Grove Place Association
November 23, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 35 Members, 3 Guests
Suzanne opened the meeting by welcoming new members and new neighbors.
Meeting Minutes Approval: A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 21, 2014 was made by John Goldman and seconded by Jack Eisenberg.
Treasurer’s Report: Rick McGrath gave the following report to the membership:
Balance Forward: $5,704.62
Deposits: 64 Individual Memberships $1,920.00
6 Business Memberships $ 210.00
38 Cookbook Sales $ 760.00
Beautification Fund $ 320.00
Art Fund $ 150.00
Oktoberfest (40 attendees) $1,000.00
TOTAL $4,360.00
Expenses: Cookbook Printing $1,362.96
Web Site $ 99.00
Rochester Education Fund $ 400.00
Oktoberfest Wine $ 90.00
Tavern 58 $ 929.50
YMCA Donation $ 325.00
TOTAL $3,2049.46
Current Balance: $6,858.16
Guest Speakers: Kim Russell Pier introduced guest Nelson Leenhouts & Megan Houppert who discussed and presented renderings of their proposed development of property on Charlotte St. The project will provide market rate housing. The speakers brought a letter of support that they suggested members who supported their proposal could sign.
Book Club Report: Nancy Martin announced that the next GPA Book Club discussion will be on Tuesday, December 9th at the home of Barbara Wager and Vern Hanson. The book is Ghostbread by Sonja Livingston and is a memoir that includes her experiences growing up in Rochester as well as nearby locations.
Hospitality Report: Mary Steward announced that the Holiday Party will be December 14th at the Eastman School dormitory. The Eastman School will be hosting us. Bill Marvin has lined up musical entertainment of a jazz trio from the school. The next meeting of the GPA is scheduled for January 25th, 2015.
Security Update:
· John Lovenheim and Dennis Wright have agreed to attend these meetings.
· All members are invited to attend a meeting on Dec. 17th at the Public Safety Building from 6-7:30 p.m. to learn about the reorganization of the Rochester Police Department, the Red Shirts, and the Business Improvement District.
· The City Plan is on the web and there is a proposal to create a new Service Center office (a 5th one), although it is unclear how this will settle out. (a 5th one) in Center City.
· Suzanne Mayer spoke to the Director of Student Housing at the Eastman School to caution students about locking doors, not leaving items visible in their cars, etc.
School 58 Update: Bob DiPaola announced that the renovations on School 58 are coming to a close and that the students will be moving into the building on February 23, 2015. The senior class that is graduating in June 2015 is the first graduating class ever at School 58. On December 12 at noon these students will be participating in a National expeditionary learning activity. They will walk from the school to the Post Office on Cumberland St. to mail college applications. Members were encouraged to show their support by cheering the students on their way. Suzanne informed members that part of the recommended plan within the Community Foundation’s Report on Poverty is for neighborhoods to join forces with the schools (in the neighborhood) to strengthen the Community. This is something GPA members have been working on for the past two years. Mary Steward told members about the plans for mentoring and tutoring services to be provided by the neighbors of School 58 when the students move back into the school.
Beautification/Artwork: There was no leaf pick up in the neighborhood. Sandy Shapiro informed that the GPA had a leaf blower for member use but that it has died and we will need to purchase a new one.
Neighborhood Walk-About: Several GPA members walked the neighborhood with City officials in October. There has been an issue with rats seen in parts of the neighborhood, especially around messy trash cans. City officials informed us that the County needs to address the problem. We were told that the City’s Parking Bureau monitors parking and if there is an issue with illegal parking we should call 311. The walk included a discussion of the grading of the property behind 150 University Ave. where there is a precipitous drop that is potentially dangerous. Members who participated in the “Walk-About” are waiting for a summary from Jeff West concerning property inspections, trash issues, the grading issue, safety concerns and property violations.
