Westcott East Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2009, Petit Branch Library

Next meeting:  April 13, 2009, 7 p.m., Petit Branch Library
	
Persons registering as in attendance: 
WENA Board: Munjed Essi (representing the Merchants Assn), Tony Gigliotti, Barbara Humphrey, 
Jill Ouikahilo, Lisa Salisbury, Charles Tremper, Marilyn Zaleon
WENA Members and Guests: Corey Driscoll, Harry Lewis, Dan McGuire, Steve Weigl.

Call of meeting to order and welcome: Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  
She mentioned that Starke Donnally remained at Rosewood Heights on Crouse.

Introductions and good news:  Charles reported he was doing much better, was using but one crutch 
and had walked to the meeting.  Jill Ouikahilo expressed confidence that the various zoning issues 
would be resolved by the end of March.  Henry mentioned SEUNA's annual meeting on March 18.  
M. Essi said so far there'd been no problems with folks attending events at the Westcott Theatre (and 
mentioned the need for trash containers on Westcott).  Marilyn exulted in a tax refund.  Tony said he 
was heading for Madrid (Spain) on Thursday.

Agenda review:  No additions made; Starke has the most comprehensive distribution list on his 
computer.

Approval of the minutes of the annual meeting: Tony moved and Jill seconded the approval of the 
minutes; motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer's report: Starke via Barbara who announced there had been no expenses posted; so far, she 
had paid the expenses for the annual meeting and for the post office box rental.

Board membership: In response to Barbara's announcing the need for a membership officer, both Jill 
Ouikahilo and Lisa Salisbury volunteered; Marilyn gave Jill the membership list.  To make up for an 
omission on the ballot used at the annual meeting, board members elected Charles Tremper to a two-
year term.

Committee reports: 
	Westcott Business District (Barbara Humphrey)
	Westcott Walking Patrol: will resume weekend of March 21.
	Sidewalk snow removal: Tony Gigliotti will introduce a resolution at the March 18 
mayoral forum calling for Syracuse to adopt the "Rochester plan" for financing 
street and sidewalk maintenance.  All property owners will be assessed an 
enhancement fee based on their street frontage; fees will fund street and sidewalk 
repairs/replacements and provide for snow removal from sidewalks.  Jill moved 
and Tony seconded that WENA support the resolution.  It passed unanimously.
	Neighborhood beautification:
	 Earth Day clean-up: Barbara will register WENA; members will take responsibility 
for the business district and seek help from SU students.
	UNSAAC funding: Barbara will verify the amount of the grant; monies will be used 
to replace deteriorating planters; idea of hanging baskets raised again as a way to 
prevent planters from being used for cigarette butts.
	Neighborhood safety:
	Steve Weigl reported that Westcott and surrounding streets had been largely safe and 
free of crime; nothing major to report
	In response to concerns raised about panhandlers, he responded that right now no 
laws were on the books to prevent this.  Merchants and others were urged to not give 
handouts which would discourage their lingering in the area.  Concerns raised  that 
some business patrons were being intimidated by panhandlers.
	Membership: see above.

Other reports:  
	Westcott Leadership Roundtable:
	Electronic calendar for events up and running
	Mission and purpose discussed
	University Neighborhood Partnership
Snow removal discussed as was the proposal for a smaller targeted Rochester Plan to 
fund removal in designated areas only.

Old business: None

New business:  
	WENA retreat: Alice Honig has offered to host the retreat, to be scheduled once Starke is again 
ambulatory.
	Spinella rezoning/Homestead Project parking waiver: Jill reported that the building needed 
uniform zoning; zoning issues were raised concerning the parking lot and the need for plants to screen 
the area.  She would also be seeking a waiver of the need to supply 21 parking spaces.
	SEUNA meeting and mayoral forum: WENA will seek reactions to the "Rochester plan." 
	City Living Expo: to be held April 25; volunteers sought to staff table.
	Jill reported that 224 Fellows had been purchased by Home Headquarters and would be rehabbed 
for sale by UNPA.
	Jill asked about street lights: lighting districts are established for the historic, more sidewalk 
illuminating lights.

Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Upcoming events/activities:
3/10:	TNT, 7 p.m., Levy School
3/15:	Credit Union annual meeting, 3-7 p.m., Westcott Community Center (WCC)
3/18:	SEUNA annual meeting, 7 p.m., WCC
3/24:	University Neighbors Lecture series (UNLS), 7:30 p.m., WCC
3/26:	WSCF planning meeting
4/13:	WENA, 7 p.m., Petit
4/16:	UNLS (Jennifer Baskerville-Burroughs)
4/24:	UNLS (Fred Fiske)
4/25:	Earth Day and City Living Expo
5/11:	WENA, 7 p.m., Petit
5/12:	TNT
5/17:	WCC kitchen tour
6/6 & 6/7:	WCC Art Trail
6/8:	WENA, 7 p.m., Petit
6/9:	TNT