WECA - West End Civic Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

membership info | committees | board of directors

David S. Barrett, 233-6993, president
Kathy Sandin, 523-7891, vice president
Matt Carbray, 221-5810, secretary
David Klein, 232-2050, treasurer and Finance Committee chair
Victor De La Paz, 695-8653, sector representative coordinator
Stephen Cohen, 232-1396, Southwest Sector representative
Baylah Tessier-Sherman, 547-0123, Southwest Sector representative
Val Bryan, 231-1915, Southwest Sector alternate
Jeff Jahnke, 748-5924, Southwest Sector alternate
Jeff Hill, 231-0136, Southeast Sector representative
Eve Christian, 523-1939, Southeast Sector representative
Sagacity Walker, 523-0736, Southeast Sector representative
Shariq Iqbal, 233-5310, Southeast Sector representative
Steven Colangelo, 523-0597, West Central Sector representative
Amy Bergquist, 655-2125, West Central Sector alternate
Dorothy Lovett Buckley, 523-9291, East Central Sector representative
Gretchen Unfried, 917-862-9983, East Central Sector representative
Linda Jorgensen, 236-9554, North Sector representative
Jan Klein, 232-2050, Architectural History and Resources Committee co-chair
Laura Berman, 570-0329, Architectural History and Resources Committee co-chair
Sylvia Reid, 233-0436, Education Committee co-chair
Rand Cooper, 232-4279, Education Committee co-chair
Rob Miller, 997-5776, Farmers' Market chair
Richard Agins, 593-7478, Housing Committee co-chair
Ted Cannon, 232-0025, Housing Committee co-chair
Charlie Ortiz, 841-2345, Membership Committee and Beautification Committee chair
John Gale, 232-9019, Planning & Zoning Committee chair
David Jorgensen, 670-5454, Public Safety Committee chair
John Barlow, 570-0868, Seniors representative

West End Civic Association
Executive Board Meeting
Minutes
May 4, 2010

Meeting called to order at 7:10 p.m.

Present: John Barlow, Brenda McCumber, Fi Bookwalter, Jeff Hill, Jan Klein, David Klein, Linda Jorgensen, Dorothy Lovett Buckley, Rand Cooper, David Barrett, Baylah Tessier-Sherman, Kathy Sandin, Ted Cannon, Laura Berman, Charlie Ortiz, Sylvia D. Reid, Gretchen Unfried, Rob Miller, Stephen Cohen, Marcia Hughes

Motion was made to approve minutes by David Klein and seconded by John Barlow. Approved.

Dorothy Lovett Buckley reminded the Board that the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women recognized Sylvia D. Reid for grassroots leadership.

Priority items:

Financial Report

David Klein discussed the April results, which show that WECA is on track to “lose” $14,000 in 2010. A Correction was made to the financial statement provided: Liability insurance is $1200, not $12000.

Farmer’s Market

The Farmer’s Market will be hiring a Market Master who will perform promotion and organization functions. The pool of applicants was outstanding. Rob Miller asked that the Board also consider funding for an internship as well. The Board approved an allocation of $1,000 to pay an intern.

Nominating Committee

Mollie Abend, Ken Lerman and Maureen Welch comprise the 2010 Nominating Committee and will interview candidates on May 24. Steve Cohen suggested that the job descriptions be included in the email that goes out to WECA members asking for candidates.

Grant Allocations

The Allocations Subcommittee recommended a series of grants. The allocations were approved unanimously.
A suggestion was made to revise the Poetry-Porch grant to read “no charge with a suggested donation of $10.” Following discussion, the allocations, with the suggested change, were again approved by the Board.

Next General Meeting (June 8, 2010) Agenda

State of the West End
Election of the Board
Election of Sector Reps
Setting Priorities by Sector

This will be the final General Meeting until October. A suggestion was made to work specific language into the “State of the West End” to encourage diverse participation. David asked that Sector Reps get 20 participants to attend. Discussion followed on the pros and cons of using Evite to encourage residents to attend.

Tim Sullivan, Sr., of the Hartford Budget Fiscal Analysis Task Force will be invited to the June 1 Board meeting.

Architectural History and Resources Committee

Jan Klein reported that she and Laura Berman are meeting on May 6 with Kevin Burnham, Director of Public Works, to discuss the City’s bluestone policy for sidewalk replacements.

Later, Laura reported that an application has been submitted to the state for approval of a new Oxford-Whitney Streets Historic District, which would fill the “donut hole.” The state will meet on the application on June 10. Laura anticipates that it will be 3 months before they hear back on final approval.

Public Safety

Jeff Hill reported that the next Block Watch event will be June 5 at 3 a.m.

Sylvia Reid discussed the noise problem on the corner of Gray and Evergreen. David Barrett asked that she let Billy Rea, the West End community services officer, know about the violations.

Education Committee

Rand Cooper said that about 30 people attended the Community Forum at Noah Webster. The group interested in the after school program met with the YMCA; the YMCA verified that:

A broader enrichment program will be fully instituted by Fall 2010

The $50/month charge will remain

Later in the meeting, Sylvia Reid and Rand Cooper introduced the concept that WECA provide a scholarship for a >21 year old, West End resident to return to school. Details will be forthcoming.

Officer’s Reports

David Barrett will be meeting with David Panagore, the city’s chief operating officer, to discuss the community development plan to ensure it coordinates with the new Plan of Conservation and Development.

The West End Community Center has legally changed its name to the Hartford Community Center. The WECA grant will be held back until the future scope of HCC is verified.

A planning meeting for the upcoming West End Jane’s Walk will be held May 20th

Sector Reports

Gretchen Unfried reported that a resident has raised issues at 28 Kenyon Street. John Gale has heard back from the owner in regards to the cars being parked on the front lawn. The owner said that she has put a lot of work into the inside of the house and would turn attention to the outside next.

Steve Cohen announced that Rafie Podolsky’s annual neighborhood party will be held on June 26th.

Jeff Hill reported that there were drug arrests on Evergreen. He passed out a survey from the United Methodist Church regarding community involvement.

Planning and Zoning

No report provided

Membership

Charlie Ortiz reported that it continues to go well.

Beautification

Charlie Ortiz provided a reminder that there will be a tree planting on May 15th (note: later changed to May 22) on the corner of Farmington and Girard.

Housing

Ted Cannon explained that 22 Evergreen complained that their heat was turned off too early by the landlord. Ted contacted the landlord and let him know of the City Ordinance and the landlord turned the heat back on.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.