Central Neighborhood Association

5-24-08 Meeting Minutes

Central Neighborhood Association

Central Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes
May 24, 2008

The Central Neighborhood Association held its regular meeting on Saturday May 24, 2008 at 9am at the Porter County Public Library Meeting Room B.

The Meeting was called to order at 9am. Introductions of those in attendance followed.

Minutes of the April meeting were read and approved along with the Treasurer??™s Report.
It was noted that there is $3,286.17 is available in the Association??™s Saving Account at First National Bank of Valpo.

The Community Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday June 21 from 9am ??“ 3pm. Neighbors were invited to participate and help with the yard sale. Maps and flyers will be produced for both the Banta and Central neighborhoods. Registrations have started. It was recommended a Rain Date be considered just in case.

After meeting with the Tina St. Aubin, Valpo Community Festivals and Events will help organize the National Night Out Against Crime. It will include the Banta, Hilltop, and Central Neighborhoods as well as any other individuals and neighborhoods that choose to be involved. It will be held on or close to the square. More information to come.

There was discussion regarding the landscaping and progress of the Central Neighborhood Triangle, located directly east of the Central School on Franklin. It is City property and maintained by Parks and Rec. It was noted that many community members have been involved on a voluntary basis in maintaining this area in the past and present. Those present were interested in obtaining more information on the proposed landscaping of the Triangle as there are concerns about the style and type of landscaping that is proposed as well as concerns for the safety and care of the trees and plants that are established in the triangle. It was noted that the Parks Department has established a Foundation for this venture where they will donate matching funds for community donations. A motion from Don Evans was seconded by Tim Daly to donate $1000 from the C.N.A. savings account and leverage $500 for a fundraiser to help finance the landscaping improvements and provide a voice for the Association with the Parks Dept. The motion passed with a majority approval, one nay vote on the motion. Robert cotton continued discussion regarding the triangle, especially in regards to a pure donation from the Association. He made a motion to amend the previously approved motion by earmarking the $500 for a fundraiser event and deciding at a later date regarding a pure donation of $1000. It was noted that a fundraiser may provide more than enough funds to help with this project and the donation may not be needed or necessary. Gary Hicks seconded the motion and it was approved by majority vote, no nay votes to the motion. All in attendance agreed that contacting the city is a priority and that contacting C.N.A. resident Linda Whitton was also a priority to get this project in motion. Don Evans, Candace Shaw, Robert cotton, and Gary Hicks agreed to proceed with this project.

Gary Hicks presented his idea to devise a C.N.A. history/timeline of events that occurred since the organizations inception. He will proceed with this in the near future and it will be made available to those involved in the organization. It was noted that Jan and Jim McGill know quite a bit of the history; Doug Pierce has pictures, as well as Kathy Lemmon. A lot of pictures are available in the Genealogy Room at the Library and it was noted that there has been a history of old Valpo in pictures put together before. Only a few community members still have a copy and we agreed that we should try to find those community members to get a copy.

Neighbors discussed the possibility of a Block Party to encourage neighborliness and potentially as a fundraiser for the Triangle. It was noted that there will be a 4th of July party at Will Park hosted by Project Neighbors and that the C.N.A. can have a booth at that to bring more awareness of the organization and of the Triangle project. There is a parade as well and we are also welcome to have a float in that. There were 800 people last year, with more expected this year. Contact Rebecca at 462-4822. Tim Daly recommended that for a first time event it may be best to keep it socially motivated and not necessarily a fundraiser and thos spresent agreed. It was suggested that a Block Party be held sometime in September and Don Evans, Robert cotton, Gary and Jan hicks, and Candace Shaw are all willing and able to help get this started. It was recommended to keep it simple with a grill-out and potluck.

Discussion regarding the future of the downtown YMCA building led to discussion regarding potential uses. It was recommended to write a letter to the YMCA Board of Directors expressing our interest in the future of the building and requesting a meeting and the opportunity to be involved in it??™s disposition. It is important to watch this and Candace Shaw and Loie Reinert will contact individuals they know are involved on the YMCA Board. Discussion began regarding the Downtown TIEF District and how this can impact the future of the building.

The City has begun meetings with Consultants to create a new plan for Rezoning the City. This was briefly discussed by Kathy Lemmon and Kathy Evans at the previous meeting and was briefly discussed again. It was recommended that we request Craig Phillips, the Mayor, and/or BZA members to a Q&A session for the downtown neighborhoods in the near future.

The Valpo Community Schools has devised a Task Force to develop a proposal for the buildings of the school system. Many neighbors expressed concern over this as at the first meeting it became know the Task Force is recommending the closure of 7 of the elementary schools, including Central. The plan proposes 4 or 5 big elementary schools on the periphery of Valpo, which will impact the quality of life in our neighborhood. The next Community Forum will be held on Thursday May 28 at TJ Middle School at 7pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend this and express our viewpoints.

Debbie invited us to City Council meetings to discuss all these and other issues as well. There is time dedicated at the end of the meeting for community input.


ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 10:15am.

Respectfully submitted,
Candace Shaw