Westcott East Neighborhood Association October 10, 2011 DRAFT Meeting minutes NEXT MEETING: Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 Persons registering as in attendance: WENA Board: Starke Donnally, Tony Gigliotti, Alice Honig, Barbara Humphrey, Doug Roth, Charles Tremper, Damian Vallelonga, Joanne Waghorne, Marilyn Zaleon WENA members and guests: Chris Ballard, Ollie Clubb, Lois Dwyer, Officer Bruno Daniele, Jae Evangelisti, Kate Hammer, Howie Hawkins, County Legislator Sam Laguzza, Councilor-at-Large Nader Maroun, Councilor Marty Masteropole, John Murray, Carolyn Ostrander, Norm Roth, Tim Wright 1. Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order at 6:30 2. Welcome and introductions (no news please) 3. Presentation of September 12 minutes for approval: Barbara Humphrey. Joanne Waghorne moved and Charles Tremper seconded their approval, pending addition of Joanne to those at the September 12 meeting; passed unanimously. 4. Financial Report: Starke reported a balance of $1853+ including garage sale money and new memberships from the Fair. 5. Police storefront update: Officer Daniele began with good news in that the Street Fair had no incidents. However, the armed robberies in the Euclid area and streets to the south, as well as in the Salt Springs area, were continuing, with three more reported (on Harvard, Beattie, and Maryland). The suspects are black males, one taller, one shorter, wearing hoods; except for Beattie and Maryland, incidents occurred after midnight and are targeting students. In addition, burglaries continue with bicycles and electronics being targeted. Discussion turned to the registration of bicycles; information may be found on Syracuse Police Web site and the possibility of publicizing this at the Fair was raised. 6. Program/Outreach initiatives a. Networking with Other Neighborhood Organizations and the City i. WCC Newsletter Insert: None for November; Barbara said she would talk to Steve Sussman about running a notice concerning bicycle registration in the newsletter. ii. Westcott Leadership Roundtable (WLR): met with the mayor on Sept. 22. She asked for information on the Stickley House and Barbara will forward information from Damian and Charles. Nothing new on snow removal. Parking problems on Harvard, Cambridge, and Victoria were raised. Discussions turned to 911 and quality of service/operators. Proposal to have someone come to either WENA, or the October 24 meeting. b. UNP: Kate Hammer attended the September 19 meeting. There was an effort to include discussion regarding concerns from all areas represented, such as outer Comstock and Sherman Park. c. Westcott Business District i. Taste of India has opened ii. Norman Roth brought plans for the outdoor seating area between the proposed deli and sushi restaurants. Some 50-60 seats to be added. Bicycle parking area to be built. Some 40 parking places are available, 30 fewer than what is needed based on the seating; a waiver for the remaining 30 will be sought from the city. 7. Old/New Business a. Starke reported that Acts of Kindness provided help for gardening clean-up on Westcott and surrounding streets prior to the Fair; those working included students and WENA board members; local merchants provided food. b. Howie Hawkins presented a petition to the US Postal service to keep the W. Colvin Street office open and raised issues presented by City cutbacks in services, such as the Benderson Center. He stated that he is a candidate for 4th district Common Council, which includes a portion of the WENA area. c. Housing Visions proposed redevelopment of former Jewish Community Center site to build 50 units of housing for homeless veterans, to be run by the VA, which will screen tenants and provide support. Concerns were raised about the lack of 24-hour supervision. Members were assured that a 2nd meeting would be held for community input of the project. d. Gustav Stickley house: Barbara will forward letter and other information to the mayor; Damian will contact PACNY. e. Campus life now: no report. f. UNSAAC project updates: i. Merchant Association: Doug and Barbara have interviewed 3 of 4 candidates for the part-time consultant and hope to hire someone by the end of this week; plan to apply for additional UNSAAC funding to continue the project beyond this one year. ii. Historic Walking Tours: Sam Gruber has proposed Oct. 16 as the date for the first tour; wants a small group; no publicity so far. iii. Harvard Community Garden: UNPA will put up the $4500 for the fence and will be reimbursed through WENA; Jae Evangelisti offered the garden the possibility of placing the fence on his property to preserve plantings. Nader Maroun raised possible difficulties with using City funds for a fence on private property. g. 2012-2013 UNSAAC planning schedule: grant proposals due Nov. 3. h. Quality of life: Jae raised the possibility of a walking patrol whose re-establishment depends of there being a Merchant Association. It is unlikely the storefront hours will be significantly changed. i. Fundraising ideas for WENA: anyone with ideas should contact Barbara. j. Bike rack and public spaces projects: Damian reported they are still working on getting the 3 bids; installation may be delayed until spring. Grassy knoll project depends on changes to the S. Beech/Westcott intersection and creating a barrier with the gravel lot by the Boom Babies warehouse.. k. I-81 challenge: No discussion; information still being gathered as per Sam Laguzza. l. Remembrance Place: plans for memorial bricks still under development. 8. Announcements and good news: a. Damian reported early morning trash pick-ups with musical accompaniment have been held along Euclid to handle debris from late-night parties. b. Alice thanked Peter Wirth and others for the bulb give-away and plant exchange. c. Starke appreciated the Symphony Syracuse Concert; Sam Laguzza said the distribution of money to either the Symphony Syracuse or the Syracuse Philharmonic was in the hands of the Cultural Resources Council. 9. Upcoming Events: a. Eastside TNT: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m., IT at Levy. b. Westcott Community Center fundraiser, Oct. 21, 6 p.m., Drumlins. c. TNT Citywide Neighborhood Summit, LeMoyne College, Oct. 22.