Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween Oct 31, 2009Tomorrow

Halloweeny Roast hotdog pitch-in is from 1-3PM Sat Oct. 31 at the corner of Otterbein and Edwards Ave.

Trix and treats is 6PM to 8PM later in the day.

U of I nursing students will be collecting canned goods for charity during trick or treat. Please be generous.

Meeting Notes from OCT 20 meeting

University Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes

October 20, 2009, 7:00PM

28 people in attendance.

Spring Tree Planting Project:

Nov 1st is deadline on tree planting. We need 20 people to sign up. If we don’t get them, we’ll try for next fall. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) provides the trees. The neighborhood supplies the labor for planting, refreshments. People have to agree to water trees—15 gallons, 3 times a week for 3 years. A person who signs up can have more than one tree. To sign up, contact David Wiese at david_wiese@yahoo.com.

Recycling Information:

Rudy is on the Indiana Recycling Coalition board. Information is available on the table in the back on tox drop (closest tox drop located on Shelby St. behind Flapjacks), phone book recycling. Ruth Soper half sheet on curb recycling. Jim Sachs, Republic Services, proposed a deal—intro offer 3 months free, and $36 for next year. Interested neighbors need to refer to Indiana Recycling Coalition Curbside. The recycling truck picks up every other week—same day as trash pick up. Ruth shares a bin with her neighbors since they are so big.



Greta Pennell brought up the problem with pick up in front—no place to put bins.

Phone book recycling is being done by KIB along with AT&T. Sites on flyers. Also bins at some schools. On the other side of the flyer is information on hazardous waste. Also drop off sites for recycling. Kroger in Southern Plaza is one.

What to do about the problem of recycling plastics 3 and up? Rudy says Rock 10 on West St. takes 3-7. Off season they take phone books.

UIndy Student Certified Housing:

David Wantz has breakfast with the dean tomorrow to talk about this. To say the neighborhood is interested is a wonderful thing. Certified housing—we draw a line around the neighborhood to enforce. We’ll say students have to live in certified housing in this area. We tell the landlord that they have to make sure tenants don’t have loud parties, they cut lawns, etc. And the landlord has to provide appropriate housing quality—furnace, water, etc. We’ll have a liaison at the university for addressing problems. We’ll grandfather students already in housing. This requires landlords to provide good housing for students and requires students to be good citizens.

This won’t solve non-student tenant problems.

Only four individuals who are unrelated can live in a house. It’s hard to enforce though.

Question about whether this will discourage students from living in the neighborhood. David Wantz said if they don’t want to follow the rules, they just can’t live in this neighborhood. The university could block registration. Discussion about the problems students often face—poor plumbing, insulation, smoke alarms, windows nailed shut. Right now the university can’t do anything for them and students are taken advantage of. Students on campus who go to parties in the neighborhoods are also more vulnerable to assault when they get drunk.

David Wiese said if we get details, then maybe we can take a formal vote on this.

Neighborhood Park/Maintenance:

We talked about this last month—what to do with the old Cummins Apts. location at Mathews and Edwards. Ideas included: A community park, picnic tables, tennis courts, playground. Also a proposal tonight for a project proposed to the neighborhood association in 1988 for an exercise area. A suggestion for community garden from university faculty was passed around (See attached). Jim Pennell explained that some faculty are working on ideas, some not so different than what we discussed last time, but they want to work with the neighborhood.

Does KIB have a way to support neighborhoods that have ideas? David Wantz (who is on their board): Yes. They have specialists in different areas. We could get them to come down and consult. We could apply for a pocket park. They would come and talk with us before we put in a proposal.



David Wiese said we need a maintenance plan. You have the best chance to get a grant if you have a maintenance plan. Maybe if we partner with the university, they mow and we take care of garden plots. It would take the involvement of a number of people, there has to be more than 2 people who will volunteer.

