Grove Place Association April 24, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 22 members Meeting Minutes: Meeting Minutes will be posted on the GPA website. Treasurer’s Report: No report this meeting. Book Club Report: The next meeting of the GPA Book Club will be May 10th at the Martin’s home. The discussion is of the book, “My Name is Lucy Barton”. Everyone is welcome. Hospitality Report: The President announced that there is no host for the after meeting reception for the next and final meeting of the GPA; Chris & Steve Whitman generously volunteered to host. Beautification/Artwork: The City’s Clean Sweep will be taking place on April 30th. Dennis Wright is our Team Leader. We are to meet in front of 10-7 Selden St. Members are advised to bring yard tools. Refreshments for the event will be provided; coffee by arrangement with Press Coffee and donuts via the Martin’s at GPA expense. Clean up is from 9 a.m. to noon. Barbara Wager told the group that flowers will be coming soon to the neighborhood pots. The Eastman School has been provided with our proposal regarding the installation of a major art piece on their property (we are asking that they pay for the foundation work and the lighting) but we have not had a response as of yet. Real Estate and Development Report: Jim Martin announced that 142 University Ave.; 146 University Ave., and 150 University Ave. are in foreclosure. Members asked about the property at 124 University with some speculation that there may be interest from an unknown buyer. There has been no update on prospected development of Block F. Election: The GPA Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers to serve from July 2016 through June 2018: President: Jack Eisenberg Vice-Presidents: Bob Keck Jan Fink Treasurer: Rick McGrath Secretary: Kim Pond
A motion was made to approve the candidates and was seconded.
Major Concerns: The Mayor has proposed development of a downtown casino to be built on the Parcel 5 site at Midtown. It is felt that this needs to be discussed a s a neighborhood organization. During discussion it was suggested that a Survey Monkey be developed for members to give input. It was suggested that research be done to find the document that was distributed the last time a casino in Rochester was proposed. It was suggested we gain the reaction of the Eastman School administration. The password for the website available only to members was distributed to those attending. Suzanne Mayer will see that an email goes out to members not in attendance regarding participation in the survey and access to the password. A general poll of those in attendance was unanimous in opposition to the casino. The Mayor is also proposing closing the Inner Loop entirely. Apparently there is money for a study to determine feasibility of closing the entire Loop. It was recommended that the GPA obtain a copy of the grant application. It is generally acknowledged by members that many people use the North end of the Inner Loop and that we need to look at the traffic pattern to be established if the Loop is closed as to where that traffic will be funneled. It was also recommended that we look at the crime statistics from the “Neighbors to the North” to be aware of how our neighborhood might be influenced, positively or negatively, if the Inner Loop is closed in. Announcements/Other Concerns: The Southeast Quadrant is undertaking two projects: how libraries can better serve the public and code enforcement. A concern was raised regarding loud noise at late hours or during the night; members were advised to call the police. Julia Powers has updated the GPA website The GPA is in fact a 501 (c ) (3) organization. The credential has been given to the Treasurer. Although we are able to provide input to the City’s Budget Proposal, members have experienced that the system is unorganized, making it difficult to do so. On April 26th, there is a meeting of the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative. On June 6th, there is a Neighborhood Public Market Meeting regarding the proposed changes to the Public Market. Members are invited to participate. On May 24th the Jazz Project will host a faculty concert at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Members are encouraged to view the rocgrowth.com website. Chris Kowalski announced new programs at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. The theatre will be looking at alternative funding for the outside façade of the theatre. It was suggested that the Finger Lakes Regional Council might be able to provide assistance in this pursuit.