SUMMIT MEETING NOTES

September 10, 2009

Location:  1^st United Church of Christ

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.   Follow up with Ron Whitt about status of Youth Council.                           Ron Cowgill

2.   Send out flyer on free light bulb replacement program                                  Sr. Barbara

to Sheena Parton and Valerie Hershberger.

3.   Start working on meeting locations for Summit for 2010.                             Ron Cowgill

4.   Contact CH Gardeners if interested in volunteering to help                                All

with Pumpkin Patch.  Help needed!

5.   Tell McAuley High School of any needs/opportunities for                                  All

community service projects.

6.   Contact Arnice if interested in volunteering at the CH Library,                          All

or to help support getting the levy passed this fall.

ATTENDEES:  (in alphabetical order)

Name                                                               Organization Represented

Pete Bauer                                                       CHCURC

Jim Bodmer                                                     CPOP/COP/Court Watch

Sr. Barbara Busch                                           WIN

Ron Cowgill                                                    Facilitator

Brad Hammond                                              CHCURC

Karen Hartman                                               CHBA

Valerie Hershberger                                        Facilitator

Fr. George Jacquemin                                     Ministerium, St. Clare Catholic Church

Officer Katrina Neal                                       CPD, Dist 5

Sheena Parton                                                 CHBA

Arnice Smith                                                   CH Library

Rev. Drew Smith                                            Ministerium, CHPC

Cheryl Sucher                                                 McAuley High School

Officer Carol Walker                                      CPD, Dist 5

Rev. Dan Weyand-Geise                                CCCH, Ministerium

AGENDA

Welcome and Introductions

Host Greetings

Opening Prayer

Special Announcements

Previous Minutes Review/Approval

Action Items From Previous Meetings

CPOP/COP/CPD

CHCURC Update

CHBA Update

Schools Updates

Whiz Kids Initiative

Library Update

Ministerium

Housing Team Update

Discussion Topic: Becoming Green

Community Activities & Announcements

DISCUSSION:

1.   Special Announcements

None.

2.   Review of August 2009 Minutes
The August minutes will be approved at the October meeting.

3.   Review of Action Items from Previous Meetings

None.

4.   Citizens on Patrol/CPD/Probation/Court Watch – by Officer Katrina Neal and Jim Bodmer

EZ Market area continues to be an issue.  The owner of the property wants to sell.

Hamilton Ave between Marlowe and Cedar seems to collect troublemakers from early in the morning until late at night.

There was a marijuana bust on Marlowe thanks to a citizen tip that someone was growing marijuana in their home.  The Police followed up on the tip and made an arrest.

There have been a lot of break-ins on Connecticut.  Two men were recently arrested whom the police believe are serial burglars; one man has been charged with 13 incidents, the other with 6 incidents.

Truancy has been a significant issue since school started.  If you observe teens roaming around who really should be in school, you can either call Aiken or call the police at 363-0003.

Two of District 5 Officers (Governor Williams and Katrina Neal) are Crime Prevention Specialists, certified through the state of Ohio.  They can come and do an audit to help you develop appropriate security measures.

5.   CHBA Update – by Karen Hartman

The next regular monthly CHBA meeting is this coming Wednesday at Hammond North at 8 am.  You do not have to be a business owner to participate.

CHBA continues to be focused on finding new businesses to move into College Hill, particularly on Hamilton Ave in the Business District, and on building up the existing businesses.

6.   CH Gardeners – by Karen Hartman

The annual Pumpkin Patch (on October 10) really needs volunteers to do everything from helping to sell tickets ahead of time to helping kids with crafts at the Patch.  More than 500 people attend each year, and this has become a great event for the community. 