David Wiese asked if there were any ideas. A suggestion was made that we might need a smaller group for the next step, maybe 3 or 4 people. Those interested in participating were asked to raise their hands—Quin Starks, Greta Pennell, and Kay Stoelting volunteered. A dog park was suggested as another idea.

Quin Starks mentioned the other empty lot at Castle and Mathews. David Wantz said the university owns the block on that side except 4 houses. He said that the lot is fair game for conversation.

Kay Stoelting noted a potential danger on the corner—the entrance to a storm sewer there—it’s very big and a little kid could fall into it. Probably needs to have a grate over it. Calling the Mayor’s Action line was suggested, and that it was better if the call came from a neighbor. Kay will call.

Don Bolinger made a proposal to the neighborhood association 21 years ago that was inspired by a trip through Wisconsin. He suggested this could be something we might do with the park area—create a fitness area with stations and plaques that explain the exercises. Jim Pennell suggested using different areas in the neighborhood—could spread it out to the other university property and the existing park. Patrick—Lebanon park, also Eagle Creek.

It was suggested that maybe some university students could help with developing the exercise stations. Greta mentioned that Mindy Mayol at the university teaches a course related to it.

2010 Projects / Events / Ideas:

Community park will take a lot of time. Maybe have events and get people out for it.

We didn’t do a neighborhood clean up last spring. Mostly cleaning curbs. Needs done. Anyone want to coordinate and get with university people? Greta explained timing problem. The university moved its service to first weekend in April, so it doesn’t coincide with the city cleanup. Good thing might be that we don’t compete for materials. Put that on as an idea? There appeared to be some interest.

We have held a neighborhood garage sale in the past. One idea was to do it where Cummins used to be and donate money to a charity.

A sculpture walk at the university was also suggested.

We combine some meetings with events to get people out and try to reduce the time commitment. Special committees could meet before the regular meeting.

We could put information useful to the neighborhood on a UHNA website.



We could do a plant exchange at planting time, since sometimes people buy too much.

David Wantz mentioned an abandoned house on Weaver. There was a Neighbor Power conference at UIndy this weekend. They have a dirty dozen template. Bates Hendricks had a dirty 30. They create a timeline for what hasn’t happened with abandoned housing. David provided literature. They have something called the Indy Land Bank where they purchase abandoned properties. Could put the information on the website. Greg Filter will do.

Don Bolinger has a sweet gum tree he needs to take down. It is tearing up the sidewalk. The tree is on the city’s right of way, so it belongs to them. He was told by the city tree person the sidewalk is the homeowner’s problem. Some discussion on this. On the tree planting, KIB helps with getting the right tree for the location. New sidewalks on Mills Ave. The city put in sidewalks after a petition drive—so they will put in sidewalks. But you have to get neighbors together and petition.


Next month, revisit the bylaws discussed last time. We want to be proactive, but still will need to be reactive. Jim Pennell mentioned beer cans piled at the curb on Mills. Resident’s intention is to help, probably just need to mention to him and suggest some other approach.

HalloWeenie Roast. October 31, 1-3PM. Just bring lawn chairs and drinks. Hot dogs and condiments will be provided. UIndy will provide chips and cookies. Angela Lord is planning a lot of activities for kids.

FYI: the Student Nursing Association doing an event this Sunday 4-7, around Martin Hall. There will be a lifeline helicopter for kids to see. Go to Smith Mall, in front of Martin Hall. And bring a can of food to the HalloWeenie roast. They will also be collecting door-to-door.

Thanks to Debbie and Natalie for doing the cards for veterans.

Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell.



