Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

January 2002 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting: January 9, 2002, 7:00 p.m.

Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Lee Hightower, Ronnie Turner, Sgt. Mike Stafstrom, Ofc. C. Luttrell, and Ofc. F. Castillo

AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair), Fredia Smith (Treasurer) and Lori Lott (Secretary)

Alcatraz Avenue Neighbors

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 by Secretary Lori Lott. Motion to adopt the minutes passed unanimously.

4. Financial Report: Presented by Fredia Smith. She reported that we received our tax exempt papers 12/21/01. We are officially a non-profit organization, classified as a Social Welfare Group.
Balance Carried Over = $ 285.91
Current Balance (checking and savings) = $ 285.91

5. City of Berkeley Update: Lee Hightower (Public Works) responded to the following issues we have raised: Increased street sweeping: Funds are only available to sweep residential neighborhoods once a month. At certain times of the year (i.e. Autumn) we can contact the City to ask them to come out to determine whether we require an extra sweep.
Traffic Calming on Alcatraz: Still on hold. A new Assistant City Manager has been hired (start date: 1/24/02). A meeting about traffic issues will be scheduled, so hopefully we will hear something soon.
Sewer issues: Lee brought a list of sewer problem calls (and City responses) from the 1600 block of Alcatraz. According to this list of reports, it appears that the City has been very responsive to these reports. He reminded us that if we don't feel that the City is being responsive, we should contact him directly. He also informed us that if home-owners believe the roots from trees planted by the City are responsible for damage to sewer pipes, there is a claim process available through the City Attorney's office they can go through to determine whether the City is responsible.
Ronnie Turner (Housing) reported on a problematic property in the 1400 block that our group has complained about on many occasions (due to decrepit appearance AND drug activity). The property cannot be considered a “blighted”, since it is occupied. The police will continue to monitor illegal activity. He was asked about the status of a revised "application for use permit" for a specific property on the 1600 block and the status of an application to convert a property in the 1500 block into a "board and care" facility.

6. City of Berkeley Police Update: Sgt. Stafstrom was present to address concerns and complaints of the neighbors in attendance and he will forward this information. He reported that the drug activity at a property in the 1500 block was taken care of in Mid-December. Officers Luttrell and Castillo were also present, and reported a series of strong-arm robberies that have taken place recently in nearby areas (Ashby, Shattuck). They also reported that Area Coordinators will soon be assigned to facilitate communication between the Police and neighbors. Along with the ongoing reports of specific drug locations, the officers were asked to forward our concerns about trying to slow down the traffic on Alcatraz, and to talk to parents and kids along Alcatraz about being much more careful when crossing the street (especially at night when they're wearing dark clothes).

7. New Business: Motion made to postpone discussion of ongoing and new business until the next meeting. Passed unanimously.

8 Next Meeting is scheduled for February 13, 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

9. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.