Category: Meeting Minutes

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Agenda and Minutes – July 20, 2020

Persons in Attendance: Cynthia Naeger (guest), Gail Kennedy, Ardith Woertz, Tom Luellen, Deb Pomeroy, Duane Pomeroy, Christi Stewart, Andy Fry, Zach Snethen, Erin Snethen, Brett Martin, Carol Christiansen, Patricia Kane.

1. 1. Introductions – Meeting held via Zoom
   2. Minutes — Approved as submitted
   3. Treasurer’s Report – Report Submitted and approved as submitted
   4. Guest – Cynthia Naeger regarding grant proposal
   5. Lighting Project – Andy Fry in conjunction with Cynthia Naeger
      • Andy and Cynthia have been working on grant proposal for dusk to dawn lights for distribution to new neighbors. Neighborhood Safety is key motivator.
      • Partnering with other community action groups to make it happen have been explored.  Have looked into several grants: Hand R Block, Topeka Community Foundation – Greater Topeka Community Fund, Evergy to name a few.  Most grant possibilities have shifted funds at this time to COVID related activities.
      • Also working with Community Resource Center (CRC) to become a member organization so we can qualify for 501c3 grants.  Membership fee is $100.
      • Lights and costs were discussed, and question was asked if we would be providing matching or some funds to try and Improve grant search.
      • Yard/Sidewalk Lights were also discussed.  This project is more costly and was seen as a possible next step.  Need for more data and how yard lights have helped the crime rate in other neighborhoods was discussed. Participants indicated desire to continue work on this and to talk with Evergy about.
      • Ardith will seek a letter of support from Safe Streets to help with grant applications.
      • Motion presents by Andy and seconded by Carol:  spend $100 to obtain membership with CRC and put up $500 of unencumbered funds as match for grant for light bulb project.  Motion unanimously approved. AS Cynthia was dropped off the Zoom call, Andy will get back with Cynthia.
   6. Porch fest/music event — Andy Fry and Lauren Neuer –
      • Event will involve having several different smaller music gatherings in front yards or on porches.
      • Participates would socially distance and wear masks.
      • Event date could coincide with or be related to National Night Out activity.   People could walk by and enjoy music from sidewalk.
      • It was mentioned that Porch fest could possibly build into something that replaces house tours without going inside as it will be featuring the neighborhood and the talent in the neighborhood. It was mentioned that we could pick a date, put information out, and let it organically grow over time.
      • October 10^th was identified as event date to coincide with National Night Out.   Day Light hours were discussed as a way to encourage people to walk neighborhood. Different ideas were mentioned, and an initial planning team was formed.  It was also mentioned that it would possibly be up to the individual host to plan the entertainment.  An August 2^nd planning meeting was set.
   7. Recycling Drive – update by Carol Christiansen
      • Jim Starkey has applied for registration with Kansas State Department of Revenue and has not heard back.
      • After a discussion on options, it was decided that as we have a long-term relationship with Jim Starkey, we will wait until he is in business.
      • Information will be put out to let neighborhood know we still plan on doing recycling and they will be asked to hang on to their recyclables.
   8. Neighborhood Cleanup – Ben Alford is coordinating this event and it is being rescheduled to the fall.
      • This may be cancelled.  The Keep America Beautiful Activity has been cancelled for the year. No decisions made at this time.
   9. 4^th of July – Independence Walk recap.  Good coverage for independence walk.  Great participation. Event was declared a success.
   10. National Night Out – see Porch fest — item b. above.
   11. Old Business – Park projects.  Have money from Blossoms.  Project will be discussed at the Annual meeting in September.  — explore grant projects.  Some ideas have been generated.  There are no cost estimates currently.
   12. New Business – nominating committee for officers.  Ardith will gather.
   13. Added item:  – meeting with City Traffic Engineer to discuss traffic flow and how to slow traffic down.
       • Safety is the focus.
       • Diagrams were reviewed and discussed.
       • City Traffic Engineer will be invited to Annual Meeting in September to make a presentation.
   14. Annual Meeting will take place the 3^rd Monday in September – September 21^st – at 7:00 pm, hopefully in person, at Westminster Church located at 13^th & Boswell.

Respectfully submitted by Gail L. Kennedy

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 4^th 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. 3^rd and 4^th of July activities – should we proceed with these events?

Below is a summary of discussion points:

• July 4^th 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 10^th. 

• 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 3^rd Monday in July, the 20th at 7:00 pm., hopefully in person, at Westminster Church located at 13^th & Boswell.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail L. Kennedy

25 May 2020

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Agenda– November 19, 2018

Attendees: Adrianne Johnson, Andy Fry, Ardith Woertz, Carol Christensen, Christi Stewart, Dona Nordstrom, Erin Snethen, Oliver Snethen, Gail Kennedy, Jenny Odermatt, Sue Frackler, Tom Luellen

