I. Approval of 6/26/00 Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the 6/26/00 general meeting minutes; motion carried.
II. Washburn-Lane Parkway: David Leamon, Parkway Committee Chair, announced we're still waiting for the exact start date for construction, but Jeff Hunt with the City has something new to report almost every day. The logos are ready for the banners along the demonstration leg and he will contact Joyce Ritchey this week regarding signs in business windows along the parkway. He showed a drawing of a large sign announcing the demonstration leg to be placed along Washburn Avenue. The letter to parkway residents and businesses announcing the beginning of construction is ready for mailing. Unfortunately, the $100,000 we counted on for 2001 from the City isn't there but hopefully will be for 2002 and following years. Discussion followed regarding sending a letter to the Mayor and City Council asking them to put the $100,000 back in the 2001 budget. It was moved and seconded to do so. Motion carried. The $100,000 was to go along with the T21 grant application we have submitted. The reason the City gave for deleting the $100,000 is there are two, new big projects to be funded; one is widening Huntoon between Gage and Fairlawn. The CDBG grant application was also discussed. CDAC members present at the meeting recommended we write a letter to the City regarding the $80,000 we requested. Several suggestions were made for items to be listed in the letter: the parkway borders many neighborhoods, it almost links the Shunga Trail clear to the Kansas River, lots of people drive the route to and from work, it is a very visable part of central Topeka, etc.). It was moved and seconded to write a letter to the City encouraging them to approve the $80,000 requested in the grant. Motion carried.
III. Dillons Progress Report: Bill Riphahn of the City developed a conceptual drawing for the visual park on the north side of Dillons. The drawing was mailed to Dillons Real Estate Department last week for their review.
IV. Watertower Project: Alvin Georgia, Monroe representative to TAT, read our letter to the City council and the ordinance passed! We appreciate the support of the Monroe NIA and TAT members.
V. Brown vs. Board of Education Historic Site: Steve Adams announced a potential plan for a historic driving and walking tour of Topeka's African-American areas including the Sheldon kindergarten site and the Monroe school. A site bulletin with address and the history of the area would also be developed.
VI. TAT Newsletter: Marsha Brown is ready for articles for the next edition – articles are due the end of August. She also welcomes any additions to the mailing list. Thanks go to Stormont-Vail and St. Francis hospitals, and Griffith & Blair for helping with printing and postage expenses – they will be recognized in the next issue.
VII. Recognitions: we are ready for names to be submitted for the next recognitions, which will be at the October meeting. If you know of people who have made improvements to properties in the TAT area, give their names to Deb Swank, Recognition Chair. Ask your NIA or NA for names if you don't know of any.
VIII. 501(c)3 Application: Mike Munz, CPA, reported additional language is needed for the application. Karen Hiller, Pam Mullins, and Joe Swalwell met with him during the meeting to review the application.
IX. Safe Streets - Sally Zellers: Sally announced the next Property Manager Training session is scheduled for October 11th . Information on writing leases, screening tenants, etc. will be presented. If you know of people who may benefit from the training, give her their names and she'll send out the information.
X. Neighborhood Services - Meg Perry: Meg fielded questions about specific residences from several members and gave the current status of some complaints. She displayed a city map with the four quadrants for inspector assignments and listed inspectors for each quadrant. Each quadrant has a Housing Inspector and a Nuisance Inspector assigned to that area, and assignments are rotated every two years. The current assignments were just made and will be rotated again in July 2002. Problems her department faces include the fact that when a case goes to court, the property owner frequently calls the Judge and reports the property has been repaired or cleaned up, but the Judge doesn't call Meg's office to confirm this. Therefore, the situation doesn't get resolved. She also reported difficulty in locating owners of rental properties and some have back taxes for 10-15 years.She will bring pamphlets and other literature next month and continue the code compliance discussion.
Meeting was adjourned
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.