Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

2008 - Cheatom Park Meeting Minutes(January - July)

Wednesday, Jan. 16th - Feb 20th, 2008 - 5:30 pm

Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

Wednesday, January 16 th, 2007, 6:00 pm,

United Way Conference Center

Attendance: Debra Carr (President), Jeanne Dobrzynski (Secretary), Don Curry (Vice President), Sgt. Bernell Edwards (DMPD), Terry Wells, Susan Wells, Justin Hancock, Christina Butts, George Dobrzynski, Holly Olson (NFC), Joni Norman (NCF), Ben Ihde (DMPD), Holly Garcia (DMPD).

1.D. Carr called the meeting to order. Introductions were made.
2.The minutes were reviewed and approved as corrected.
3.H. Olson and J. Norman from Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC) gave a presentation on services available through NFC. Cheatom Park residents are eligible for NFC Loans, although we are not a designated neighborhood. Loans can be used for a home purchase or maintenance, including sidewalk and driveway repair. Part of the loan is forgivable, up to $10,000. There is no upper income limit. They also offer free homeowner education classes. Designated neighborhoods benefit with additional City of Des Moines time and resources for planning, for example, assistance with traffic, streets and sidewalks. The city accepts applications on an irregular basis, last done in 2006. Call 288-5626 x 209 or www.neighborhoodfinance.org for more information. Holly Olson can be reached at 288-5626 x 203.
4.D. Carr gave the treasury report – Checking balance = $5,434.84.
5.D. Carr stated she received a letter from United Way stating they will no longer participate as a member of the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association.
6.There was discussion of incorporating the area directly south of 235, which is currently not included in a neighborhood association, into Cheatom Park.
7.There was discussion about the Central Iowa Shelter relocation and the neighborhood’s involvement.
8.Police report – Sgt Bernell Edwards – Building a rapport with the Des Moines PD and the people of the neighborhoods. Officer Garcia spoke about detectives working the neighborhoods, she deals with crimes against people. Her phone # is 237-1499. Ben Ihde 271-4672; bjihde@dmgov.org, let Sgt. Edwards know of problem traffic areas so he can pass it on. They are putting together stats for neighborhood crime. There were a total of 203 calls for Cheatom Park in December. Domestics – 5. Burglaries – 0, Narcotics – 2, shots fired – 1, Assault – 1. Contact police if you are going out of town so they can watch your property.
9.D. Carr states N. Dixon appreciated the Christmas gifts from the neighborhood association. Total cost for the gifts was $64.00.
10.Rebuilding together is a group that donates one day of labor and materials to families in need.
11.Making Connections is giving $1000 neighborhood grants for a variety of neighborhood projects. The next application deadline is Feb 15th.
12.Neighborhood Leadership classes are offered free for residents that start Feb 5th Call Amy at 280-1807 for more information. Classes are held at DMACC.
13.D. Carr adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeanne Dobrzynski
Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

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Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday, February 20th, 2007, 6:00 pm,

United Way Conference Center

Attendance: Debra Carr (President), Jeanne Dobrzynski (Secretary), Don Curry (Vice President), Sgt. Bernell Edwards (DMPD), Terry Wells, Justin Hancock, George Dobrzynski, Terry Odam (DMPD) , Ben Ihde (DMPD), George Dobrzynski, Bates Carr, Phyllis Simmons , Pastor Gaddy, Susan Wells, Monica Ollie, *Nina Kroger.