Speakers: Adrianne Meyer, Officer Friedrichs

1. Community Officer Update – Officer Friedrichs provided general information on vehicle and home burglaries in the College Hill neighborhood.  He said several arrests have been made and some property has been recovered.  He also talked about Holiday Crime – packages being stolen from porches and increased parking lot crime on Wanamaker.  He suggests trying to time deliveries for a time when someone is home, having packages sent to work if possible, asking a neighbor to pick up packages, or asking the delivery service to hold the package for pick-up.  He left us with some overarching advise — Be aware and look out for each other – be good neighbors.
2. Treasurer’s Report – Tom Luellen provided September 17, 2018 thru November 19, 2018 report.  Total Deposits:  $172.00, Total Disbursements: $206.00, Balance: $31,955.68.
3. Midland Care PACE – Adrianne Meyer, Community Liaison with Midland Care PACE provided an overview of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).  PACE provides a variety of services to help persons 55 and over stay in their home.  Services include and are not limited to transportation, day services, meal preparation, physical therapy, home health.  Services may be subsidized or direct pay.  Program Contact Information: 1-800-491-3691 or www.midlandcare.org
4. Boswell Park Bricks – Tom Luellen has been approached by several people about adding to the personalized bricks in Boswell Park.  Question was asked if we want to have a Boswell Park Brick fund raiser.  Response was positive.  Tom will check with Lardner’s on cost to produce the bricks, etc…  Other logistics also need to be explored.  Talk of an additional fund raiser spurred discussion on ways to spend monies.  Projects that monies may be earmarked for were discussed briefly.  Projects and other items mentioned during the discussion included and were not limited to lighting in the park, other park improvements, forming a committee to do further brainstorming, bylaws and rules for spending money and asking the Parks Department for an update on Masterplan.   
5. Chili Feed – Ardith Woertz talked about the date/month for the Chili Feed — January or February.  It was decided that February was the better month.  Ardith will explore church availability date options.  Discussion also included general need for volunteers with set-up and tear-down and fill-in during event specifically mentioned.  Rearranging placement of food items to alleviate power outages and utilize space differently, the need for more hotdogs and checking into Wi-Fi availability for payments were also discussed.  Suggestions on additional food and beverage items, etc. are welcome.  Having Celebrity Judges will be explored — Ardith and Adrianne Johnson will work on this.
6. Recycling Drive — December 8^th.  Carol Christensen talked about drive and benefits of advertising.  It was decided that social media and paper flyers would be used.  Flyers will also include information on other up and coming events.  Erin Snethen will prepare social media posting and the flyer.  Who will deliver the flyers was discussed.
7. Holiday House Decorations – houses should be decorated by December 15^th. Judging will occur on or after the 15^th of December.
8. Next Round Table Meeting: Moved to 4^th Monday of January, January 28, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Gail L. Kennedy

College Hill Neighborhood Association

Round Table Agenda/Meeting Minutes– January 28, 2019

Attendees: Ardith Woertz, Gail Kennedy, Tom Luellen, Christi Stewart, Leila Uhl, Andy Fry, Adrianne Johnson, Carol Christensen, John Christenson, Philicia McKee, Erin Snethen, Jenny Odermatt, Dona Nordstrom, Susan Duffy

Speakers: Philicia McKee of Keep America Beautiful and Officer Hendricks and Watch Commander Simmons of the Topeka Police Department

1. Community Officer Update – Officer Friedrichs provided general information on crime stats in the College Hill neighborhood and he reviewed year-end Topeka stats.  He advised all to lock cars and rolls up windows. There was a request for longitudinal crim stats that will be checked into by Officer Henricks.  General invite to share information with friends and family that may be interested in a career in law enforcement or dispatch to contact the Topeka Police department. (See attached Handouts)
2. Keep America Beautiful – Philicia McKee, Keep America Beautiful, Executive Director, Keep America Beautiful—Topeka/Shawnee County… provided handouts and an overview of the 2019 Tentative KAB Calendar and she highlighted two scheduled activities/events:  the Free Battery Exchange and Get Down and Get Dirty.  Handouts are attached.  Ms. McKee also distributed copies of the 2019 Recycling Directory — copies may be obtained online at www.kabtopsh.org Ms. McKee may be contacted by email at kabtopsh.org or by phone at 785.224.0446 (office) or 785.290.1105 (cell).

There was also discussion about the College Hill Recycling – lower intake and participation is down.  Proposal was made to reduce pick-up to three (3) times per year – March, July and November.  There was also discussion to reduce the type of items to be picked up and that items should be clean and safe — aluminum cans, bronze, and copper were identified.

An article and more information will be including in the newsletter.

1. Treasurer’s Report – Tom Luellen provided November 11, 2018 thru January 28, 2019.  Total Deposits:  $83.00, Total Disbursements: $120.00, Balance: $31,918.98.  (See attachment for details).
2. Chili Feed – Date is February 16, 2019, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Location:  Westminster Presbyterian, 13^th and Boswell.  Volunteers are needed as are donation. Various people volunteered time and donations. Discussed celebrity judges and advertising.
3. Park Project — suggestions, should a sub-committee be appointed? – There was open discussion. No sub-committee was formally formed. Relationship to Brick Project was included in discussion.
4. Update on Boswell Park Bricks – A meeting with City Park’s department is planned to explore possibilities.  Pricing from 2 companies for a 4×8 brick was discussed — Hutton’s $35.00; Lardner’s – $17.75.  Details of each offering will need to be confirmed as project progresses.
5. Neighborhood Survey from Freedom Now USA – survey was focused on Human Trafficking.  Dues to due date, Ardith completed the survey
6. Next Round Table Meeting: March 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Additional Agenda Item: Welcome Baskets – Two (2) have recently been delivered.

Handouts – TPD College Hill Crime Stats, Keep America Beautiful Handouts, Treasurer’s Report, Free Income Tax Assistance Sites (See Attachments)

Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Gail L. Kennedy