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Meeting Minutes – May 2020

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Minutes – May 18, 2020

Persons in Attendance: Ben Alford, Carol Christenson, John Christensen, Susan Duffy, Sue Fackler, Andy Frye, Karl Fundenberger, Brett Martin, Sara O’Keffe, Duane Pomeroy, Katrina Shaw, Erin Snethen, Zack Snethen, Ardith Woertz.

  1. Minutes – No action taken.
  1. Treasurer’s Report – Report submitted by Tom Luellen and given by Ardith and accepted as submitted.
  1. Events
  1. Recycling Drive – update by Carol 
  • Discussed continuation of program. 
  • Till-star, where we have taken recyclables to for many years, was closed for the impromptu drive in March. Another business was found, and recyclables were taken there in north Topeka. 
  • Dollars received have been down because of the price of aluminum and program participation. 
  • We will continue with Till-star and assess options after the next drive in July.  Drive is usually the weekend after the 4th of July celebration.
  1. Neighborhood Cleanup – Ben Alford is coordinating this event and it is being rescheduled to the fall.  We may be able to have dumpsters for cleanups in both the fall and next spring. 
  • Brief discussion on Neighborhood Clean-up. 
  • Date has not been set, looking at Fall 2020. 
  • County will supply dumpsters.  This is a joint event with Elmhurst Neighborhood.
  • Once the date is set, we will need to give County 1-month notice. 
  • Other groups may be interested in taking part and providing volunteers, i.e. church volunteers from Central Congregational.
  1. Blossoms event – Sara Meadows/Sue Fackler & their committee sold premade planters in lieu of our annual Blossoms plant sale.  Ideas for the silent auction items will be discussed.
  • Thank you to Sue and Sara and committee was expressed. 
  • All premade planters were sold. 
  • Having the silent auction in conjunction with the Night Out Against Crime was identified as an option.
  1. Neighborhood Garage Sale – currently scheduled for June – Cletus Linenberger. has volunteered to coordinate this event.  – Should we proceed with this event?
  • Garage Sale — currently set for June 11-13.
  • We need to verify if we can have this event. 
  1. 3rd and 4th of July activities – should we proceed with these events?

Below is a summary of discussion points:

  • July 4th activities will proceed in a different manner as we may still have health related restrictions in place in July.
  • New Coordinator is needed.
  • All agree to not having a parade.
  • Discussed having a family-based community walk.
    • Will still do same route.  Start time 10:00 AM – people will start where they are, not at Westminster Church or Boswell Park.
    • Church Bells will signify start—bells start at 9:58 AM then patriotic bell music will pay for 30 minutes.
  • Holding a Celebration Walk in lieu of a parade was approved. Possible name choices:  Celebration Walk, Freedom Walk, Celebration of Freedom Walk, Independence Walk
  • Events will be more family/small group focused – there will be no organized group activities.
  • Encourage entire neighborhood to participate and to decorate their homes.  May still have home decorating contest or have folks submit and post pictures. 
  • Walk same route as the parade route or own walk own block if it rains.  KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE.  Encourage all to wear festive masks or 4th of July masks.
    • Keep 2 to 3 sidewalk squares between.
    • Put flags or reminders up every 6 feet apart.
  • There will be no congregating at the park.
  • If neighbors are not comfortable participating in the walk, they may join on Facebook Live.
  • There will be nothing sponsored during the evening or at the park.
  • Erin will put together a flyer. Event and related activities will be posted on Facebook and email.  Signs will also be made and put-up in the Park.
  1. National Night Out – information has been provided by email, the neighborhood is registered for the event, volunteer needed to coordinate this activity and to possibly attend meetings.  National Night Out is now scheduled for October 10th. 
  • Night out rescheduled to October 10th.
  • Discussed showing a movie and having campout.
  • Incorporate silent auction was discussed.
  • Social distancing and other health related restrictions will be observed.
  1. Park Projects – update from information gathered at the Chili Feed
  • Park project is on hold until July meeting. 
  • Pictures of possible park project options were shown.
  • Identified the following ‘actions to take’:
    • Make sure we are maintaining any agreements that may have been made with the City, Menninger’s, etc. related to the gazebo.
    • Explore how it work with the City or County to do work on local parks? We need to advocate for our projects, look for grants, etc.
    • Ask the County where Boswell Park improvements fit into the County’s neighborhood park improvement plans.
  1. Old Business – see Park Project
  2. New Business
  • Events and Activities – We need to be creative as year goes on. Schedule other activities later in year.
  • Motion was made by Susan Duffy to provide a $100 donation to the Westminster Presbyterian church for being a good neighbor and for ringing nightly bells.   Motion was seconded by Andy Frye.  All agreed.  Motion passed.
  • Discussion on various houses that have been sold, possible Airbnb, and houses that host nightly/weekly parties.  Yard and home maintenance, sewer clogging, downed twigs and branches, lack of social distancing and possibly other behaviors that are counter to current governance requirements were also mentioned, as was possible impact on home values.
  • It was recommended that we encourage neighbors to be aware of what is going on in their blocks and that we could send out reminders to the neighborhood on what each person might do to maintain the neighborhood.  Ardith asked for ideas to be sent to her.
  • Ardith also mentioned that we will no longer have a Community Officer from the Police Department in attendance at our meetings.
  1. Next Round Table Meeting will take place the 3rd Monday in July, the 20th at 7:00 pm., hopefully in person, at Westminster Church located at 13th & Boswell.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail L. Kennedy

25 May 2020

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Meeting Minutes – September 2019

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Minutes of the Annual meeting – September 16, 2019

President Ardith Woertz called the meeting to order.

