January Meeting Minutes

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN. MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 18, 2011

In attendance: 22

1. Ken Hottell - University Heights UMC’s Community Garden:

Ken and Georgia Hottell and Mike Hilgert are doing a community garden at the church on the lot west of the church and east of Bowman (on the alley). They want to create 8 garden plots and need help from the community. There will be 6 large raised beds and 2 small in concrete block with compost and topsoil. Rain barrels for watering will be attached to downspouts on the shed located on the lot. You will need labor and some simple tools to garden. Ken and Georgia are master gardeners and will help.

Those interested in having a garden or helping should call Ken at the church at 787-5347 or his home at 787-1286 to sign up. They will ask you to sign a rule sheet that states you will plant by a certain time, weed the garden, keep it attractive, and clean up in the fall. They are charging a small payment -- $15 for big plots and $10 for small. First come, first served. They will issue plots as they are selected. Dates are May 1 to Oct 31. Those who rent plots need to keep them growing, watered, and harvested. A trowel and small rake should be sufficient. Since it is raised, it will be easy to reach and take care of. If you want a flower garden, you can do that, too. They hope it also brings neighbors together to talk. Large lots are 4 x 16 feet and small lots are 4 x 8. They will erect more if they need to next year.

2. Gary Loveless, Mayor's Liaison:

Indy’s Free Tax Preparation, January 27 – Limit is $49,000.

Road work: There is supposed to be retention under Hanna Ave. to reduce flooding. Bicycle lanes are going to be made on Shelby and Madison in the first week of March. It will connect to Pleasant Run Trail and run from Fountain Square to Greenwood. The city is looking to bid $133 million of road construction, so things will remain torn up in the city for awhile.

Question about the recycling program. Gary says the city is working on it.

3. Kory Vitangeli, UIndy Dean of Students:

Kory passed out some information from the student handbook about holding students accountable. About 50% live on campus and about 50% off campus. They are held accountable for university policies regardless of where they live. She deals with students most commonly on apartment complex issues and leases, but also landlords. The handbook has a section on hosting off-campus events. There is a process for dealing with things such as parties. Neighbors need to make her office aware of problems: 788-3495 or kvitangeli@uindy.edu. If there is an immediate problem, we need to call IMPD. There is a three step process from a warning to suspension or expulsion from the university. The university wants to intervene with problem students. It’s probably not a good time to confront students during a party but the next day. Or call Kory. Ruth Soper mentioned that it can help to introduce yourself when students move in prior to problems.

4. Angela Lord and Ruth Soper - Collaboration with UIndy PR Department:

Met with Rebeccas Deemer, who has a student PR team called Top Dog, and Ezell Moore, Assistant Director of Admissions. Talked about getting more involvement from the community and get feedback about what neighbors want. The student PR team is going to develop some materials and ways to reach out, a welcome packet. Will help make flyers, make it more of a newsletter. Ezell was interested in helping with more outreach and getting information about the neighborhood and its demographics. He wants to educate himself since he answers many questions parents and students ask about what the neighborhood is like.

UHNA logo and meeting signs: Rebecca Deemer’s students prepared these things a few years ago. Ruth and Angela are going to work with Rebecca’s students to revisit these things. Ruth had four signs made to advertise the UHNA meetings. If anyone is interested in working on this, let Angela or Ruth know.

5. Jim Pennell - Spring KIB tree planting:

The second tree planting will be either May 14 or 21 and has been confirmed by Jerome Delbridge at KIB. He will let us know which date later. Jim will be meeting with Jerome this Friday morning to look at yards of requested trees. Anyone on Bowman or connecting streets (Windermire, Castle, Edwards, Markwood, Lawrence) over to Otterbein who would like trees and did not fill out a door hanger or contact Jim should do so as soon as possible. Jim will be soliciting volunteers: we could use 40 people or more. The University Heights Methodist Church will be partnering with us this planting, and hopefully some UIndy students will help.

Talked briefly about the old Cummins Apts. Lot – a landscape architect is working on plans with neighborhood and university faculty and staff input.

6. Ruth Soper - Gateway Community Alliance:

Ruth attended the luncheon meeting at the MCL. They meet four times a year, and people from southside businesses and neighborhoods come to hear the speaker and network with their peers. Also present was a representative from Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, Gary Loveless, David Wantz, and Nancy Collins from UIndy. Discussed “wellness” for small businesses. Hopefully, next meeting will feature a representative from the Super Bowl Committee.

Problem that the Subway has been losing money due to road construction. Could use some customers.

7. David Wantz - Skybreaking event:

UIndy will have an event Thursday, January 27, at 4PM, and you can walk around inside. The Mayor will be there and Mark Miles from the Super Bowl committee. There was a question about whether university athletic facilities in Lilly Fitness center will be upgraded. David said it isn’t clear at this point how or when that will happen. Some of the NFL equipment may be donated hopefully.

