Westcott East Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 13, 2009, Petit Branch Library

Next general meeting: Monday, September 14, 2009, 6:30 p.m., Location TBD

Persons registering as in attendance:
WENA Board:  Barbara Humphrey, President; Tony Gigliotti; Alice Honig, Grace 
McNanara; Joanne Waghorne; Marilyn Zaleon

WENA Members and Guests:


Call of meeting to order and welcome: Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order 
at 6:35 p.m.

Introductions: Those in attendance introduced themselves and provided addresses.

Approval of the minutes of the June meeting: Joanne moved and Alice Honig 
seconded that the minutes be accepted.  Passed unanimously.

Treasurer's report: No treasurer's report this month.

Program Initiatives:

	Westcott Business District Walking Patrol:  Tony, Starke and Barb were the 
WENA representatives at a meeting with the Westcott merchants on Monday, August 
10th.  Unfortunately, only one merchant attended.  There may be another attempt to meet 
on Wednesday, August 19th at 5:00 p.m.  Barb has given WENA's proposal for the 
Walking Patrol to the merchants and also presented to WENA members, who had no 
objections.

	Westcott Beautification Project: WENA members have been working the past few 
weekends to improve the planting along the business district.  The plantings will resume 
after the Westcott Street Cultural Fair (9/13). The kiosk set for installment in front of 
Mom's Diner is on its way and should be completed by the Fall.

	Civic Engagement/Outreach to Residents: Barb reviewed the "Who You Gonna 
Call List", which lists important numbers but also important issues with the 
corresponding department responsible for addressing those concerns.  Marilyn suggested 
adding "unshoveled sidewalks" to the list of concerns.  Tracy suggested checking the 
UNPA website to see how the information is formatted there, so that WENA does not 
need to "reinvent the wheel" in terms of distributing important numbers.  Barb will 
format door hangers with this information and the dates of future WENA meetings so 
that they can be distributed both door-to-door and at the Westcott Street Cultural Fair.

	Safety Report: Officer Weigl described the action taken against the graffiti artist 
that has been plaguing the business district.  Barb has tried to contact the artist who 
created the Seven Rays' mural, but has been unsuccessful thus far.  Officer Weigl asked 
that when Barb speaks with the artist, that she pass along Officer Weigl's contact 
information.

	Networking with other neighborhood organizations and the city: Barb described 
the TNT escrow money and the capital improvement projects.  Anyone interested or 
with any specific ideas should attend the next TNT meeting on Sept. 8th at 7pm.  
Location TBD.   

	Westcott Street Cultural Fair:  WENA will be sharing a table with SEUNA at this 
year's Westcott Street Cultural Fair.  WENA would like members to volunteer to staff 
the table.  Harry has the table, and Grace McNamara, Tracy and Rachel are willing to 
volunteer.  Barb moved that WENA donate $250 to the Westcott Street Fair, which was 
seconded by Alice Honig and passed unanimously.  Starke Donnally is the grand 
marshal of this year's parade, which begins at 12pm.  Barb asked for WENA members 
to volunteer to march with the WENA banner.  

Old/New Business

	This Whole House, the event sponsored by WENA, SEUNA and UNPA to 
educate neighbors on how to "weatherize" their homes will have a planning meeting on 
August 18th.   Anyone interested should attend.  The event will take place on Sunday, 
September 20th from 2pm to 4pm at Ed Smith School.

	2010-2011 UNSAAC Grant Requests:  Barb listed a number of possibilities for 
UNSAAC grant requests including materials/bags to do outreach, beautification efforts, 
amenities on Westcott Street (perhaps another kiosk?), a match for the TNT public art 
money to support the Westcott Community Center's proposal for an interactive 
sculpture, mural on the side of Mom's Diner, etc.  Anyone with additional ideas should 
bring them to the next meeting in September.

	Certificate of Suitability: There have been several rental property owners going 
before the Planning Commission to request Certificates of Suitability.  It is important 
that we view each application individually and remain involved in the process.

	WENA logo, t-shirts, bags: Rachel suggested a number of outreach ideas, 
including a perennial exchange, a block party with planting followed by a barbeque, a 
"block swap" (i.e. 200 block of Fellows meets the 100 block of Allen), and sharing labor 
through some type of organized exchange.  Paulette also mentioned the importance of 
addressing those people who are homebound or otherwise limited and trying to include 
them.  Alice also suggested creating a "WENA Good Neighbor Award."   

	The Next meeting will be Monday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m.  Barb will check 
with Jill and Biboti to see if the dance studio will be available.  

Announcements/Good News

	Harry announced that long-time University neighbor John Oldfield passed away.

	Corey announced that SU is installing a siren system as part of their campus 
safety plan.  The sirens have an approximate 1 mile radius and will be tested on 
Saturday, August 22nd.  After that, the plan at the moment is for the siren to be tested 
weekly, Saturdays at 1pm.

Upcoming Events
8/14. 15, 16 & 8/20, 21, 22, 23:  Shakespeare in the Park, The Tempest at Thornden Park 
Amphitheater
8/19 & Wednesdays through October, 2-7 pm:  Loguen Park Farmers Market
8/30:  Welcome back students
9/2:  Taste of Westcott Street
9/8:  TNT, 7 pm at Levy School
9/13, noon-6:30 pm:  Westcott Street Cultural Fair 
9/20, 2 pm, This Whole House, Ed Smith School