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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Council Meeting Minutes, September, 2010

East End Area Council
September 2010 Minutes

The September 13, 2010 meeting was held at Leblond Recreation Center and called to order by president, Laurie Keheler at 7:00 PM.
Reports
Riverside East Academy:
Monica Miller, Resource Coordinator for Riverview East Academy, gave a school update about the 2010/11 school year. A new principal is at the helm and enrollment is steady as the school continues its educational mission. Monica expressed interest in improving the connection between the school and its home base neighborhood, the East End, while also serving the youth of Columbia Tusculum, Linwood and Mt Adams. The school library is open to the community on Tuesdays. Call the school for details.

Police:
Officer Love of District 2 reported 24 offenses for the month of August. Six were thefts from UDF at Kellogg and Wilmer. Among the property thefts were garden tools stolen from a shed located in the main community garden on Strader Ave. Sadly the tools taken where used by volunteers in the East End Garden District to keep the neighbor clean and as well as make ready the additional garden space granted by the city. Residents can call District 2 or 911 to report any suspicious activity or to aid in the recovery of stolen goods. Neighborhood watchfulness is a proven crime deterrent.

Leblond Recreation Center:
Christian reported on the Great Outdoor Weekend to be held Sept 25, 26. She also talked about a program that is being held at the Mt Auburn Recreation Center that teaches swimming lessons. Call the Mt Auburn Recreation Center for details. Cincinnati Recreation Commission is recruiting people with special skills to teach courses as program instructors. Interested parties should contact the CRC.

Treasurer’s Report:
The NSP funding from the city is likely to be cut further next year from $5k budget this year so our 2011 budget will have to be adjusted accordingly. Moreover, we have only received $2543.20 of the $5k in our 2010 budget.

Other Topics Discussed:
• Volunteer based clean-up along Eastern Ave starting at the RR underpass (across form Tostados) has been completed all the way to Stanley.
• The city now agrees that with East Enders that the traffic on Riverside Drive, especially during rush hour, is excessive. A study reported that 95% of the traffic during rush hour averaged 46 MPH.
• The EEAC approved a motion to establish a neighborhood garden on Worth Street as part its commitment to the East End Garden District bounded by Riverview East Academy, Riverside Drive, Corbin St and the Ohio River. The new garden will be made from formally vacant city lots. Clean-up of debris and soil preparation is underway for spring planting.
• The Leblond pool is in jeopardy of being closed. A call by Laurie Keheler was made for a committee to save the pool and to insure the continued availability of the Lebond Center. Volunteers are being accepted.
• Patrice Allen solicited project suggestions that will help build the community. Ideas put forth included clean-up of the tunnels, placement of an East End sign at the Miami Bridge and landscaping at the corner of Delta and Kellogg.
• The EEAC approved a motion to oppose a change in the zoning variance procedure that is before Cincinnati City Council.
• John and Margaret Powers over many years put much effort to revitalizing the East End. Mr. Powers has passed away and Margaret is in falling health. There was widespread support for honoring the tradition they established for community service in some kind of reoccurring memorial. TBD
• Notice was given of a Meet-and-Greet to be held at Maribell’s on Sept 21 6pm. All are welcome.
• A guest speaker from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office spoke on consumer scams. In the past 2 years the internet has replaced the phone as the number one contact method of scam artists. These perpetrators often fish off of public documents to target homeowners.

The discussion adjourned at 8:40 p.
Michael Bolan, Secretary
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Council Meeting Minutes, August, 2010