8. Angela Lord - upcoming election in May:

We will need a co-coordinator to take Ruth Soper’s place. The election is in May. If you are interested in helping coordinate the association, let Angela know.

9. Brainstorming on ideas for 2011, suggestions of speakers or things we could do:

Welcome wagon packet. Maybe coupons from merchants.

Send Wow cards to neighbors who do good things to their homes – fences or something.

Farmers market.

Wellness fair. Maybe connect with UIndy’s School of Nursing.

Projects for groups such as Teachers’ Treasures that need supplies. Canned goods, etc.

Adopt a fire hydrant, mailbox, or bus stop. Dig out when it snows. Storm drains.

Ideas will require people to take ownership and provide some leadership. But you don’t have to do it alone—can have people work with you.

Karen: Would like to see the neighborhood garage sale again. Maybe the week students come back. Maybe Kory would send out to students. There is now a Classifieds section on UIndy’s My UIndy intranet site. Anyone at the university can post on it.

Diana: Have a garden contest.

Halloweenie Roast. Get a lot of people who don’t come to the meetings.

Angela: Permanent neighborhood signs perhaps. There is a cost associated, so we would have to find a way to pay for them.

Great Indy Clean-up. David Wantz said we could do it from April to October. KIB is involved with that. It helped to have students involved. We can request street sweepers go through the neighborhood to clean the gutters.

We will need to revisit and prioritize what we want to do.

10. Website domain name is about to expire. Angela will explore and renew. Becky Barten will help as webmaster, taking over from Greg Filter.

Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell

Meetings for 2011 (third Tuesday of every other month):
March 15
May 17
July 19
September 20
November 15

Councillors to Hold Town Hall Meeting...

For Immediate Release

February 25, 2011

From the Office of:

Jeff Cardwell, Councillor – District 23

Chairman, Economic Development

City of Indianapolis | Marion County

jcardwell@jeffcardwell.com

Office: 317.781.4769

WHO: Councillor Jeff Cardwell, District 23

Councillor Susie Day, District 20

Councillor Jack Sandlin, District 24

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting

WHERE: Perry Township Government Center

4925 S. Shelby Street

Indianapolis, Indiana

WHEN: Saturday, April 9^th, 2011 at 1 p.m.

2011 Meeting Schedule

Mark your calendars!!

Meetings for 2011 will take place on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House on the southeast corner of Otterbein and Windermire.

January 18th

March 15th

May 17th

July 19th

September 20th

November 15th

Hope to see you there!

Reminder - Next Meeting is Tuesday July 20th @ 7PM

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th @ the Stierwalt Alumni House

Please keep in mind there are no dues or fees to attend these meetings. They are open to all residence (home owners and renters) that live in the University Heights Neighborhood.

Hope you can make it!

Southside Block Party this Saturday

UIndy and INHP Partner for Southside Block Party

INDIANAPOLIS—The University of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP) have joined forces to host a homeownership fair Block Party Saturday, J une 26, from 10am to 4pm in front of the Schwitzer Student Center on the UIndy Campus (1400 E. Hanna Ave).

The event features fun, free activities for families, including interactive areas for children, food, neighborhood businesses and resources, and live, local entertainment. Plus, visitors can have a private credit assessment and take a free Money Management class on site inside the Schwitzer Student Center from 10am-1pm (registration for class is preferred, visit www.inhp.org or call 610-4631).

This is the final Block Party in a series of four hosted by INHP throughout the month of June, which is National Homeownership month.

What: Block Party

When: Saturday, June 26, 10 am – 4 pm (Rain or shine)

Where: Grassy area between the Schwitzer Student Center and Ruth Lilly Fitness Center on the University of Indianapolis Campus

1400 E. Hanna Ave , Indianapolis , Indiana (see campus map)

Cost: FREE and open to the public

Why: Enjoy a fun day of free activities in a great Indianapolis neighborhood, and find resources to prepare for homeownership!

About INHP

INHP is a trusted 22-year-old nonprofit that empowers working families to become and remain long-term, successful homeowners. The mission of INHP is to increase safe, decent, affordable housing opportunities that foster healthy, viable neighborhoods. Since 2000, more than 15,000 families have completed an INHP program, and INHP and its partners have invested more than $210 million in mortgages for low- and moderate-income families.

For more information, visit www.inhp.org/myblock

Amy Wiser

Director of Communications & Marketing

Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

3550 North Washington Blvd., Indianapolis , IN 46205

Office: 317.610.4620

Fax: 317.610.4600

Email: awiser@inhp.org

Web: www.inhp.org

The mission of INHP is to increase safe, decent, affordable housing opportunities that foster healthy viable neighborhoods.

May 18th Meeting Minutes

University Heights Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Sixteen people present. Minutes of the April 20 meeting were reviewed and approved.

