EPHIA Meetings
Membership meetings are held at 7:30 pm the third Monday of each month except for July and August at the Elberon United Methodist Church, 704 Elberon Ave. Only members who are residents of East Price Hill may vote in the annual election and on issues the membership chooses to limit to residents. Non-resident members can present and discuss issues, participate on committees, make motions for a vote and vote whenever residency is not called. All residents are eligible to vote for projects funded by the city's Neighborhood Support Program.
May 18 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; exc Treasurer: John Ridder; √Membership Officer: Ginger Boller; √Director: Frank Hollister; √Director: Steve Klatte; √Director: John Lauck; √Director: John Schlagetter; exc ;Director: Jim Turner; √Director: John Wall; √Trustee: Ted Bird, Jr.; √Trustee: Ken Rothman; √Trustee: Blanche Underwood
A quorum was established.
Minutes of the April 20, 2009 meeting were approved on a motion by F. Hollister/T. Gamel.
John Ridder submitted the report as of February 16, 2009:
Beginning Balance: $17,901.63
Memberships: $35.00
Interest income: $12.06
Other Income $ 4.29
Subtotal $17,952.98
Less Expenses $ 2,725.92
Ending balance $15,227.06
Reports were submitted by the following committees:
Membership Report: Ginger Boller reported five new members in April, all of whom were present and introduced.
Correspondence - Tom Gamel reported the following:
Letters 4/24 to City Buildings & Inspections requesting condemnation of 1028 and 1034 Considine, and 3422 W. 8th.
Letter 5/12 from City Planning giving notice of public hearing on zoning amendments to create public view corridor overlay districts, 4:30 on 5/26 at 805 Central Parkway
Letters 5/12 to thank Chambers Hautman American Legion Post and Elder for participation in flagpole dedication.
Letter 5/13 from City Transportation & Engineering stating approval of traffic calming on Woodlawn between Basset and Price.
Cincinnati Fire Dept. - Fire Dept. Firefighter Doug Baker of Ladder Co. 17 , reviewed April emergency responses, other runs and inspections. For Safe Summer Nights program, which includes door to door checks for smoke detectors, no free smoke detectors are available, only batteries.
Cincinnati Police Dept. - PO Jennifer Dawson, our neighborhood officer, reviewed District 3 and EPH crime stats. She noted several recent felony arrests. Crime Prevention 101 seminar will be at 6:30 on 6/22 at Elder Schaeper Center.
Probation Officer John Schwind reported on the completion of a major investigation that culminated in nine arrests last week; five arrestees were on probation. Question was asked about pit bull problems at 908 Wells. PO Dawson noted that while it is illegal to own a pit bull, enforcement is very difficult because of the lack of meaningful penalties. SPCA will intervene only in the case of alleged animal abuse.
Court Watch and Citizens on Patrol - Ken Rothman had nothing to report.
Housing & Development - Tom Gamel reported that the committee is still awaiting information on funding for Model Group's planned redevelopment of the large building at 3414 W. 8th (8th & Elberon) as senior housing.
City Lights will soon break ground for the first phase of Incline Square.
Neighborhood Support Program - Steve Klatte reported that he has submitted the first reimbursement voucher 2009; the City now wants cancelled checks.
Neighborhood Business District Support Program - Tom Croft reported that our application was approved for $7,000, which is the reduced (from $8,000) program amount. He said we need a leader for plantings at the Warsaw & Wilder gateway bed.
Problem Properties - Dan Boller and Dan Frondorf reported. Public nuisance hearings were held for 907 McPherson and 3414 W. 8th; EPHIA did not respond. Dan Frondorf testified for EPHIA at 4/24 public nuisance hearings for 3422 W. 8th, 1028 and 1034 Considine, 1031-33 Sturm and 837 Elberon. All were all declared public nuisances except 1034 Considine, which hearing was continued to 5/27. Tim Lovelace, owner/resident of 839 Elberon said that the City will not demolish attached 837 Elberon, which has been declared a nuisance, because of cost of restoring his property or buying him out. The City is working with the owner of 837 Elberon.
Presentations
Amy Bannister, Hamilton County Public Library - Ms. Bannister discussed library funding cuts over many years in the face of strong demand for services. State revenue declines due to the recession will create a $10 million 2010 funding gap. A 1 mill or less levy will likely be proposed for the November ballot.
Angie Strunc, City Department of Transportation & Engineering - Kroger Area Streetscaping Phase 1 on the south side of Warsaw is substantially done in conjunction with the new Kroger store. Phase 2 is ready to go to bid; includes new sidewalks, brick pavers, tree wells, lighting, etc. for Warsaw just past St. Lawrence Church, the intersection at the light, and a little bit of St. Lawrence. This should be done early 2010. Funds available have been reduced to $550,000 and are very tight. Planned improvements for the south side of St. Lawrence from the pedestrian crossing to Olive, the Post Office side of Enright, and pavers at St. Lawrence point have been eliminated.
Old Business
Merit Grant - Steve Klatte said that our application for a $2,000 grant was submitted.
New Business
No Parking at 508 Grand - Dan Boller/John Wall moved that EPHIA send a letter in support of the Grand Avenue Block Club in their efforts to secure replacement of a No Parking sign at the sidewalk steps located at 508 Grand. After discussion of the history of replacement and removals of No Parking signs there, street geometry and a recent accident, motion was approved with all ayes except one naye and two abstentions.
Announcements
Louise Anderson reported that Elberon UMC has been broken into six times in the past six weeks. Everything from musical instruments to food has been stolen. Please be on watch and provide any information that may help stop this.
Patti Hogan said there will be a special Safety Walk at 6:30 on 5/21 around Holy Family, which area has had recent gun violence and other problems. Good Guy Loitering will meet on 5/22 at 7:30 at St. Lawrence Church.
Matt Strauss of Price Hill Will said the Fifth Annual PH Home & Garden Fair will be on 5/30 at PH Rec Center, 10:00-1:00. The Art CAT has scheduled Concerts on the Lawn at Seton this summer, and Safety CAT is hosting street parties. The Price Hill Pacer 5K is on 6/6. See Price Hill Will schedule of events for more details.
Mary Croft, Cincinnati Parks Advisory Committee representative for Wilson Commons Park, said that the first Backyard Picnic at Wilson Commons will be at 6:00 on 6/25. Grills, hot dogs and music will be provided. Bring a side dish to share if you wish.
Patti Hogan thanked all who participated in the Great American Cleanup is on April 25. The event was a great success, with 290 volunteers from Prospect House, Holy Family and EPHIA.
Ray Bushy said a Neighborhood Watch has formed for Hawthorne between Philips and Bassett.
A motion to adjourn by Ken Rothman/Ted Bird was approved at 8:45 pm.
Tom Croft, Secretary