Future Meetings:

All meetings begin at 7:00 PM

November 17, 2009

No December Meeting

January 19, 2010

February 16, 2010

March 16, 2010

April 20, 2010


From Kevin Whiteacre, Assistant Professor and Director of the Community Research Center

The Biology, Social Sciences, and English Departments are, along with the Community Research Center, collaborating to propose a pilot educational community garden in the empty lot at the intersection of Matthews and Edwards where the Cummins apartments used to be located. Mary Gobbett, Kevin Whiteacre, and Kevin McKelvey are heading the project. The project is in the initial stages, so there are no firm commitments on the contents or layout of the garden, but it is anticipated that it will consist primarily of vegetable crops. Native perennials might also be included. We hope to plant the garden in the spring of 2010, and a winter cover crop will be planted the following fall so that whatever else happens, at the very least the project leaves the property more fertile and better planted than it finds it.

Several university professors have already indicated an interest in using the garden for different purposes, such as honors projects and service learning labs. We would like input from the neighborhood residents regarding such a site, whether there is an interest in utilizing a community garden and of course, whether there is support for piloting a garden on that property.

It is a pilot, and we are intentionally keeping the project small in order to best achieve the following goals: 1) identify ways in which such a garden might be used by university personnel and community residents; 2) establish a protocol for managing garden access, use, etc.; 3) establish how the grounds will be maintained through the entire year to ensure it is a local asset, not a liability; 4) identify the most appropriate layout and content in light of the above issues; and 5) ultimately assess the feasibility of locating an educational community garden permanently on campus property.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Neighborhood Meeting Tomorrow Night, Tuesday 10/20

If you know of neighbors who do not have email access, please make sure they get a copy!

University Heights Neighborhood Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, 10/20/2009
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House, Multipurpose Room
Co-Leaders: David Wiese and Ruth Soper
Recorder: Jim Pennell


Agenda Topics Expected Result
Spring Tree Planting Project Circulate Sign-up sheet
Recycle Information
UIndy Student Certified Housing Brainstorm General idea document
Neighborhood Park / Maintenance Design & Maint Plan
2010 Projects / Events / Ideas

Notes: Come early at 6:30 PM and create a card to send to an American Veteran (supplies will be furnished).


Future Meetings:
All meetings begin at 7:00 PM at the UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House.

October 20, 2009
November 17, 2009
No December Meeting
January 19, 2010
February 16, 2010
March 16, 2010
April 20, 2010

Monday, October 05, 2009

October Meeting 10/20/2009 Plus Minutes from Sept Meeting

Mark it on your Calendar: The next University Heights Neighborhood Meeting will take place Tuesday, October 20th, 7 p.m. in UIndy’s Stierwalt Alumni House (on the SE corner of Otterbein and Windermire).




UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES

From September 15, 2009

* There were 26 people present at the September meeting of the University Heights Neighborhood Association.



* Denny Rusher, the current UHNA president, explained the role of the association in the past, why it was formed, and his work as President over the years. He is ready to step down and serve the neighborhood on an as-needed basis.



* David Wantz thanked Denny Rusher for his many years of service and spoke of how Denny always had the neighborhood’s best interests in mind when representing it.



* Jim Pennell presented his ideas on creating a small University Heights Neighborhood Association governance structure with two coordinators and a secretary to keep minutes and suggested some terms of service and limits (see page 2). The primary rationale was to keep the structure simple, but provide some leadership for helping neighborhood residents identify needs and organize for action. There was some discussion, but no decision. David Wiese suggested the proposal be given some time for consideration, and volunteered to serve as acting coordinator. This suggestion was affirmed by those attending. Ruth Soper volunteered to serve as co-coordinator with David for the six-month period. Jim Pennell volunteered to serve as secretary for that period. During this time period, it will be decided how the co-coordinators will be chosen in the future.



* UIndy students Emily Frey and Morgan Huser, who live in the neighborhood, wanted to know what they might do as part of a class service project. They were considering doing a trick-or-treat canned good drive for a local food pantry. A number of other ideas were suggested. Angela Lord suggested neighbors be more active on Halloween: leaving porch lights on and visiting with each other. Other suggestions included making cards for veterans and reverse trick or treating where Global Exchange provides fair traded chocolate to give out. Emily and Morgan will present ideas to their fellow classmates and will discuss their decision at the next meeting.