1. Gary Loveless, Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison

Handed out posters for bank accounts—trying to get people off check cashing places. Passed out rain garden brochures. The City Council approved initiating discussion on the sale of the water company. Some questions and discussion about the financing. E-mail Gary (gloveles@indygov.org) and he will send your questions about the sale to the mayor’s staff. There was also a question about the quality of work on the utility project on Hanna.

2. Dept. of Public Works reps Adie Gaines and Marlon Wright talked about the new trash cans. Put your address on the trash can. There is a CAD number that is on the trash can and assigned to the house address. You can have up to 2 cans. The first can is free. An extra can is $65, but it is yours to keep. You need to put all trash in the container and bagged. Bagging will prevent the trash from blowing all over the neighborhood. Pickup is changing from Friday to Wednesday.

There were questions about parking and problems with getting trash picked up, especially on Edwards where cars park on both sides of the street. Put can on the street if possible in those cases. Elderly residents or people with disabilities should call the Mayor’s Action Center at 327-4622. Leaf season will stay the same: bag leaves separately and keep 10 feet away from the trash can. You can drop off trash on Saturdays at 2700 S. Belmont, for a small charge. You can’t leave cans next to the alley during the week, only on trash days. Heavy trash pick up will remain the same.

Note that trash pick-up day will change to Wednesday on June 9.

Question about recycling, how might it change? Recycling is in negotiations right now—they hope to go county wide. The city has requested bids.

3. Election of Co-Coordinators

Ruth Soper was elected to a one-year term, and Angela Lord was elected to a two-year term.

4. Neighborhood Garage Sale

The garage sale committee proposed 2 dates: June 19 or August 28. July tends to be vacation time. Students start moving in August 28th. Were working around some other events. Michael Lientz suggested making a map for those who are participating. The committee can put ads in local papers, maybe offer coupons to students. We agreed to make it August 28.

5. KIB Tree Planting, May 15

Jim reported that the tree planting went very well. We planted 31 trees in our neighborhood, 12 on university property and 19 along Otterbein and adjoining streets. Over 30 people assisted with the planting. Thanks to Richard Lopez for bringing a crew of his employees to help. We had 11 UIndy students assist, so thanks to them. And a big thanks to Nancy Collins and David Wantz for providing coffee and donuts for the event, and making the alumni house restrooms available. Thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success, including those who agreed to take care of the trees in their yards. Remember that each tree needs 15 gallons of water a week from April through October for the next three years. Jerome Delbridge suggested we put in an application to do another planting next year about this time along Bowman and adjoining streets. Four of our neighbors on Bowman signed the previous application, so hopefully they will still be interested in participating. We also had other neighbors express interest after seeing the trees planted. We will need to find locations for a minimum of 20 trees. Jim has an application if anyone wants to sign up to have trees planted in their yard next spring.

6. Neighborhood Park Plan

Some preliminary work is being planned—discussion with possible landscape architects is planned by the university committee working on this.

7. Neighborhood Crime Watch

Diana Faris talked about what we would need to do. It can be no more than 20 houses that face each other. So block by block. Each block would need to have its own committee and would need to have meetings. Ann Westropp is responsible for South district. Neighbors who do this would have to learn procedures. Responsibility is to report crime to the police. You need a membership roster to communicate with each other and for the police. To get signage, you need to have participation and an agreement on where the signs go. The committee needs to have community events—social or educational events. A flyer with information was distributed.

8. Website Update

Karen Barten is our new webmaster. She is updating the website and putting meeting minutes there. She can also announce events there. Send Karen suggestions. Nancy Collins suggested having a message board.

There was a suggestion that we might need to connect with McCana, the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations.

9. Frequency of future meetings

After some discussion about the pros and cons of meeting every one, two, or three months, we decided to hold meetings July 20, September 21, and November 15. We can hold more meetings if needed. The July meeting can be used to plan for the neighborhood garage sale.

10. Your questions and idea

Diana asked about how we might recruit more people. Flyers don’t seem to matter that much. Greta thinks something needs to be happening. For example, the cards that were made at one of the meetings.

Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing will have a home ownership workshop June 26. Go to
https://www.inhp.org/myblock/southside_location.html to learn more.


Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell

Next Meeting - Tuesday, May 18th

University Heights Neighborhood meeting
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 @ 7-8 pm
Stierwalt Alumni House, located at Otterbein & Windermere

Co-coordinators: Ruth Soper and David Wiese
Secretary: Jim Pennell

AGENDA:
Review Minutes of April 20 mtg.
Gary Loveless, Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison
Election of Co-coordinators
Neighborhood Garage Sale
KIB Tree Planting, May 15
Neighborhood Park Plan
Neighborhood Crime Watch
Website Update
Frequency of future meetings
Your questions and idea

Help us create our community!
Please email your name, address, and phone numbers to Nancy Collins at ncollins@uindy.edu or sign up at the meeting.

