Grove Place Association
September 20, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 40 Members, 1 Guest Speaker
Suzanne Mayer, President, welcomed members & guest to the first meeting of the 2015-16 year. Members each introduced themselves. Suzanne announced a special promotion from the YMCA for potential new members. Brochures available.
Meeting Minutes Approval: Past Meeting Minutes are posted on the GPA website. Formal minutes from the April, 2015 meeting will be emailed to members.
Treasurer’s Report: Membership fee(s) are currently due. An email was sent to members. Applications are available at this meeting. Currently the treasury has five thousand seven hundred seventy-five thousand dollars and eighty-three cents ($5,775.83). A twelve (12) month report is forthcoming.
Meeting Schedule for the Year: May have conflicts with popular local events. The next meeting is Oct. 18th, which is confirmed as City representatives will be guest speakers addressing snow removal in the City. Meetings scheduled in future months (after Oct.) are negotiable. Please email any concerns with the schedule to Suzanne.
The Executive Committee has discussed our Oktoberfest and annual holiday party celebrations. Since we cannot hold the holiday party at the Eastman dorms as has been done in the past and since the two events (Oktoberfest and holiday party) are so close together, the proposal from the Executive Committee is to have one celebration in mid-November. November 15th is available at Tavern 58’s party room. Members were asked to provide input to this proposal. One concern is missing the student entertainment. The suggestion was offered that we query whether the Eastman facility would be available to us if we paid for the meal. A suggestion was made that we might use Max’s atrium. As everyone agreed that we would like to have student entertainment regardless of the facility we use, Bill Martin volunteered to arrange the musical entertainment.
Guest Speaker: Karen Nelson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western & Central NY gave us good information regarding Planned Parenthood services as well as brief discussion of the current political climate. Members asked several questions and received good information on the agency as well as our ability to work together as neighbors.
Book Club Report: The next meeting of the GPA book club is Tuesday, October 20th at 7 pm at Tom and Jan Fink’s home, 145B Gibbs St. The novel to be discussed is The Train to Warsaw by Gwen Edelman. Nancy Martin has the Central Library copy at her home and would be happy to loan the book to anyone who wants to read it.
Hospitality Report: None. This afternoon’s reception is being held in the courtyard of Windsor Gate by the neighbors of that development.
Security Update: John Lovenheim reported that the PCIC met on September 16th. At that meeting it was reported that there had been eighteen (18) car break-ins in the St. Paul area which resulted in all four criminals being caught by police. Crime in our area is way down from previous months, however, a violin and a viola were stolen from an unlocked car. The Transit Center has been very quiet. As far as the recent report of a ‘device’ being used to open garage doors in the area, police indicated there is no evidence that such a device exists. A suggestion from a member is to run your fingers over the touch pad of your garage keypad after using it to eliminate any thermal evidence that a thief might use to determine your code. The Cadillac Hotel has been sold to two developers. Members who have witnessed drug sales in the neighborhood raised concerns. A concern was raised regarding a motorcycle gang and criminal activity on the East Main St. edge of the neighborhood.
A member pointed out that when the Red Shirts were discontinued we were assured by City officials that we would have police bicycle patrols in the neighborhood, yet there have been very few sightings of police patrols in the neighborhood. A member raised the question of whether or not we should hire our own security personnel. Suzanne will bring the issue to Executive Committee. Suzanne will also follow up on the suggestion that we talk with the U of R security personnel regarding their provision of some level of security within the neighborhood. Suzanne mentioned that the Fire Department has indicated a desire to come to one of the GPA meetings which she will arrange but that she will invite the police to come to a meeting to address our concerns.
Beautification/Artwork: Barbara Wager told members that the flowers for the neighborhood pots cost approximately five hundred dollars per year ($500). Another aspect of beautification is the banners we installed last year. The intent was to install more banners this year, particularly on University Ave., but this has not been accomplished. Roz Goldman and Barbara Wager walked the neighborhood inventorying and examining the Art and found that some of the Art pieces are in disrepair. There is a need to install more Art and the group was asked if they would approve between twenty-five hundred ($2,500) and three thousand dollars ($3,000) for an Art piece to be purchased and installed in the neighborhood. There was brief discussion of the donations members have made above and beyond the dues which they specifically contributed towards Art. The former and current treasurers have records of those contributions. Members unanimously approved the suggested amount and there was a suggestion that we should consider spending more money on an Art piece. Roz Goldman will proceed with seeking a work of Art and if the amount exceeds the suggested amount, it will be brought before the membership for discussion and approval prior to purchase. A concern related to Beautification was raised regarding the poor appearance of the sidewalks and streets in the neighborhood, with items such as leaves, bark and debris litter. Suzanne asked that any concerns regarding this be emailed to her. We will try to take a proactive approach to the issue.
