College Hill Neighborhood Association Board Meeting
October 6, 2004
Attending: Mary Brammer, Daryl Anderson, Jana Nelson, Jeanette Winegarden, Tom Reisetter, Mike Prophet, Kate McElligatt, Lynn Nielsen, Jill Lankford
Guest: Loree Rackstraw
Tom moved that the minutes of the September Board Meeting be approved. The motion was seconded and passed.
The treasurer reported that we had $6, 159.90 in our account as of 9/28/2004. Eleven members have renewed for a total of $290. Several outstanding bills were presented for the Francis Crouter Memorial Plaque ($165.85), postage for the September newsletter ($55.50), and expenses related to the creek clean-up ($30). Mary moved to accept and approve payment. The motion was seconded and passed.
Reports were given on recent activities involving the Overlay. Tony Tomlyanovich has filled the hole on College Street and has taken the back fence down. The fence on the street side remains up.
Complaints have been made regarding the creation of a new parking lot at 624 22nd Street. No site plan was submitted. The city has sent the owner a letter.
It appears the off street parking ordinance is not being enforced, possibly because the penalty is fairly severe.
Mary sent a letter to the city regarding the bootlegging ordinance and the necessity of consequencing the landlord as well as the students. Her letter requested that the city at minimum notify the landlord when arrests are made on their properties.
Mary reported that, as a nonprofit organization, CHNA could qualify to employ work-study students. This would involve filling out an application. If approved, the position can be advertised on the work-study job website and we could hire students for $1.60 hour with the program picking up the remainder of the wages.
Loree, Daryl, and Mary had a meeting with Marty Ryan. One of the items discussed was detached garages. The city is looking at reopening the College Hill Overlay Ordinance. Also discussed was the language relating to design issues. The Overlay in the downtown business district has different requirements for site plans. Landscaping, parking, and water runoff were other issues which were raised. Mary would like to find CHNA members with expertise in these areas to help us study these issues.
Mary has contacted the Waterloo Neighborhood Services Department. They have a number of informational brochures that would be of interest to our organization.
Kate and Lynn reported on the College Hill Neighbors rezoning proposal. Two homeowners on Iowa Street south of Seerley are not in favor of rezoning so the group is looking at requesting rezoning for the blocks surrounding the park and to the north of the park. Mary has contacted Good Neighbor Properties which is a group of individuals who have purchased rental units in the Overlay in order to maintain the properties and educate student renters on the rights and responsibilities of living in the residential areas around the university.
We plan to send an upcoming newsletter to all residents in the Overlay. The March issue which comes out just prior to the April general membership meeting would be the most opportune time. Mary would like to establish a committee to develop this special newsletter.
Mary reported that the orange vests have been ordered and will be available for the Sunday clean up. The brick border on the flower garden has been laid and the plaque will be mounted.
A new student representative to the board has been appointed through the UNI student government. This person will hopefully be able to attend the November meeting.
The streetscape study open meetings are next Tuesday at 2:00 and 6:00. We are invited to attend and give our input. The original Discovery Group report included recommendations for the business district.
The Board discussed the steps which were being taken to address the Homecoming crowds in the business district. We received a letter from the UNI student government expressing some concerns. After some discussion, the Board decided to send a letter to the Mayor, City Council, and Chief of Police encouraging the city to include the CHNA, UNI Public Safety, the UNI student government, and the College Hill Merchant’s Association as decisions are made regarding issues affecting the students, merchants, and residents.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kate McElligatt
Board Secretary