SUMMIT MEETING NOTES
August 9, 2007
Location: Pleasant Hill Academy

 ACTION ITEMS

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

ATTENDEES: (See Abbreviation Key)

ABSENT:

AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions
• Host Greetings
• Agenda Review & Modification

• Review of Minutes from Last Month’s Meeting

• Opening Prayer

• Special Announcements

• Review of Action Items from Last Month’s Meeting

• CHCURC Update

• CPOP/COP/Court Watch

• CHBA Update

• Debrief Meeting with Mayor Mallory

• Plan for Meeting with Dale Mallory

• Community Activities

• Discussion Topic: Break Down Barriers/Build Relationships

DISCUSSION:

1.   Special Announcements

None. 

2.   Review of July 2007 Minutes
The July minutes were issued just before the meeting, and will be approved at the next meeting. 

3.   Review of Action Items from Previous Meetings

Rep. Dale Mallory – Sheena spoke to the coordinator in his office who is arranging a meeting for Rep Mallory with all schools in his district.   A meeting with Summit will be the next priority after the schools.

Barriers Between Residents – to be covered later in the meeting. 

4.   CPOP/CPD/COP/Court Watchers – by Jim Bodmer

Jim reported first:

Probation Officer -  If a suitable place for the office can be found, then a probation/parole officer will be located in College Hill.   Office requirements are:

§         24 hour access.

§         Secure facility (a computer will be left there).

§         Needs to have a desk, chair, and phone.

If the old CPD substation will be used, then it will require remodeling.   Finding a place will be on the agenda for CHBA.

General – There is a lot of activity going on down by Hollywood Apts.   The owner is very cooperative, and a new gate is planned.   The Police are aware of the issues.  The community is also seeing the reappearance of some drug dealers who haven’t been around in about 5 years. 

CPD reported on crime in College Hill:

§         Auto thefts are the same as last month, but every one occurred between 6 am and 6 pm.  The thieves are being fairly bold, stealing cars during the daytime.

§         Other thefts and burglaries are up vs last month.  13 of 16 thefts occurred between 9 am and 6 pm.  Most burglaries happened between noon and 7 pm.

§         CPD asks that residents be alert and aware, and call in suspicious people and activities.   The majority of burglars are caught via citizen tip. 

5.   CHCURC Update – by Pete Bauer

·        Linden Park – There is a lot of discussion between CHCURC and the architect/developer on new designs.   They hope for approval from the city in Sept, to be selling condos by early Oct, and for construction to begin by spring. 

·        Gateway – An additional $60,000 was approved.   

6.   CHBA – by Sheena Parton

·        Next CHBA meeting is Tues, Aug 14, at Twin Towers.   There will be a guest from B&I.   B&I has inspected the buildings in the Business District, and letters are going out soon.

·        Monique James, a representative of Rep. Dale Mallory, has expertise in finding grants for neighborhoods.   CHBA will work with her to find funding for Marty’s position (Director of Development). 

9.   Announcements & Community Events

o       4^th Annual Block Party – About 400 people attended.  Llanfair provided a lot of food.  Phyllis and Steve Rossi did the grilling.   Police gave out stuffed animals.   The CPD “Most Wanted” Band played, as did an Aiken Band.   The Aiken football team did a lot of set up and clean up.   Various City Council members attended, as did our State Senator.   So many neighborhoods are doing National Night Out that the police can’t be at them all with dogs, horses, band, etc.   The police would like to have a combined event at a park, but many organizers believe that only people who live near the location will attend.

o       Rhythm Race – is on Aug 18^th, at Pleasant Hill Academy.  All proceeds go back to the College Hill community development fund.  More volunteers are needed, and Anita passes around a sign up sheet for various volunteer positions.

o       Aiken – has a home football game vs Walnut Hill on Aug 17.   This is the only game this year at Aiken’s own stadium.

o       Aiken – is having an athletic fund raising dinner at CHPC on Saturday, Sept 8, from 5-8 pm.  Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.  Presale tickets will cost $10 and $5 respectively.

o       Aiken – is looking for sponsors for sports programs.   For $450 a year a banner will be posted at the games.   These contributions will help pay for uniforms, equipment, supplies, and bus transportation.  Steve will send information to Ken for the e-newsletter. 

We agreed that we will focus in the Sept Summit meeting on the schools.  

10. Discussion Topic: Break Down Barriers/Build Relationships

Person-to-person relationships really stand out as a primary successful strategy in the discussions to date.    Several Summit organizations related how they are trying to do more:

-         CHBA is doing a 2^nd Mix & Mingle at Shakers in October.   They are trying to attract entrepreneurs, especially black storefront owners.

-         The churches are planning their first quarterly dinner of joint African-American and Caucasian churches. 

-         Phyllis is continuing to work with state parolees to connect them to opportunities for community service.   Part of every day of service includes working with members of the community and having a meal together.   Service has included: gardening, litter pickup, landscaping, pot luck dinner preparation, demolishing small buildings, and some maintenance work at CHPC and Grace Episcopal.  

Other discussion included the following:

-     Ready-To-Learn at Pleasant Hill is open to suggestions for their program of Life Long Learning.   In this program, an issue in the community is identified, researched, explored, action taken, and results evaluated, all by students.  

-     There is a program called Elements in Over-The-Rhine for leadership development of youth.   Anita is researching program and its funding.

-     Aiken just received a grant to focus on graduation rate of its students, especially among African American males.  Looking for partnership with faith-based and community organizations.

-     Ken Lyons reminded everyone of the grant information which was forwarded about a month ago.   (This was forwarded to Summit members on June 27.) 

For the October meeting, Valerie will do a short summary of all the Summit discussions on Barriers, which Summit can use as reference information when decided next steps.   

Next Summit Meeting: September 13, 2007 @ 8:00 am at College Hill Presbyterian Church.   

                                                                                                Summarized by:

                                                                                                Valerie Hershberger

                                                                                                Sept 12, 2007

Abbreviation Key: