October 15 Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order by President Dan Boller, Jr at approximately 7:30pm with the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call: √President: Dan Boller, Jr.; √Trustee: Ted Bird, Jr.; √Vice President: Michael Wigle; √Trustee: Blanche Underwood; √Treasurer: John Ridder; exc. Trustee: Ken Rothman; exc. Recording Secretary: Patti Hogan; √Corr. Secy.:Tom Gamel; √Membership Off: Darrell Shelton; √Director: Louise Anderson; √Director: John Wall; √Director: Steve Klatte; √Director: John Ridder; exc. Director: Barbara Niehoff
Minutes from the general membership meeting of September 17, 2007 were silently read. The minutes were amended as follows: the address on Crestline should be 416 not 415; change the beginning date on the treasurer's report to be July 16, 2007 not August 20, 2007; changed the ending date of the treasurer's report to be August 20, 2007 not September 17, 2007; Price Hill Historical Society meet the first Wednesday of the month not the first Monday; Bob Pessler made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Tom Gamel seconded. The minutes were approved.
Fire report: No report.
Police Report presented by Captain Raabe
| Sept | Sept | ||
| Part I crimes | 06 | 07 | %chg |
| Aggravated Burglary | 2 | 4 | 100% |
| Aggravated Robbery | 5 | 1 | -80% |
| Aggravated Veh Assault | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Breaking and Entering | 25 | 20 | -20% |
| Burglary | 31 | 13 | -58% |
| Felonious Assault | 4 | 8 | 100% |
| Grand Theft | 12 | 10 | -17% |
| Murder | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Petit Theft | 44 | 33 | -25% |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | -100% |
| Robbery | 5 | 5 | 0% |
| Tamper w/Coin Machines | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Theft | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Theft-License Plate(s) | 1 | 2 | 100% |
| Unauth Use of Motor Veh | 5 | 2 | -60%* |
| Unauth Use Property | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Vehicle Theft | 10 | 4 | -80% |
| Total | 145 | 103 | -29% |
| Sept | Sept | ||
| Part II crimes | 06 | 07 | %chg |
| Abduction | 1 | 2 | -100% |
| Aggravated Menacing | 11 | 5 | -55% |
| Assault | 41 | 37 | -10% |
| Criminal Damaging/endangering | 38 | 21 | -45% |
| Criminal Mischief | 0 | 1 | NC* |
| Domestic Violence Felony | 0 | 5 | NC* |
| Domestic Violence Msdmnr | 12 | 10 | -17% |
| Endanger Child-Cause Phy Harm | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Gross Sexual Imposition | 3 | 0 | -100% |
| Importuning | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Improper Discharge Firearm | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Inducing panic | 1 | 0 | NC* |
| Interference with Custody | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Intimidation | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Kidnapping | 0 | 0 | -100% |
| Menacing by Stalking | 1 | 0 | NC* |
| Patient abuse, neglect | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Public Indecency | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Personating an Officer | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Receiving Stolen Property | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Sexual Battery | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Sexual Imposition | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Telecommunications Fraud | 0 | 0 | NC* |
| Telephone Harassment | 0 | 5 | -38% |
| Unlawful Sexual conduct w/Minor | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Vandalism | 0 | 1 | NC |
| Total | 116 | 88 | -24% |
| * NC = Non-Calculable |
Crime rates are down for the past four months.
58% drop in burglary.
There were 2 truancy sweeps in the last 6 weeks which resulted in 18 and 15 arrests respectively.
Good Guy Loitering has been very effective and won a 2007 CPOP award.
The police are testing a new technology. It is an automatic license plate reader. Three cameras are affixed to the top of a squad car and while being driven down the street it checks for delinquent tags, stolen cars, and outstanding warrants for the vehicle's owner. Depending on the results of the test the city may purchase for utilization citywide.
Cincinnati Public Schools: Superintendent Rosa Blackwell spoke:
She reported that CPS for the last three years has retained a rating of Continuous Improvement on the State report card. Three years ago when becoming Superintendent, she and her team laid out a strategic plan for CPS. The strategic plan focused on curriculum, support structures to help teachers in the classrooms, lesson plans, and providing an understanding of the State standards they should be teaching. She and her team also focused on the enrollment decline over the past 10 years and right-sized the district for its current enrollment.
