Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

April 2001 Meeting

Minutes of Meeting

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association
Minutes of Meeting: April 11, 2001, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Amos White, Lee Hightower and Officer Murray
AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair), Fredia Smith (Treasurer) and Lori Lott (Secretary)

1. Meeting called to order at 7:30. 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: Fredia Smith reported that we will obtain a business license, and the fee will be waived. Balance Carried Over = $196.73, with no expenditures or additions for a Current Balance= $196.73

5. City of Berkeley Update: Lee Hightower provided a status report on traffic calming at Alcatraz and King. "Option #3" which we approved at our December meeting was tested by the Fire Dept, and the results were unsatisfactory. Once a new traffic engineer is hired, they will reassess priorities and make new plans. Lee promised to keep the proposal alive, and will come back (late summer) to provide an update. In the meantime, Officer Murray will ask traffic radar officers and motorcycle police to pay particular attention to Alcatraz.
Announcements were made about the City Wide Garage Sale and the Safety Fair (both held in April)

6. City of Berkeley Police Update: Officer Murray was in attendance, and gave an update on crime activity. He reported that a Safe Block is currently going on along Adeline from Ashby to Oakland border. He also reported that the Oakland Drug Task Force has been active near liquor stores on the Oakland-Berkeley border, which is good, but might also push activity toward Berkeley. Residents reported some drug activity and Officer Murray will pass this information on to Narcotics. He reminded us to use THE-COPS line (843-2677) to report suspicious activity.

7. Other Business:
A. Future concerns to address in our neighborhood. We need to identify issues we'd like to have the City address. Ron Casimere provided a tentative list and asked each of us to look it over, suggest additions and deletions. The list (as of the end of the meeting, but subject to change) is as follows:
Future Projects (not necessarily in order): 1. Reconstruction of sewer lines and connections to residential properties. 2. Under-grounding overhead electrical lines (utilities) 3. Extend pedestrian lighting to Adeline. 4. Street sweeping program 5. General street paving condition of South Berkeley streets. 6. Additional police presence. 7. Safe, fun place for kids to go, with activities for them to do. 8. Traffic. 9. Encourage local stores to switch emphasis from liquor to food (but difficult, since it requires market demand).

B. Block Party Update: Lori Lott and Cheryl Beauchamp provided a summary of plans thus far. We still need volunteer "block captains" within each block to coordinate the clean-up which will take place before the Block Party starts. The next Block Party Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, 7-8 pm at 1633 Alcatraz.

C. Website Update: Ron Casimere provided a description of our Neighborhood Link website (www.neighborhoodlink.com). Those with internet access should check it out and offer suggestions. Ken Huie will attend next meeting to provide a report.

D. Open Discussion: Other concerns expressed by neighbors included complaints about roots of City-planted trees causing problems with sewer pipes and problems with people dumping old stuff (in decrepit shopping carts) in front of their house.

8. Next Meeting is scheduled for May 9 at 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

9. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.