SUMMIT MEETING NOTES
November 9, 2006
Location: Llanfair Retirement Center

 ACTION ITEMS

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

ATTENDEES: (See Abbreviation Key)

ABSENT:

AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions

• Agenda Review & Modification

• Review of Minutes from Last Month’s Meeting

• Opening Prayer
• Special Announcements
• Review of Action Items from Last Month’s Meeting
• Discussion Topic: Hamilton Avenue Business District
• McAuley High School Update
• CHCURC
• Report on Meeting with New City Manager
• College Hill Housing
• CPOP/COP/Court Watch
• Community Events & Announcements

DISCUSSION

1.   Special Announcements

None 

2.   Review of Sept & Oct 2006 Minutes
Summit members approved the previously issued September minutes.   October minutes were approved with changed previously submitted to Valerie by Phyllis. 

A request was made for Valerie to remove non-attenders from the contact list.   Valerie indicated that she is in the process of contacting these people to give them the option of being removed or staying on the list.  People who have been contacted and responded that they want to remain on the list and on the distribution of notes include:  Peggy A’Hearn, Mike Battoclette, Karen Dudley, Helen Habbert, Joe Hamrick, and Bruce Soldano.    Several others have not responded yet. 

3.   Review of Action Items from Previous Meetings

Valerie will issue the August notes before the December meeting. 

4.   Discussion Topic: Business District

A free flowing discussion was held concerning the business district.   Key points made included:

§         Phyllis reported that business owners from North College Hill, College Hill, and Northside have started to meet to discuss their similar challenges and issues, as well as ways to resolve them.  

§         Karen pointed out that while there are still concerns, it is very positive that several new businesses have recently opened on the avenue, including the Sonshine House, a Carpet store, an Insurance Agency, and St. Theresa’s Textile Trove.

§         The new mural of an ice cream shoppe will be hung on Saturday, Nov 11.   A sign saying “Discover the Avenue” will also be hung that day.   CHBA is talking to every ice cream shop in the city, as well as bakeries, to try to convince them to open a store in College Hill.   In support of this effort, a UDF Ice Cream truck will be parked on the avenue at 2:00 pm Saturday giving away free ice cream cones.   Marty strongly encouraged everyone to come get an ice cream cone, since the number of cones given away will be data used to help convince a new ice cream store to move in.

§         One sad note is that LaRosa’s is closing their dining room, although they will continue as a carry out business.   The dining room was losing about $1500 per month.

§         Marty has been putting together an inventory of business properties in College Hill (sq ft, owner, incentives, leasing costs, property value, parking, restrooms, and neighboring businesses) to aid in talking to potential new businesses.   He in conversation with an architectural firm who may be interested in moving to College Hill, and this inventory has been very helpful.

§         There was some frustration expressed about lack of communication from new businesses to the rest of the business community.   The current business owners and CHBA want to be supportive, and would help with advice and publicity.   Many new businesses fail due to lack of experience and isolation.

§         There is a strong desire to bring residents to the avenue to shop and walk.   Not only would this help the businesses, but it would help create a greater sense of community among the residents.  However, it is not obvious how to do this.   Rick offered to have the Rec Center organize a walking club.   Chappie said he would bring the subject up at the Ministerium. 

§         A brief discussion of crime/safety issues focused on the issues caused by kids coming to parties at Elisha Hall.   The kids are usually around 12-14 years old, and will hang out in the parking lots and run down adjoining streets.  The owners of Elisha Hall are technically not responsible for the kids when they are outside the hall, and are currently unwilling to meet to discuss the issue any further.    

We will continue talking about the Business District at the next meeting. 

5.   McAuley High School Update – by Cheryl Sucher

¨      McAuley is growing and expanding, recently kicking off a $3.5 million renovation.   There will be a concert on Dec 3 with Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds.   Tickets are $20 each, call 681-1800, ext 1120 to get tickets.   On May 4 the auditorium will be closing, reopening mid-Nov as a state-of-the-art performance venue. 

¨      McAuley applied to be a site center for the annual Fine Arts Sampler program in February, and was accepted.   Cheryl will have more information for Summit at the next meeting.

¨      McAuley will have a Christmas concert on Dec 10 at 7:30 pm, and again on Dec 18 at 7:30 pm with LaSalle.

¨      The McAuley annual report put an emphasis on being in College Hill, including a letter written by Marty.   Cheryl brought several copies to give to interested Summit members.   

