Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

2006 - Cheatom Park Meeting Minutes(January - May)

Tuesday, Jan 17th-Feb 21st , 2006

January - February 2006 - Cheatom Park Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 17th, 2006, 5:30 pm,

United Way Conference Center

Attendance: Debra Carr (President), Don Curry (Vice President), Jeanne Dobrzynski (Secretary), Christina Butts, Teva Dawson, Dave Discher (United Way), George Dobrzynski, Justin Hancock, Marie Headrick, Bob Reynolds (Neighborhood Inspector), Nina Koger, Han Wu (West Bank), Rick Hickle (DMPD), Margaret Wright (Making Connections).

Board Meeting

1. D. Carr called the meeting to order.
2. D. Curry stated he received a quote of $250 for letterhead for the neighborhood association. Because of the high price, he recommended we create a Word Document with the letterhead on it and apply it to documents as needed. The board agreed.
3. D. Carr will submit for $400.00 reimbursement from Small Neighborhood Grants to cover the cost of the food from the renaming party the Neighborhood Association hosted last July at Cheatom Park.
4. D. Carr requested permission to seek legal council to assist with the confusion created by the past president of the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association continuing to use the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association’s Employer tax ID number and registered seal for her new organization, New Vision, Incorporated. D. Carr has talked with Legal Aid, and they are interested in helping and holding a position as on of the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Association.
5. D. Disher made a motion to authorize D. Carr to seek legal council to protect the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association tax EIN#. D. Curry seconded the motion. The motion passed without opposition.

Members Meeting

1. D. Carr called the meeting to order.
2. Sgt. Rick Hickle is the new Des Moines Police Officer assigned to Cheatom Park as part of the Neighborhood Based Service. Our former police officer, K. Veasley, is now in charge of the West Side Boxing Club on College Avenue.
3. C. Butts said the Christmas party hosted by St. Paul AME at PACE was a nice event with food and music. Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association did not make a monetary contribution this year.
4. N. Koger suggested the Neighborhood Association put out a calendar of events so residents are aware of activities ahead of time.
5. T. Dawson gave a presentation on “Digging Deeper”, a Des Moines Community Food Project. They received a Community Grant to see how community gardening can address hunger problems in Des Moines. They have a backyard garden delivery program they are offering to neighborhoods. They deliver a 4-foot by 8-foot garden along with seeds and soil to interested residents that attend a one-hour “Basics in Gardening” class. The neighborhood association is responsible for surveying interested people, fining mentor gardeners, and helping with logistics. C. Butts made a motion that Cheatom Park get involved with the community gardening program. D. Curry seconded the motion. The motion passed without opposition. J. Hancock volunteered to be the liaison between the neighborhood residents and the Community Gardening program.
6. M. Wright of Making Connections shared information about free tax assistance provided at United Way. This information will be included in the Cheatom Park newsletter.
7. B. Reynolds reported the city cleaned some debris on 11th Street and that a non-resident property owner was recently arrested for illegal dumping in the neighborhood.
8. The group discussed the house on 6th Avenue that is being moved to Sherman Hill. J. LeValley will give a presentation at the next meeting about construction Mercy’s construction plans.
9. The minutes from September and October’s meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
10. D. Carr adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeanne Dobrzynski

Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

2/2006

Tuesday, February 21st, 2006, 5:30 pm
United Way Conference Center

Attendance: Debra Carr (President), Don Curry (Vice President), Jeanne Dobrzynski (Secretary), Colete Root (Treasurer), Dave Discher (United Way), Justin Hancock, Marie Headrick, Bob Reynolds (Neighborhood Inspector), Nina Koger, Rich Hickle (DMPD), Joe LeValley (Mercy), Craig Holden, Kent Chesmore (Wells Fargo).

