Board Meeting: February 12, 2008

PRESENT: *Gregory A. Hession (Pres.), Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Denise Moccia, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr. (Sec.), *Marianne Winters (Treas.), Jim Boone, James Florek, Sandra Hession, Thomas Kubik, Ceil Lewonchuk, Yasir Osman, Karan Parkin, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Michael Wiseman, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board)

Guests: One unidentified

Meeting called to order 7:14 p.m. 9 Board members present

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Pres. GAHession addressed 3 issues:

1. Referring to the McKnight Revitalization Plan to be presented later in the meeting, thanked Demetrios Panteleakis as the driving force in getting the plan done, and thanked the members of the McKnight Planning and Development Committee for their contributions to the plan, all of whom are acknowledged on the title page.
2. Thanked Walter Kroll and the McKnight Public Safety Committee, whose report also follows later on the agenda, for working to establish a good on-going system of communication with the Springfield Police Department that has resulted in better response to issues brought to them from this neighborhood; noted that so far the SPD has responded to every issue submitted to them and that if there comes a time when they do not respond then we can raise that issue to the SPD; Also passed along a recommendation regarding burglaries in empty houses that the owners purchase and install an alarm that will contact the SPD; we residents should be creatively doing our own prevention where possible.
3. Intends to meet with the Presidents of the three neighborhood councils adjacent to McKnight (Bay, Old Hill and Upper Hill) and then meet jointly with Mayor Sarno to keep public safety on the front burner; Noted there is a meeting of all neighborhood council presidents to be held later this month.

Note: Executive Committee met Feb. 4 to set this agenda. Report attached.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Minutes of Jan. 8, 2008: KWright, administrative staff, reported correction in reporting the scheduling for tonight's agenda and the March agenda. JL moved to approve minutes with corrections noted; LS seconded. Motion passed.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Financial Report through Feb. 10, 2008, shows (new) expenditures under Communications for newsletter and new phone system, and (new, unrestricted) revenue from newsletter ad sales and a grant that Ben Swan Jr. applied for several months ago. Regarding the grant, BS will spearhead a project focused on promoting technology among Black youngsters; BS will obtain the grant requirement details and report back to the Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

* COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn & Ben Swan Jr., Co-chairs): JL reporting. Committee met Jan. 18; agreed to the following (1) Website development (Karan Parkin is designing it); (2) Commitment to 2 more newsletters this fiscal year, in April and June; (3) Developing an annual signature event, a fair, antiques & crafts, community party day (target date of spring 2009); (4) Putting together a business directory for the neighborhood; and (4) Establishing a telephone tree for quick communication. Report attached.
* FINANCE & FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, Chair): Committee met Feb. 4; began work on a 3-year plan for fund raising, including categories such as donations, grants, newsletter and website ad sales, direct mail, etc. No written report at this time.
* HOUSING (Denise Moccia, Chair): Committee met (date?) to work on code enforcement piece. A few small items: (1) Asked HAP if they have an interest in 74 Yale Street, a long abandoned property, in response to their asking us to let them know of any properties in need of rehabilitation; DM has not yet heard back from HAP; (2) Is trying to produce some "Then & Now" photos for the new website, using historical photos and recent photos of specific houses to show how they were in their prime and how they are (as neglected homes) today, an effort to get some attention paid to these properties. No written report.
* PUBLIC SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair): Committee met Jan. 27; Reports following process now in place with Springfield Police Department for dealing with any incident or issue: (1) Anyone can call in an emergency (911) or a non-emergency issue (787-6302); (2) If the issue is not being addressed, person can call Deputy Chief William Cochrane directly (787-6340); (3) Report can be made at Sector F Beat Team meeting, Lt. Tom Trites is mandated to follow up; or (4) Report can be emailed to MNC Public Safety Committee Chair, Walter Kroll ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and he will follow up.

Also reported he now has an open meeting monthly with Deputy Chief Cochrane and Lt. Trites; So far every issue brought to them has resulted in some action:

(1) SPD sting and raid on Bass Club on Bay Street last Friday, 2 people arrested, club closed; Dep. Ch. Cochrane suggests citizens press the Mayor for continued attention to the problem; GAH proposed a letter be sent from MNC to Mayor on the Bass Club; consensus approval; individuals can also write (LS already has).

(2) SPD are watching so-called ‘hot spots' including speeding and drug selling activity;

(3) An individual was identified as a drug dealer and SPD is in need of more information (which has been supplied);

(4) WK advocates traffic stops because speeding drivers are people not vested in the neighborhood and may point to criminal activity. JL noted traffic patrols/stops give police a visible presence out on the street, which may deter unwanted activity.

SThibeau reiterated that Brown Street is one way, signs are up, violations still occur; Also reported application for a new day care in Bay Street church next to Bass Club was made to City Council, which might make that section a school zone (alcohol and drug activity thus prohibited).

WK said he would like the SPD to be more pro-active. AAR noted SPD is second largest in the state, has a low response time compared to other cities, and that they are trained to re-act, not pro-act.

Report attached.

* OFFICE RELOCATION (Liz Stevens, chair): There is no update from last month; will call the committee to meet to look at and find a site for a permanent home for MNC. No written report.
* DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair - not present, excused): In the absence of the committee chair, Pres. GAH introduced the draft revitalization plan, thanked the authors and committee chair; asked the author of each section to present that part of the plan; GAH presented those sections written by DP; asked for discussion and proposed changes on each section; will make those changes to the master document and MNC can vote on it at next monthly meeting, March 11, 2008. GAH also noted the Plan is on a fast track to get it to the City so that it can be incorporated into the City budget for FY09. Sections of Revitalization Plan were discussed as follows:

1. Paving, etc.: Requests made to add Catherine Street as it connects to Dartmouth; Thompson and Princeton as they all run through from State Street to St. James or Worthington. CL noted St. James Avenue was dug down & repaved 12 years ago, but that near Tapley Street it is in serious need of repaving. City Development Dept will pave one street a year; MNC gets to choose which one. Sidewalks and streetlights will be similar to those on Walnut Street. JL noted focus should be on McKnight's main traverse arteries.