1.D. Carr called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm.
2.K Kahoune from the City of Des Moines spoke to members about becoming an NFC designated neighborhood. She explained that under the current rules, Cheatom Park would need to wait for King Irving Neighborhood to graduate from the program before Cheatom Park could qualify because only one “distressed” neighborhood is allowed to participate at a time. “Distressed” is based on a variety of factors including assessor’s data, changing of home values, and the number of public nuisances. There are three classifications of neighborhoods: Stable, Transitional, and Distressed. There are currently 7 designated neighborhoods, 11 chartered neighborhoods, and 3 recognized neighborhoods. NRB makes suggestions to the City of Des Moines for adding neighborhood to the program. Recognized means that a neighborhood is in good standing with the City of Des Moines. Neighborhood Associations need to submit an annual report showing you are having meetings. To get a plan to improve the neighborhood, we would need to get designated. Get more information from Bridget Montgomery 283-4568.
3.Bernell Edwards (DMPD)– T. Odam – detective with crimes against property – burglaries, thefts, trespassing, criminal mischief. Call Stew Craff regarding shoes on electrical wires. Traffic Officer, B. Ihde, spoke about traffic concerns in the neighborhood. Contact him at 271-4672 with concerns about speeding, stop signs, cars. Calls for service 15, 070 calls for city of Des Moines. Cheatom Park 70 calls (including Mercy) – 23 calls total for Cheatom Park, 5 assaults, 2 burglaries. Search warrant at property at 9th street. Narcotics call on 12th street. Nuisance cars are going to be tagged and removed.
4.Shepherdess Suzanna Holmes from Making Connections gave a presentation on opportunities for personal development for the residents of our neighborhood. These Resident Leadership Development trainings are provided free of charge. The courses are worth 40 CEU’s. She also talked about the “Time Dollar” program that allows residents to convert their personal time into purchasing power by helping others. Examples of help available include child care, prayer, carpentry, cooking, yard services, hairstyling, and housecleaning. Her phone # is 309-4798.
5.Dave Nagel, of Central Iowa Saves, gave a presentation. There is a program that encourages people to build a personal savings.
6.D. Carr gave the Treasury report: Checking balance = $5441.43. The treasury report was approved as presented.
7.D. Williams, attorney, gave a presentation on the legal issues facing Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association. J. Cochran, the immediate past president of the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association (formerly New Vision Neighborhood Asssociation) is still listed as the registered agent of the organization by the Secretary of State and the IRS. One of the properties owned by the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association has been sold by J. Cochran to an individual for $8500. The Polk County Attorney has stated he is not going to take action on this case. There was discussion about forming a new corporation, and filing a new 501( c) 3. D. Williams stated he will talk with John Sarcone. D. Curry made a motion that if after D. Williams meets with John Sarcone, and the results of that meeting make it necessary, we will move ahead with a civil lawsuit against J. Cochran and filing of new articles of incorporation for the Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association. The motion was seconded by T. Wells. The motion passed with out opposition.
8.The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeanne Dobrzynski
Secretary, Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association

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March(no meeting)-

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April 16 Minutes <none submitted>

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May 21 -June 18, 2008 Minutes

<<none submitted or no meeting>>

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partial July Cheatom Park Meeting Minutes

Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

Wednesday, July 16^st, 2008, 6:00 pm,

United Way Conference Center

Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

Attendance: Debra Carr (President), Jeanne Dobrzynski (Secretary-near end of meeting), Sgt. Bernell Edwards (DMPD), Terry Wells, Ben Ihde (DMPD), Susan Wells, Phyllis Simpsom, Dorthy Campbell, Sissy Cheatom,

D. Carr called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Rick Clark and Chris Hensley, plus DART reps couldn't make this month's meeting due to previously set meetings and handling flood issues still. The new date is set for September 17^th
Debra Carr reported for Nin Koger that the funds for the association was still at the last month's level but after spending for the JoAnna Cheatom Park Fest the costs for the festival may be slightly over the $1500 approved from June's meeting vote.
Making Connections has granted up to $500 for covering the food and other items of consumption for the participants at the neighborhood festival.
Police Report from Sgt. Bernall had Debra Carr report sightings of local teens throwing rocks to break the lights of the business office building at the south end of 14th Place, owned by Lance Cooper. Min complaint was that no officers arrived to take any report at anytime.
Office building owner, Lance Cooper spoke of how he wanted to be helpful and participate in the association. Is working to secure his roof from kids, transients or mischief makers using it to cause property damage. Will work on more natural defenses by using southern bramble bushes to be planted in the overgrown alley behind his property and parking lot.