Real Estate and Development Report: Jim Martin reported that Vito Calzone’s property on University Ave. has been sold. He has not been able to verify yet what the new owner intends for the property. He reported that prices for real estate in the area are extremely variable. The property at 135 University where the Focus Pregnancy Center is located is owned by Windsor Trace, LLC. He also reported that taxes have been paid on the property that formerly belonged to the Windmere Tool & Die Co. which is on the market. A suggestion for a future meeting with Monroe Litho representatives to inform us on the possibilities for development of that property. Ed Sapher asked if members should push the City to put a median on University Avenue. Some thoughts brought up by members were that a median might interfere with the bike lane or that a median might interfere with large trucks being able to enter/exit Buckpitt or Planned Parenthood.
Guest: Suzanne Mayer introduced a guest, Angela M. Gaines-Palmer, Legislative Aid to Michael Patterson, our City Council representative. Ms. Gaines explained that Mr. Patterson would like to know ‘what we want’. She was asked for information on the possibility of waiving the Certificate of Occupancy for a single family home. The problem of absentee landlords and the lack of maintenance of their properties was raised. It was pointed out that the fines for lack of maintenance that the City levies are so low that it’s cheaper for landlords to pay the fine than to clean up the property. What can be done about the fines being too low? Do we approach City Council regarding adjusting the rates to the current economic standards or perhaps charge the fines per unit vs. per property? Repair of sidewalks was brought to Ms. Gaines attention. Members would like to know what happened to Phase II and Phase III at Manhattan Square Park. Ms. Gaines said that Mr. Patterson prefers to have communication in writing via email so that he can pursue the issue with the appropriate personnel and follow up with the concerned citizen.
Other Concerns:
· Update on quadrant team: block associations are returning and they are organizing for action.
· There is a Block Club Convention scheduled December 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frederick Douglass Resource Center, 36 King St. The purpose is to improve the speed with which City Council handles items; how they prioritize items that come before City Council.
· The Center City Plan (Central Design Plan) can be viewed at citygovernment.plan.
· There is a senior/graduate student recital on Dec. 5th. Steve Whitman has sent the information out via email.
· RPO League is having a competition in March for students. They need volunteers.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam DiPaola
Secretary
November 23, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 35 Members, 3 Guests
Suzanne opened the meeting by welcoming new members and new neighbors.
Meeting Minutes Approval: A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 21, 2014 was made by John Goldman and seconded by Jack Eisenberg.
Treasurer’s Report: Rick McGrath gave the following report to the membership:
Balance Forward: $5,704.62
Deposits: 64 Individual Memberships $1,920.00
6 Business Memberships $ 210.00
38 Cookbook Sales $ 760.00
Beautification Fund $ 320.00
Art Fund $ 150.00
Oktoberfest (40 attendees) $1,000.00
TOTAL $4,360.00
Expenses: Cookbook Printing $1,362.96
Web Site $ 99.00
Rochester Education Fund $ 400.00
Oktoberfest Wine $ 90.00
Tavern 58 $ 929.50
YMCA Donation $ 325.00
TOTAL $3,2049.46
Current Balance: $6,858.16
Guest Speakers: Kim Russell Pier introduced guest Nelson Leenhouts & Megan Houppert who discussed and presented renderings of their proposed development of property on Charlotte St. The project will provide market rate housing. The speakers brought a letter of support that they suggested members who supported their proposal could sign.
Book Club Report: Nancy Martin announced that the next GPA Book Club discussion will be on Tuesday, December 9th at the home of Barbara Wager and Vern Hanson. The book is Ghostbread by Sonja Livingston and is a memoir that includes her experiences growing up in Rochester as well as nearby locations.
Hospitality Report: Mary Steward announced that the Holiday Party will be December 14th at the Eastman School dormitory. The Eastman School will be hosting us. Bill Marvin has lined up musical entertainment of a jazz trio from the school. The next meeting of the GPA is scheduled for January 25th, 2015.
Security Update:
· John Lovenheim and Dennis Wright have agreed to attend these meetings.
· All members are invited to attend a meeting on Dec. 17th at the Public Safety Building from 6-7:30 p.m. to learn about the reorganization of the Rochester Police Department, the Red Shirts, and the Business Improvement District.