She mentioned the need for Issue 22 School operating levy to pass. A usual life span for a school operating levy is four years - CPS has gone seven years without a new one. When becoming superintendent she discovered that schools across the system did not have the same textbook for reading, math, science, and social studies. CPS to date has purchased standardized textbooks for reading and math and next year will purchase standardized textbooks for science and social studies. Moneys will allow the system to continue the purchase of these instructional materials. Graduation rates have gone up in the past five years from 51% to 79%. CPS is striving for a 100% graduation rate. The new levy is necessary to continue this work.
Attendance at CPS is 94.4%. This is higher than the state average. The CPS plans for the former site of Whittier Elementary is to raze the building and convert it to green space. CPS will retain the property but it will be available for use.
Cost per student in CPS is $12,000. This includes regular students and special education students.
CPS has a responsibility for providing funding to not only the students attending CPS but also Charter School students, and voucher students. To date CPS has spent $60,000,000-$65,000,000 including education and transportation related expenses to Charter School and voucher students.
Cincinnati Parks and Recreation: Larry Parker spoke:
$90,000 in funds is available to improve Wilson Commons. The original plan was to add new lights and walkways. Now there is an alternate plan to make a new gateway. The new gateway plan was presented. The funding level will allow for either new lighting/walkways or the new gateway - not both. Bob Pessler moved for the Housing and Development Committee to investigate the two plans and come back to the general assembly with recommendations and provide more details on the two plans so the general membership can vote on a position to take. Jim Grawlee seconded. The membership approved.
2007 Election Committee: reported by chairperson Jim Turner
Running for each position:
Trustee (5 year term): Blanche Underwood
Treasurer (2 year term): John Ridder
Membership Officer (2 year term): none
Recording Secretary (2 year term): Barbara Niehoff
Corresponding Secretary (2 year term): Tom Gamel
Vice President (2 year term): Michael Wigle
President (2 year term): none
With no one running for President, the Vice President will become the acting President. The Board is responsible for filling all vacancies.
The voting will be from 7-8:30pm and dinner will be served. There will be a short board meeting from 6:30-7pm
Treasurer's report prepared and presented by John Ridder:
| Beginning balance August 20, 2007 | 13,798.19 |
| Memberships | 5.00 |
| Interest income | 372.52 |
| Other income | 5,171.96 |
| Subtotal | $19,347.67 |
| Less expenses | $2,247.53 |
| Ending balance Sept. 17 | $17.100.14 |
Membership: reported by Darrell Shelton
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Mark Tagie new Vice Principal of Rees E Price Academy was a special guest. The State report card for Rees E. Price Academy was made available to the membership. Impressive gains have been made the last couple of years. He had a volunteer sign up sheet for anyone interested in becoming involved in the schools
Don Johnson a new member and a resident of Delhi introduced himself. He will be spearheading the City Lights project
Recording Secretary: reported by Dan Boller Jr. in Patti Hogan's absence:
Make a Difference Day is October 27, 2007 from 9am to 1pm with Elberon United Methodist Church to be the staging area. Prospect House will be spreading the 30 bags of mulch purchased by EPHIA with NSP funds in the Land Foundation parks that day
Corresponding Secretary: reported by Corresponding Secretary Tom Gamel:
EPHIA subscriptions, newsletters from other civic clubs and community organizations, and invitations to various events were made available at the meeting. To view a specific communications please contact President Dan Boller, Jr. or Corresponding Secretary Tom Gamel.
Communications: Tom Dan Boller, Jr EPHIA subscriptions, newsletters from other civic clubs and community organizations, and invitations to various events were made available at the meeting. To view a specific communications please contact President Dan Boller, Jr. or Corresponding Secretary Tom Gamel.
Communications of Interest:
Department of Transportation and Engineering has given conditional approval for the 2 gateway flag poles
Cincinnati Bell cell tower has received conditional approval to be put up
The city responded to EPHIA's letter regarding possible use of the former Whittier school for District 3 parking and the possible future use for expansion of District 3. They indicated they will consider our suggestions
Dale Mallory is looking for volunteers to be on a Bed Bug task force
EPHIA's Ohio letters of incorporation will expire January 18
Invest in Neighborhoods NSP 2008 fiscal budget The City's Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) is funded by the City's Department of Planning and Community Development. Current funding is $477,000 per year providing $7000 for each of the 52 city neighborhoods. They are considering 5-30% decrease in funding lowering NSP to between $334,000-$453,000 per year.
