College Hill Neighborhood Association Board Minutes

9-2-2004

Attending:  Mary Brammer, Jana Nelson, Lynn Nielsen, Mike Prophet, Kate McElligatt, Jill Lankford, Jeanette Winegarden

Absent:  Tom Reisetter, Daryl Anderson

Guests:  Aaron Hawbaker, Lars Peterson, Arleen Cook

Copies of the minutes were passed out.  Jeanette moved that the minutes be accepted.  The motion was seconded and passed.

Jana reported that our balance is $6,166.68.  Mary submitted three outstanding bills totaling $176.06 (postage for the last mailing, picnic supplies, and food).  A motion was made to approve the payment of the bills,  and was seconded and passed.

Old Business:

The picnic was well attended and very successful.  Two suggestions were made for next year:  put up badminton nets and consider a 6:00 starting time.  Mary requested that Kate send thank you notes to the Hearst Center for the sax quartet and the face painting. 

The revised bylaws and articles of incorporation are now in effect.

Mike Prophet and his wife agreed to take care of the Homecoming Parade entry.  Tom Reisetter has had access to a convertible in the past.  Mike will contact the university about participating in the parade.  Two signs for the car will be needed.

A neighborhood clean up is planned for Sunday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m..  This is the day after Homecoming.  Volunteers will meet in front of Quik Trip.  Jill Lankford suggested that we consider raising money for a young girl in the neighborhood with lymphoma.  There are two Girl Scout troops that may participate.  Jill proposed asking businesses who benefit from the clean up to make a contribution.  Lynn related that the business district on the hill is usually cleaned up quickly, presumably by the city.  Tom R. and  Jim (?) can provide trucks that can circulate and pick up full trash bags.  Kate suggested giving money earned from can and bottle refunds to the girl with lymphoma.  Jeanette moved that the association purchase 12 vests and Lynn seconded the motion.  The cost will be approximately $100.  Mary will order these.

Activities Update:

Mary reported on her meeting with John Page.  Tony has 45 days to fill the hole. She was not sure what was going to be done about the fence.  The city is still looking into this.  Mary plans to visit with Tony about the fence.  Kate suggested that if the fence remains, perhaps a local mural artist could paint something that would be more attractive  than the existing black fence with Tony’s logo. 

Mary reported that the cell tower that has been proposed will not be placed in the original location due to noncompliance with city regulations.  Geisler is looking into locating a cell tower on his property on the hill.

Mary reported on the issue of detached garages.  The garage in question is essentially a metal pole building.  Regulating detached garages is not addressed by the new ordinance.  The size of the garage depends upon the size of the lot  The city plans to take another look at the Overlay Ordinance.  The design review portion of the Overlay would prohibit metal pole buildings.  Under current regulations, the garage can be as tall as the home (which could be up to several stories).  Mike commented that there seems to be no distinction made between garages and storage units.  The city is primarily looking at the Overlay Ordinance as it applies to design in the commercial area.

Mary reported that inflatable pools which are often party sites are not considered “above ground” pools by the city. We could question this if anyone wants to file a complaint.

Mary reported that Developmental Services is not asking for a full-time code enforcement officer.  This is not a priority.  Members need to contact their council representatives because goal-setting sessions are being held soon.  There are many concerns regarding over occupancy but this rule  is difficult for the city to enforce.  Kate suggested putting a reminder about the Nuisance Ordinance and who to contact with complaints in our next newsletter.  Kate also volunteered to write a short article about trash/yard waste pick up.

Mary has been in contact with Dave Zarafis, the Head of UNI Public Safety.  She will be setting up a meeting with him soon.  The purpose of the meeting would be to learn more about the department and how they interact with the neighborhood.  Jeanette will assist Mary with this.

Mary announced that Dave Wieland has donated the bricks for the flower garden border.  On Sat. September 25 at 9:00 a.m. the bricks will be laid around the flowerbed on Seerley Blvd.  Assistance would be appreciated.

Lynn has contacted Mark Riplinger about placing a second flowerbed on Seerley Blvd. across from the park.  Sue Hummel is  interested in helping maintain the bed.  Lynn will put the proposal into a letter. 

Mary reminded the Board that the next meeting is Thurs. Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the PIPAC Center Board Room.  There will be dinner followed by a meeting.  (The dinner meeting was won during a Chamber of Commerce Event.)

New Business:

Arleen Cook addressed the Board about the acquisition of four homes on Iowa St. just South of Seerley by Terry Meewes.  He has told a former owner and also neighbors that he plans to tear down the houses and erect a multifamily unit on the property.  Arleen reported that she had contacted Developmental Services and had met with David Sturch.  She learned that in order to protect the park neighborhood from teardowns and multiplexes, zoning on three sides of the park would need to be changed from R-3 to R-2.  Arleen took a letter and petition around to homes in the park neighborhood.  She found very strong support for rezoning from the owners and renters she spoke to.  (Only one person declined to sign the petition.)  Seeley Park Neighbors is pursuing a change in the zoning.  This will require a fee of $350 and some legal fees.  Lars Peterson asked the Board whether there was any basis for objecting to the proposed apartment complex.  Jeanette reported that it is difficult to downzone property and an attorney is needed.    Mary felt that it was important to separate the two issues (down zoning  the park and the possible multiplex on Iowa and Seerley).  Mary indicated that she wants to set up a committee outside of the Board to study this.  Jeanette seconded this.  The motion was passed with some opposition.  Mary was concerned about the “ramifications of supporting this”.  She also asked the neighborhood group to prepare a budget.

Mary reported that Planning and Zoning required Mike Geisler to submit a better design and landscaping plan for the second unit on Walnut.

Jill suggested that the Seerley Park Neighbors align their goals with the city’s comprehensive plan.  Kate suggested that interested parties contact Kamyar Enshayan in reference to the City Council’s goal setting meeting.

Mary reported that a resident at 16th and Washington (Jan Leeper) is interested in starting a neighborhood association in the Lincoln School area. 

Mary reported that Marty Ryan has no objection to CHNA erecting signs indicating entrance to the College Hill Neighborhood.  Apparently, the associations in Waterloo use signs made at the Anamosa correctional facility. 

Membership recruitment and the upcoming newsletter were discussed briefly.  We plan to mail or leaflet all addresses in the Overlay for the fall newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate McElligatt

Board Secretary