East Columbus Gateway

ECCA February Meeting Minutes

February 20, 2003

(ECCA) Meeting Minutes 02-20-03

Peggy Murphy, President of the ECCA called the meeting to order.

Peggy informed the meeting attendees that the minutes to the January meeting were available online or in hardcopy upon request.

William Adams requested a financial report be made. Willie Mae Smith, ECCA treasurer, was absent; so, Jesse Dodge gave the report stating the funds that were available as of January 31, 2003.

Nick Shalash owner of Nick’s Market contributed $500 to the ECCA to help distribute the East Columbus Gateway Newsletter.

Kim Moss and John Hanson from the Griffin Design discussed the Streetscape Improvements. Of the 1.8 million dollars targeted for the improvements to the neighborhood $150,000 will be used to add eight bus shelters, empty lot screening, metal trash receptacles, and business/community banners. The area that will receive these improvements is on Fifth Avenue between Gould and Dawson Avenues. Kim stated that an additional $150,000 might be available next year for the East Columbus Gateway (ECG) district.

Lynne LaCour, neighborhood liaison officer, commented about a celebration in honor of the Streetscape Improvements. No definite plans are scheduled, but the suggestion of a celebration was welcomed.

Peggy reported that the ECG is one of five neighborhoods chosen to be a Neighborhood Pride neighborhood this year. She gave a brief description of what this entails and reported that Mayor Coleman will attended the celebration meeting on September 25.

Lynne LaCour said she will ask Mark Welling the liaison for Neighborhood Pride for the ECG to attend the March 20 ECCA meeting.

Dr. Ward of Youth Advocate Services discussed youth and families at risk. He stated that they are discussing the addition of two more homes. One home would be built on the present lot in the ECG neighborhood. The service is contributing $650 so the March newsletter can be distributed to all 10,000 homes in the neighborhood. Dr. Ward said they would be an information session on foster care the first week of March.

Peggy stated that future newsletters will be distributed as they are presently being distributed by placing them in churches and businesses and by mail.

Bill Adams gave a report concerning the block watch program.

Sgt. Curry talked about voting the neighborhood dry to remove the problems associated with bars that bring in dangerous elements. Bill Adams went on record that he is against closing the bars. The liquor board will make a decision as to whether the problem bars can keep their license, but this vote will not be made for several months to a year. The neighborhood residents can attend the liquor board meeting or send a letter stating their opinion about the licenses being renewed. All liquor licenses are due to be renewed each year on January 31st. So, the problem bars have had their license renewed for the year 2003.

Harold Glover asked Sgt. Curry about the nuiance law being used to rid the neighborhood of these problem bars. Sgt. Curry stated that the nuiance law requires showing there is a violation, notifying the owner, giving the owner time to fix the problem, and then finding the problem again and filing charges again.

At the board meeting the members voted for applying for Columbus Foundation Grant, Columbus Compact Neighborhood Grant, United Way Grants: Block Watch Safety and Community Garden.

Marie Mitchell stated that the yearly membership dues is due.