Mayor’s Action Center: 317-327-4622

KIB Tree Planting May 15th - Volunteers Needed

Please help with the University Heights Neighborhood Association/Keep Indianapolis Beautiful tree planting Saturday, May 15th, 8:30AM-Noon.

Meet at David and Jennifer Wiese’s side yard, Otterbein and Edwards, at 8:30 AM for registration. Coffee and donuts will be provided by UIndy Community Relations.

Let Jim Pennell know if you will be volunteering at jpennell@uindy.edu, or 782-2543, if you did not sign up at the last meeting. Please DO NOT bring your own tools. These will be provided by KIB. You can bring your own work gloves if you want. KIB will also provide gloves.

We hope to have additional tree plantings and one thing KIB considers is neighborhood participation. So please help us take what is hopefully our first step at beautifying our neighborhood as part of KIB’s NeighborWoods program.

April 20 Meeting Minutes

UHNA Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2010

19 in attendance

1. Meeting minutes approved.

2. Gary Loveless, Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison
Explained some aspects of the utilities sale to Citizen’s Gas.
Central Indiana Coalition for Aging (CICOA): Can get information online to learn about assistance for senior citizens (cicoa.org).

Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District: Rain gardens. Native Indiana plants to soak up water. Have plants for sail, rain barrels. Passed out brochures.

Presentation on homelessness at IUPUI Friday, May 7th, 6:30-9:00PM.

Going to be doing energy efficiency work at the City County Building.

Complaints about tree trimming. Perhaps they should take some trees down rather than trimming trees so poorly that they die or look very bad.

Problem of abandoned houses. Properties can go on the mowing list if grass is a foot tall. Then it is cut every 28 days by the city. House on Castle has trees 6 or 7 feet tall. Need to provide him or Mayor’s Action Center an address.

New trash bins will be picked up where trash is currently picked up.

Questions about Health and Hospital corporation and SEND.

2. Nominations and presentation for co-coordinators

One coordinator elected for one year. One for two years.

Angela Lord for co-coordinator was nominated. Would like to see more neighbors involved, coordinate activities and committees, and whatever the neighborhood wants.

Ruth Soper nominated for one year. Has lived here since 1976. Was involved in the 1990s. Interested in keeping our neighborhood growing and attracting young families, having an intergenerational neighborhood. Went to University of Indianapolis, and is invested in this neighborhood. Wants to attract and keep good neighbors, maintain a good connection with the university.

Residents must be present to vote. Will pass out flyers announcing the meeting.

3. Current Project Updates

KIB Tree Planting: Jim Pennell went over the May 15th tree planting. See attached handout.

Neighborhood Garage Sale: Dates that would be bad? May 1st. July 4th. Committee will suggest dates.

Neighborhood Park: Assistant Professor Kevin McKelvey wrote an internal grant proposal that was funded to help plan the park. We need a fully developed plan to take to the UIndy Board of Trustees.

Can the property be used now by neighbors for cookouts? David Wantz said yes, let him know so he can let the university police know.

4. Kelly Sikora suggested a permaculture design as an approach.

5. David Taylor was introduced. Is the current Perry Township constable and is running for the position again.

6. Possible future projects

Alley Resurfacing: Ruth asked Gary Loveless and he said most resources are going to Center Township. Could use the Mayor’s Action Center and call with requests. The more who call, the more likely they will pay attention.

Neighborhood Crime Watch: David Taylor volunteered to find out about Crime Watch. Diana Faris will follow up with him.

Karen Barten will take over the website for the neighborhood from Greg Filter. Bob Burchfield at UIndy will help her.

Frequency of future meetings: Jim suggested discussing the summer at the May meeting, and maybe the fall. Perhaps we don’t need to meet over the summer. Diana agreed that we probably don’t need to meet every month

David Wantz announced the new UIndy dome.

The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership is going to have a “block party” home ownership workshop June 26th. It won’t be just about buying houses, but staying in them. They have a new documentary out.

Question about certified housing David had talked about earlier. University is still investigating this, but there seems to be some interest in it.

Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell.

March 16 Meeting Minutes

University Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2010

Thanks to those who distributed flyers to announce the meeting.

18 in attendance.

Minutes from the February meeting: Gary Loveless’s last name was corrected.

IndyConnect project:
Gary Loveless, Mayor’s community liaison, discussed last time. They are collecting data on what people want for transportation. They want information about what we want (bicycle paths, sidewalks) and funding ideas. Ruth passed around brochures. You can go to Indyconnect.org for more information.

Old inter-urban property line along Madison, question about who owns that. Perhaps it could be used.

Reviewed bylaws voted on last meeting. Second vote was unanimous and the neighborhood bylaws were adopted.

Need nominations for the election of (2) co-coordinators, one to serve for one year and one to serve for two years, so that the terms are staggered. People can self-nominate and should encourage neighbors to run. Ruth Soper is willing to run for the one year term. Gabe Granger is possibly interested in serving. Send your nominations to Ruth at ruthsoper@yahoo.com before April 9.

The Great UIndy Clean-up is April 10
Students will pick up trash from 10-Noon, then will be doing projects in other places. Anyone interested in helping, contact Nancy Collins at ncollins@uindy.edu [note: Nancy sends out the minutes and announcements]. Students will also be making dog toys out of T-shirts, so if you have t-shirts to donate, contact Nancy or bring them to her in the lower level of the Stierwalt Alumni house.

Summer camp is being offered at the Montessori Garden Academy on East St., across from Southern Plaza. Camp is available for ages 18 months to 10 years old.

Great Indy Cleanup – not participating as a neighborhood this year, but you can spruce up your own yard!

Neighborhood Garage sale: We won’t be collaborating with the University on this. Do we want to have one? Suggestion that it be the same month and weekend every year. Have the committee get feedback from neighbors, develop a plan, and report at April meeting.

KIB tree planting – May 15 – TREES ARE FREE.
KIB is seeking to plant 100,000 trees in 10 years. Have planted 18,000 trees so far. David Wiese made arrangements but is moving, so Jim and Greta Pennell will take over. We need neighbors to volunteer to plant trees, and we will recruit some students to help. Those who are interested in having trees planted in their yards, along the street, or in the front yard, or want to assist in planting, should contact Jim at jpennell@uindy.edu or come to the April meeting.

Neighborhood Park Plan
University faculty and staff who also had various ideas met. The neighborhood committee’s sketch was shared by Greta Pennell. Kevin McKelvey, an English professor interested in working on the project, wrote a proposal for an internal university grant to do additional planning. The university group will consult with the neighborhood committee. According to Nancy Collins, David Wantz is also working on getting a landscape architect, who would need to do a detailed design for the university board of trustees to approve.

Question about broken down cars in yards should be directed to the Mayor’s Action Center, 327-4622.

Concerns about crime in the neighborhood since the probation office opened were addressed. According to Nancy Collins, David Wantz met with the probate judge responsible for the office to express his concerns. Could set up a neighborhood crime watch. We would need volunteers to participate. IMPD has good resources and a liaison. These are usually organized by blocks.

Hanna Ave. report:
They are doing work on the north lanes and will then switch to the south lanes. Phase II is supposed to be done by November 2010; landscaping by May 2011; and asphalt by August 2011. Final project should be completed November 2011.

At the next meeting, we will ask Gary Loveless about getting our alleys resurfaced.

The next meeting is April 20, 7 p.m., in the Stierwalt Alumni House, corner of Windermire and Otterbein.

Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell.

University Heights Neighborhood Assoc. leadership

FROM: Ruth Soper, UHNA Co-coordinator:

Hi neighbors,
We need your help to keep the University Heights Neighborhood Association growing and thriving. It is time to nominate co-coordinators for the May 18 election . Our organization's leadership is designed so that the co-coordinators share the responsibility of developing agendas and chairing meetings. This gives great flexibility if one coordinator cannot always attend. We want to keep it simple. Nominate yourself or ask someone who you think would help make our association successful and effective. Contact either of us by phone or email for more information. Nominees will present themselves at the April 20, 2010, UHNA meeting.

Jim Pennell 317-782-2543 jpennell@uindy.edu

Ruth Soper 317-784-1427 ruthsoper@yahoo.com

Neighbor Power! The MAIN Event!

FROM: Ruth Soper, UHNA Co-coordinator

I am hoping several interested University Heights neighbors can attend this event and report back to us. It is for neighborhood associations to network, share ideas about best practices, green initiatives, sustainable communities, neighborhood improvments, etc. - IT IS FREE. I talked to Jon Berg. He encouraged us to send 3-4 people.

Check out www.neighborpowerindy.org for videos about previous events.

Sign up if you are interested. You can contact me at ruthsoper@yahoo.com or 317-784-1427. The next UHNA mtg. is May 18, 2010.

Who: Anyone interested in creating a new community event (from small block parties and neighborhood cleanups to a full scale parade), volunteer recruitment strategies, the vendor selection process or improving an existing event.

New to the community events scene? Come learn about what's happening in your neighborhood. Learn tips on how to improve your event from top to bottom.

We'll have experts on hand for a panel Q&A session to answer all of your event questions.

What: Get Connected! Join your peers and learn about community events, share ideas, and plan actions.

When: Thursday, May 20th from 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Where: Harrison Center for the Arts (Underground Room)

1505 N. Delaware Street

Snacks will be provided. Space is limited for this event. RSVP to Jon Berg at Jberg@lisc.org or 317.396.0588 ext 15.

Get Neighbor-Powered!

This topical peer-to-peer discussion forum is a follow up event to the 2009 Neighbor Power! gathering where more than 250 Indianapolis residents came together to share ideas about how to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and play. At Neighbor Power! more than 100 people expressed an interest in continuing a local conversation on particular topics. This "MAIN Event" forum is the second of a series of topical peer-to-peer discussions to network local leaders to one another, highlight good neighborhood work, and inspire further community action.

Explore our newly updated website at www.neighborpowerindy.org. Browse 2009 session videos and resources on topics such as abandoned housing, youth engagement, and neighborhood events.

About Neighbor Power!
LISC founded Neighbor Power! in 2009 with the help of a myriad of volunteers. In partnership with Making Connections Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, we are working to give neighbors access to materials and information presented at the conference, provide networking tools for individuals wishing to continue conversations, and develop future Neighbor Power! gatherings.

Greetings from Your New Webmaster

Hello. My name is Karen Barten. I have volunteered to take over the role of maintaining the website for the UHNA. I am very excited about the opportunity to help communicate the happenings in our neighborhood as well as the progress being made through the neighborhood association.

I welcome you to take a look around & visit often as I will be sharing the specifics of upcoming events taking place in our wonderful neighborhood. We have some exciting things going on - like our new park - so stay tuned...

Karen

Looking for a New Webmaster

I am looking for anyone in the neighborhood who would be interested in taking over managing the website for the neighborhood. It is fairly easy to do. I can take care of the technical aspects. If you can work with a word processor you are ready to run the website.

The reason we need a new webmaster for the site is because I am leaving. After twelve years in the neighborhood, we have decided to move. I would like to live closer to my workplace and the timing seems right. We will miss the neighborhood. There are a lot of good reasons to live in University Heights.

If you would be interested in contacting me about hosting the website, call Greg at 1-317-777-0751. Or email me at the following edited for spam protection email address (you'll need to put it together):
mrperiodgregperiodfilteratgmailperiodcom

(replace period with . and at with @)

Sincerely, Greg

January 19 Meeting Minutes

Download the original attachment

UHNA Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2010

David Wiese and Ruth Soper, Co-leaders

Jim Pennell: Minutes

19 in attendance

1. Reviewed minutes of Nov. 17, 2009 meeting. No changes.



2. Gary Loveless, Mayor's liaison



He receives reports by police, and pawn shop police. He takes neighborhood complaints. He helped start a neighborhood association (didn’t say who). Crisis information management. CERT: Community Emergency Response Team—for emergency. Indianapolis Threat and Analysis System—in basement of 911. Neighborhood USA--Indianapolis is hosting their board meeting, then a national meeting here. Credit card fraud—can help with that. Crimestoppers. Faith, Hope, and Love—helps get volunteers together. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB). He has been working with the Franklin Township Civic League—interested in land use. The new St. Francis hospital. 920 East Markwood Ave.—a zoning variance petition (didn’t say what). 3035 S. Ewing—zoning violation, auto shop.

Listed other things:

Prisoner re-entry.

CDBG—Community Development Block Grants, money from the federal government. Security freezes—freezing credit—free in Indiana.

Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Tree program—done with Plant a Million. Do a tree sale twice a year. $60 for an 8 foot tree. He works on strategic planning. Effective 4/5, our neighborhood will have 96 gallon wheeled containers for trash. They are redoing pick up day schedules that will be announced.

Some alleys (in the city) are being rehabilitated.

David Wantz: Can we get on a list for alleys?

GL: You can start with me. (Phone: 317-327-4838, e-mail: gloveles@indygov.org)

Crime Watch. Will come out and help set one up. Southport has set one up.

Indy Land Bank. Take back derelict property/abandoned. If it abuts your property, you can buy it cheap. $500 empty lot, $2500 with building on it. Explore Indy.gov.

IndyAmbassadors.org for volunteer opportunities.

Discussed some of the mayor’s initiatives: Murder down. Burglaries are up. DPW: re-engineering that saved the city money (didn’t say on what—sewers perhaps?).

Question: Is our community eligible for a grant? Pocket park grants. Walmart--$1,000 for a one page application. Greater Indianapolis Neighborhood Initiative provided $5,000 for Community Heights neighborhood.

Comment: Weeds at Lawrence and Bowman were taken down.

Question: More street lights in dark places? GL: Quit doing in the 1980s.

Question: Information on sexual offenders and where they might live?

GL: Sex offender registry, Marion Co. Sheriffs.

David Wantz says you can call Gary to address problems.

Question: Took fire department away and now emergency calls over on Keystone came from Beech Grove. Beech Grove and Indianapolis share calls.

Question about alleys being redone. They are grinding the surface, then mix with some asphalt and put back down.

3. Hanna Ave. redesign



Robin from Direct Connect Print Shop. Has worked with Wantz on the Hanna Ave project.

Phil Hunter, Construction Manageer from Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates.

