Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

November 2000 Meeting

Minutes of Meeting: November 8, 2000

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association
Minutes of Meeting: November 8, 2000, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Ronnie Turner, Taj Johns, Sheryl Walton and Kevin Reece.
AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair), Fredia Smith (Treasurer), Andrea Cesar (Communications Coordinator) and Lori Lott (Secretary)

1. Meeting called to order at 7:20. Roll Call of AANA officers.

2. Introductions of those attending the meeting

3. Reading of the minutes by Lori Lott. Motion to adopt the minutes passed unanimously.
Clarification: Last meeting, people mentioned problems with yard debris (green can) pickup. Taj Johns wants to make sure this is not an ongoing problem. The pickup schedule for our area (same day as trash pickup the weeks of: Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, and every OTHER (2nd) week from then on. If your green cans are NOT picked up according to this schedule, inform Lori Lott (547-5781, llott@spectacle.berkeley.edu). Please include your address and pickup date missed. The information will be forwarded to Taj.

4. City of Berkeley Update:
Ronnie Turner: Housing report: There are still two properties of concern (a blighted property in 1400 block and the fire damage property in 1600 block) that he is working on. A question was also raised about the ongoing problem of water being pumped out of the basement of the Over 60 Center. He reiterated that the only thing the City can suggest is to encourage residents (all along Alcatraz) to clear the leaves from the street in front of their house, and to ensure that the City keeps the catch basin at Baker St and Alcatraz clear. Flyers describing the importance of clearing debris are available from the Department of Public Works. We have asked Taj to drop off a stack that we can distribute them our next meeting announcement.
Taj Johns has spoken to the Police department, and they have agreed to patrol more during times of suspicious/illegal activity (e.g. at our last meeting, it was reported that reckless driving occurs during the hours of 11 pm to 3 am). We just need to keep them informed, as to when and where activity is taking place.
Berkeley Police: Our Area Coordinator Cesar Melero was not in attendance, but Officer Kevin Reece stopped by to answer questions and give an impromptu report on activity in the neighborhood. The area of Market, 62nd and Sacramento tends to have drug and other suspicious activity, but it is in Oakland. Those who see this activity should call the Oakland Police Dept to report it. We were also encouraged to write letters to Oakland Police, and possibly the ABC (regarding loitering taking place in front of the liquor store).
In general, there has been less crime in the neighborhood. This is due, in part, to the "Safe Block" that has been going on in South Berkeley for the past two months (i.e. extra officers in "saturation patrol"). This project is over, however, so we'll see what happens now that we return to our typical "one officer per beat" patrol. Again we are reminded to use THE-COPS line (843-2677) to report suspicious activity in Berkeley. Be prepared to give specific information and detailed descriptions of suspects.
Fredia Smith offered a challenge to the police to set up activities to build a rapport between the police and children/young adults. Officer Reece said that the person to talk to is Officer John Lewis, Badge #127, who heads up the Police Activities League.

5. Traffic Update: Traffic Calming Workshops
We have not heard back from Jeff Knowles. We assume our concerns are being postponed until the Traffic Calming Workshops are complete and information is gathered. Ronnie Turner said he would speak to Jeff and let us know what he finds out.

6. Financial Report:
Treasurer Fredia Smith reported that Lee Hightower is still working on getting the fee waiver for our bank account, and this should be resolved by the end of this month.
Balance on hand: $237.33.
No Expenditures.

7. New Business:
Our congratulations to re-elected City Councilmember of District 2: Margaret Breland!
Anida Weyl asked us to announce that she has lilies available for anyone who would like to beautify Alcatraz Ave by planting them along the parking strips. If interested, let her (or Lori) know.
Sheryl Walton of the Berkeley Public Health Dept. was present to talk about the work of the Community Action Team (of which she is the facilitator). They have changed their monthly meeting to the first Wednesday of every month (previously, it was the same night as ours). Their goal is to investigate and change the racial and health disparity currently taking place in Berkeley (i.e. statistics show that more African-American children are dying than other groups, babies have lower birthweights, and the people aren't accessing health care). The group is implementing a model designed to mobilize and empower the people of the community to take an active part in the project. Along these lines, she announced a job opening for a Community Health Worker to organize the team. For more information on the Community Action Team, contact Sheryl (665-6809, swalton@ci.berkeley.ca.us)
Marcella Crump-Williams was also present. She is the block captain of 63rd Street neighbors, and also ran for City Council in the last election. She stated that the 63rd St. neighbors banded together (largely due to drug house they wanted to get rid of) but now that the situation is resolved, it has been hard to keep people involved. We will provide her with flyers for our next meeting and hopefully some people from her block will attend.
Fredia Smith mentioned several programs that are available to those who qualify: Christmas in April (644-8979) provides home repairs for low income, disabled seniors, InterCity Services (655-3552) offers workforce training, and Berkeley Neighborhood Computer (845-5757), provides inexpensive computers and technical support for low income families. If you know someone who would benefit from these programs, pass the information along.

8. Next Meeting (and Holiday Potluck!) is scheduled for December 13 at 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

9. Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 pm.