  1. Community Officer Update: No update
  2. Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by Tom Luellen and approved.
  3. Minutes of last meeting: Minutes were approved as submitted.
  4. Speaker – Judy Wilson of Safe Streets: Wilson suggested CHNA use a calling tree or citizen’s patrol to keep our neighborhood informed and safe. Citizen patrols could report drug activity, strange traffic, etc. to keep neighbors alert. Wilson said to pay special attention to people wearing backpacks and riding bicycles late at night.
  5. City Council Candidates for District 6: Lucas Ryan, Hannah Nager and Clark Trammel introduced themselves and discussed their campaigns.
  6. 12th Street – South Kansas to Gage Blvd. Project:

David Bevens, City of Topeka Community Education Manager introduced Jeff Lolly from Bartlow and West and Keith Duncan, Project Engineer for Topeka’s Public Works Department to discuss this project. Duncan stressed the City’s need for “complete streets” which safely allow for car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Discussion and planning for the project is to continue through 2020. Project construction is to take place 2021-23. Estimated cost to expand 12th Street is $13.2 million of Shawnee County funds. School bus routes will not be affected. However, Topeka Metro traffic/stops will be greatly improved. Bevens, Lolly and Duncan provided several handouts of detailed information and encouraged public comments and input on the project.

  • New Business: Sue Fackler reported the College Hill Home Tour of 2019 was cancelled. Instead, the Nautilus Club will host a fall festival at Boswell Park on October 13 for neighborhood families. Activities include a food truck, music, pumpkin decorating, and games. If anyone would like to volunteer to help, contact Sue Fackler.

John Christensen reported the next recycling date is November 2.

Kari Herr asked if CHNA has a plan to spend any funds on neighborhood projects. The group discussed the large balance in the CHNA bank account and a committee will be formed to look at projects.

Topeka Councilman Brendan Jensen acknowledged the neighborhood’s concerns and questions of the YoungLife houses on Boswell and College. The situation will continue to be discussed at the next CHNA meeting.

The next Round Table Meeting will take place November 18, 2019 at 7p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Christi Stewart

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Meeting Minutes – November 2019

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Meeting, November 18, 2019 – Minutes

Persons in Attendance: Carol Christenson, John Christensen, Clark Duffy, Sue Fackler, Andrianne Johnson, Gail Kennedy, Tom Luellen, John Parton, Jasmine Puderbaugh, Christi Stewart, Don Zeller.

  1. Community Officer Update – Officer Strickland attended.  No report was provided as data was not updated/current.  A demonstration of Google Community Crime Map was provided.  Go to site, pull up USA, zoom to Kansas and then to Topeka. Officer Strickland recommended not leaving car running with keys inside.  He provided his phone number if need to contact him — 785.861.0197
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Report provided by Tom Luellen and accepted. Barricade discussion. 
  3. Minutes of last meeting – Minutes from the July meeting were made available. 
  4. Speaker – Bill Fiander, Representative from Topeka zoning department. Mr. Fiander indicated that he was at meeting to listen and understand.  

 

  • Report from committee on neighborhood housing concerns – several neighborhood representatives have looked into homes in the College Hill neighborhood that appear to not be being used in accordance with City code. Discussion on what can and cannot be done and possible course of action took place. More work to be completed.

 

  • New Business
    1. Holiday activities — Christmas decoration contest.
    2. Chili feed – Possible date discussed. 

 

  • Old Business
    1. Recycling results – last drive raised $107. Appreciation was expressed.
    2. Octoberfest report – Day was a success. Served as substitute for the Home Tour. Nautilus Club does not think activity is a good fit for them.
  • Next Round Table Meeting on January 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  Will have a short organizational meeting before the next Round Table Meeting for committee on generating ideas on spending funds in the College Hill accounts.  Short organizational meeting for committee after the Round Table Meeting. Several suggestions/ideas were mentioned: Exercise Stations, Porch fest, Light bulbs, markers… more to be discussed on 13th of January.
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Meeting Minutes – May 2019

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Meeting Minutes– May 20, 2019

Attendees:  Carol Christensen, John Christensen, Sue Fackler, Andy Fry, Brendan Jensen, Gail Kennedy, Charley Krumins, Tom Luellen, Erin Snethen, Ardith Woertz