Real Estate and Development Report: Kim Russell gave the group an update regarding Home Leasing’s building project on Charlotte St. There will be two phases: the first is the building of market-rate apartments on the lot and the second phase will be the erection of for-sale Townhouses. A description of some of the buildings’ exterior amenities was given. She also told members that an RFP (Request for Proposal) to developers for the portion of the Inner Loop that is being filled in has not yet been issued. Kim confirmed that Kirkpatrick’s (from Penfield) is opening another location in the building that was formerly Captain’s Attic.
Jim Martin updated members on development that has taken place in the former Monroe Litho properties. Storage Units will be ready to open in December 2015. The second floor of the building is being developed for office space with an opening date to be determined.
Jim announced that the City has declared the East Main corridor that back up to the apartments and townhouses being built on Charlotte St. as a ‘Super Fund’ site due to massive contamination from the dry cleaning business that was located within that area.
Other Concerns: The Code Enforcement Task Force was not active over the past summer. A general dissatisfaction was expressed concerning the City’s code enforcement process. The Task Force will be seeking information on what types of records are kept at 311 and what enforcement is there to complaints. In general, the feeling is that there is poor enforcement.
Suzanne commented that she sent members a copy of the Poverty Initiative report and encouraged members to read it. Childcare was a primary recommendation of the report.
There was a suggestion that we be more active in engaging neighbors who are not currently involved with the GPA to become members and to become more active in the neighborhood. This will be discussed in Executive Committee.
A general announcement was made encouraging members to attend the Grove Place Jazz Project on Tuesday evenings, 7-9 pm, at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. Entry is five dollars ($5.00) and the performances have been excellent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam DiPaola
Secretary
September 20, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 40 Members, 1 Guest Speaker
Suzanne Mayer, President, welcomed members & guest to the first meeting of the 2015-16 year. Members each introduced themselves. Suzanne announced a special promotion from the YMCA for potential new members. Brochures available.
Meeting Minutes Approval: Past Meeting Minutes are posted on the GPA website. Formal minutes from the April, 2015 meeting will be emailed to members.
Treasurer’s Report: Membership fee(s) are currently due. An email was sent to members. Applications are available at this meeting. Currently the treasury has five thousand seven hundred seventy-five thousand dollars and eighty-three cents ($5,775.83). A twelve (12) month report is forthcoming.
Meeting Schedule for the Year: May have conflicts with popular local events. The next meeting is Oct. 18th, which is confirmed as City representatives will be guest speakers addressing snow removal in the City. Meetings scheduled in future months (after Oct.) are negotiable. Please email any concerns with the schedule to Suzanne.
The Executive Committee has discussed our Oktoberfest and annual holiday party celebrations. Since we cannot hold the holiday party at the Eastman dorms as has been done in the past and since the two events (Oktoberfest and holiday party) are so close together, the proposal from the Executive Committee is to have one celebration in mid-November. November 15th is available at Tavern 58’s party room. Members were asked to provide input to this proposal. One concern is missing the student entertainment. The suggestion was offered that we query whether the Eastman facility would be available to us if we paid for the meal. A suggestion was made that we might use Max’s atrium. As everyone agreed that we would like to have student entertainment regardless of the facility we use, Bill Martin volunteered to arrange the musical entertainment.
Guest Speaker: Karen Nelson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western & Central NY gave us good information regarding Planned Parenthood services as well as brief discussion of the current political climate. Members asked several questions and received good information on the agency as well as our ability to work together as neighbors.
Book Club Report: The next meeting of the GPA book club is Tuesday, October 20th at 7 pm at Tom and Jan Fink’s home, 145B Gibbs St. The novel to be discussed is The Train to Warsaw by Gwen Edelman. Nancy Martin has the Central Library copy at her home and would be happy to loan the book to anyone who wants to read it.