1. D. Curry called the meeting to order.
2. Sgt. Rich Hickle circulated a photo of a person that rides a bike around the neighborhood to alert residents of possible criminal behavior.
3. SCRUB Day – D. Curry presented a proposal from the city about moving 2006 SCRUB Days to the Transfer Station at 4198 Delaware Avenue to save costs. If the neighborhood agreed, residents would be allowed to use this site throughout the SCRUB Day season, not just on their designated SCRUB Day. There was motion to host the Cheatom Park SCRUB Day with River Bend Neighborhood and use the Transfer Station. The motion passes without opposition.
4. C. Holden and K. Chesmore from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage gave a presentation about renovation financing. They will loan up to 110% of the home’s approved value for improvements. Call 362-5889 for more information.
5. D. Carr contacted attorney D. Williams to assist with amending the Neighborhood Association’s corporate documents, changing over properties owned by the Neighborhood Association from the past president, and protecting the EIN#. J. LeValley moved that we amend the articles of incorporation, specifically Articles I, II, and IV, to be consistent with the bylaws and based on the advice of a qualified attorney. M. Headrick seconded. D. Carr requested approval to pay the attorney $600.00 for these services. D. Curry moved that we spend $600.00 to retain the services of D. William to assist the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association with various legal matters. J. Dobrzynski seconded. The motion passed without opposition. J. LeValley offered assistance from Mercy’s attorneys if needed.
6. J. LeValley gave a presentation on Mercy Medical Center’s renovation and growth.
7. Police report: Sgt. R. Hickle stated there were 46 crime cases in Cheatom Park over the past month, including 2 arsons, 2 thefts, and 5 vandalisms. He stated that police reports taken at Mercy count as occurring in Cheatom Park.
8. B. Reynolds stated the Laurel Village apartment complex has changed owners. No information is available on the new owner.
9. D. Carr adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeanne Dobrzynski

Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

Tuesday, March 21st-(no Apr min avail), 2006

March 2006 Cheatom Park Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 5:30 pm
Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. Board and Members meeting

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 5:30 pm

Attendance: Don Curry (Vice President), Colete Root (treasurer), Gerald Hill, Jeanne Dobrzynski (treasurer), Pastor Toussaint Cheatom, Justin Hancock, Marie Headrick, Rick Martin, Brandie Young, George Dobrzynski, Sgt. Rich Hickle, Alecia Kates (YMCA), Brandie Young, Kathryn Bastian, Jamon Winfrey.

Board Meeting

1. D. Curry called the meeting to order.
2. The proposed changes for the articles of incorporation were passed to the present board members. The Neighborhood Association was advised by our attorney to amend the articles of incorporation to change the official name to the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association, Inc.
3. There was a motion to amend the articles as proposed. The motion passed without opposition.

Members Meeting

1. D. Curry called the meeting to order.
2. The minutes were reviewed and approved as written.
3. J. Dobrzynski gave a list of proposed activities for 2006: Resident Vegetable Gardens (April), YMCA family night with pizza party (May); Skating Party (June); Youth Recognition/Scholarship (June), Joanna Cheatom Summerfest (July); National Night Out (August 1st), SCRUB Day (August), Annual meeting with elections (October), Thanksgiving Baskets for seniors/needy (November), Christmas Party (December), Adopt a Family (December),
4. C. Root gave the treasury report checking balance= $1773.39. Invoices were sent to businesses in the neighborhood for membership dues.
5. R. Martin, discussed the resident vegetable gardening project. The purpose of the project is to increase the amount of food access in the city. They have created edible landscapes at a few sites in the Des Moines city limits.
6. A. Kates from Grubb YMCA gave an overview of programs and services available through the Grubb YMCA. Programs include: Youth Day Camp, Trim Kids, Neighborhood Youth Conference, Teen fitness, Youth in Government, Black Achievement, Bowling League, Father and child activity (Adventure Guides), 55 and over programs (opera, holiday lights). Any child that gets better than a D gets a free membership. They also host back to school health fairs with free physicals. They have a strong emphasis on youth development and bringing kids into a safe environment. The Grubb YMCA is available to schedule neighborhood family nights - free use of YMCA. She recommended that we put out a flyer and instruct residents to bring the flyer for admission to family night. The neighborhood association would need about 15 adult or youth volunteers to help staff the event. The Grubb YMCA is located just a few blocks North of Cheatom Park at 1611 11th Street, Des Moines. Their phone number is 246-0791.
7. Police report (Sgt. R. Hickle): 87 calls for service, 17 offenses, 3 assaults (one from Mercy), he will talk to someone in statistics about differentiating crimes reported at Mercy, (one shooting and one mugging), 10 thefts (many from Mercy parking), robbery of pizza delivery person 14th and Enos. Problem areas in Cheatom Park were identified, one property was a city owned lot; 11th street , 12th and Ascension, DMPD narcotics people are working on it. Kids park at abandoned house, which belongs to city. Street lights are sometimes out on 11th street which greatly increases the amount of disruptive behavior. Sgt. Hickle stated he will follow up on neighborhood watch signs.
8. J. Hill asked on behalf of a resident if the I-235 construction will move North. There are no plans to move I-235 further North.
9. J. Dobrzynski gave a list of announcements: There will be a youth Job Fair Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the DMACC Ankeny Campus with free transportation from DMACC Urban Campus. There is a Public Forum with State and County legislatures this Saturday at the North Library. “Extreme Home Makeovers” is looking for a family in Central Iowa to feature on an upcoming episode. Email to Jeanne suggestions for families that could use a home makeover. In spring there are often a variety of construction scams from contractors who request large amounts of money upfront. Des Moines Neighbors is having their annual dinner and recognition banquet Thursday, April 27th at 6:30 in the Mickle Center at 1620 Pleasant Street. Flowers are available for planting in public spaces through the Botanical Center.
10. D. Curry adjourned the meeting.

