---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosewood Neighborhood Contact Team Monthly Meeting Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:15 p.m. Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center Present ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug Boyer, Daniel Bradford, Ryah Christensen, Judith Clarkson, Jarrett Cole, Michael Emery, Greg Hammond, Mocha Jean Herrup, Dusty McCormick, Gilbert Rivera, Jane Rivera, Bryan Robison, Lonny Stern, Gerard Verkaart, and Richard Weiss; representing Austin Code Enforcement, Kit Campbell and Robert Alvarado. Old Business ---------------------------------------------------------------------- October Minutes unanimously approved. Chair's Report ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 OCEAN's proposed neighborhood plan amendment, which seeks to tighten the McMansion ordinance's floor:area ratios in regards to small lots, has spurred us to ask whether we would also like to propose such a plan amendment for Rosewood. Whether you agree or disagree with OCEAN's plan amendment, it is an item worthy of full discussion. Anyone who would like to dedicate a full RNCT meeting to such discussion please e-mail to the group so that it will be put on the agenda soon. 2 The Sprindale police station wants to change the Commander's Forum meeting from monthly to quarterly. Jane had sent a letter requesting that they keep it monthly, and they responded that Rosewood needs to start sending delegates to the meetings. Gerard Verkaart volunteered to be that delegate. Thanks Gerard! 3 We are behind schedule for electing officers because of missed meetings November and December. To get us back on track, Mocha Jean Herrup and Greg Hammond volunteered to form the election committee. Thanks Greg and Mocha! Code Enforcement ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kit Campbell and Robert Alvarado on neighborhood cleanups: Kit Campbell and Robert Alvarado from Code Enforcement came to discuss neighborhood cleanup issues and scheduling. He says that a "neighborhood cleanup" can include anything from small trash pickup to house repairs to city solid waste services. What each neighborhood has to do is identify the area to clean up and determine how many people will volunteer to help. Then the city investigates that area and determines what kind of city services are needed, including whether or not to send a social worker to deal with the owners of a specific property in question. Then we pick a date. After general discussion, the following sites/volunteer numbers were identified: * McKinley Heights: general neighborhood cleanup, 5 volunteers * Glen Oaks: 2 specific houses (Jane will provide addresses), where residents need help to move brush and trash, 5 volunteers * Homewood Heights: 10 volunteers who will work on other neighborhoods' projects * Austin Heights: alley on 22nd street, 5 volunteers * Foster: maybe one house where resident needs help? * Clifford Sanchez: general cleanup, 3 volunteers (Note: if you have a neighbor who you think will benefit from these cleanups, ask them if they would like help removing brush/trash or with small repairs; do not mention "code enforcement," as it might frighten them away from the opportunity). All present decided to coincide these cleanups with the weekend of "Clean Sweep" which will happen in April. In the meantime, e-mail Jane any other areas/properties that need attention at . Other questions for Kit and Robert: Homewood Heights residents asked after the status of cleaning up the woods/ravines on either side of Pandora street and Ridgeway, seeing as News 8 just aired a story claiming that the city has found higher than expected levels of arsenic and lead in those areas. Kit and Robert responded that the issue is now in the hands of Watershed Protection, who is likely assessing the level of cleanup necessary. Jarrett Cole said that he and others have received letters saying that their individual properties are to be tested as well. Oscar Garza, head of Watershed Protection, and Kathryn Esparza, director of the Brownsfield Program, will likely attend the next Homewood Heights meeting Saturday, January 26th at 3:30 p.m. McKinley Heights residents asked whether the house on 13th Street is indeed going to become a halfway house as rumored, and whether one can start a halfway home without notifying neighbors. Kit and Robert responded yes to both questions, but also said that you cannot operate a halfway house or "group home" without meeting strict licensing and other requirements. They have an investigator looking into it. Harvey Street neighbors said although they had noticed an increased police presence in the area, there were still lots of concerns about criminal activity. These are good issues to bring up at the Commanders Forum meeting. Neighborhood newsletter ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lonny Stern has volunteered to start a RNCT newsletter, and will try to generate funds for this publication through business ads. This would probably create a treasury (and a treasurer!). Hopefully all neighborhoods will contribute some article to each issue. Once our 501c3 status is complete, bulk mailing should be easier, too, but perhaps Neighborhood Planning could help us mail the first issue? Motion to accept Lonny's offer to start this venture, provide him with the help he needs to succeed, and reimburse him (eventually) for any out of pocket expenses he incurs at the onset, passed unanimously. Thanks Lonny! *meeting adjourned*