7.   CHCURC Update – by Pete Bauer

Pete reviewed a number of items:

o       The community agreed to the  proposed Episcopalian Residential Home at the special meeting on the 18th.   The next steps include ERH applying to HUD for funding, and proceeding with planning of the actual facility.

o       CHCURC is still working on the acquisition of the old car wash.  They are looking for RFP’s (Request for Proposal).

o       There will be a hearing regarding the house on Belmont that has been chronically in need of repair.  The owner is trying to get a 1 year extension for renovation.

o       The Rhythm Race was very successful, with more runners and taking in more money than last year.  Planning is starting already for next year, and dates under consideration are Aug 7 or 14.  Aug 7 comes at the end of the week of the Block Party and National Nite Out, and there may be opportunity for synergy.  More discussions will be proceeding with those who plan the annual Block Party event.

o       The City has requests of $6 million for the CNBDU program, but only a $2 million budget.  The CHCURC proposal to acquire and tear down the Saba building has been favorably received, but because of budget constraints, will probably have to proceed in phases.  Phase 1, this year, would be to purchase the building.   Phase 2, next year, would be demolition.

o       CHCURC would like to see an electronic community sign in College Hill, that could easily be used to advertise community events, and easily be kept up to date.   Funds will need to be found.

o       CHCURC is continuing to track city plans for Gray Road Zoning.   Light industry continues to be an important element in the thinking.

o       CHCURC is thinking of sponsoring a pig roast on the same day next year (2010) as the Pumpkin Patch.   The idea would be to have the pig roast in the evening, after the Pumpkin Patch activities are done for the day.  The next step is to have more conversation with the CD Gardeners about this idea.

On a positive note, it was reported that a young couple bought a blighted house on Hollywood with the intention of remodeling and flipping, but have decided instead to remodel and move in.   This is great news.

8.   College Hill Schools Updates

McAuley Academy –  Cheryl Sucher

Last year, McAuley experimented with having exams before Christmas instead of after Christmas.   This was very positive for students, teachers, and parents, so the schedule change has been made this year too.  It did require that school start a little earlier.

McAuley has soccer games every Wednesday, and Volleyball every Tuesday & Thursday.   The community is welcome to attend the games.

This is the second year for the new program of providing incoming 9^th graders with tablet PC’s.  All their books are now online, although they are also provided actual textbooks to take home and have if needed.

McAuley continues to host events by the Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society (www.gcparts.org) in the new auditorium.  People attend the events from all over the city.  Cheryl pointed out that this is a great opportunity for the community to share information about College Hill to a broad audience.  She handed out a flyer for the GCPAS.

Cheryl indicated that the school knows someone who is very interested in acquiring the property at Cary & Lathrop if it is every auctioned.  Please let her know if this property becomes available.

And, finally, Cheryl reminded everyone that students at McAuley are available for community service projects.

Pleasant Hill Academy

Even though no one was present at the meeting from Pleasant Hill, a couple of people had information to share relative to the school.

First, as a result of the last Summit meeting, both CHBA and CHCURC donated money to Pleasant Hill for uniforms.

Second, the Whiz Kids program that we heard about from Missi Kershner at the July Summit meeting, is getting underway.  Tutor training was held at the school last night (Sept 9) with about 20 volunteers.  Most of these volunteers are from College Hill Presbyterian Church, and Missi wants to come to a Ministerium meeting to talk about the program and request help in getting volunteers from other churches in the community.

9.   Library Update – by Arnice Smith

Arnice reported that if the upcoming levy this fall does not pass, half of the county’s libraries will close.  Which ones has not been shared.  Arnice handed out a sign up sheet for volunteers to help campaign for “Save Our Public Library”.   On a positive note, circulation is up for the last 4 months, primarily in books rather than media. 

There continues to be a large influx of kids into the Library as schools let out, around 2:15 pm.  Usually 100 to 150 kids show up.

10. Ministerium Update – by Fr. George Jacquemin

The Ministerium was active in National Nite Out, significantly participating in two of the days. 

The continue to work on the Interfaith Hospitality Network, in which churches temporarily host homeless families.   The first 4 week program will be early next year.  Response has been very positive, and all dates are filled with volunteers.

The Ministerium has begun planning for the annual MLK day service.

