York Neighborhood Association

General Meeting & Potluck

May 6, 2004, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

at Garden Street United Methodist Church

MINUTES

I. Welcome & Introductions

Richard Dietz volunteered to chair the meeting.

II. Neighborhood Clean-Up & Dumpster Day

Carolyn Mulder reported that the free dumpster (donated by SSC) would be at Nelson’s Market parking lot on Sat. May 15; she explained what materials could and could not be dumped. Anne Mackie reported that Recomp had agreed to accept the dumpster at no charge. Chris Neumann said he is organizing volunteers. Pick-up trucks are also needed to gather junk from the alleys.

III. Garden Club

Jan Driscoll announced that the Wine & Roses Garden Club will meet at Rock Hill Park at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., May 13, to do weeding, then adjourn to someone’s home for dinner. The June meeting location and date are to be announced later.

IV. Summer Fun Day

It was the general consensus of the group to organize a Summer Fun Day. Chris Neumann has begun working on getting bands lined up. Other volunteers will be needed for organizing the parade, picnic, and children’s games.

V. Membership Donations

Anne Mackie handed out YNA membership dues forms and asked people to consider making a donation. Funds help to pay for the newsletter and other needed communications and materials.

VI. Open Discussion & New Business

A. Rock Hill Park property acquisition.

Questions were asked about the status of the Rock Hill Park property acquisition grant funds. Anne Mackie explained that the City has been unable to convince the property owner to sell, although the City hopes to obtain a “right of first refusal” agreement with the owner. It was agreed that the YNA should contact the property owner and try to convince him that he should demolish the abandoned house for the safety of the neighborhood and to make the park more attractive and inviting for families with young children. YNA would help to organize volunteers for this effort.

The following ideas were suggested for other uses of block grant funds:

· set of swings for Rock Hill Park

· traffic circle at Potter and Grant Streets.

· street improvement for 1300 block of Iron St., where it runs up to Rock Hill Park

B. Voter Registration Drive

Barbara Davenport suggested that York Neighborhood participate in a door-to-door voter registration effort. This could also be included as part of the Summer Fun Day. More discussion to take place at the next meeting.

C. Historic District

Anne Mackie reported that she is continuing work on the home inventory to obtain a list of when houses in the neighborhood were built. An historic preservation committee will be formed this summer.

D. Postal Box for the Neighborhood

Carolyn Mulder suggested that we inquire if the Post Office would install a postal box somewhere in the neighborhood, as a precaution against mail theft. Richard Dietz volunteered to follow up on this.

Minutes submitted by Anne Mackie