Central Neighborhood Association

7-26-08 Meeting Minutes

The Central Neighborhood Association

The Central Neighborhood Association held its regular monthly meeting on Saturday July 26, 2008, 9am at the Porter County Public Library 103 Jefferson St. in Meeting room B.

9:13am Meeting called to order

In Attendance: Candace Shaw (P), Debbie Dohner (Acting VP), Caroline Conner (T), Kathy Lemmon, Libby Middendorf, Rob Middendorf, Jennifer Bogner, Hugh Martz, Keith Kirkpatrick, Robert Cotton, Juanita Cotton, Mark McColly, Stephanie Gerdes, Walt Breitinger, Rob Walsh, Laurie Senders, Linda Ferguson, Duane Davidson, The Guest Speaker Tiffany Tolbert accompanied by The City Planner of Hobart and his wife.

Candace Shaw made a motion to install Juanita Cotton as Secretary for the C.N.A. Juanita indicated she had several years experience as an Administrative Assistant and is the wife of Robert Cotton. Keith Kirkpatrick seconded the motion, and Juanita was installed with unanimous consent.

Candace Shaw went on and read the minutes from the June meeting. Robert Cotton clarified that the C.N.A. voted on and approved an earmark of $500.00 from treasury funds for the island project with the intention of increasing the donation through fund raising activities. Candace stated that a donation is to be matched 3:1 by the City to help fund the estimated $25,000.00 development of the triangle. After a brief discussion a motion to approve the June minutes was approved.

Caroline Conner read the Treasurers report and indicated the balance at $3,087.48 with interest of .41 cents. A $200.00 disbursement for the yard sale was put back on the 14th of July along with $78.19 in proceeds from the yard sale was added to the balance. The flyer expense of $107.00 was subtracted and the balance was reported to be $3,258.67. She expressed dissatisfaction with the service from First Source Bank and will look into alternatives. A motion to approve the Treasurers report was approved.

Candace Shaw talked about the upcoming August 5th event, National Night Out Against Crime, which takes place from 7-9pm on the Downtown Square. She continued with Old Business concerning the Franklin/Calumet street triangle. Several members expressed concern that the sidewalk doesn’t extend to allow crossing on the South end.

Duane Davidson offered a Park Districts perspective for creating a destination area rather than a walk through. The Park Department came up with ideas for the triangle and the City took an interest and curbed the triangle. He went on to explain the history of the triangle, how the inner urban came in Franklin Street and the triangle was a possible toll booth, how the original bricks may still be beneath the existing road, how there was a fountain there and the infrastructure for it still exists and the Park Department has reservations on whether to restore the fountain due to possible vandalism and maintenance cost issues.

Our discussion revealed concern about what the final concept will be for the triangle.
Several members expressed confidence with Steve Martinson’s competency. He has served as City Horticulturist for around 15 years.

Keith Kirkpatrick offered to contact City Officials involved to firm up a convenient date and time to meet with the C.N.A. for discussion/debate to help clear up any misconceptions and offer suggestions.

Candace Shaw motioned for those interested in coming to a meeting with the City Officials, all were in favor, none opposed.

The Guest Speaker, Tiffany Tolbert (Regional Director of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana) was introduced. Tiffany Tolbert spoke about how the process works when an individual or community wants their home or neighborhood to have historic landmark status. She stated property owners could initiate the historic designation, by petitioning the Valparaiso Historic Preservation Commission. The Property owners must submit their proposed boundaries, a petition containing at least 60% of the homeowners signatures (within contiguous boundaries) with their mailing information, the reasons for proposing the designation on an application filed with the review board (the applications are found on the City website). Then a follow up meeting will be set with the property owners to discuss options for drafting guidelines. Tiffany spoke on the design guidelines via the National registry (honorary) versus the Preservation registry (City recognized). Tiffany referred to Banta how the neighborhood has guidelines for walls, fences and siding. She stated a number of homes, were built by 20th century architects of the Italian & Queen Anne designs. Other districts can or have developed guidelines with regard to the exterior, windows, material used, color, roof, walls or land. The next step would be a site visit where the commission representatives walk the boundary and survey the properties. Followed by a public hearing to approve the map and guidelines and decide whether the district will be done in one or two phases. If approved, the map, guidelines and survey are sent to the City for final approval, a legal description is prepared for recording. From this point on the property owners have to comply with the preservation guidelines and the Certificate of Appropriateness (C.O.A.) process. Compliance is then ensured through the residents, the Planning Office and Building Department.
A question was raised on the preservation commission qualifications and how they are chosen? “The Historic Commission is appointed by the Mayor and are primarily architects and preservation historians.” Any further questions for Tiffany can be emailed to her via ttolbert@historiclandmarks.org.

There was a question whether funding is available through the Preservation society to help the homeowner comply with guidelines, Caroline Conner said “no, this is due to the difficulty in determining whether the residential owner is using the funds to historically repair or not.” There is some relief through what is called the residential tax credit for anyone interested, check the cities historic preservation website.

Candace Shaw announced, the City Forum-on the school closure to be held Tuesday at 7am at the South Bend Chocolate factory located at 57 Franklin St. Dave Hollenbeck will be speaking next Friday 7:30am on the 2nd floor of the Chamber of Commerce at 162 W. Lincolnway. Craig Phillips The City Planner for Valparaiso on the 31st 6:30pm will be at the Valparaiso Public Library 103 Jefferson St. where he will be discussing the proposed new comprehensive zoning ordinance, the Unified Development Ordinance and how grand-fathering will protect the as is property.

Robert Cotton announced he had nothing to report on the C.N.A. Block Party except that it should be simple with music and the aroma of a grill or two. He expressed a need to meet with others interested in planning this event. A suggestion was made to set up a box for contributions to neighborhood association.

There was discussion on the monthly flyer distribution including whether or not to have them done by children, as in the past. Candace Shaw suggested delivering flyers 1 week before the monthly meeting to keep it fresh so people would be more inclined to remember and attend. Candace requested Block Captains to cover the central neighborhood. Libby Middendorf took Academy, Kathy Lemmon requested Michigan, Keith Kirkpatrick said he’d do Franklin, Mark McColly chose Napoleon and Caroline Conner held on to Washington. There is still room for more participants in this attendance boosting activity. Just let Candice know of your availability.

Candace Shaw announced we still need a V.P. to replace the acting V.P. Debbie Dohner. A recommendation was mentioned. Candace will follow up on it.

A suggestion of an Open House among committee members was mentioned for sometime after Halloween. Keith Kirkpatrick suggested at least 5 to 6 people willing to open their homes to view the historic detail would be sufficient.

The subject of dues came up. Technically every one is a member within the district. The discussion on dues was tabled.

Candace Shaw motioned to adjourn the meeting. She announced the date for our next regular monthly meeting to be Aug.23, 2008.

11:30am Adjourned

Respectfully submitted:
Juanita Cotton
Secretary CNA