March 16 Meeting Minutes
President Michael Wigle opened the meeting at 7:35 pm at the Elberon United Methodist Church with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call:
√President: Michael Wigle; √Vice President: Patti Hogan; √Rec Secy: Tom Croft; exc Corr. Secy.: Tom Gamel; √Treasurer: John Ridder; √Membership Officer: Ginger Boller; √Director: Frank Hollister; √Director: Steve Klatte; √Director: John Lauck; √Director: John Schlagetter; √Director: Jim Turner; √Director: John Wall; √Trustee: Ted Bird, Jr.; exc Trustee: Ken Rothman; exc Trustee: Blanche Underwood
A quorum was established.
Minutes of the February 16, 2009 meeting were approved on a motion by Bob Pessler/Frank Hollister.
John Ridder submitted the report as of February 16, 2009:
Beginning Balance: $9,063.19
Memberships: $30.00
Interest income: $5.88
Other Income $ 0.00
Subtotal $9,099.07
Less Expenses $ 776.00
Ending balance $8,323.07
Reports were submitted by the following committees:
Membership Report Ginger Boller: 3 new members; 2 renewals
Correspondence – Tom Gamel was excused from the meeting.
Cincinnati Fire Dept. - Lt. Harper reviewed February emergency responses, and building and hydrant inspections.
Cincinnati Police Dept. – PO Jennifer Dawson, District 3 Neighborhood Liaison Officer reviewed EPH calls for service and crime reports. She noted that April is Auto Theft Prevention Month. She offered to arrange a crime prevention seminar, and asked us to call her to set a date if interested.
Probation – John Schwind reported on investigations and successful outcomes. He said that with warmer weather, their attention moves to the street, e.g., loitering by probationers.
Citizens on Patrol Patti Hogan noted COP fund raising coupons for TGI Fridays on March 26.
Neighborhood Support Program - Steve Klatte and John Lauck reported that our $7,000 proposal for 2009 was approved at the March 5 community review meeting; we should have the signed contract soon. We will have to contribute $200-$250 to a City liability insurance program.
Merit Grant Steve Klatte is working on a $2,000 Merit Grant application, which has several interesting possibilities. Contact Steve with your input.
Neighborhood Business District Support Program Tom Croft referred to his review of the 2009 program at the two previous regular meetings and in the newsletter. We will vote on the proposed budget for the $8,000 available in 2009 at our next meeting April 20. All East Price Hill residents may vote, not just EPHIA members.
Old Business
Neighborhood Stabilization Program - Frank Hollister said that Jamie Bass of Price Hill Will has identified 10 houses for rehab in the St. Lawrence area. 15 properties have been identified for demolition, mostly in the same area. After the application is approved, Price Hill Will will work to actually acquire 4 homes, and then rehab them. They also want to accomplish 8 demolitions.
Recycling Award Proposal - Jim Schenk laid out a proposal to advertise Price Hill: the Greenest Neighborhood in Cincinnati by a billboard on I-75 North at Harrison Avenue. Total cost would be $3,000. Jim proposes applying the $1,250 prize EPHIA won in the Get a Bin contest for this purpose. At an earlier EPHIA meeting, Jim was asked to come back with a specific proposal for use of the prize money. Price Hill Civic Club has approved this use of their $1,250 prize, and Price Hill Will will contribute the $500 balance. Jim Schenk/John Ridder moved that EPHIA use the $1,250 prize for the purpose described, which was approved unanimously.
New Business
Proposed Barge Terminal on Former Hilltop Site Tom Croft said that Queensgate Terminals continues to push hard for this proposal, which EPHIA voted to oppose in 2007. He reviewed the bases of our past opposition and reasons why these remain important. He said that Lower Price Hill Community Council voted unanimously on March 2 to oppose the barge terminal after a presentation by Queensgate Terminals representatives; Sedamsville and Riverside have also renewed their opposition, so a position by EPHIA is timely. Croft/Hollister made the following motion:
EPHIA will send a letter to City Council notifying them of our continued opposition to any industrial use on the City-owned site on River Road formerly owned by Hilltop Basic Resources, and in particular, the barge terminal proposed by Queensgate Terminals, LLC. We are opposed because of the damage it would do to ongoing efforts to redevelop area neighborhoods, and its strategic position as a gateway to and from the West Side, its location in the River Road view corridor from Mt. Echo Park, and its role as a vital link for the long-term development of a greenway and bikeway connecting our neighborhood to the rest of Cincinnati. We continue to strive for development that will make East Price Hill and Cincinnati an attractive place to live, work and play.
After discussion, EPHIA's membership voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
Cincinnati Police Department Comprehensive Study Questionnaire Pete Ridder noted that this was distributed at the last Price Hill Civic Club meeting. It surveys views on CPD operations in our area and is part of the accreditation standards the department must meet. Question is, why has EPHIA not been surveyed? Pete Ridder/Bob Pessler moved that EPHIA send a letter to the CPD Inspections Division asking why we have not been included and that this be remedied. Motion was unanimously approved.
Litter Randy Berning described appalling conditions in Price Hill, and his frustration in understanding City litter control programs. Calls to the City CSR at 591-6000, Litter Patrol and CPD produced contradictory responses. Randy Berning/Patty Hogan moved to invite Bill Jacoby, Litter Patrol Supervisor to make a presentation to EPHIA and answer questions and concerns.
Announcements
Matt Strauss, Price Hill Will Housing Coordinator distributed the PHW housing report. The community garden will be discussed at the PH Recreation Center April 1 at 6:30. Community Service Day is April 15; call if you have a project. PH Showcase of Homes is March 29, 12-4:00.
Patti Hogan reminded that the Great American Cleanup is on April 25. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful has challenged East Price Hill to double its volunteers to 150 people. We also need a volunteer in training to lead next year's effort; call Patti at 382-4532.
Jim Turner said that Green-Up Day at Mt. Echo Park is also on April 25.
City Council's Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee will hold a hearing on liquor license renewals April 8 at 10:00.
A motion to adjourn by Bob Pessler/Ginger Boller was approved at 8:45 pm.
Tom Croft, Secretary