2. Refurbishment, etc.: City asked for the long list, we don't know everything about these properties and are asking the City to clarify status and deal with them. The property list will be fluid over time. Question raised if the Plan should refer to a separate list to be current at any given point in time; consensus that the categories are correct and in place, and list of properties to receive attention be updated quarterly. WK explained that the Plan before the board is meant to be submitted for the City's FY09, and therefore refers only to a one-year period. GAH will rename the document the 2008 Revitalization Plan and it will be revisited annually for submission to the City. ST asked if the Historical District referred to in the Plan is the Local or the Federal district; this question will be followed up and clarified.

3. Property standards, etc.: Effort is to be pro-active; relevant statute citations have been added next to each item. Section (b) concerning MNC writing a friendly letter to scoff-laws was added to encourage compliance. ST suggested this information be included in a Welcome Packet (which was discussed at a previous board meeting). AAR noted these standards are a good first step, but that MNC ought to consider providing assistance to those neighbors who need help to comply with these regulations; such an offer of help can be added to the letter. MWinters suggested forming a partnership with another organization (e.g. a church group) to regularly get together to help unable neighbors fix up and clean up; also suggested an annual neighborhood good neighbor clean up award; GAH proposed a committee to coordinate with those who could do such work. BS noted Sheriff's Department can clean up non-profit properties but not privately owned properties. GAH said we will ask for help from the City for those things we can't handle (e.g. downed trees). JL recommended that the letter state we will be in communication with the resident or owner to address whatever the issue is.

4. Tax Incentives: This section, with clarification and correction of part (b) seems OK. ST asks that "resident" be defined; GAH will get clarification.

5. Public Safety, etc.: Question about speed limits, WK said they are not consistent and ought to be consistent at 30 mph. Question raised on definition and wording of section (d) regarding commercial traffic; WK said that means anything over 2 tons or 18 wheels; idea is to keep through traffic of these large trucks off the side streets; JB recommended addition of a phrase emphasizing that this is a residential neighborhood (& therefore such big rigs be kept out). Clarification was asked on suggested locations of crosswalks; consensus was to say they should be placed at major intersections, and give examples; WK will compile a master list of such intersections. BS also recommended traffic lights and other utility poles and signage posts be painted. WK reiterated the efforts underway to work with Springfield Police Department (see Public Safety Committee report).

6. Business Overlay, etc.: Covers general description of various business districts in McKnight, STCC Enterprise Center, home offices, and future development of an overlay district, development and promotion of business associations within McKnight. Question raised on what we are asking of the City; requesting nothing specific at this time, although the example of the ‘X' business zone has been adopted by the City, similarly Indian Orchard, and McKnight would eventually ask the City to incorporate business overlay zone like those, mutually agreed upon between MNC and businesses in McKnight (e.g. MNC already began work on a "Gasoline Alley" association, but that project is in limbo currently). JL asked if we can encourage people to take advantage of federal and state empowerment zone programs; JB noted there may be façade grant money available; MWinters suggested there may be grant money available to enhance the McKnight website to incorporate the business directory, etc. ST noted we ought to discourage some types of business, such as bars, as incompatible.

7. Rail Trail: A good deal of work has already gone into investigating this project. JL suggests the Plan focus on what we would like the City to take on regarding the rail trail; LS will edit down this section to reflect.

8. Community Center: Section has been modified because the building originally mentioned as a possible site is not available; JL noted the Springfield Museums Association has funds to establish a McKnight museum cum community center if they can find a suitable site that is central and reflects the nature of the historic district; McKnight is the only area of the city that does not have a community center of any sort. Possibilities mentioned: Fire House, McKnight Mansion, or one of the historic homes in tax title.

GAH said that he will make the agreed on changes and corrections to the master document and recirculate the Plan as soon as possible to board and everyone attending this meeting. BS reminded the board that the Revitalization Plan remains a draft until this council approves it.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. McKnight Mansion, 684 State Street: JFlorek spoke on behalf of a group of social service providers and other religious-based organizations who wish to establish an aggregate of services available to low income people in the Mason Square community at that site, and that they are concerned that the Mayor is looking at the property as a possible site for a new Mason Square Branch Library. The group has not looked at any other sites to date. BS noted that the Mason Square Library Advisory Committee represents all four neighborhood councils around the square and has active representatives from MNC, and that the same councils also have partnerships with Weed & Seed and many of the organizations in the cited group; CL reminded everyone that the Mason Square Library is endowed by the Curran Fund which specified that the library be within a limited section of Mason Square and that in the 5 years we have been working on the problem nearly every other site has been exhausted; JL noted that the 4 neighborhood councils have already endorsed the proposed use of the property for a branch library; LS reported that her letter, as chair of the Mason Square Library Advisory Committee, to Mayor Sarno asking that he make his choice by April for a library site was sent today. Mr. Florek was advised to apprise the Mayor of his group's desires regarding this property.
2. Keep Springfield Beautiful: Clean up date is MAY 3, 2008.
3. Tax Assistance: KW reported the VITA tax assistance program is in operation, using Old Hill Council office, 99 Eastern Ave. MNC is contracted to provide volunteers to this program by means of our CDBG grant with the City, therefore board members who can participate should call Tricia Joseph at the Old Hill number: 736-4575.

BS moved to adjourn; JL seconded. Motion passed.

9:30 pm - Adjournment