Will provide help to adjacent property owners and businesses to maintain access. They are working with Calumet contractors, with about a dozen subcontractors. Handed out a synopsis of Calumet’s schedule dated 12-21-09 and went over schedule. Sends out a project update at a minimum of once a month, e.g., lane closures and shifts. Phase I will be completed July 8th for north half of renovation, then south half. New raised median. Almost a 5th lane through campus. Project estimated completion: Sept. 13th, required Nov. 7th. Traffic changes will be marked with signs and arrows.

Question: Will trees cut down be replaced?

Phil: at least, sometimes two. Arborist came through and identified each tree. City arborist department will replace, except for certain trees that will be changed—e.g., mulberries. So replacement will be 2-1 to 3-1.

Changes will move the curb away from the Methodist church.

His field office is at 1643 Hanna Ave. Can stop in and he will give as much time as he can—will show plans and what they are doing and answer questions. People who provided e-mail addresses will get updates. Has sent out one already. Nancy Collins will send out to the neighborhood listserv.

Question: Sidewalks on the South side of Hanna from East to Madison?

Phil: 95 percent certain there will be one on the south side.

Problem at Hanna and Mathews with lane shifts. Phil said he worked on that today—extended barrels to make it clearer.

4. Spring Tree planting.



David Wiese met with Jerome of KIB, and we have been approved. Will start in the middle of the neighborhood on Otterbein and then work out from side streets. Some limitations: All trees have to be in the front of the house or public right of way. David thinks we will get about 40 trees. David has a preliminary Google map he can share. Will try to do it April 10th for the university’s clean-up/service day. KIB wants at least half the volunteers to be from the neighborhood. You don’t have to plant to get a tree.

KIB is having a meeting this Saturday 9-Noon at the KIB office on Fletcher for these kinds of projects and pocket parks. They have all their projects allocated this year.

5. Park update-team report (Lot at Edwards and Mathews)



Greta passed out a sketch of a plan the committee developed that Kay drew. The project will be phased. Working with the university and to get grants. The plan includes a multipurpose room and greenhouse that the community could use. Greta also contacted people in the Kinesiology Dept. for multi-age facilities all could use. A playground would be preschool/toddler, since older kids can go to the park or School 65. Some features were discussed. There is a problem with a dead tree on private property that will need to be addressed.

David Wiese: KIB has been planting fruit and persimmons in pocket parks.

Lighting? There is a light on the corner. Committee can talk about lighting.

Security around the park? Will have to be worked out.

Problems with walkers coming from the Colonial on Shelby stumbling into the lane. Can’t call campus police. Their primary responsibility is to the campus and students. Police chief is Mick Reddick.

6. Spring clean up-how will UHNA participate?



Didn’t have time to discuss. We will put on next month’s agenda. Clean up for the city is April 10th.

7. Spring garage sale-determine date-team report



Will put on next month’s agenda.

8. Draft of our UHNA constitution

Please look at. We will discuss next month. We will need to determine how to select leadership and run the association.

9. What would you like to see at these meetings?



Comment: Only one speaker so the meeting doesn’t go to long.





10. Next meeting date: February 16th.



Other meetings: March 16th, and April 20th.

Empty Target Store to See New Life!

Happy New Year!
During the past 8 months, David Wantz has been working with Nassimi Realty to relocate a store in the vacant Target building on US 31. The numerous phone calls, e-mails, and visits to other stores finally paid off. As reported in today's Indianapolis Business Journal, we have a new business to be proud of - Shoppers World, which is scheduled to open in March.
David was also able to use the Gateway Community Alliance network to show Nassimi Realty how strong a business community this is.

Shoppers World taking former Target space
Indianapolis Business Journal
January 6, 2010

Discount department-store chain Shoppers World has signed a deal to take over a shuttered Target store on the south side. The New York-based chain agreed to lease the 85,000-square-foot space in Felbram Plaza North shopping center along U.S. 31 South from New York-based Nassimi Realty. Target closed the store when its lease expired in January 2009. The new Shoppers World store is scheduled to open in March, said Andrew Levian, a leasing agent with Nassimi. Shoppers World has one other location in Indianapolis, in Lafayette Square mall. That store opened in 2008, taking a 100,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by J.C. Penney. It was the first outpost in the Midwest for the chain, which operates 10 stores in New York and New Jersey. (Photo: Google Maps)


--
Nancy Collins
University of Indianapolis
Office for Community Relations
Stierwalt Lower Level
(317) 788-3297

Mother of All Holiday Recycling Events, 1/9/2010

SAVE THE DATE:
POST HOLIDAY RECYCLING EVENT GIVES RESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO RECYCLE
HOLIDAY MATERIALS

INDIANAPOLIS - The Office of Sustainability, in conjunction with Indy
Parks, the Department of Public Works and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
will host the fourth annual Post-Holiday Recycling Event on Saturday,
January 9, 2010

WHAT: This one-day event is designed to offer residents an
environmentally safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics and to
provide a reuse and recycling option for Christmas trees. Through this
event, residents are able to do their part as we make Indianapolis a
cleaner, more sustainable city.