East End Area Council
August Minutes

The August 2, 2010 meeting was held at Leblond Recreation Center and was called to order by board member Jackie Weist at 7:00 PM.
Reports
Police:
Officer Love was accompanied by Paul Broxterman, the Commander of District 2, and Sargent Cordova of Crime Investigation Unit. There were 15 break-ins since March along Riverside Drive as the rash of property crime continues with items stolen from residences, businesses and autos. A robbery at St Rose Church in mid-July was among other property thefts reported. Police advised that leaving belongings in cars can be advertising for opportunistic theft. Residents can call District 2 or 911 to report any suspicious activity to aid law enforcement effort. Police have established a new crime program tailored to what is going on in our particular neighborhood. Not general purpose, but rather, specific purpose for the East End. A crime investigation is ongoing concerning the storing and reselling stolen property from the East End.
Leblond Recreation Center:
A $100 subsidy fund from the NSP account has been made available for children who cannot pay an admission fee.
Treasurer’s Report:
A $200 contribution was made to the Flying Pig event. There were no contributions to the soap box derby make this year.
Other Topics Discussed:
• A schedule was presented to complete the volunteer based clean-up along Eastern Ave starting at the RR underpass (across form Tostados) and continuing on to Stanley. The plan calls for the task to be done before
September 1. The city has advised that weed and trash ordinance violations are being cited when property is non-conforming.

• Progress continues in the East End Garden District as new plantings of elderberries, raspberries and cherry bushes have been established in the garden adjacent to the Riverview East Academy.

The formal meeting adjourned at 7:45 p to allow time for a presentation by the Queen City Bike Club.
The next meeting is October 5, 2010 7:00 pm at LeBlond Rec Center
The Queen City Bike Club and the City of Cincinnati Transportation Department gave a presentation concerning the future of bicycling in the East End. A lively discussion followed……
The discussion adjourned at 9:00 p.
Michael Bolan, Secretary

Council Meeting Minutes, July, 2010

East End Area Council July Minutes

The July 12, 2010 meeting was held at Leblond Recreation Center and called to order by president Laurie Keheler at 7:00 PM.

Reports
Police: Officer Love was present. Breaking and entry is on the upswing. An investigation is under way concerning the storing and reselling stolen property. Thefts from autos break-ins continue at high rates as opportunistic crimes. Keeping know offenders who make a business of stealing in jail is contributing is an ongoing enforcement problem. Police are working on a new crime program tailored to what is going on in our particular neighborhood. Not general purpose but rather specific purpose for the East End.
Resident comments: Police follow up of suspicious activity is non-responsive; 220 Strader and the burned out building on River side Drive near the waterworks are re-occurring sources of crime and blight.
Leblond Recreation Center
Heather Smith was present. The pool is open and a $100 subsidy fund for children who cannot pay the entrance fee has been established. There is also as a free breakfast and lunch program to help children in need. Call the Recreation Center for details. Low utilization rate of the pool makes it venerable to closure. However, the pool did have an attendance of 30 on a hot day in June. A 1-year reprieve has been granted to see if pool attendance comes up. Residents are encouraged to offer suggestions on how to increase utilization.
Insurance - Resident Comment
FEMA has changed the floodline to 500 feet in the East End which is increasing the insurance rates for some of our residents. Rate reductions may be available if building improvements/additions/infills make structures more resistant to water damage by employing flood tolerant construction practices. See FEMA web site for details.

Committees
Our neighborhood is holding monthly, informal meet-n-greet gatherings on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Maribells starting at 6:30 PM. All are welcome.
The Riverside Drive restoration project is continuing. A stretch along Eastern Ave starting at the RR underpass ( across form Tostados) was cleaned up by volunteers. As the weather cools, volunteer efforts will step up. Meanwhile, weed and trash ordinance violations are being cited by the City of Cincinnati for non-conforming property. The tree plantings along Riverside have been halted pending clarification of the bike paths. The Queen City Bike Club will give a presentation at the August 2, 2010 EEAC meeting at Leblond Rec Center concerning the future of bicycling in the East End.

The East End Garden District will hold its annual Garden Fest at the main garden on Strader Avenue starting late afternoon August 7, 2010. Three separate bands will perform live entertainment. Vegetarian cuisine will be served using the bounty of the garden produce. In addition, a barbeque menu will be provided by an on-site pig roast. Ice tea will be donated by Fuel but guests can bring other beverages of their choice. Food service begins at 5 PM but cooking and social gathering will start in the afternoon. ALL ARE WELCOME. Come and experience the progress being made in our neighborhood of gardens! Admission free.
June minutes well approved as written after a correcting the date of the East End Garden District Fest to read August 7.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20. The next meeting is August 2, 2010 7:00 pm at LeBlond Rec Center

Michael Bolan, Secretary
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