Hospitality Report: None. This afternoon’s reception is being held in the courtyard of Windsor Gate by the neighbors of that development.
Security Update: John Lovenheim reported that the PCIC met on September 16th. At that meeting it was reported that there had been eighteen (18) car break-ins in the St. Paul area which resulted in all four criminals being caught by police. Crime in our area is way down from previous months, however, a violin and a viola were stolen from an unlocked car. The Transit Center has been very quiet. As far as the recent report of a ‘device’ being used to open garage doors in the area, police indicated there is no evidence that such a device exists. A suggestion from a member is to run your fingers over the touch pad of your garage keypad after using it to eliminate any thermal evidence that a thief might use to determine your code. The Cadillac Hotel has been sold to two developers. Members who have witnessed drug sales in the neighborhood raised concerns. A concern was raised regarding a motorcycle gang and criminal activity on the East Main St. edge of the neighborhood.
A member pointed out that when the Red Shirts were discontinued we were assured by City officials that we would have police bicycle patrols in the neighborhood, yet there have been very few sightings of police patrols in the neighborhood. A member raised the question of whether or not we should hire our own security personnel. Suzanne will bring the issue to Executive Committee. Suzanne will also follow up on the suggestion that we talk with the U of R security personnel regarding their provision of some level of security within the neighborhood. Suzanne mentioned that the Fire Department has indicated a desire to come to one of the GPA meetings which she will arrange but that she will invite the police to come to a meeting to address our concerns.
Beautification/Artwork: Barbara Wager told members that the flowers for the neighborhood pots cost approximately five hundred dollars per year ($500). Another aspect of beautification is the banners we installed last year. The intent was to install more banners this year, particularly on University Ave., but this has not been accomplished. Roz Goldman and Barbara Wager walked the neighborhood inventorying and examining the Art and found that some of the Art pieces are in disrepair. There is a need to install more Art and the group was asked if they would approve between twenty-five hundred ($2,500) and three thousand dollars ($3,000) for an Art piece to be purchased and installed in the neighborhood. There was brief discussion of the donations members have made above and beyond the dues which they specifically contributed towards Art. The former and current treasurers have records of those contributions. Members unanimously approved the suggested amount and there was a suggestion that we should consider spending more money on an Art piece. Roz Goldman will proceed with seeking a work of Art and if the amount exceeds the suggested amount, it will be brought before the membership for discussion and approval prior to purchase. A concern related to Beautification was raised regarding the poor appearance of the sidewalks and streets in the neighborhood, with items such as leaves, bark and debris litter. Suzanne asked that any concerns regarding this be emailed to her. We will try to take a proactive approach to the issue.
Real Estate and Development Report: Kim Russell gave the group an update regarding Home Leasing’s building project on Charlotte St. There will be two phases: the first is the building of market-rate apartments on the lot and the second phase will be the erection of for-sale Townhouses. A description of some of the buildings’ exterior amenities was given. She also told members that an RFP (Request for Proposal) to developers for the portion of the Inner Loop that is being filled in has not yet been issued. Kim confirmed that Kirkpatrick’s (from Penfield) is opening another location in the building that was formerly Captain’s Attic.
Jim Martin updated members on development that has taken place in the former Monroe Litho properties. Storage Units will be ready to open in December 2015. The second floor of the building is being developed for office space with an opening date to be determined.
Jim announced that the City has declared the East Main corridor that back up to the apartments and townhouses being built on Charlotte St. as a ‘Super Fund’ site due to massive contamination from the dry cleaning business that was located within that area.
Other Concerns: The Code Enforcement Task Force was not active over the past summer. A general dissatisfaction was expressed concerning the City’s code enforcement process. The Task Force will be seeking information on what types of records are kept at 311 and what enforcement is there to complaints. In general, the feeling is that there is poor enforcement.
Suzanne commented that she sent members a copy of the Poverty Initiative report and encouraged members to read it. Childcare was a primary recommendation of the report.
There was a suggestion that we be more active in engaging neighbors who are not currently involved with the GPA to become members and to become more active in the neighborhood. This will be discussed in Executive Committee.
A general announcement was made encouraging members to attend the Grove Place Jazz Project on Tuesday evenings, 7-9 pm, at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. Entry is five dollars ($5.00) and the performances have been excellent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam DiPaola
Secretary