Two churches are celebrating their 100^th anniversary this year: St. Clare and College Hill Christian Church.  St. Clare is planning a walk on Oct 4 from the Town Hall to the church at 9:30 am, in remembrance of how the church started worship services in the Town Hall until the church building was completed.  Oct 11 will be a day of celebration for College Hill Christian Church.

CCCH has found a new Director, Ralph Williams, who will start in October.  CCCH has had a strong year in programs partnered with End Zone and City Cure, and expects to continue this under Ralph’s leadership.

11. College Hill Housing Team – by Sr. Barbara Busch

WIN will start soon on a new house at the corner of Cedar and Lantana.  The contract is signed with a builder, and the City has issued the permit.  WIN has also signed a contract for rehabbing a house on Lantana.

The City has the contract ready for the NSP funds, and Sr. Barbara will go downtown to sign it this week.  WIN will get funding to help do four houses, which must be done within 2 years.  Sr. Barbara is optimistic that 4 houses will be done much faster than that.

There was some additional discussion about the impact of the current economic situation on College Hill. Sr. Barbara reported that foreclosures have increased all over the neighborhood, with a negative impact on many streets.  Llanfair Retirement Center is concerned about the nearby streets of Davy and Winthrop, which have had many foreclosures.  40 families at McAuley have been significantly impacted by the loss of a job by a parent.  Donations are also less than in previous years. 

12. Discussion Topic: Interracial Relations    

The discussion began with Rev Drew talking about the question that had been raised to the Ministerium: how can the Building Bridges program, with positive results in the churches, be expanded or reapplied to the community at large?  Drew shared he has been talking to various people in the community, as well as to secular experts.  A key piece of advice he has received is to get together the leaders of all the various factions, and have them put together the plan, or it will fail.

This sparked some additional discussion:

-          Some felt that this had been tried several times over the last 30 years, through the Forum, and it didn’t work.  They felt they just did not know what else to do. 

-          Some felt that the short term and long term success of the Business District depended on being successful with improved racial relations in the community. 

-          Someone shared that African Americans needed to see and interact with white leaders in daily life, not just at meetings.   Daily contact and conversation are needed between the races.

-          Another point of view was that these relationships need to start with younger people, and a good approach would be for adult (whites) to volunteer and participate in the many good programs for kids, like Whiz Kids.

-          Starting with kids can also be a means of connecting to the parents.

Drew summarized what he heard in the discussion, highlighting a few key points:

·         Any initiative needs to be something new and different, so that whites and blacks are starting it together.

·         It needs to be future-oriented.

·         It needs to “connect the dots”, ie, be clear and specific about this benefits all of us in College Hill.

·         It has huge roots in history, which needs to recognized even while not dwelling there.

·         There is strong intent and desire around the table for interracial relations to work well in College Hill, and strong frustration that they do not.

14. Community Activities and Announcements

Ø      CCDA’s annual national convention will be held in Cincinnati Oct 21-25 this year.   Anyone interested in Christian faith-based community development can go to their website (ccda.org) to sign up.   Evening plenary sessions are free.

Ø      Blood Drive at St. Clare Parish Center on Nov 9.

Ø      Pumpkin Patch will be Oct 10.

Ø      1^st UCC’s Churchapalooza will be Oct 4, from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  A main highlight will be a pig roast.  This event raises money for the church’s mission partners, including Christ’s Community.

Ø      Duke Energy and WIN have partnered to create an initiative to help people become more green and lessen their carbon footprint by replacing light bulbs.  Residents can get up to 12 free CFL bulbs  to replace current incandescent bulbs in their homes.  Sr. Barbara has a flyer that she will email to Sheena to post at Llanfair, and to Valerie for sending out to the Summit distribution.

Next Summit Meeting: October 8 @ 8 am at the College Hill Library. 

                                                                                                Summarized by:

                                                                                                Valerie Hershberger

                                                                                                September 10, 2009

Summit Meeting Schedule

2009

General Meeting Time: Second Thursday of the Month, 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Location Rotates