Next meeting April 18th.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeanne Dobrzynski

Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

<<No April minutes avail>>

Tuesday, May 16th- (no Jun min avail), 2006, 5:30 pm

Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. Board and Members meeting
-- Tuesday, May 16, 2006 5:30 pm --


Attendance: Debra Carr (president), Don Curry (Vice President), Colete Root (treasurer), Jeanne Dobrzynski (secretary), , Brenda Bradley, , Justin Hancock, George Dobrzynski, Sgt. Rich Hickle, Bob Reynolds, Mayor Frank Cownie, Brenda Bradley, Nina Koger, Frank Owens, Han Wu (West Bank), Cheryl Busby.

Board Meeting
1. D. Carr called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm.
2. D. Carr stated we have retained an attorney by the name of Don Williams. He is helping us establish a sound corporation through the Secretary of State and IRS. The IRS and Secretary of State granted the former president of this neighborhood association the EIN # to use for her new organization. It needs to be determined if a court order needs to be filed. A complaint has been filed. D. Carr and D. Williams met with the Secretary of State they are building a case file to be presented to the Attorney General’s office. F. Owens recommended we contact Willard Boyle (sp?).
3. The owners of a new business tenant, Action Auto Body, were approached by J. Cochrane who stated she was going to build a structure on the property owned by the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association.
4. The board meeting was adjourned to begin the members meeting.


Members Meeting
1. D. Carr called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
2. The minutes were reviewed and approved as written.
3. C. Busby gave a presentation on Summer Jobs targeted toward 14 and 15 year olds. They have funding for 30 youth, 15 of which are designated for Cheatom Park residents. The youth will be placed in non-profit agencies and willwork up to 20 hour/week and be paid $5.50/hr. One afternoon a week will be spent in tutoring. They get to choose their place of work, with an attempt to find work close to home. Job opportunities include clerical, janitorial, and recreational. The program application deadline is 5/30/06. Positions will be filled based on need. Call 245-7800 with question.
4. B. Reynolds said Bruce Brun, at 237-1371, handles curbs for the city. The property at 1310 Enos Avenue will be demolished this week. Bob made a list of vacant lots and unkempt properties that need to be mowed. Mowing should start next week.
5. R. Hickle stated Neighborhood Watch signs cost $21.25 each which includes installation. They are the standard blue and black. The Cheatom Park logo signs were $125 per sign, not including installation. Police Statistics: 257 calls for service, 72 offenses, 2 aggravated assault, 1 possession, 1 intox, 1 drunk driver, 2 family offense, 3 rapes, 11 thefts, liquor law 1, MV theft 2, simple assault 6, vandalism 3. Statistics still include reports taken at Mercy Medical Center, work continues to be done to differentiate the location reports filed from those occurring in the Cheatom Park neighborhood. He will set up the automatic voice dial for notifying residents of upcoming meetings.
6. D. Carr gave update about DM Neighbors meeting. Awards were given to B. Reynolds for city employee, Christina Butts for resident, and Making Connections for Agency.
7. Skating event Sunday, June 11th 4-6pm at Incrediroll Skate North, cost is $2 per person.
8. Joanna Cheatom Summerfest is scheduled for July 15th and 16th. D. Carr submitted a grant proposal for the Summerfest.
9. Update on corporate activities.
10. J. Dobrzynski gave a report on the May 6th neighborhood garage sale.
11. St. Paul AME is starting a program to help people who want to go into business.
12. Wells Fargo is looking for a street to adopt to revitalize.
13. J. Dobrzynski stated she was told Cheatom Park was not eligible to apply as an NFC neighborhood.
14. The meeting was adjourned.


Respectfully submitted,


Jeanne Dobrzynski
Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association