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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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Annual Meeting Minutes -September 2017

COLLEGE HILL ANNUAL MEETING

September 18, 2017

 

Guest Speaker – Neighborhood Association president Katrina Shaw introduced Travis Tenbrink, assistant arborist with Topeka Public Works. He explained the purpose of the city’s tree program, which is to maintain the trees on public property and in the neighborhood right-of-way (between the sidewalks and the streets). That involves over 1200 miles of streets and 70-80,000 trees. There is someone on duty 24 hours a day to call if a tree or branch falls during the night.

Travis reported that there is more Dutch Elm Disease around the city this summer and also that Ash Borer Disease has been found in the city this June. He also gave some hints on caring for the mature trees found in College Hill – maintain a stable environment for the tree, provide plenty of water, don’t dig around the roots, and only trim dead wood, not green wood.

Community Officer Report – Officer Hendricks distributed a printed report of crime in the neighborhood, pointing out that the early morning hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the highest crime times. Some of the neighbors present asked Officer Hendricks about recent occurrences in the area – a burglary in the 1400 block of Jewell and reports of nighttime gunfire. The officer told the audience to be sure to email him of issues when they occur so he can justify asking for extra patrols. His email address is mhendricks@topeka.org

Treasurer’s Report – Tom Luellen handed out a detailed report which listed a balance of $30,448.13 as of September 18.

Other Business – plans for the Wall of Fame and Homes Tour are well underway. There will be a few changes this year – the Wall presentation will be later in the afternoon and there will not be food as in previous years. Volunteers are needed for that event, for the Chili Feed and other neighborhood activities, and to start a Historic Committee.

The next neighborhood Round Table will be held November 20. After refreshments the meeting was adjourned.