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SUMMIT MEETING NOTES - corrected December 10, 2009 Location: College Hill Recreation Center
Approved Summit minutes can be found at the following website: collegehilloh.net
ACTION ITEMS The key action items as agreed to in this meeting are as follows: Item Responsibility 1. Determine the correct procedure for getting a streetlight Jim Bodmer and give the information to Paula Sherman. 2. Finalize meeting locations for 2010 Ron Cowgill 3. Find a contact for Habitat and invite them to Summit. Ron Cowgill 4. Send info on actions & activities by each organization and All church related to the youth of College Hill to Valerie & Ron for compilation & discussion at future Summit meeting.
ATTENDEES: (in alphabetical order) Name Organization Represented Jim Bodmer CPOP/COP/Court Watch Joan Burger Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Ron Cowgill Facilitator Brad Hammond CHCURC Valerie Hershberger Facilitator Fr. George Jacquemin Ministerium, St. Clare Catholic Church Mary McLain ARCH, Grace Episcopal Church Wanda Moncree Ball College Hill Resident Officer Jason Pechiney CPD, District 5 Phyllis Schoenberger Forum QOL Rick Schroer College Hill Rec Center Cyd Shuler College Hill Rec Center Paula Sherman Pleasant Hill Academy Arnice Smith CH Library Bruce Soldano CHBA Tom Strothers Court Watch, CPOP Rev. Dan Weyand-Geise CCCH
AGENDA Welcome and Introductions Host Greetings Opening Prayer Special Announcements Previous Minutes Review/Approval Action Items From Previous Meetings CPOP/COP/CPD/Court Watch Housing Team Update CHBA Update CHCURC Update Schools Updates Whiz Kids Initiative Library Update Children’s Hospital Update College Hill Rec Center Update Ministerium Discussion Topic: Meeting Locations for 2010 Community Activities & Announcements
DISCUSSION:
1. Special Announcements None.
2.
Review of November 2009 Minutes
3. Review of Action Items from Previous Meetings None identified.
4. Citizens on Patrol/CPD – by Jim Bodmer & Officer Jason Penchiney Jason handed out the CPD Crime Report. He noted that Burglaries are up all over the city, including College Hill. This is an annual trend, with burglaries increasing every Christmas season. However, there have been 3 significant arrests related to daytime burglaries. Alert citizens called in suspicious activity at a Wittekind Avenue house, which ultimately led to the recovery of stolen property and the arrests. The suspects appear to be tied into 6 burglaries so far, and may be linked to many more. Jim handed out a flyer of advice regarding the upcoming census. The concern is that criminals will use this as an opportunity for identity theft. No Census worker should be asking for Social Security number, credit card information, or banking information; everyone is advised not to give this information to anyone, even if they claim to be part of the census effort. Ask to see identification and badge before answering any questions. Also, be aware that no Census worker will contact anyone by email, although they may use the telephone or mail. There was some discussion about media reporting crimes as being committed in College Hill when they are actually in other neighborhoods. Residents have called to make corrections, but the issue appears to be that the official Hamilton County electronic system, CAGIS, is not in agreement with the boundaries as traditionally understood by neighborhood residents. And the local media use CAGIS as their official source. It was unclear how to get CAGIS corrected. A resident from College Hill, Wanda Moncree Ball, attended the meeting to ask about a previous robbery that had been reported. It seems that her home was reported as having been involved in the Papa John’s robbery, which was a big surprise to her. She wondered if someone living on her street might be involved, since her schedule was well-known. Officer Pechiney met with her outside of the meeting.
5. CPOP/Court Watch – by Tom Strothers The group is continuing to discuss ways to improve problem areas, such as EZ Market. Ideas include cameras, discouraging loitering and discouraging littering. Daily Mart is also an area of problem activity. In looking at the whole neighborhood, the group believes that increasing the number of after-school activities for kids could help several areas.
6. Housing Team Update – by Ron Cowgill (reporting information from Hope Wilson) 1402 Cedar Avenue is
progressing as planned. The home should be finished late December or
early January. It is a 3 bedroom (1st floor master), 2 1/2 bath,
vaulted ceiling in the living room, kitchen w/ breakfast nook, 1st floor
laundry, patio, and detached garage. The home will be LEED certified
and qualify for a 15yr tax abatement. The home will sell for $125,000.
If you know anyone interested please have them contact Hope @ WIN
541-4109 ext. 127. Downpayment assistance is available to those who
qualify. The buyer must be a first time homebuyer, at or below 80% of
area median, and willing to live in the home for a minimum of 5 years.
It was discussed that Habitat for Humanity is working on 3 homes on Homeside. It was suggested that Habitat should be invited to Summit meetings.