The registered nurse from last meeting left a flyer in the back regarding bed bugs.
President's Report:
Bill Cunningham mentioned a coyote has been spotted in Ring Place and on Lehman. It killed his cat. Recommendation bring your pets inside before retiring for the evening.
CG&E has applied to demo their Warsaw and Fairbanks Avenues building. Dan has spoken to Duke and the demolition company trying to persuade them to keep the building. Building needs a new roof and has some minor structural damage. If they can't keep the building they will work with EPHIA to preserve some of the architectural pieces from the building if possible.
West 8th street Carry-out agreement was sent to vice and the no trespass was signed. They would like a bench on the corner and a trash can. NSP funds may be looked at for the can since none are currently available.
Spoke with a gentleman in Transportation and Engineering regarding the new curbs on Purcell which was extended to Bassett. Some funds were left and they are currently working Chateau and they replaced a small section on Price near Holy Family.
City is looking for community liaison for the Communication Center that's the 591-6000 system. The liaison will be able to communicate with customer relations representative in the Communication Center to resolve issues specific to East Price Hill. Ideally, this liaison will be able to update the community council on key issues, present information regularly via the community newsletter, council meetings or other discussion groups. See Dan if interested.
Vice President's report:
reported by Michael Wigle: nothing to reportStanding committee reports:
1) Citizens on Patrol: No report2) Court Watch: No report.
3) Cincinnati Recreation: reported by Rachel Ray in Sandy Lemon's absence: Midnight basketball is a great success with 30 to 60 young men attending each session. CRC is in search of more funding to keep this program going. Photos were passed around.
4) Housing and Development: presented by Mary Croft
No report.
5) Problem properties: presented by Dan Boller, Jr.
953 Elberon (burned in a fire) went to public nuisance hearing this past month. Owner is tied up with insurance company and the issue will probably go to litigation. The property will probably be declared a nuisance.
6) Beautification: Presented by Rosalie Pietras: No report
7) NSP committee: Presented by Steve Klatte. 2nd installment for 2007 has been approved. Two proposals were submitted. Bill Burwinkel submitted a detailed proposal related to development/improvement around Price and Hawthorne. Received a proposal from Price Hill Historical Society to purchase a laptop for their education program that visits schools. Both programs appear to fit into NSP programs.
8) NBD committee: Presented by Tom Croft: Funding discussed at last month's meeting has been approved. Two largest aspect of the funding are for Price Hill Rec Center's Midnight Basketball Program and Holiday on The Hill has been approved
Unfinished Business:
Norm Murdock donated $1000 to Price Hill Historical Society to build a replica of a 30ft section of the Price Hill Incline. This will appear in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
EPHIA will have a float again in the Parade this year. During the parade there is a reception at St. Lawrence. Activities include a petting zoo, choir, clown, and hot chocolate
Price Hill Nursing Home has officially closed it doors.
New Business: none
Special Committees
Price Hill WILL: presented by Kara Ray.
Price Hill Will's housing director will be meeting with OPA to look at the first set of homes in the Incline District. From there they will determine how to use their funding in the Incline District.
Take a Closer Look photography program sponsored by the Arts CAT for 6th, 7th and 8th graders was very successful. Artwork will be installed on buildings along the business district within the next two weeks. Specifically watch for the artwork gallery on the red wrestling building on Warsaw. Prints can also be ordered.
Price Hill Historical Society: reported by Larry Smoltz. Check on availability of Lilypad
Multi-neighborhood housing task force: No report
Price Hill Land Foundation: No report
Mt. Echo Advisory Council: presented by Jim Turner
There will be a concert following the Make a Difference Day Cleanup October 27. More details will follow.
Announcements:
10-17-2007 7-8pm WCET 48 will air the town meeting that took place on 10/03/2007 about the proposed sales tax increase for the Comprehensive Safety Plan. If undecided on this issue this may be a good program to watch
10-19-2007 12-1:30pm The Cincinnati Preservation Association will have a debate.
10-27-2007 9am Walk for Success in Western Hills High School
11-01-2007 6pm Zoning code text amendment public staff conference. They are looking at making significant changes to the zoning code. Dan had a list of the proposed changes.
State Representative Dale Mallory is looking for a representative for East Price Hill to join a state task force regarding the bed bug problem.
Ann Patty made a public thank you to Dan Boller, Jr. for his service as President of EPHIA the last 2 years
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned by President Dan Boller, Jr.