March 11, 2008 Member Meeting
Date of meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)
Welcome and Introductions
Conrad Thiede called to order the March 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 Captain Ken Jones and Lt. Marilee Neudigate (DSU). The following information was provided via their report:
January crime statistics:
part 1 crimes down 40% over same period last year
Part 2 crimes even with last year
Wiz event this Friday the 14th at Cincinnati Club. CPD is aware and will be monitoring the event.
Questions:
Casey Gilmore: Graffiti on W 4th & 5th Street near Plum.
Cpt. Jones provided the city services hotline 513-591-6000 for Graffiti removal. DSU will monitor the area
Cincinnati Fire Department Report
Lt. Kortekamp represented Engine 3 at 9th & Broadway and brought a reminder that the Cincinnati Fire Department is a part of the downtown community and welcomes questions from downtown residents. Also, reminded everyone to change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Cincinnati Fire Department is in need of additional ambulances. There are currently 4 to service the entire city. Fire trucks handle most of the calls, and if someone must be transported, they have to wait for an ambulance to become available. CFD asks for residents to contact City Council to show support for additional ambulances.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
George Verkamp made a motion to adopt minutes from February meeting. 2nd - Diane Byerly. Unanimous approval.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Guest Presenters:
Mindy Rosen from Downtown Cincinnati, Incorporated came to announce the upcoming ad campaign publicizing downtown. FGW Deskey has been retained to run the campaign with donations of services and marketing expertise by P&G. Funding by DCI for 2 years targeting suburban dwellers and encouraging them to come downtown for the first time or the first time in a long time. If anyone has questions, contact Mindy@downtowncincinnati.com. Tourist in your own town program is still going on as well.
Allison Swart from Hoxworth Blood Center came to express the urgent need for blood donors. Hoxworth has a donor center at 432 Walnut Street, 2nd floor and would greatly appreciate our support. They need 350 blood donors and 40 platelet donors each day. For questions, call 513-451-0910.
Elizabeth Rankin and Melissa Norris with Books by the Banks event are asking for our attendance and to help spread the word about this great event. Sponsors include Public Library, U.C. Library, WCET, Borders, Mercantile Library, and Cincinnati Magazine. Event is scheduled for Saturday November 1st from 10am to 4pm at Duke Energy Center.
David Siders from the Public Library spoke about the newly remodeled Popular Library on the first floor which combines Fiction, Films, and Recordings. It is designed as the branch library for Downtown. Some new programming has been introduced including "Novels at Noon", and "On the Same Page" citywide reading event.
The 2nd and 3rd floors of the library are now a 1-stop shop reference library.
Other coming attractions: Lemony Snickets series author coming in April, a King Records retrospective, and an Urban Gardening series coming in June. More details on the public library website.
Chris Wiedeman gave a dog park update. The city of Cincinnati's response to the closure of Fountain Square to pets has been to sponsor discussion about a downtown dog park. There is a proposal for a park on Eggleston & Peety. Options vary, depending on available funding, but the complete proposal will cost approximately $385,000.00. The city is seeking suggestions, donations, feedback, and is looking for corporate sponsors. Chris made a motion that the DRC make a seed donation to this cause. Diane Byerly seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES
Treasurer/NSP (Chris Smith, courtview7@yahoo.com)
$360 in deposits last month. Current balance is $5,655. Contact Treasurer with any questions.
Communication (Contact info@ILiveDowntown.com)
Weekly emails and updates will continue.
Membership (Chairs: Casey Gilmore and Paul Westendorf)
DRC received a donation in honor of the Wiedemans. Reminder: dues are just $15/individual, $20/household, and $50/corporate.
Green Committee (David Siders, Travis Ard, Andy Chirch)
David Siders announced that there are now 4 community recycling bins located downtown. If you live in a building with less than 4 units, you can request free curbside recycling from the city. David is soliciting interest in business recycling programs.
Clean & Safe (Chairs: conradfoster@yahoo.com and ktdurack@fuse.net)
Great American Cleanup is April 26th. DRC will be meeting at the Ohio side of the Purple People Bridge. Our goal is to win the $500 for best effort in the cleanup.
DRC is objecting to liquor license renewal of NM mini-mart & Court Street mini mart. There was one resident objection or question regarding our position. This resident has been approached and dialogue is open on the issue. The current DRC objection will stand.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robin Vancroft with Jazzercise is offering $30 monthly membership and will waive the joining fee with DRC membership card
Sung Bistro is now open Sundays due to DRC and resident requests. Please support Sung-days.
A motion was made to adjourn by Hugh Kuhn. It was seconded by Tim Leslie. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM. Gathering at CafĂ Martin to follow.
Respectfully submitted by Andy Chirch
April 8, 2008