Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

August 2001 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting: August 8, 2001, 7:00 p.m.

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

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Lee Hightower, Sgt. Andrew Rateaver, Ofc. C. Luttrell and Ofc. Tracie Lui
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 Lori Lott was postponed so that City of Berkeley Update could be done first.

4. City of Berkeley Update: Lee Hightower reported that the City contracted and completed installation of a catch basin in front of the Over 60 Health Center. This should solve the problem of standing water in the 1300 and 1400 block of Alcatraz. He also reported that traffic calming measures are being proposed for Ashby. After these have been installed, focus will shift to Alcatraz Ave. We should expect a staff report on the prototypes being proposed for Ashby in the near future. Questions addressed to Lee Hightower included: a. Whether the City will provide bus shelters at certain bus stops for inclimate weather. Lee will look into this. b. There used to be a Community Garden at Sacramento and Harmon. It is now overgrown (the person who used to be in charge is no longer with the City). Lee will see whether a replacement will be hired. c. Again, complaints were made about the condition of a particular property in the 1400 block. Lee will discuss with Ronnie Turner, and get us a status report. d. Again, a complaint about water pouring out of the back apartment of property in 1700 block. Lee will contact Mr. Brown and have him contact the complainant.

5. City of Berkeley Police Update: Officers Luttrell and Lui and Sgt Rateaver were present to address concerns of neighbors. Concerns included: a. A van was broken into just outside on the street while two meetings were being held in Over 60 Center. b. Not enough police support (drugs, drinking in public, gunfire, loud music in cars and loitering). Problems seem to be getting worse, asked why: Probably many reasons (e.g. more daylight during summer; Oakland had a big push against drugs and prostitution March-April, so activity may have shifted this way; Special Response Teams have been addressing problems west of here [San Pablo]). c. Complaints about Adeline: loitering, gambling, urination in front of businesses, etc. A chain link fence is not secured over empty lot (former Wash House space). d. The police were asked how many officers there are per beat. One, but we also have a bike patrol officer (Casimiro Pierantoni) who is more that willing to have us contact him about specific problems: 981-5990 ext 4096, cpierantoni@ci.berkeley.ca.us. We were encouraged to be vigilant, call in to report problems and attend the meetings to keep the police informed about what's going on.
The officers provided a printout of crime statistics in our area (available online at http://www.berkeley.ca.us/police/crimestats/beat10.html )

6. Financial Report: Fredia Smith reported that dues have been paid by several people, and others may pay at any time. Balance Carried Over = $ 246.73
Current Balance (checking and savings) = $ 393.73

7. Due to the lateness of the hour, a motion was made to pass on reading of the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Copies of the minutes were distributed.

8. 2001 Initiatives: We need to set up committees to address important issues. Tentatively, the following people will be heading up committees: Andrea Cesar: Liquor stores; Ray Pelegrino: Involving adjacent neighbors; Ladelle Casimere: Traffic. We also need a volunteer to head up a committee for neighborhood cleanup, but since fewer people were in attendance than usual, it was tabled until the next meeting.

9. Bylaws Modification: A motion was made to include the word "tenants" in the description of Membership. Motion passed unanimously.

10. Next Meeting is scheduled for September 12 at 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

11. Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.