  1. Community Officer Update 
    • Officer not in attendance.  No update provided.
  2. Treasurer’s Report
    • Treasurer’s Report accepted and approved as submitted.
  3. Minutes
    • Minutes approved as submitted.
  4. Neighborhood Events and Updates
    • Neighborhood Cleanup
      • Event determined to be a success.  Good participation.  Both dumpsters were filled.
    • Blossoms Event – Flowers, Breakfast, and Silent Auction
      • All determined to be a success.  Costs slightly up and Sales slightly down from last year. Looking for ways to improve and sustain –
      • Date:  this year was Mother’s Day weekend – question was asked if event should be held earlier? 
      • Type of Plants:  potting, hanging, etc.  — no decision made.  Tomato plants were available this year – this was a plus.
      • Additional Benefits Mentioned:  social gathering — neighbors getting to know neighbors.
    • Neighborhood Garage Sale
      • Clete Linenberger will chair.  Date: weekend of June 15th 
    • July 3rd & 4th Activities –
      • report on barricades: options for barricades discussed:  preliminary purchase option presented, also talked about renting, other options from city, etc. – Three questions to consider identified: Do We Need? Do We Purchase? Do We Rent? — More research to be completed — decision not finalized. 
      • turtle races scheduled 
    • July 3rd: The Band Signal Ridge is confirmed. 
      • Food = Dessert Potluck.
    • July 4th Parade –
      • Susan Duffy will chair this year.  Special Events Permit in Process. Need to determine course of action for barricades.
    • Flyer will go out about July 3rd and 4th Activities
      • includes the recycling drive info.
    • National Night Out
      • Date:  August 10th.  
      • Will identify movie to show.  
      • Need event chair, plus committee to run the event.
  5. New Business
    • Recycling was successful.  Next Recycling Date:  July 13th 
    • 12th Street Project was mentioned.  All were encouraged to review Project information on the City of Topeka’s website.
  6. Old Business
    • Moving the monument markers from Jensen home
      • Options were discussed – several volunteers move the monument markers, or we pay a company to move the monument markers and place them.
    • Donation to the Church – $500 donation unanimously approved.
    • Update on Memorandum of Understanding requested by Parks and Rec. – no update.  Will put on next meeting agenda.
  7. Next Round Table Meeting will take place the 3rd Monday in July on the 15th at 7:00 pm.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Gail Kennedy

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Meeting Minutes – July 2019

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Meeting Minutes–July 22, 2019

Attendees: Carol Christensen, John Christensen, Andy Fry, Gail Kennedy, Liz Krumins, Tom Luellen, Dona Nordstrom, Jenny Odernatt, Christi Stewart, Erin Snethen, Keith Tatum, Clark Trammell, Ardith Woertz

  1. Community Officer Update:  No update 
  2. Guest Speakers:
    • Keith Tatum – School Board Candidate – running for At-Large Position.  Talked about background and interests.
    • Clark Trammell – City Council, District 6 Candidate.  Neighborhood participants. Talked about candidacy and neighborhood.
  3. Treasurer’s Report:   Report presented by Tom Luellen and approved. 
  4. Minutes:  Minutes were approved as submitted.
  5. Neighborhood Events and Updates
    • National Night Out:  discussed advertisement, movie, menu, and bus arrival time. 
    • Homes Tour:  Discussed availability of homes and various options that will be taken to the Nautilus Club for consideration.
  6. New Business
    • Donation to Boy Scouts and ROTC at Topeka High:  Unanimous decision – donate $50 to each group.
    • More Activities at Boswell Park:  National Night Out – August 10th; Annual Meeting – September 16th; Wall of Fame – October – Date to be Determined.  Suggestion related to holding a Harvest Festival Activity in the Park – possibly in conjunction with Wall of Fame.
  7. Old Business
    • Contingency for Future 4th of July events:  Discussion involved putting in a rain time with application, doing all can to hold the parade, scaling down the parade, enhancing communication system, normal set-up time at 10AM and contingency back-up set-up time at 1PM.
    • College Hill Markers:  Discussed moving and placement
    • Recycling:  Results not in.  Activity appears to be down. Next recycling date to be determined – possibly in October.
    • Welcome Baskets:  Jenny Odermatt provided report. Sue Boling is helping deliver baskets.  Delivered approximately 8 to 10 in past few months. Low on basket contents – donations needed.  Basket items:  LED light bulbs, trash basket, packet of seeds, small baskets, copy of most current College Hill Newsletter, brownie/cookies. Dusk to dawn bulbs were suggested – will discuss further at our next meeting.
    • July’s Community Building Meeting:  Discussed meeting agenda.
    • Robberies:  Discussed bike robberies that have occurred during the past few months
  8. Next Round Table Meeting: Annual Meeting — 3rd Monday in September (September 16th), at 7:00 pm. Speaker:  Judy Wilson from Safe Street.  Board members are asked to bring baked goods.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Gail L. Kennedy