W.E.C.C. Minutes - February 19, 2008

President Shirley Colbert called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

Attendees
Shirley Colbert, Dave Petersen, Linda Petersen, Jenny Edwards, Maggie Moon, Jemelle Howard, Harry Bodley, Juanita Bohannon, Omar Childress, Robert Hall, Patricia Hubbard, Norm Kattelman, Kevin Lab (St. Vincent de Paul), Arbline Taylor, Tina Walter, Tom Walter, Jane Williams, Lt. Brett Isaac, Sgt. Heinnie, PO Corry, PO Princess Davis, PO Wisel, Tommie Blair, Michael Burson, Arthur Campbell, Shelly Cooke, Ellen Costanzo, Earl Crossland, Ben Fischer, Diego Jordan, Paul Komarek, Bobbie Laws, Kathy Luhn, Ralph Moon, Chris Nelms, Dr. Florence Newell, Tammi Nuber, Mike Poggemann, Walter Reinhaus, Bill Shefcik, Tyrone Smith, John M. Ash, Justin W. Conrad, Anne Deja, Dan Harrison, Ronald Haysbert, Sabine Kavesh, Jerome Kersey, Jennifer Moore, Michael Moore, Jennifer Ooms, David Reusch, Jesse Roland, Thomas Selzer
 54 attendees 

Secretary’s Report
January meeting minutes were read by Recording Secretary Linda Petersen. Minutes were accepted as read.

Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Corresponding Secretary Jenny Edwards reported receipt of the City Bulletins through February 12th; water bill for 916 Poplar Street; ArtWorks packet for Summer, 2008 jobs; Friends of the Collaborative update letter; Cincinnati Christian University invitation to February 27th luncheon; State of the City Speech invitation; the 3rd quarter Dept of Community Development & Planning Report, and the 2009-2010 Citizen Priority Request packet. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel announced Duke Energy proposed rate increase hearings at City Hall Council Chambers on February 25th at 3 pm and 6:30 pm. Zoning hearing announcements were received for 830 Ezzard Charles Drive (CCAT House) and 535 Charlotte Street. Both requests were denied. Liquor hearing for Queen Ann Grill & Bar is set for February 21st in Columbus. No new liquor permit holder challenges are planned. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful annual meeting for Spring Cleanup, April 26th, was attended by Jenny Edwards. At the 6th Annual Neighborhood Summit, the WECC table display reflected several neighborhood groups and Harry Bodley was recognized as a Good Neighbor Volunteer. Report accepted.

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Maggie Moon reported a beginning balance of $855.13 on January 1st and an ending balance of $858.13 on January 31st. Report accepted.

Financial Secretary’s Report
Financial Secretary Jemelle Howard enumerated the receipts and disbursements for the month of January. Report accepted.

Reports of Standing Committees
SAFETY: Lt. Isaac distributed and reviewed the Analyst Report, noting that violent crime for District 1 is down. He also introduced new officers to District 1: Sgt. Heinnie, PO Corry and PO Wisel.
POLITICAL EDUCATION: Dave Petersen reminded everyone to VOTE on March 4th. 
FINANCE: Dave Petersen reported that the WECC’s application for the $747.00 2006 AIG grant is being submitted to IIN.

Reports of Special Committees
WEST END HEALTH CENTER: Robert Hall announced that Diabetes Day is March 4th. All measures can be taken: please call to schedule an appointment at 621-2727. He also distributed flyers for the annual 100 Men Cooking on April 19th.

Other Speakers
BAYMILLER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE: Diego Jordan, Bill Shefcit and Mike Poggeman from the Dept. of Transportation & Engineering, described the repairs to be made to the Baymiller Pedestrian Bridge beginning June, 2008.
CIRV: Arthur Campbell reviewed the success the CIRV program is having.
HAUCK HOUSE: Kathy Luhn announced that there would be an Easter Egg Hunt at Hauck House. She is also planning a Summer Day Camp. For more information, please call Heritage Village at 563-9484.
WEST END LIBRARY: On March 31st the West End Library will host a film showing of “Midnight Ramble” from 6-8 pm.
MAXXTRAXX: Omar Childress encouraged everyone to visit MaxxTraxx at 1600 Central Parkway with its internet café, recording studios, and computer training center.

Unfinished Business
CITYLINK: Tom Walter reported that the motion to reconsider has been denied by the 3 judge panel. There has been no response to the appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. Rev. Strayhorn, pastor of Bright Star Baptist Church is hosting a status meeting to evaluate CityLink on February 21st. “The meeting is for West End Pastor and Clergy only.” 
2008 NSP PROJECTS: Dave Petersen presented the 5 NSP Project Summaries gathered from West End residents’ input since the December meeting (see attached). All 5 NSP Projects were voted together: 14 voted in favor, 0 opposed and 0 abstained. All members in attendance and all West End residents, members and non-members, were eligible to vote.

New Business
REIMBURSEMENT: The body of the WECC approved the Executive Board’s recommendation to reimburse Dave Petersen for the WECC Website startup expenses (registration of domain name and hosting expenses) not to exceed $100.00.
535 CHARLOTTE ZONING: The body of the WECC confirmed the Executive Board’s opposition to Conditional Use approval for a metal waste salvage yard on the property.
WECC MEMBERSHIP PETITION: The Executive Board’s recommendation to accept as a member, upon payment of dues, Ed Aug, was ratified by the body of the WECC.

Program
CPS representatives and the project architects presented the proposed plans for the new Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School to be rebuilt on the same site. The Members of the Board of Education have still not signed the commitment to rebuild Taft in the West End, although the November, 2007 Resolution was given to the WECC.

Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:31 pm

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W.E.C.C. NSP Project Summaries 2008

Project 1: Communication
$1,500.00
This is to create a website with Gateway Community and Technical College and to send flyers and news mailings to WECC participants who do not have internet access. This will enhance the WECC’s visibility and transparency. 

Project 2: Legal Defense Fund
$3,500.00
For the past two years, the West End Community Council has been fighting the
CityLink Center. Located on Bank Street, CityLink is trying to put a massive
homeless mall on the doorstep of our community. The WECC is party to a
lawsuit challenging the zoning and legal issues of the CityLink project.
This money will go to the CityLink Legal Defense Fund to pay some of the
future legal expenses of defending our community.

Project 3: Youth
$500.00
The West End Community Council will sponsor the following youth programs: Stop the Violence Event on September 13, 2008, Children’s Safety Event (date to be determined) and “Bookworm” Reading Program (date to be determined).

Project 4: Insurance
$1,000.00
The West End Community Council wants to protect its officers against lawsuits resulting from performance of their duties. We will obtain Directors’ and Officer’s Insurance for the West End Community Council officers.

Project 5: Beautification
$500.00
This is for garden supplies. The West End Community Council wants to beautify the traffic islands and community gateways in the West End at Linn and Central, at Linn and Court, and Bank and Winchell and at Findlay and Western.


$7,000.00

Linda Petersen
lpetersen@cinci.rr.com