Prior to the start of the meeting, Chair Karen Hiller handed out a survey from the City of Topeka's Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development, "Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Survey" in which the City is enlisting help to determining "why some people in Topeka have trouble finding decent housing they can afford." Surveys were completed and collected.
I. Agenda: Karen welcomed all to the first meeting of the new millennium and asked for approval of the agenda with the addition of two items. It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda with the addition of Introductions and Banner Hanging discussion. Motion passed.
II. Introductions: Karen recognized Mary Ann Blossom and extended the sympathy of the TurnAround Team on the loss of her husband, Jack, who represented Holliday Park for several years. Mary Ann has stepped forward to represent Holliday Park to the TurnAround Team and we welcome her as their representative. Karen recognized Jean Wilson, Burlington-Northern employee, who is a prospective grant writer for the TAT. Clardy Vinson introduced Bob Hays, the husband of Jackie Hays, who is the 2001 representative for USD 501.
III. 2001 Goals: The TurnAround Team Goals for 2001 were handed out (see attached). It was moved and seconded to approve the Goals. Motion passed. Karen stated we have a new opportunity for marketing Central Topeka in a very positive manner – she met with Karen Sipes, Features Editor of the Topeka Capital Journal, and discussed the fact the Capital Journal has not given TAT as much media coverage as we would like to see. Karen Sipes was in agreement and is going to write a feature on the TAT in February with the Parkway as a focus. The individual 2001 Goals were discussed with the Parkway receiving the most discussion. A member remarked how wonderful the Parkway lighting is and thanked the TAT for its hard work in getting the lights funded and installed. It was noted the residents along the Parkway are also very pleased with the lights, and there has only been one negative letter published regarding the Parkway lighting. Dave Graversen talked with Jeff Hunt, City Engineering Dept., regarding the closeness of the Parkway demonstration area lightposts and the City has decided to wait until the trees are leafed out before they do any further consideration of changes for the next installation. In response to comments regarding how bright the lights are, this type of light loses about 30% of its brightness within a few months. A Candidate's Forum for our March 26th meeting has been discussed at the Board level and Karen asked if there was any opposition to scheduling the forum; none was offered. Pam Mullins announced that Marcia Stuart, who was a coordinator of the forum held at the Library four years ago for mayoral candidates, has volunteered to coordinate this forum. The March 26th forum will include mayoral candidates and the City Council candidates who have districts in the TAT area.
IV. Partners for Successful Cities Report: David Leamon was unable to attend and this report will be given at the February meeting.
V. Housing Code Changes: The proposed changes were introduced by the City Council 1/9/01 and at a CDAC Workshop on 1/11/01. Committees are studying the proposed changes and Mayor Wagnon hopes to have the final vote at the 2/20/01 Council meeting. Copies of the proposed changes to the ordinances and a TurnAround Team Comment on Proposed Housing and Nuisance Code Amendments were handed out (see attached). Karen announced that Darrell Eklund, the new head of the Landlord's Association is a member of the Housing Code Task Force. Don Taylor, CDAC member, stated several of the proposed changes simply follow the Uniform Building Code. The proposed changes were reviewed individually, and it was moved and seconded to give the TurnAround Team Housing Task Force the latitude to report final recommendations to the City Council. Motion passed. Sally Zellers, Housing Task Force member and Affordable Housing representative, announced the next Task Force meeting will be at Meg Perry's office on 2/9/01 at 1:30 pm. Sally also gave her email address ( szellers@safestreets.org ) and invited anyone who has additional input to email it to her.
VI. Parkway Banner Hanging: Deb Swank is coordinating this project and will mark banner locations this weekend, and the banners will be installed Saturday Feb. 3. Volunteers were identified who will provide ladders and install the banners. Volunteers will meet 2/3/01 at 2:00 pm next to the big Parkway sign east of the Library. This will be a good opportunity to meet our neighbors along the Parkway while we're hanging the banners. News media will be invited to record the event.
VII. Announcements:
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm. There were 35 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.