· The City Plan is on the web and there is a proposal to create a new Service Center office (a 5th one), although it is unclear how this will settle out. (a 5th one) in Center City.
· Suzanne Mayer spoke to the Director of Student Housing at the Eastman School to caution students about locking doors, not leaving items visible in their cars, etc.
School 58 Update: Bob DiPaola announced that the renovations on School 58 are coming to a close and that the students will be moving into the building on February 23, 2015. The senior class that is graduating in June 2015 is the first graduating class ever at School 58. On December 12 at noon these students will be participating in a National expeditionary learning activity. They will walk from the school to the Post Office on Cumberland St. to mail college applications. Members were encouraged to show their support by cheering the students on their way. Suzanne informed members that part of the recommended plan within the Community Foundation’s Report on Poverty is for neighborhoods to join forces with the schools (in the neighborhood) to strengthen the Community. This is something GPA members have been working on for the past two years. Mary Steward told members about the plans for mentoring and tutoring services to be provided by the neighbors of School 58 when the students move back into the school.
Beautification/Artwork: There was no leaf pick up in the neighborhood. Sandy Shapiro informed that the GPA had a leaf blower for member use but that it has died and we will need to purchase a new one.
Neighborhood Walk-About: Several GPA members walked the neighborhood with City officials in October. There has been an issue with rats seen in parts of the neighborhood, especially around messy trash cans. City officials informed us that the County needs to address the problem. We were told that the City’s Parking Bureau monitors parking and if there is an issue with illegal parking we should call 311. The walk included a discussion of the grading of the property behind 150 University Ave. where there is a precipitous drop that is potentially dangerous. Members who participated in the “Walk-About” are waiting for a summary from Jeff West concerning property inspections, trash issues, the grading issue, safety concerns and property violations.
Real Estate and Development Report: Jim Martin reported that Vito Calzone’s property on University Ave. has been sold. He has not been able to verify yet what the new owner intends for the property. He reported that prices for real estate in the area are extremely variable. The property at 135 University where the Focus Pregnancy Center is located is owned by Windsor Trace, LLC. He also reported that taxes have been paid on the property that formerly belonged to the Windmere Tool & Die Co. which is on the market. A suggestion for a future meeting with Monroe Litho representatives to inform us on the possibilities for development of that property. Ed Sapher asked if members should push the City to put a median on University Avenue. Some thoughts brought up by members were that a median might interfere with the bike lane or that a median might interfere with large trucks being able to enter/exit Buckpitt or Planned Parenthood.
Guest: Suzanne Mayer introduced a guest, Angela M. Gaines-Palmer, Legislative Aid to Michael Patterson, our City Council representative. Ms. Gaines explained that Mr. Patterson would like to know ‘what we want’. She was asked for information on the possibility of waiving the Certificate of Occupancy for a single family home. The problem of absentee landlords and the lack of maintenance of their properties was raised. It was pointed out that the fines for lack of maintenance that the City levies are so low that it’s cheaper for landlords to pay the fine than to clean up the property. What can be done about the fines being too low? Do we approach City Council regarding adjusting the rates to the current economic standards or perhaps charge the fines per unit vs. per property? Repair of sidewalks was brought to Ms. Gaines attention. Members would like to know what happened to Phase II and Phase III at Manhattan Square Park. Ms. Gaines said that Mr. Patterson prefers to have communication in writing via email so that he can pursue the issue with the appropriate personnel and follow up with the concerned citizen.
Other Concerns:
· Update on quadrant team: block associations are returning and they are organizing for action.
· There is a Block Club Convention scheduled December 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frederick Douglass Resource Center, 36 King St. The purpose is to improve the speed with which City Council handles items; how they prioritize items that come before City Council.
· The Center City Plan (Central Design Plan) can be viewed at citygovernment.plan.
· There is a senior/graduate student recital on Dec. 5th. Steve Whitman has sent the information out via email.
· RPO League is having a competition in March for students. They need volunteers.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam DiPaola
Secretary
