recreation Center and Christ’s Community.

• Friday, August 4 College Hill Celebrates Our Schools and Youth Night

College Hill Presbyterian Church has provided their facility, their energy, and their missional commitment to the community.  CHPC will be providing tents, chairs and tables.  However, since these cannot be taken down each night, they are asking if the community can provide some overnight security for the week. 

Jim Bodmer will pursue getting police security for the grounds.

10. Gateway Project – by Marty Weldishofer and Carol Lyon

The Gateway Committee has presented the design to the community.  The committee reviewed the comments and the design team will meet with Architects Plus to refine the gateway design. There is work being done to get an easement on the CVS property for the north gateway.  The south gateway will probably be on the vacant lot at Llanfair and Hamilton Ave.

 11. Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) – by Tom Strothers

Tom reported on the recent CPOP Summit which is a collaborative effort with the City, community, and police. The Juvenile Probation Officer is in the process of moving into the site at CH Children’s Hospital site.  The officer has been invited to attend community meetings.  Because of the changes in CPOP officers, Tom will put together guidelines for when and how to contact them.

 12. Historical Society – by Marty Weldishofer

At one time, College Hill had a very active Historical Society.  It has now been inactive for many years.  CH is rich in history and has a large volume of historic documents.  We also have a very old cemetery that is great need of restoration.  If you know anyone who is a history buff and who could chair the Historical Society, please call Marty at 681-4210.  There are a lot of CH residents who are willing to help, and they just need someone to coordinate the effort.

13. Christ’s Community – by Kevin Ward

CC in College Hill will run a Character Camp from June to August.  Kevin is seeking a coordinator for the Clean Cut Initiative.  This service provides lawn service to the community as well as business management, safety education and job skills to our youth.  Please call Kevin at 541-0303.

14. Llanfair Commons – by Marty Weldishofer

Please communicate to your organization the survey for the future Llanfair Commons at the corner of Llanfair and Hamilton.  CHCURC is seeking community input into what residents want to see at that corner.  What is it that you imagine?  Survey forms were distributed.  For more information go to www.collegehillohio.org and click on CHCURC.  Contact Marty at 681-4205.

Deadline is May 10. 

Next Summit Meeting:
May 11, 2006 @ 8:00 am at Children’s Hospital College Hill Campus

Summarized by:
Phyllis Schoenberger
May 5, 2006

Formatted by Valerie Hershberger
May 8, 2006

Abbreviation Key: