Meeting called to order at 7 p.m.

Attendees: Rob Miller, Eve Christian, Dave Jorgensen, Linda Jorgensen, Jeff Jahnke, Sonia Ayala, John Gale, Tom King, Steve Colangelo, Tonia Loconte, Marcia Hughes, David Barrett, Doré Thomas, Charlie Ortiz, Shariq Iqbal, Brenda McCumber

Guests: Rafie Podolsky, Stephanie Woodlock

Minutes approved.

Financial Report received.

The mailing for 2008 membership will be on Sunday, November 18 at 1 p.m. at Brenda McCumber’s apartment, 230 Farmington Avenue. Eve volunteered to help with the mailing, and Rob, Marcia, and Tom said they would check their calendars to see if they could help and let David know.

Doughnut in the West End Historic District:

On behalf of the Architecture History and Resources Committee, Jeff proposed a $500 expenditure to hire a consultant to study why a section of the West End is not part of an Historic District.

Discussion followed. The history of the historic districts was examined by Rafie, who concluded that this “hole” might have occurred because the housing is different than adjacent streets. The issue of gentrification was raised, and David said that the question of affordable housing will be considered during the update of the NRZ strategic plan.

Motion: To approve $500 to hire a consultant to survey the area, meet with relevant government officials, and recommend next steps, including costs of each option.

Motion approved

Clemens Place
The apartments are for sale. Eve Christian is organizing a tenants association,

A number of questions include whether rents will go up, whether Section 8 tenants will have to move, and when the elevator at 221 Sisson will be fixed. The Housing Committee meets on November 19 and will discuss the sale. HUD will be there. New owners will not be there but current owner (Intown) will. Reports are that the new owner, JSS Realty LLC (Saul Spitz) plans to keep current staff and has agreed to keep 20% of the units low income. Charlie Ortiz asked whether the buildings will be converted to condos.

Tonia Loconte raised the issue of the Hartford Fair Rent Commission, which appears to be inactive and the question of rent increases at a Sherman Street apartment building. There will be a meeting on housing Tuesday at City Hall.

Kinkos’s Lot

John Gale reported that the task force organized a meeting of businesses and they said they would be willing to pay money for a parking lot for their customers. The towing company has made $75,000 in towing fees in the past year. The suggestion is to have a paid lot at night for restaurant customers. John is meeting with potential operators to get a lot started.

Accessory dwelling units

A subcommittee of the Zoning Committee continues to study the idea of legalizing additional units in single family homes. The subcommittee will come back with a report, and the issue will come before the WECA board.

General Meeting

The board discussed a program on education, inviting the principals at Noah Webster and Hartford Public and Superintendent Adamowski. We can ask why neighborhood kids are not guaranteed spots at Noah Webster. After discussion, it was decided to postpone this program to the February meeting.

The board decided on these items for the December meeting:

• Membership Report
• Announcement of Education program honoring honor roll students on Dec. 15
• Architectural Resources Committee update
• Presentation on Dispatch Center
• Task forces on updating the strategic plan and working with the MDC

Progressive dinner

The dinner will be on January 26, with 21 dinner hosts.

Sector reports

North Sector- Is it possible to send newsletter electronically?
After discussion, the idea was referred for study.

Discussion of sponsors of the newsletter led to a decision to offer business-sized ads for $100 per ad.

Southeast – The surveys are on hold at the moment. 75 surveys have been filled out and data is being entered. The Evergreen Avenue Block Party was held at the community center because of rain and was well attended.

Southwest- The next meeting will be Thursday.

Central East- Dorothy Buckley has worked with the owners of the vacant lot on Kenyon Street to get them to clean it up.

Committee reports

Membership- Charlie Ortiz plans to work with the city to send welcome packages to new neighbors/residents.

Public Safety Late model Hondas are subject to car thefts.

Dore will organize the Spring Tag Sale.

Eve is planning a Fashion Show fundraiser for the community center and asked if WECA would sponsor it. She will talk with David Klein about a 2008 appropriation in the budget.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45.

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