7. CHBA Update No one was present from CHBA to give an update.
8. CHCURC Update – by Brad Hammond Pete Bauer reported that he is no longer the liaison between Forum and CHCURC, and that Brad would be the representative to Summit from now on. Brad indicated that CHCURC has been very busy and productive, with several instances of good progress in their projects for the business district. · CHCURC’s annual fundraiser Guest Bartender Night at Clovernook was successful, with a good turnout. · CHCURC is working to keep their website more current. For example, the end of year report will be on the website. · CHCURC’s annual meeting will be Feb 3. It will be held upstairs at Marty’s Hops & Vines. · A new business is coming to the old car wash property on Hamilton Avenue: The Avenue Iron Works, which is an art gallery and light foundry. There will be $30,000 of improvement to the building. · CHCURC did receive the CNBD money to acquire the old Saba building, and it will be torn down. There will be more parking and an outdoor seating area for the Coffee Company. · A Task Force was established 2 months ago to develop a new plan for the Linden Park properties. The last marketing study, which is now on the website, proposed that the business district be improved in phases. The first phase was proposed to be increased retail. There is some indication that Trader Joe’s might be interested, as well as some other retail. CHCURC would like to see a destination or regional restaurant. The west side development is still slowed by the fact that there are still 2 years left on the Kroger lease. CHCURC invites everyone to read the Task Force’s report on the website, and to send any ideas.
9. College Hill Schools Updates Aiken High School – Phyllis Schoenberger The “Job Shadowing” initiative for their GE scholars is a new emphasis. More volunteers are needed from the community. Anyone who can help should call Karen or LaShanda Chapel at Aiken. Aiken has started recruiting for next year’s 9th grade class. Aiken hosted the Kenya children’s choir this past week. The 10 students were in town for a concert to raise funds for their orphanage, and to learn about typical school experiences of American students. Aiken now has a band for the first time in years. A band director has been hired, and with donations from the community, more than 35 students have uniforms and instruments. However, more students want to join the band and more instruments and donations are needed. Tom Strothers offered to put this request on the College Hill website once Phyllis provides additional information. M.O.R.E. (Men Organized, Respectful, and Educated) is looking for community service projects. Contact Karen Barrett if you have any ideas or proposals. The “Caught Doing Good” program is in need of donations of money or items. This program allows teachers to give coupons to student whom they “catch” doing something good, and the students can then exchange the coupons for small items such as flash drives, mechanical pencils, phone cards, or gift cards for food or clothing. Rick Schroer added that the young women of Aiken are coming to the Rec Center two days per week for about an hour each visit to participate in activities such as tutoring. So far, this has been a very positive experience.
Pleasant Hill Academy – Paula Sherman The Doughnuts & Dads program got off to a good start. About 75 Dads came to the first event. A Math Club is starting in January. A primary goal of Pleasant Hill is to find ways to improve Family Values out in the neighborhood. There will be free gift wrapping on Saturday, Dec 12, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. They are still pursuing the idea of getting Aiken students to help with the Rosie Reader program. They have started working with Karen Barrett at Aiken.
Whiz Kids – by Paula Sherman All kids will get a written report soon.
10. Library Update – by Arnice Smith Two part-time positions are open, and interviews are proceeding. Arnice recently interviewed a young man from the neighborhood who grew up coming the Library, and she was pleased to hire him. Circulation is up significantly at the local branch, including books. They recently added one more “How to Use the Internet” class.
11. Children’s Hospital Update – by Joan Burger Joan shared that she will be bringing additional staff to the January meeting, which will be her last Summit meeting.
12. College Hill Recreation Center – by Rick Schroer The Rec Center continues to look for volunteers to be at the front desk for a few hours per week. In January, the Rec Center will begin hosting Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts programs on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, from 4 – 5 pm. This will be done via grant money so that the programs are free to the children. Ric reported that the group working on developing a Youth Council is going to base it on a Willow Creek program which has a strong faith-based focus. They have already met with the Forum Board and will schedule to meet with the Ministerium next. They would like for the Youth Council to be overseen by the Ministerium.
13. Ministerium Update – by Fr. George Jacquemin Rev. Dan Weyand-Geise reported on the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The first week of hosting will be Jan 3-10. All needed beds have been purchased. Fr. George shared that over 200 people were given food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Ralph Williams will be taking Rev. Hagan’s place as Director of CCCH. The Building Bridges effort will be broadened to include businesses in the community.
14. Discussion Topic: Summit Meeting Locations for 2010 See attached schedule.
15. Community Activities and Announcements Ø Free Christmas gift wrapping at Pleasant Hill Academy, Dec 12, 9 am – 2:30 pm Ø Holiday Tours at Laurel Court – Saturday and Sunday, Dec 19 and 20, at 1 pm and 2 pm each day. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for students.
At the end of the meeting, Phyllis observed that nearly all the information sharing concerned the youth of College Hill. She suggested that the Summit would be a good place to collect all the information from each organization related to youth concerns, and she further suggested that everyone should send their actions and plans to Valerie & Ron to compile for the Summit for a future meeting. Tom Strothers added that CPOP would welcome input and ideas for how CPOP can positive affect the youth in the community.
Next Summit Meeting: January 14 @ 8 am at the College Hill Presbyterian Church.
Summarized by: Valerie Hershberger January 13, 2010 Revised January 19, 2010
Proposed Meeting Schedule
2010
General Meeting Time: Second Thursday of the Month, 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
Location Rotates
Tbd = to be determined
Tbc = to be confirmed |
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Tom Strothers, Webmaster |