6.   CHCURC – by Marty Weldishofer

·        Linden Park – signs will be placed on the Shuler lot Nov 10 depicting the development.   The sales trailer is expected to be on site by Thanksgiving.   A large white tent will then be brought in for a condo presale kickoff event – by invitation only.   The goal is to break ground by Nov 2007. 

·        Façade Project – four of fourteen businesses have signed contracts.

·        Gateway Project – the city has submitted a proposal to Tom Hammond, owner of the A&S property.  No response so far.  

·        Llanfair Commons – a firehouse will be built on the corner of Hamilton and Llanfair in two to three years.   The Gateway element will be included as part of the landscaping.  Some monies will be earmarked for College Hill to find another public space. 

·        SID (Special Improvement District) – Marty said he needs some volunteers to help with the SID development.   

7.   City Manager Meeting – by Phyllis Schoenberger and Marty Weldishofer

The previous Monday, Phyllis and Marty met with Mr. Delhoney, the new city manager.   The meeting was very enlightening with Mr. Delhoney expressing a high interest in neighborhood development, although his current focus is the city budget.    The budget is scheduled for a Council vote on Dec 13, with January implementation.   The city has been using a large surplus from a few years ago, and that surplus is now gone, so serious budget cutting is required.   In addition to this, however, Mr. Delhoney recognizes that cost cutting will never solve the city’s issues, so he also wants to allocate the limited money to the most important priorities.   His immediate focus is on crime reduction and economic development. 

8.   College Hill Housing Team – by Dave Scharfenberger

WIN has purchased one house, and is pursuing several other properties on Cedar.   At the last Housing Team meeting, Tom Jackson indicated that the city has less money than previously thought to allocate to gap funding, so WIN may not be able to go forward as aggressively as hoped.    

9.   CPOP/CPD/COP/Court Watchers – by Tom Strothers

Since the issues with Elisha Hall continue, Tom has organized an immediate response of COP to reports of youth running around the parking lot and streets.   Observers will come to the avenue and call police if any violations of the law are observed.  (Recently some youth ran randomly into the street and were nearly hit by passing cars.)  A nuisance ordinance is being developed for the city with research by CPD into success in other cities.

Court Watch is currently tracking 54 cases in the court system, including those from nearby neighborhoods which are likely to affect College Hill.    Citizens are asking the courts for stiff penalties for people with drug and weapon charges. 

Jim Bodmer reported that the Sobriety Checkpoint at the intersection of Hamilton Ave and North Bend was very effective.  The Ohio State Highway Patrol partnered with the Cincinnati Police Department, the College Hill Forum, and the College Hill Citizens on Patrol for the 11 pm - 3 am operation. The results:  267 cars went through the checkpoint.   There were 9 OVI (Operating a Vehicle while Impaired) arrests.  (OVI terminology replaces DUI).   Also 73 seatbelt violations, 9 other traffic citations, and 7 other arrests. 

10. Announcements & Community Events– by All

¨      CHCURC/ARCH Fund Raiser – There will be a piano concert on Dec 8 by a Russian concert pianist at St. Clare Church.   Also two local CCM trained pianists.   Donations will be collected at the door. 

¨      CHG Fund Raiser – CHG has commissioned 8x8 tiles to sell of the Gardeners logo.

¨      Garden Tour 2007 – next summer’s garden tour of College Hill will be on June 23.   the planning committee will start meeting in January.

¨      Halloween Extravaganza – 500 kids showed up for the Halloween Extravaganza at the Rec Center.   200 were expected.   20 community organizations participated.

¨      Christmas Bazaar – There will be a Christmas Bazaar from 10 am to 3 pm on the first Saturday in December at the Rec Center.   All are invited.

¨      Coffee Co. Fund Raiser – Saturday, Nov 18, the College Hill Coffee Company will have an open house.   15% of their sales will go to CHBA for another mural.

¨      Christ’s Community – will have their annual Thanksgiving basket program this year on Nov 21, at 11:00 am, at St. Clare Catholic Church.   The Christmas baskets will be handed out on Dec 19, also at St. Clare.

¨      Regional Narcotics Agent – will give a talk about drug use on Nov 14 at 7 pm in the basement of St. Clare. 

Next Summit Meeting: December 14, 2006 @ 8:00 am at Twin Towers. 

                                                                                                Summarized by:

                                                                                                Valerie Hershberger

                                                                                                November 20, 2006

Abbreviation Key: