Three Corners Neighborhood Association Meeting Notes

Thursday September 11, 2008

Attendance: Absence:

Steve Boehlen Claudia Knepper

Linda Boehlen Emily Ysebaert

Shirley Hyer Mark Piepenburg

Paul Novotny

Henry Wickman

Amy Kocha

The motion to call the meeting to order was made by Paul Novotny at 6:50pm and 2^nd by Shirley Hyer

A motion was made by Paul Novotny to accept the secretary’s report from the August 14^th meeting and was 2^nd by Shirley Hyer.

Paul Novotny read the treasures report showing that we have $1186.49 not counting the $1000.00 operation grant. Linda Boehlen made a motion to accept the report into record and was 2^nd by Shirley Hyer.

Old Business:

The agenda called to review the By-Laws, but Steve Boehlen decided to table it due to the meeting starting late as we were waiting for members to show up.

Mini Grant – Winterfest: Steve Boehlen recapped what we have voted on so far. The Trolley Ride was approved for $400 based on the cost from 2007.

The Popcorn maker was approved for $400, and Paul Novotny did pick it up at Fleet Farm for $325. We had pictures so that members can see what it looks like. The date is set for Sunday December 14^th.

Linda Boehlen called 3 different costume places to get quotes on a rental for a Santa Suit, there were 2 places that each had a general costume for rent at $50, and 1 called Dream Come True that rented it for $75, the difference is that the Dream Come True custom fits the costume to the person playing the part. Shirley Hyer was asked if she thought that would be a fair price based on what she would end up spending on making a new Santa Suit, and she said that would be a better value. The other thing to support renting vs making or buying a costume was that if there is a different person each year that plays the Santa part we don’t have to worry about them being a different size. Although Shirley Hyer would do a great job, renting would be easier. Linda Boehlen made a motion to spend $75 on the Santa Suit rental it was 2^nd by Paul Novotny and motion was passed was a unanimous vote. Steve Boehlen asked if anyone knew of someone that wanted to play the part of Santa this year, and asked Paul Novotny to call Tina and Eric and see if he would consider being our Santa. If he does not want to do that, Steve Boehlen was going to call the John’s to see if one of them may consider doing it.

Sidewalk from Proper to Main: Steve Boehlen spoke to Andy Rosendahl from the Neighborhood Division Staff and was given the updated that the grant will pay only $3195.00 for Parks to do asphalt only. The reason given was because that space may not always be green space. Paul Novotny suggested that we also ask about have the asphalt colored, as they will be doing on Main St. Steve will call and ask about adding the color or tint.

Street Signs: Steve Boehlen talked to Tom Schuurmans in traffic who emailed Steve Boehlen an example of what the city is able to offer with the designs for the decorated street signs. Steve Boehlen is setting up a meeting with him to see what other options they can offer. Tom Schuurmans also is going to put a stop to the new street signs being replaced on Main St due to the construction. Steve Boehlen also verified that even if we do go with an outside vendor the city will still install. Steve Boehlen did want to remind everyone that the installation amount was included in the mini grant and was already submitted to Parks. Once a finalized quote is presented we will bring that information to a vote.

Newsletter: Claudia Knepper has 2 articles that she has written and will get to Steve Boehlen this week. Paul Novotny still needs to confer with Henry Wickman on the historical article on the Franklin Fire House that was on the corner of Main and Irwin.
All articles need to be turned in by September 19^th and the goal is to have everything ready for proof reading by September 24^th. Steve Boehlen asked Amy Kocha if she would like to be interviewed for an article, she is going to set up a time next week to meet with him for that.

The events calendar will start with October and go thru March.

Annual Meeting: Linda Boehlen confirmed with Tammy Vandyke from Nicolet School that she will be able to be a guest speaker for the annual meeting, and she also left a message for Michael Fraley from Anne Sullivan School but has not heard back as of yet.

Claudia Knepper has door prizes and deserts. She also suggested that we auction off the remaining Three Corners tee shirts. Shirley Hyer made a motion that we just give away the remaining shirts at the annual meeting and it was 2^nd by Henry Wickman, motion was carried with a unanimous vote. Paul Novotny stated that he needs another XL shirt in any color as he has misplaced his.

Paul also wanted to confirm that both principals know that they will both be speakers. Linda Boehlen verified that when she spoke to Tammy Vandyke she did make that clear and will also do so when she hears back from Michael Fraley. That the reason for them speaking is to express a connection between the schools and the community and how the partnership between the two can help bring together the neighborhood.

Open Forum: Amy Kocha address the stats on the speed bumps thru the alleys, she wanted to make sure that she was clear on which alleys we were looking to have them installed. Paul Novotny reminded her that Proper St has one that is removable, and we reconfirmed that the alleys between Elizabeth St, Newhall St, Morrow St, Elm St, Cedar St and Ellis St are the areas we were hoping to have them considered.

Shirley Hyer also wanted verification on what actions can be taken to notify neighbors of the fact that they are responsible for cleaning the areas in the alley behind their homes. She was also looking to find out how to bridge the language barrier between her and some neighbors so that Inspection did not have to be called to get them in trouble. It was suggested that the CSI or a Liaison Officer be contacted to go to the home to explain what needs to be done.

Paul Novotny was also wondering if the city would be able to send out a letter stating what the ordinance regarding the alleyways. He felt that when the city sent out a letter expressing that the house numbers need to be visible in the alleys many residences did take care of getting the information posting. So that emergence response vehicles would know what the address would be from the alleyways as well, and that a relevant notice would help take care of this as well.

Paul Novotny also stated that the old MacDonald Building on the corner of Barid and Main has a walkway that is deteriorating and needs to be taken down by the owners as it is a hazard to the kids in the neighborhood, because they climb and walk on it. Steve Boehlen stated that he did send the complaint information to Brad Linsmeyer from the graffiti issues brought up from John Czerwinski and has not had a response yet, but will send another email and add this information as well.

Linda Boehlen questioned how much was budgeted for the annual meeting from last year; Paul Novotny stated that there was $100 budgeted. He then made a motion to mail out the flyers for the annual meeting, and that $200 be sent on the flyer and mailing. Then he amended his motion to include another $100 to be added to cover any expenses such refreshments. So that was a $300 budget for printing flyer, mailing them out, and any refreshments or other supplies the motion was 2^nd by Henry Wickman and passed by a unanimous vote.

Steve Boehlen proposed that as members of the Neighborhood Association since we are not allowed in any contests or awards we should be given an extra incentive as a thank you for the services that we provide. He suggested that we have a nice dinner in which Three Corners pays, and was looking for any thoughts or comments. Any Kocha agreed that it is a great idea to have a social get together and also that any board she had been on in the past did do such events as a thank you so it is not out of the ordinary to have that. Paul Novotny agreed with Amy as did Shirley Hyer how also added she is always up for a night out.

Paul Novotny wanted to stress the point that having the popcorn maker we can participate in local events and make money by selling bags of popcorn. The in doing so we would also be promoting the Neighborhood Association. He stated that he would be willing to work the popper for such events, and thinks that we should start looking to set some up.

Amy Kocha suggested that when we have an event to call people who had stated that they would be volunteers in the past to help out. To also give them an established time frame in which they would be working.

Paul Novotny made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:01pm and it was 2^nd by Shirley Hyer.