October 9, 2007 Member Meeting
Date of meeting: Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)
Welcome and Introductions
Conrad Thiede called to order the September 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 Lt. Mike Neville of the DSU/District 1
Looked nationally for ideas to help improve Piatt Park area and the problems of people in the park at night, alcohol and sleeping on benches.
Convention in town this weekend, bringing 5,000 people; additional officers on duty throughout weekend.
Baseball (Cubs) crowd was well-behaved, no problems even though downtown was busy.
Reinforced that DSU/CPD is there for you as far as law enforcement partnership, DRC participation, etc.
Offered DRC members if they ever feel that anything isn't right, or anything else CPD can do to let him know personally (368-2001, cell phone); CPD prepared to grow with downtown population.
Comments from membership:
Trash cans need to be emptied more frequently.
Mr. Koon has problem with truck zone vs. bus stop placement; Conrad will follow up with Lt. Neville.
Concern re: solicitation at Eighth & Race streets; Lt. Neville aware of male prostitution in area, vice squad routinely works that area.
1300-1400 block of Vine St., drugs an issue; Vortex and Operation Street Corner are aware and addressing.
August saw more people downtown than in years; theft from auto (TFA): 11 in 31 days (or 1 every 3 days); compare to 130 in August 2003
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The September 2007 meeting minutes were adopted. Paul Westendorf made a motion to accept the minutes, Mr. Koon seconded the motion. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Guest Presenters:
Jack Marx, The Freedom Center: invited all to come or come again; groups of 10 or more got guided tour if requested two weeks in advance; $4/all day parking; on third Saturday of month, pay 1 adult, get 2 children in free (Sponsored by Enquirer); gift shop is all fairly traded products; $100 million capital cost is down to $5 million; need attendance increased by 10% to maintain viability of operating budget
Charlie Wilfong, The Bankers Club: located on 30th floor of 5/3 tower; don't have to be a banker to join; not affiliated with 5/3; Friday Night Art Auction: looking to support local visual and performing arts, benefits PGA Foundation, Komen Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Foundation; Nov. 15th open house at Banker's Club
Sean Donovan, Hamilton County Safety Plan Initiative (Issue 27): downtown resident and business owner in support of Issue 27; opposing viewpoint did not respond to DRC invitation to attend.
Tom Gunnell, Cincinnati Public Schools - Report on the November School Levy
Chris Wiedeman gave brief downtown dog park report
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES
Events (Chairs: Tamia Stinson and Chris Wiedeman)
NEXT SOCIAL EVENT: Vodka Social & Tasting, $5 and karaoke
Treasurer/NSP (Chris Smith, courtview7@yahoo.com)
No report
Communication (Contact info@ILiveDowntown.com)
Receiving the DRC E-News? Checking the calendar? Also, please forward E-News to others.
Membership (Chairs: Casey Gilmore and Paul Westendorf)
Reminder: dues are just $15/individual, $20/household, and $50/corporate.
Clean & Safe (Chairs: conradfoster@yahoo.com and ktdurack@fuse.net)
SPECIAL FORUM requesting RESIDENT feedback Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 5:00 6:30 PM
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 member meetings or via info@ILiveDowntown.com)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were noted:~Cynthia Felson mentioned that there was a spill of liquid from dumpster in alley between Sixth and Seventh streets; called DCI and within 20 minutes they had it cleaned up
~ MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The Ultimate Urban Tour of Living is Sat / Sun October 13 & 14!
~ SPECIAL DRC EVENT: DRC is Hosted by Below Zero on Wednesday, October 24 - 7 to 10 PM; Sunday nights, Cabaret night from 9-midnight
~ SPECIAL EVENT: October 20 is the FIRE BALL to benefit the Cincinnati Fire Museum
~ SPECIAL EVENT: November 3 Connect Cincinnati Streetcar Conference
~ SPECIAL EVENTS: Bankers Club hosts October 12 Live Art Auction and October 19 Murder Mystery
~ CANDIDATES FORUM: October 18 sponsored by the Urban League
~ SPECIAL EVENT: Covenant-First Presbyterian hosts October 19-21 Homecoming Conference
~ SPECIAL EVENT: Books By the Banks November 3 @ Duke Energy Center
~ FINAL WEEKEND of Season: October 20-21 is the ARCHITREK TOURS Final Weekend until April 2008
~ SPECIAL EVENT: Queen City Band A Salute To Veterans Sunday, November 11 @ Memorial Hall
~ NOW OPEN: Sung Korean Bistro 7th/Elm Streets Dinner Every Night (Lunch starting in mid-October)
~ NOW OPEN with SPECIAL EVENTS: Park + Vine, a green general store at 1109 Vine St http://www.parkandvine.com
~ COMING SOON: Nada Restaurant @ Sixth/Walnut and Graeter's @ Fountain Square
~ UPDATE/COMING SOON: Graeter's on Fountain Square to Open on Fountain Square during next biennium
~ COMING SOON: February 2008: Neighborhood Summit (Offer Your Thoughts on Topics to be Addressed!)
~ http://www.myfountainsquare.com New Events for the Fall including Tailgating, Fan Zones and special events.
~ EXTRA, EXTRA: The Downtowner weekly newspaper has expanded, also on the web at http://www.pulsedt.com
~ SPECIAL OFFERS from The Gym At Carew Tower Contact mailto:craig@thegymatcarewtower.com
~ City Talk Radio Sundays @ 7 PM 96.5 FM - WFTK (New Station Same great URBAN Chatter!)
~ NOVEMBER 2007 MEETING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
ADJOURN: Mr. Hugh Koon offered a motion; it was seconded by Diane Byerly. Meeting adjourned promptly at 7PM. Gathering at Caf Martin to follow.
Respectfully submitted by Dacia Snider and Andrew Chirch
November 13, 2007