General Minutes August 28 2000
GENERAL MINUTES OF TURNAROUND TEAM MEETING
I. Approval of 7/24/00 Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the 7/24/00 general meeting minutes; motion carried.
II. Old Business
- A. Administrative: Mike Munz, CPA with Wendling, Noe, Nelson and Johnson, announced he received a letter from the IRS acknowledging receipt of our 501(c)3 application. We should have a decision (or request for additional information) from the IRS within 60-120 days.
- B. Washburn-Lane Parkway: City Councilmember Duane Pomeroy stated there is a lot of support among councilmembers for the Parkway; two councilmembers live within the TAT boundaries and three councilmembers' districts include TAT areas. He stated Councilmember Clark Duffy was the driving force in getting $100,000 for the Parkway back into the 2001 budget. Dave Graversen, City Capital Projects Coordinator, stated TAT is very fortunate to have the $100,000 placed in the general fund for 2001. He also stated Dec. 17, 2000, is the deadline for the TEA-21 grant application. Karen Hiller stated David Leamon is on a well-deserved vacation, and that David spoke at the City Council budget hearing in support of the Parkway -- he waited until after 1:00 am that night to speak! Work has begun on the Parkway with holes being dug and cable being placed for the first demonstration leg of lighting. TAT Board decided at their 8/10/00 meeting to postpone the groundbreaking celebration until the first lightpole is installed, which may be October or November. Joe Swalwell reminded all that the Parkway will be a real economic aid for more than just this neighborhood and the hospitals, Washburn University, etc. Once people see the improvement along the Parkway, they'll start showing interest in this area.
- C. Dillons Update: Karen received a letter from Dillons management stating they're reviewing our proposal regarding lighting and the donation of the north half of their block to the TAT. They did state they are opposed to our request to paint a mural on the north side of their store. Karen will continue encouraging Richard Russell, Dillons Real Estate Manager, to approve the visual park on the north half of their block and the mural. They are proceeding with landscaping improvements to their block, and are also remodeling the Customer Service area of the store.
III. New Business
- A. Conservation & Reinvestment Act: Dave Graversen discussed a letter from Laura Kelly, Executive Director of Kansas Parks and Recreation, supporting the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). The Act protects parks, promotes recreation, and is a potential source of funds for parks, recreation, and beautification. He suggested TAT write a letter in support of the ACT. It was moved and seconded to support CARA by sending a letter from TAT; motion passed.
- B. Brown vs. Board of Education Historic Site: Steve Adams, Site Superintendent, introduced Debra Riley, Chief of Interpretation for the site, who transferred here from the Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota. Debra announced a VIP (Volunteers in the Park) program is being enhanced to draft people to help with the site. She will interpret the Monroe School as one of our national cultural resources, and is working on a teacher's guide and interactive cd-rom. A Junior Ranger Program for children is in development. She is also working on a traveling exhibit of the historic site and historic walking trail which will tie into the Monroe School/Brown vs. Board of Education historic site.
- C. TAT Newsletter: Karen announced that 8/30/00 is the deadline for articles to be submitted to Marsha Brown, TAT newsletter editor. All TAT neighborhoods are encouraged to submit news of neighborhood activities for the newsletter.
- D. Joyce Ritchey/Membership: Karen announced that Joyce is absent tonight due to her husband's recent surgery.
IV. Housing Code Enforcement: Meg Perry, Code Compliance Director, introduced members of her staff who are present tonight: Curtis Wheeler, NW quadrant Housing Inspector; Sandra Thomas, NW quadrant Nuisance Inspector; Dennis Boyles, SW quadrant Housing Inspector, and Terry Undorf, SW quadrant Nuisance Inspector. Meg stated a lot of economic development is occurring along the Parkway area and some highly visible eyesores have been demolished along the 10th and Lane Street area. A building at 6th and Lane was also demolished. She reiterated there are chronic problems along Washburn south of Munson Street. Marc Galbraith, Elmhurst Neighborhood Association President, called Meg concerning information he obtained at a Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) conference in Phoenix. He brought back a lot of good information on code enforcement programs in other cities; but due to a conflict he couldn't be in attendance tonight. Some of the information he obtained is a Rental Licensing program in which out-of-state owners must have a local property manager, which deals effectively with "absentee landlord" situations. Citation powers for housing and nuisance inspectors is another good idea implemented in Phoenix programs; this is a very effective and quick way to get rid of eyesores such as abandoned vehicles. She also stated Court actions such as increased fines should be applied; Meg's department is reviewing the court process with other City departments who currently use the court system for abatement procedures. Don Taylor, Elmhurst NA, mentioned a situation with a former "meth house" in Elmhurst. Elmhurst officers were told there would be toxic waste problems in the house and no funding for clean up; however, the house has been rented to another tenant. Meg was asked about the status of the City's Problem Resolution Team, which was mentioned a year ago as an option for abatement of chronic problem houses; Meg answered the team was put on-hold for the summer months. She displayed a graphic of the procedure and timeline of the lengthy process for abating weed complaints. An NIA attendee commented that in his opinion, NIA's don't report problems to Code Enforcement – they just live with the status quo. Meg stated that her department should be the last resort to correct problems – that NA's and NIA's should try to correct a problem before contacting her department. As an example, she reminded us her inspectors can only cite grass/weed complaints when the vegetation is 12" tall, and they have to have a warrant to enter a property to mow. Attendees asked Meg what we could do to help her department and she stated we need to set an agenda. Eight people volunteered to form a Task Force with Meg (Ann Craig, Dave Graversen, Frank Hoge, Karen Hiller, Melody McConnell, Pete Rutshe, Joe Swalwell, and Sally Zellers). They will pick sample complaints and observe their movement through the abatement process. They will meet prior to the September TAT meeting to set a direction, and make a report at the September meeting.
V. Announcements:
- A. 9/25/00 TAT meeting: Karen asked if the 9/25/00 meeting should focus solely on Code Enforcement? Attendees responded that it should. The 9/25/00 TAT meeting will be a work session on Code Enforcement and will not include a full agenda other than announcements.
- B. 10/23/00 TAT meeting: this meeting will include Recognition Awards for individuals or businesses who have made a positive improvement on private homes or businesses. If you have nominees, give them to Deb Swank, Recognition Chair.
Meeting was adjourned. There were 31 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.