* David Wiese suggested doing a neighborhood cookout in his yard at the corner of Edwards and Otterbein on Saturday, October 31 (Halloween). Jim Pennell volunteered to buy hotdogs. Denny Rusher said he has a pop up tent, if needed, and the Pennells have a tent. Jim and Angela Lord volunteered to coordinate the event. Activities for children such as corn hole were suggested. The event will be scheduled in the afternoon so as not to interfere with trick or treating. Emily and Morgan agreed to do flyers.



* The group brainstormed ideas for what might be done with the lot of the former Cummins Apts. Suggestions included sculpture, a community garden or flower garden, a kid’s community garden, tennis courts, a playground for small children, a picnic area, and a labyrinth. There was some discussion about who would maintain whatever was developed, the university? The neighborhood?



* The next meeting is Tuesday, October 20, at 7 p.m. in UIndy’s Stierwalt Alumni House (on the SE corner of Otterbein and Windermire). A program called “Stamp for a Cause” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Neighbors will be able to decorate and sign cards to be sent to military personnel who are stationed overseas.



* MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Meeting dates for the remainder of 2009:



October 20 November 17 December 15

Minutes were compiled and submitted by Jim Pennell from his and Nancy Collins’ notes.

Organizing the Neighborhood Association

Jim Pennell

September 15, 2009

1. I propose that we have a simple and flat governance structure. Instead of having a board or a council, we elect two co-coordinators and a secretary who keeps minutes.

Rationale: There is no reason to have a board of directors or a council at this point. We should meet together and make decisions as a body of the whole. Having co-coordinators will help address the problem of one of them not being able to attend a meeting, and they can share leadership responsibilities. The co-coordinators can work together to plan and run neighborhood association meetings. The secretary will keep minutes. We can create other positions and also end those positions as needed. For example, we may want to elect leaders for specific projects or initiatives.

2. So that these leadership roles do not become burdensome and others are able to assume leadership roles, I recommend two-year terms with a two-term limit for the co-coordinators and secretary.

Rationale: There are a number of pros and cons to having someone in the same position for many years, versus rotating people more frequently. I think we are more likely to get broader participation and a willingness to serve if terms are relatively short. Term limits will also require others to step up and assume leadership responsibilities.

3. For the first year terms, I propose that one co-coordinator serve a one-year term, and the other a two-year term, so that the elections for both positions will be staggered, and a new co-coordinator will be working with one with some experience.



4. Co-coordinators and the secretary can take no action in the name of the UHNA without approval of the neighborhood association. They may represent the association, share its positions, and take actions only as formally determined by the association.

Rationale: Leaders of the association should only act with approval of the neighborhood association to avoid misrepresenting the will of the group.

5. Action items to be considered at a meeting will be announced no less than one week in advance.

Rationale: Residents need to know what is coming before the association, and should have the opportunity to speak and vote for or against.

Question: How will announcements be made? Via e-mail? A neighborhood website? With flyers?

6. Action items announced in advance will be formally proposed at a meeting, discussed, and voted on by those present.

Rationale: If people are informed about items coming before the association and have some interest, they should be at the meeting.

7. A majority decision carries.

Question: This could be divisive. Do we want something closer to a consensus? Two-thirds majority? Should we have a one-household one vote rule? Or any neighborhood resident who attends can vote?

8. Action items brought up at a meeting without prior announcement can be discussed, but cannot be brought to a vote until the next meeting, after being announced as an agenda item.

Rationale: See #4.

9. Voting participation in the University Heights Neighborhood Association is restricted to residents (whether owner-occupants or renters) living in the area bounded by Hanna, Asbury, Lawrence, and Shelby.

Question: Do we include both sides of the boundary streets? What do we want to do with businesses, the university, churches? Should other adjoining streets be added? What about the trailer park?