Accepted items include:
* Christmas trees (remove all ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic
bags, and other decorations)
* Cardboard boxes
* Gift boxes (no wrapping paper)
* Styrofoam (white foam, clean with no glue)
* Electronics (examples include: computer equipment, cell phones, TV's
no larger than 27 inches, VCRs, DVD players and stereos)
Volunteers will be on hand to help unload recyclables.

WHERE: Broad Ripple Park - 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
Ellenberger Park - 5301 E. St. Clair Street
Garfield Park - 2354 Pagoda Drive
Krannert Park - 605 S. High School Road

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010

Holiday Trash Schedule

Good morning everyone, this is your friendly reminder that there will be NO Residential or Heavy Trash collection or Curbside Recycling collection next Friday, December 25th, in observance of the Christmas holiday. There will also be NO Residential or Heavy Trash collection or Curbside Recycling collection on Friday, January 1st in observance of New Year’s Day. All Friday routes for both weeks will be picked up on Saturday (12/26 and 01/02) for the next two weeks. Trash schedules will return to normal on Monday, January 4. Any assistance you can offer in getting this word out to the public is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!



Shawn

Thanksgiving Week Trash Pickup

Good morning everyone,



As you all know, Thanksgiving Day is next Thursday, November 26. There will be NO Residential Solid Waste, Leaf, Heavy Trash, or Curbside Recycling service on that day in honor of the holiday. All services will run one day behind for the remainder of the week. Thursday routes will be picked up on Friday, 11/27, and Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, 11/28. All schedules will return to normal on Monday, November 30.



Any assistance you can offer in getting the word out to our residents is greatly appreciated. As always, thanks in advance for your help with this!



Shawn


AND HERE IS SOME INFO ON LEAF DISPOSAL>

NO BURNING OF LEAVES

LEAVES MUST BE BAGGED FOR PICKUP!



Leaf Collection



The Department of Public Works (DPW) conducts the annual Leaf Collection Program to help our citizens dispose of the large number of leaves (more than 9,000 tons--or, 18 million pounds!) each fall. This program helps your Indianapolis/Marion County environment in two great ways--

* It produces useable compost, offered free to citizens, to help strengthen and beautify lawns and gardens.
* By not burning the leaves, we can all enjoy that crisp Fall air better (and see those beautiful trees more clearly). That's why open burning of leaves is illegal in Marion County.

2009 Fall Leaf Collection will run from Monday November 9th through Friday, December 4th. Each Household is permitted to place up to 40 bags of leaves for weekly disposal.


Fall Leaf Collection Guidelines:
No more than 10 items may be regular household trash, per standard trash pickup rules. For example, in a hand collection area, a resident may set out 2 bags of trash and up to 38 bags of leaves. Or, 8 bags of trash and up to 32 bags of leaves. For 96-gallon cart collection areas, all leaves must be bagged and at least 3 feet away from the cart in order to allow DPW trucks to continue to service the cart.

To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:

* Place leaves in large plastic trash bags, specially-built large paper lawn-waste bags, or standard trash cans and containers.
* Place the leaf bags/containers out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular trash day.
* Separate your leaf pick-up from your regular trash (such as, putting the leaves on the opposite side of your driveway; using different colored bags for the leaves; or, using different colored tie wraps on the leaf bags).
* Make sure sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves to avoid serious drainage or flooding problems.

Free compost is available at the Southside Landfill located at 2577 S. Kentucky Ave., (317) 247-6808. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange - improving the health of lawns and helping gardens grow.

DPW would like to remind residents that...

OPEN BURNING OF LEAVES IS ILLEGAL IN INDIANAPOLIS/MARION COUNTY!

For questions regarding leaf collection, please contact the Mayor's Action Center online, or call (317) 327-4MAC for assistance.

These meetings run like clockwork . . .

Hello, neighbors!
Here is the itinerary for the UHNA meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in the UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House. Please share it with neighbors who do not have email access or have not contacted me to get added to the list.
Have a great week!
Nancy

University Heights Neigborhood Monthly Meeting

11/17/2009

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Stierwalt Alumni House, Multipurpose Room

Leader: Ruth Soper

Recorder: Jim Pennell

Allotted Time Agenda Topics Expected Result

5 City of Indianapolis Leaf Collection Share info

10 UIndy Student Certified Housing Update

10 Neighborhood Park / Maintenance Sub Group Report out

15 2010 Projects Teams Sub Groups formed

10 What do you want out of the meetings Meeting Format

Future Meetings:

All meetings begin at 7:00 PM



No December Meeting

January 19, 2010

February 16, 2010

March 16, 2010
April 20, 2010