January 8, 2008 Member Meeting
Date of meeting: Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)
Welcome and Introductions
Conrad Thiede called to order the January meeting at exactly 6:00 PM. Self-introductions of all in attendance followed.
Cincinnati Police Department / Downtown Services Unit Report
The CPD was represented by Cpt. Ken Jones and Sgt. Jeff Gramke (DSU). The following information was provided via their report:
M&N mini-market robbed, owner fired random shots, no one hit; owner charged with discharging firearm in city limits. Robbery suspect also arrested.
Rash of robberies prior to holidays (Ogden Alley, behind Garfield Suites Hotel, taxi driver robbed by man he picked up in downtown and drove to Hyde Park): suspect arrested, confessed to three of these crimes.
Garfield Mini-Mart robbed 12/26/07; off-duty officer ID'd male suspect matching description, subsequently arrested; no known home address.
First homicide of year at Ocho Rios (Sycamore & Twelfth); area has seen 5 homicides in 5 months. Issue is being attributed to some bars in the area working with certain promoters who bring in a rough crowd. Crowds usually bring bars to over-capacity levels, violence ensues.
The V-Twin conference will be back in town Feb. 2-4.
New DSU Lt. reporting to duty in late January/early February.
Crime in general on track to be lowest crime year since 2000 in CBD. November 2007: P1 (serious crime), down 24.6% from Nov. 2006 (which also saw decline); CBD P1 crime down 10.3% YTD. P2 crimes (quality of life) down 2.1% in CBD, down 10.9% YTD.
Huntington Bank robbed at 105 E. Fourth last week, suspect apprehended within a couple of hours.
Cincinnati Fire Department Report
Lt. Kortekamp reporting for Engine 3 @ Ninth & Broadway. DRC membership to encouraged to call either downtown department with any questions (Engine 14 located at 5th & Central).
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The December 2007 meeting minutes were adopted. Mr. Newman made a motion to accept the minutes, Chris Wiedeman seconded the motion. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Guest Presenters:
SPECIAL GUEST: Miriam G. McKenney, Manager of the Library's Homework Central: if interested, please fill out application to volunteer for Homework Central. Program assists students with homework, skill building, and tutoring; no sign-up required for students. NEW PROGRAM: Homework Chat, students can log on and chat live with tutor while at library or home with library card. Opening Monday, January 14, 2008.
SPECIAL GUEST: Joe Creighton & Dan Wright from Boss Cox, new W. Fourth Street restaurant to open in June 2008: neighborhood gastro-pub/restaurant (high-end food in pub atmosphere; $6-$20, local and German beer options, 18 beers on draught, wine bar); wants to bring back "Old Cincinnati" feel to city; caters to family and late night crowds.
SPECIAL GUEST: Wayne Taleff from Talgood Travel, 2008 Travel Specials/Events: Downtown since 1990; Contact Wayne for half-price Travel, Sports, and Boat Show tickets; stop by Booth 110 at the show; highlighted upcoming sister-city trip to China in partnership with Cincinnati Park Board; also mentioned special Alaskan cruise rates.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Call for 2008 NSP Budget Items (INPUT SOUGHT), open meeting in late January; contact HYPERLINK "mailto:info@ilivedowntown.com" info@ilivedowntown.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Call for April 2008 Slate of Officers and Nominating Committee
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES
Events (Chairs: Tamia Stinson and Chris Wiedeman)
Next event: TBD
Treasurer/NSP (Chris Smith, courtview7@yahoo.com)
Balance : $5,695.45 as of January 8, 2008
Official NSP budget meeting in January
All DRC volunteers now covered by liability insurance.
Communication (Contact info@ILiveDowntown.com)
Weekly emails and updates will continue.
Membership (Chairs: Casey Gilmore and Paul Westendorf)
Reminder: dues are just $15/individual, $20/household, and $50/corporate.
Green Committee (David Siders, Travis Ard, Andy Chirch)
Trying to get downtown businesses on board with recycling; if know of businesses interested or have ideas for downtown recycling program, please email David Siders.
Travis Ard encouraged membership to bring "green" project ideas to attention of this committee.
Clean & Safe (Chairs: conradfoster@yahoo.com and ktdurack@fuse.net)
DRC Wins Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Award and Receives Letter from the Mayor! THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS: Piatt Park Looked Fantastic! Received many thanks from carriage companies, downtown residents, organizations, etc. for the light up of Piatt Park.
WANTED: Chair of the 2008 Great American Clean Up - Downtown Event!
Panhandling laws and alternatives, Eyes/Ears of Downtown, Clean/Safe Action Plan, Junk in the Trunk, Mutt Mitt, etc. updates (info fliers are available at all monthly meetings or via info@ILiveDowntown.com)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPECIAL HEARING: Zoning for Veterinarian Office at 427 Plum Street - January 15, noon, City Hall; Dr. Bob Biederman would like to open a veterinarian office, but needs zoning change; contact Chris Wiedeman for more information.
Planning charette re: future of OTR on January 19 at Art Academy; what kind of codes they want to see enforced, including green buildings in OTR; information can be found at http://www.ilivedowntown.com.
NOW SHOWING: CINCINNATI: A Glimpse From The Past... @ Carteaux & Leslie.
SPECIAL EVENT: Downtowner Greg Harper performs at Molly Malone's in Covington - February 1 & 15
NEW PARTNER: Molly Malone's in Covington joins the DRC - Offers 10% Discount to DRCers!
NOW SHOWING: MAKE IT MATTER - GIVE ART @ 5th Street Gallery
LIVE JAZZ AT THE LIBRARY - Select Saturdays in 2007-2008
JAZZ @ JACKSON ST UNDERGROUND: Tuesdays are Jazz Nights at the Know Theatre.
NOW OPEN: Park + Vine, a green general store at 1109 Vine St.
SPECIAL OFFER: Downtown Jazzercise at Christ Church Cathedral offers residential/business classes; currently offering free trial week and $20 off registration - info@jazzercincinnati.com
COMING SOON: February 16, 2008 @ Cintas Center - 2008 Neighborhood Summit - All welcome to attend!
Ice Skating, Broomball and much more!
Streetcar update: If support streetcar initiative, send letter of support to City Council urging them to pass.
Mr. Hugh Koon offered a motion to adjourn; it was seconded by Travis Ard. Meeting adjourned promptly at 7PM. Gathering at CafĂ Martin to follow.
Respectfully submitted by Dacia Snider
January 8, 2008