Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

March 2002 Minutes

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

Minutes of Meeting: March 13, 2002, 7:00 p.m.

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Denisha M. Delane, Adam Kelley-Mudie, Arun Krishnamoorthy, Ofc. Rittenhouse, Ofc. Torrence, and Ofc. Burcham

AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair) and Lori Lott (Secretary)

Alcatraz Avenue Neighbors/Visitors

1. Meeting called to order at 7:10. Roll Call of AANA officers.

2. Introductions of those attending the meeting.

3. Reading of the minutes: Due to time constraints on the part of the Police representatives in attendance, a motion was made to skip reading the minutes from the previous meeting, which passed unanimously. Copies were distributed.

4. Financial Report: Fredia Smith was not in attendance, but she provided Secretary Lori Lott with the following:
Balance Carried Over = $ 285.91
Current Balance (checking and savings) = $ 281.91

5. City of Berkeley Police Update: Ofc. Rittenhouse reported that there has been less crime activity in the past month. He introduced Ofc Torrence, who has been on the force for many years. He is currently working on a project trying to identify problem locations, do follow-ups, and make a positive change in the neighborhood. Ofc. Torrence left copies of his business card, and encouraged us to contact him to contact him to let him know which locations we are having problems with. He is very willing to help us out with problem locations, and reported that he will be around for at least a year.
Officers were asked if there has been any effort made to coordinate with the Oakland Police to address border issues. Special details (robbery and drug task force) do work with Oakland PD, but most officers don't coordinate on a day to day basis. (However many BPD have friends/contacts in the OPD which is a plus).
A neighbor reported a problem vehicle (a rust colored van with no plates) that has been seen on several occasions driving recklessly (including "doing doughnuts" at the intersection of Alcatraz and Sacramento). Some other neighbors also reported seeing this kind of activity in the neighborhood.

6. City of Berkeley Update: Denisha Delane was present and reported that Councilmember Breland sends her apologies for not being able to attend our meeting. Denisha announced that there would be a Name Ceremony the following Saturday for Rosa Parks Elementary School, and a West Berkeley Community meeting on March 21. She also reported that a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Pedestrian Bridge had taken place. Future ceremonies are expected, and she will let us know when.
Americorps volunteers Adam Kelley-Mudie and Arun Krishnamoorthy from the Disaster Resistant Berkeley Program gave an introductory presentation on steps we can take to prepare our community for disaster. Their goal is to provide training and tools to make our neighborhood self-sufficient for 5-7 days in the event of natural or other disaster. The DRB program, which operates out of the Fire and Emergency Services Dept. has speakers, workshops, etc., and suggest having a coordinator for each block of (approx) 50 residents. If anyone is interested in more information, Adam and Arun left a copy of the materials they presented, and Lori Lott has contact information.

7. New Business:
a) Questions were raised about standing water in front of a house in the 1600 block, and about the technicians who were recently on Alcatraz surveying the sewer lines. Both of these issues will be addressed to Lee Hightower.
b) Ron Casimere volunteered to serve as the head of the committee for the Annual Block Party. A motion was made to keep the block party on the 1600 block, and passed unanimously. We were asked to select a date so he could inform the City. May 18 was selected as the date.
c) Ron announced that Ray Pelegrino has resigned as Vice Chair, due to a job change and relocation.

8. Next Meeting is scheduled for April 10, 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

9. Meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.