Steering Committee Meeting Minutes from September 19, 2005

Bob Morrow called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Invocation was given by Rick Miller. In attendance: Bob Morrow, Rick Miller, Krysten Neal, Pat Silagy-Wesson, Rachel Korzan, James Golden, Cyndi Hofacre, Tom Sherer, SueZanne Artzner, Anne Efremoff, Dionne Hight, Darryl Paden, Linda Cook, Marie Malernee Excused Absences: Emil Alecusan, Virginia Gingrich, Dave and Dena Claus, Michelle Trbovich, Marilyn Poulos, Laura Sampsel. Stephanie Shipley.

Secretary's Report:

Minutes from June 13, 2005 and July 18, 2005 were passed along for everyone to see.Minutes will be posted on the website for anyone to see.Minutes will be relayed to the officers for approval before being posted on the website, the acceptance of the recorded minutes will not be done until the next steering committee meeting.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Fay was not in attendance, therefore, no report of finances was given at this time.

1st Vice President's Report:

Memberships at this time are 180. Ten are already recorded for 2006. Free Memberships given out were a total of seven. Rick Miller received a few memberships tonight and will update the count at the next meeting.

2nd Vice President's Report:

Pat Silagy-Wesson reported that in the last 3 years the number of calls for June, July and August had no significant change.

A home on the 200 block of 30th St. N.W. reported a break-in on September, 12, 2005. Collectible coins and some rolled coins were taken. The break-in occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Also, reported was the use of a pellet gun that hit a neighbor's car on the 300 block of 34th St. N.W. between Logan and Market Ave. N.W. on September 11, 2005. A police report was filed.

Neighbors are concerned about the traffic generated by the Mason parents and where they are parked. How safe is it to be parked along Harvard Ave. after Mason dismisses school for the day? Should Ken Kendall be called or have police be there to direct the traffic?

Old Business:

Community Block Party - Cyndi Hofacre sent "Thank-Yous" to Mayor Creighton and Chief McKimm for their support of our community and for attending our gathering. Thank-you to Jennifer Golden for all of her hard work for getting donations for door prizes, to Tammy Lamiell for her hard work on her donations work for the food. Her efforts were well received and allowed us to purchase with gift cards from Giant Eagle for $15.00 and from Fisher Foods for $15.00. Pat Silagy-Wesson also receives a Thank-you for her hard work at getting raffle prizes. Our expenses were Canton Chair Rental...$580.00, Porto-Jon...$80.00, Party Animals Inflatables...$540.00, Pop, Ice and other essentials...$112.75... Bingo cards...$14.00. Any unused, unopened food was donated to a Soup Kitchen. There was a concern that so many children came to the festivities without parental supervision. A committee will be formed to gather new ideas and such for next year. At least 120 people were at the gathering.

Newsletter Survey went out with the last newsletter, at this time only 17 were returned. Many were interested in sidewalk replacement and new trees along the grassy strips of their blocks. Ideas stemming for that to see about grants that are out there for the above ideas. Also, on the survey, a mention about mail delivery and questions relating to the Area Co-Ordinators.

Landscaping and signage to be started soon. A smaller sign for the lower island is going to be placed in about 8 weeks. The sign was originally going to be about 36 inches, it will be downsized to 28 inches. The embankment at the park was discussed with a Rice's Nursery Representative. Ground cover would be the best option.

New Business:

Market Heights Website... New ideas and ways to access areas on the website for members, co-ordinators, etc. James Golden to update the website with new levels of security and password access. To be included on the website would be the neighborhoods accomplishments, pictures and what homes are for sale in the neighborhood. We want to promote city living and our neighborhood.

General Meeting to be slated for October 22, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. A nominating committee is to be established for the new officers of 2006. Position of 1st Vice President is open and the position of Secretary will be open. Daryl Paden put his name on the roster for 1st Vice Presidential nominee.

An Audit Committee has to be formed. According to our By-Laws we should have an audit on Bob Fay's records. At this time, no audit of the finances has been done.

Volunteering for the committee was Daryl Paden and Marie Malernee. Also, Rachel Korzan updating the Steering Committee on the next City Council meeting that N.A.V.E. will be attending. October 17, 2005 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. is a chance for all Neighborhood Associations to show their strength in numbers and to share their concerns with City Council. She also shared her information from Stark Foundation. Two speakers, Sandy Lutz from the League of Women Voters spoke about "How we can better fund our schools", and Jack Hawk, an architect and preservationist wanting suggestions about Downtown area homes, the ones being boarded up or demolished.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.