Westcott East Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes June 8, 2009, Petit Branch Library Next general meeting: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, 7 p.m., Petit Branch Library Persons registering as in attendance: WENA Board: Starke Donnally, Eva Essi (representing the Merchants Assn), Luz Encarncion, Alice Honig, Barbara Humphrey, Biboti Ouikahilo, Lisa Salisbury, Charles Tremper, Joanne Waghorne, Marilyn Zaleon WENA Members and Guests: Corey Driscoll, Sam Laguzza, Steve Weigl, Evan Weissman, Peter Wirth. Call of meeting to order and welcome: Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. Introductions: Those in attendance introduced themselves and provided addresses. Approval of the minutes of the Retreat: Lisa Salisbury offered the correction to p. 3, the last item under Meeting structure, that Charles was to help keep meetings on track. With that correction, Lisa moved and Alice Honig seconded that the minutes be accepted. Passed unanimously. Treasurer's report: After thanking Walley Francis, Starke Donnally presented the May 31 report. Both membership and dues income were less than budgeted and the report showed a net loss. Election of WENA officers: Alice Honig moved and Luz Encarncion seconded that the slate of officers (Barbara Humphrey, president; Lisa Salisbury, vice president; Charles Tremper, secretary; Starke Donnally, treasurer) be accepted. Passed unanimously. Brief report from the WENA retreat: Barbara highlighted the following: Civic engagement to deal with issues and person-to-person outreach are 2 main purposes of WENA. Meetings to begin ˝ hour earlier with greater efforts to maintain focus and momentum at meetings. Westcott history to be worked on (Tony G and Charles T) New logo to be developed. Other organizations have come into begin since WENA was founded (Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today (TNT), University Neighborhood Partnership (UNP), Westcott Leadership Roundtable (WLR), University Neighborhood Preservation Assn (UNPA), etc.) Alice raise quality of life concerns with an emphasis on abandoned houses. Barbara suggested TNT was an appropriate venue to raise this issue. While this is a city-wide issue, Luz emphasized the need for the Eastside to be vocal with their concerns; money is available to deal with the issue. Program Initiatives: Westcott business district: Eva Essi expressed appreciation for the extended Walking Patrol and mentioned the problem with graffiti, emphasizing that prompt removal discourages repeat offenses. She also spoke of her willingness to offer mural space at the side of Mom's as a way to engage those "tagging" in the neighborhood. Westcott Beautification Project and UNSAAC funding (to be spent by June 30). Peter Wirth mentioned the plans to plant and mulch around the tree basins. Plant material could be purchased by the 30th and planted later. The need for screening the parking lot was also raised. Outreach to residents: information and WENA bags. After Lisa reported the expense of purchasing bags, the group decided to defer it pending additional cost information. After lengthy discussion, it was decided to focus on an informational door hanger with WENA and other neighborhood and city information (businesses, city and county phone numbers, etc.) Attendees were asked to send additional ideas as to what to include to: wenanation@gmail.com . Building on Lisa's proposal to work on connecting residents to WENA "block-by- block" the group decided to host an event on the 100 block of Harvard sometime in August (before the State Fair and fall start of classes—most likely the 17th or 20th). Informational door hangers will be distributed to each house. The new community garden will be yielding its harvest by then. Safety report: Officer Weigl submitted a written report. Questions were raised concerning incidents of petty theft on Columbus and which cars end up being ticketed for parking violations. Networking with other neighborhood organizations and the city: Written reports were distributed summarizing meetings of TNT, UNP, and WLR. Marilyn amended the WLR report to the effect that a representative of the Thornden Park Association was also in attendance. Syracuse Grows: Evan Weissman reported on the progress of the Harvard Place community garden highlighting the availability of communal and individual plots and the need for money for fencing, a sign, and the building of more raised beds. Old/new business Petit Library Summer Reading Program donation request: Lisa Salisbury moved and Joanne Waghorne seconded that WENA donate $250.00 to the program; passed unanimously. This Whole House: workshop to be held in early September at the home of Michael and Grace Flusche and focusing on improving home energy efficiency. Barbara and Starke will be the WENA contacts. Marilyn asked if WENA would be donating to the Westcott Cultural Fair. Barbara replied that WENA had not yet been asked. SEUNA and WENA will share a table at the Fair as in years past. Tour of Homestead studio: scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. Westcott Walking Patrol: Spring patrol extended unilaterally without approval by participating officer. Use of retired police officers will be investigated. Merchants will be asked to monitor the patrol. WENA will shepherd application for 2009/2010 through the process. Merchants will be responsible for the 2010/2011 application process. Annoucements / good news / upcoming events 6/9: TNT, 7 p.m., Levy School 6/13:ACTS training, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Bishop Harrison Center 6/21: Thornden Park Garden tour, 1-4 p.m., register at Thornden Park field house. 6/23: Mayor town hall meeting at Levy School, 6:30 p.m. 6/24: Eastside Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., Loguen Park (and every Wednesday through October) 8/8: 2nd annual community fair, noon-6 p.m. at 1201 East Fayette. 8/13: WENA, 6:30 p.m. at Petit Library 9/13: Westcott Street Cultural Fair, noon-6:30 p.m.