General Minutes May 2000

GENERAL MINUTES OF TURNAROUND TEAM MEETING

I. Approval of 4/24/00 Minutes: the 4/24/00 minutes were distributed. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. Motion passed.

II. Old Business

a) Washburn-Lane Parkway Demonstration Project Progress Report: David Leamon displayed a map of lamppost locations and handed out a summary of the number and cost of lampposts and banners (see attached). The project goes out for bid 6/21/00 and construction is projected to begin in late July or August. Landscaping prices will be in this week. Randy Scott volunteered to chair a steering committee to plan a groundbreaking ceremony for our August TAT meeting; Joyce Ritchey volunteered to help with the committee. Dave Graverson announced he has written in $100,000 to be considered each year in the City CIP for the parkway.
b) Dillons Response to TAT Recommendations and Requests: Karen Hiller talked with Richard Russell, Dillons' Real Estate person, who presented TAT's letter and recommendations to the Hutchinson corporate decision-makers. Their corporate committee is concerned about increased loitering in the area north of the store if they donate it to the City for park. Karen explained to them our concept of a visual park and that we shared their concern. Dillons requested a drawing of the proposed visual park. Rogers Brazier, City Parks & Rec, volunteered to participate in a conference call with Dillons; this is to be determined. The Dillons video department was removed, and landscaping has been ordered for the perimeter of the parking lot. As far as our site council recommendation, Dillons conducts focus groups twice a year and will forward the schedule of those meetings to the TAT. Melody McConnell, Frank Meadows, and Deb Swank volunteered to partiocipate in focus groups for Dillons.
c) Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Applications: the grant deadline has been extended to June 15. Neighborhood groups are welcome to apply. $284,000 has been allocated for this go-round. The City carried forward the TAT grant which wasn't awarded this last go-round to be considered in this next grant period. The TAT grant is for $80,000 for the engineering study for the next leg of the parkway. Discussion ensued as to whether we should submit a grant for Larry Kilduff to conduct a market study of the College Hill business area. Several people stated they don't thing we're ready for that yet. Dave Graverson, Frank Meadows, and Deb Swank volunteered to serve on a College Hill focus group to explore options and make recommendations to the TAT.
d) Fundraising Plans: Jan Gard, Karen Hiller, David Leamon, and Deb Swank have formed the fundraising team with assistance from Claudia Luttjohann and Loretta Rahmeier. The team will meet in June to begin fundraising planning. Fundraising for the Parkway should happen this summer.

III. New Business

a) Washburn-Lane "Dogleg" at 16th and Washburn Proposal: Dave Graverson presented options for redesigning the dogleg (see attached). Those members present from neighborhoods that will be most affected by the re-design were asked to take the proposals to their neighborhoods for their input. It was agreed the Grass Medians option would work well with the lighting planned for the parkway. Each option would cost around $124,000. This work could be included in the TAT TEA-21 proposal and will probably enhance it. The dogleg proposal will be on the TAT agenda for a vote at the June 26, 2000 meeting.
b) Code Enforcement for the Parkway: Karen Hiller stated Meg Perry of the Code Enforcement Department called asking if there was anything they could do to help with blight along the parkway. Discussion followed from individuals who have called Code Compliance for help and were told there is no funding. Karen will call Meg and tell her we'll take any help they can give us, beginning with identifying correct property owners along the parkway – several letters sent by the TAT last month were returned as "undeliverable" to the property owners we had been provided. Karen will also invite Code Compliance to present at the June 26, 2000, TAT meeting.
c) T-shirts and Window Signs for the Parkway: Frank Meadows and Joyce Ritchey designed shirts and window signs. They displayed options for window signs to be placed in area merchants' windows stating they support the upcoming parkway. Karen Hiller modeled a t-shirt with the parkway logo on the front, and the lamppost with a TAT banner and Parkway banner on the back. All in attendance approved the t-shirt design and a sign-up sheet to order shirts at $8.00 each was circulated. Joyce stated that variations on the basic shirt could be ordered, though there would likely be a higher cost. The first shirts will be available at the June TAT meeting and the shirts will be advertised in the newsletter and the website.

IV. Announcements: Ted Mize stated he, Marc Galbraith of Elmhurst Neighborhood

Association, and David Leamon were called to the City Planning office last week regarding the "hospital district". It had been discovered that the "hospital district" hadn't been zoned correctly and the hospitals are expanding two to three blocks east of Washburn and the entire area will then be considered the "hospital district". It is hoped the rezoning will be done in conjunction with the rezoning of the Old Town Neighborhood. Marc Galbraith of Elmhurst stated Elmhurst does not want the hospital district going south of 10th street, which would be within the Elmhurst boundary.

There were 30 people in attendance.

People who are interested in improving the quality and image of Central Topeka, particularly people who live in or own property in the Central Topeka area from Monroe to MacVicar and 21st to the Kansas River, are particularly encouraged to attend. For further information, call 234-2883.