Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

April 2003 Minutes

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

Minutes of Meeting: April 9, 2003, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Taj Johns, Mel Martynn, Ofc. Robert Rittenhouse
AANA Officers: Charles Daniels (Vice Chair), Andrea Cesar (Communications Coordinator), Lori Lott (Secretary)
13 Alcatraz Avenue Neighbors/Visitors

1. Meeting called to order at 7:15. Roll Call of AANA officers.
2. Introductions of those attending the meeting.
3. Reading of the minutes: Lori Lott. Motion to accept minutes passed unanimously.
4. Financial Report: Fredia Smith is on a leave of absence. No treasurer’s report this month.

5. City of Berkeley Police Update: Ofc Rittenhouse was in attendance. He reported that:
a. Chief Meisner has been officially sworn in as City of Berkeley’s Police Chief. Congratulations! Chief Meisner is very interested in community-oriented policing, and we can expect future meetings on ways to improve relations between community and the police.
b. Ofc Rittenhouse reminded us about the major additions to the COB Police website (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police) to address the public's requests for more information. The site now includes more information on recent arrests, names, etc. Mary Kussmiss has been doing a great job providing crime updates for the website. In the future they hope to get an on-line crime map set up, too.
c. There was a robbery the night before (April 8) in the 1800 block of Harmon Street.
d. With summer approaching, the police can help with vacation security (call 981-5808 to notify the police when you will be away, they will provide extra surveillance of your home or business!)
Questions were raised regarding specific incidents, including a recent drug arrest on King Street (wherein an officer was injured), reports of gunfire near 62nd, 63rd and King Street (the police were unable to find evidence). Neighbors have reported a reduction in drug traffic at a City-owned apartment complex in the 1500 block of Alcatraz , since a new fence was installed and major renovations were conducted.

6. City of Berkeley Update: Taj John (from City Manager’s Office) and Mel Martynn (from Councilmember Breland’s office) were on hand. Addressed our issues of Traffic Calming (we should have one representative contact Peter Hillier to ask him to attend to update us on what is going on), and we need to contact Margaret’s office (as well as Tom Myers and Taj Johns) regarding the block party.

7. 62nd / 63rd Street Neighborhood Association Update: 62nd Street has been quiet lately, but activity seems to have moved to 63rd street (especially between King and California). There are many problems on 63rd Street, including absentee landlords, drug users/dealers, etc. In order to deal effectively with these issues, residents of those blocks must be willing to get involved! There is a mobile basketball hoop at the barrier on 63d Street, near which many young people are congregating. Several drug deals have been seen. Ofc. Rittenhouse will look into this. He states that this is a common occurrence at "dead corners" where no one is watching. This lead to a discussion of the pros and cons associated with possible removal of the barriers. If this is something we are interested in pursuing, the City Council would have to make a decision to remove them for a trial period (until we’re sure it hasn’t made matters worse). Neighbors also reported that one of the new Bike Blvd signs (in 3300 block of King Street) was knocked over.

8. New/ Ongoing Business: A) Block Party is scheduled for May 10. We still need help with organizing, and ask people to attend the next planning meeting (4/15, 7:30 pm at Ron and Ladelle’s house), and B) Disaster Resistant Berkeley: Ken Huie discussed earthquake preparedness and the Free CERT classes offered by the City of Berkeley. The final Town Hall Meeting on Disaster Resistant Berkeley was announced,(Thursday, April 24 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. at San Pablo Park). C) The Community Action Team’s meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, and we were all encouraged to attend to find out the results of the South Berkeley survey and CAT’s future plans.

9. Next Meeting is scheduled for May 14th , 7:00 p.m. at the Over 60 Health Center.
10. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m