Downtown Residents' Council Meetings & Activities

June 8, 2010 Member Meeting

Date of meeting: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)

Welcome and Introductions

Chris Smith

Review NSP Budget: George Verkamp
Please sign in! - George quickly enumerated the items in the budget

Cincinnati Police Department Update:

  • Capt. Doug Wiesman - recently appointed DSU Commander reporting - repeated service record for members who were not at the last meeting
  • City Solicitor is working quickly on a new noise ordinance - consolidating all existing noise ordinances with measurable decibel levels - progressive fines, but concerned resident worried it will become a cost of business - concern of a resident on trash noise - instructed to document times & Capt. Wiesman will contact Rumpke
  • Mobile food vendor motion passed committee (locations: Vine/Court (south), Butler St, 6th/Race and other locations - only certain allowable hours) - concern by Capt. Wiesman over space squabbling - motion is 1 year test and police will be taking notes
  • Crime in District 1 down except theft from autos (TFA) - DSU is good at retroactively catching TFA individuals with two dedicated officers - major issue is reoffenders and DSU is working on how to handle the problem without standard arrest cycle
  • Panhandling an issue - removed 20,000 pounds of garbage from homeless camps recently - new shelter rules passed including discouraging panhandling - DCI, police and other groups getting together to reduce panhandling (borrowing ideas from other cities)
  • Resident wonders if parking enforcement is up since recently got ticket - Capt. Wiesman noted officers are instructed to always enforce
  • Question by resident on curfew - Capt. Wiesman stated 15yo and younger curfew is 10pm and 16yo to 17yo is midnight
  • Capt. Wiesman instructed residents to call 911 for emergencies and 765-1212 for non-emergencies (same dispatcher but 911 calls take priority)

Cincinnati Fire Department - Ben Marker with Engine 3:
No major fires - check smoke detectors and if alarm goes off please leave the building
Free smoke detectors can be picked up at any of the firehouses when they are available
Question from resident about standard engine routes - just choose most direct route - one ladder recently temporarily moved and may account for increases on Central Parkway
Resident noted a neighbor passed out on the street and was impressed with fire response

Adoption of May 2010 Meeting Minutes
Motion to adopt the minutes by Hugh Koon and seconded by Craig Hudson. Unanimously accepted.

Guests:

  • Trudy Backus truback@aol.com - Cincinnati Preservation Association's Architreks
    Architreks is celebrating its 9th year - DRC thanked for sponsorship (recent DRC tour)
    Started accreditation board (including Conrad Thiede) reporting on what people want
    Tours include: Clifton (first suburb: less than the city with fewer amenities), Downtown South, Downtown North, 800 broadway, OTR East, OTR West, Findlay Market (expanded to include some breweries), Mt. Adams, Northside and now Walnut Hills New and In Progress: Niche tours (Vanishing Cincinnati and Treasures of OTR), Mayor Mallory’s YPKC want tours of the phase 1 streetcar route, a Literary Tour, Cincinnati and the Civil War, and in 2012 for the World Choir Games walking tours of venues
    Contacts on sustainability wanted, so contact Trudy with any names See www.cincinnati-walks.org for information on the organization and tours
  • Steve Schuckman & Dave Prather - Cincinnati Park Board - Riverfront Park
    Have been planning this since 1964 - plans have changed dramatically over time Core of park is around the Roebling Bridge with the new park moved to higher ground
    Corp of Engineers is spending $9 million for work on the park
    Outline features with east of Roebling completed by Christmas 2011: Stairs (will have cascading and interactive fountains), Visitors Center and Bike Center, Green Roof to parking garage nearly complete (first phase of the parking garage is open), Event Lawn and Stage (May 2011), Christian Moerlein Lager House (east of event lawn), Garden with flowers and labyrinth, Black Brigade monument (built the fortifications to keep out the confederate armies), Historical Settlement from Cincinnati’s past
    In the future will work to the river’s edge to match some of stylings of the Serpentine Wall to reduce flood concerns
    Hugh Koon concerned about lack of railings at serpentine wall - will be accessible areas
    Resident asked if southwest concrete area would be included in the park - no active plans
  • Lynn Cameron - Cameron@bigsforkids.org - Big Brothers Big Sisters
    3rd year presenting to the DRC - 400 boys and 50 girls on a waiting list for mentors
    Some high risk (e.g. have parents in jail) while others are lower risk (e.g. single parent)
    New programs: LeBlond Boys and Girls Club on Thursday nights and St. Francis Seraph lunch buddy program
    Looking for volunteers for all programs and easy to apply (see green sheets)
    Looking for businesses to recruit at (giving Reds fan appreciation tickets for referrals)

General vote to extend meeting 15 minutes

NEW BUSINESS:
  • Fund raiser for the DogRA at City Cellars on June 19th. There will be wine tasting, raffle, food stuff and socializing ‚Äì Chris Wiedeman chris.wiedeman@gmail.com
  • Mark Hawking with Laurie Quilivan's office shared mobile food vendor resolution info and requested feedback on locations and operating hours - contact Laurie's office with feedback - resolution could be referred to City Council June 23rd
  • NSP Budget Vote - the proposed budget was presented to the membership and a motion by Hugh Koon to approve it as proposed was made with Susan Lennard seconding - Members in attendance voted with motion approved by a vote of 32-0
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES

Treasurer's Report: Chris Smith
Craig Hudson will be Treasurer going forward
$9,172.22 beginning balance; $85 in for dues; $269.75 out to plant Purple People Bridge (not yet cleared); $9,257.22 ending balance

Membership Committee: Alison Kamine
6 renewals, 1 new business and 3 new members.

NSP/Budget/501(c)(3): George Verkamp
501(c)(3) will be coming soon now that the new Board is in place.

Casino Update: Craig Hudson
Ground rules have been passed including standard liquor rules.

Clean, Green and Safe Committee: David Siders
Check out the website for information upcoming information
DCI Ambassadors provide escorts to your car and even collected 8,000 pounds of trash
Gardening in the city program at the Main Library.

Dog Park Committee: Chris Wiedeman
See previously mentioned fundraiser information.

Events Committee: Marty McGlinchey
TONIGHT: Join us at Knockback Nats after the meeting!
June 17th: DRC happy hour social at Neon's (208 E 12th St.) from 6pm-8pm

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(All non-political items are welcome)

Event - Wine and Wheels - Saturday June 12th 12pm- 4pm
Fabulous show cars, live music, wine and beer, wood-fired cookout and celebrity judges. The event is free to attend and only $20.00 to register a car. Email Kristin Young - Kyoung@citycellars.biz for information or to register.

Motion to adjourn by Hugh Koon seconded by Craig Hudson
Approximately 40 people were in attendance

Respectfully submitted by Ben Wissel