Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association

TTNA APRIL 15, 2010

MINUTES

In attendance: Jodie Bessinger, Don Driskell, Kristin Furnish, Jan Marie Hemberger, Dan Mason, Irene Spicer, Joan Stewart, Gail Tucker, Nancy Woodcock, Phil DiBlasi, Aaron Jent, Rebecca Kessler

(Clean-up 1ST Street on Thunder Saturday Thunder Plant Swap Fort George Clean-up and Maintenance Dog Park Halfway Houses in Old Louisville Massive "space alien" light in front of 1251 S Brook Mayoral Debate at Chapel on Sunday OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS

1. Treasurer’s Report and financial update

Aaron Jent distributed copies of (we think) Toonerville’s first operating budget outlining final figures for 2009 and budgeted/actual expenses for 2010 thus far. TTNA has a current balance of $1,489.91, which includes a line item in the amount of $1,000 to be dedicated to the Dog Park. This expenditure was voted upon at the March meeting and is to be paid in two, $500.00 installments.  Aaron turned over the first payment to Jodi Bessinger with the remaining payment targeted for July.

In addition to income (all from dues at this point) other budget line items are included under either the General and Administrative or Green Maintenance categories.  We can now see at a glance what TTNA has spent last year and what it can expect to spend this year with respect to annual operational expense along with fundraising efforts dedicated toward specific projects -- like a real budget!

2. First Street Cleanup on Thunder, 4/17

Joan presented street cleaning of First Street to Metro since no cars were to parked there due to Thunder.  No go but Dismas Charities are providing help from 9-11:00 a.m., Nancy and Joan to spearhead with supplies, etc.  Discussion of how many TTNA folks are needed to get the job done. Nancy had also spoken with Donna Saunders during the Central Park Cleanup on 4/10, and she confirmed that the city had no plans to do any street cleaning along First Street at that time. Donna has bcc’d on all emails to illustrate the dedicated group doing this work that a city street-sweeper can do in 30 minutes...

Meeting place and any tool drop-off is at Nancy’s house, Phil to re-send cleanup email as a reminder.

3. Plant Swap, also on Thunder, 4/17

Takes place from noon to 3:00 on Thunder in the alley behind Rebecca Kessler’s house on Brook Street.  She will resend a reminder email and invite, which Joan has distributed to other OL na’s..  The Plant Swap is intended to become an annual event.  This first one will start small to get the ball rolling and will grow from there. All from Old Louisville have been invited.

4. Fort George

Phil proposed “putting the brakes” on Ft. George development (no paths, no digging, etc.) -- cannot turn it into a park since that violates state law therefore efforts should focus on

maintenance and management of the property as is.  Discussion around the DAR and Sons of the American Revolution regarding their body of information about the park and working through these groups for future grant opportunities. Proposed ad hoc committee including Phil, Nancy Woodcock and Joan Stewart to oversee all.  

Discussion of Management Plan and how to accomplish. Suggestions included partnering with area churches for equipment and helping hands.  Rebecca to set up a volunteer signup for 2-week cleanup rotation, available at meeting’s end and to be distributed via email. Questions: Would TTNA reimburse private individuals for lawn mower gasoline expense? Possible installation of “please clean up after your pet” signage? 

Looking ahead/long term: 

•  Survey of who is buried in Fort George and how many - Phil and U of L students
•  an architect from the city to guide overall design and maintenance, and easement considerations per the National Trust in the event TTNA disolves
•  measurement of perimeter for fencing, trees and new plantings along with history and ownership of the property 
•  research history from all possible sources (ex:  a school once stood on the property in the early 1900‘s per Episcopal Church archives)
•  all of the above information gathered with respect to potential grant applications

5. Dog Park

Jodi: Disappointed with monetary responses of most neighborhood associations - hoping for $20K from the neighborhood, overall project budget is around $65K, which may rise due to increasing concrete costs. Hopeful that Councilman Unseld will come through with an additional $20K - this amount is consistent with council members of other Metro dog park districts, so precedent has been established.

Brick sales to help fund the park are not doing well.  Consider how to approach area businesses for brick sales and additional donations.  Aaron proposed the Dog Park as 2010’s primary focus for TTNA and suggested using a tag on email signatures for greater visibility. Jodi to email Phil relevant information for tag line distribution. 

Proposed fundraising ideas:

•  An event held at Dan’s house in June for accepting donations and promoting brick sales, etc.  All contributions are tax-deductible
•  Don Driskell:  Offered the back parking lot of Catalyst Properties for “things dog”:  dog show, beauty contest, “dress your dog up,” etc.  
•  St. James information booth AND dog show at the above was suggested but given that St. James is so busy, consider a springtime event. Mary Martin (OL real estate agent) and another from Garvin Gate NA would be very supportive of a dog show - could set up booths showcasing various animal-related businesses
•  Possibly include Fort George as part of the above - can promote the cemetery, show off the Dog Park in addition to the dog show at Catalyst Property location and make the event walkable

6. Halfway Houses

OL property developer Bob Bajandas is looking into halfway house density issues for the city. Phil to verify and proposes a study of density issues in Old Louisville and throughout the Metro area, their impact on surrounding businesses and neighborhoods in general. Irene Spicer: Add 1365 S. Brook Street added to the list. Don suggested contact with Adam Walser, investigative reporter with WHAS; he has a love of the neighborhood and can help. The issue is ultimately under the jurisdiction of IPL and could/should be proposed at the upcoming mayoral forum.

7. Mayoral Forum - Sunday, April 18

 3:00 -5:00 p.m. at St. Philip Neri (Floyd and Woodbine Streets)

A list of 3 questions submitted to all candidates - bio, platform, vision for Old Louisville - has been distributed throughout OL. Currently only 5 candidates have responded. Per Joan Stewart, slips of paper will be provided to anyone who wishes to address a question to a particular candidate or candidates.  

Each participant will have 90 seconds to 2 minutes for response times.

Format: 1) introductory remarks; 2) pre-proposed questions/issues addressed to each candidate; 3) questions taken from the floor, which should be open-ended.  Include topics of permitting, multi-family zoning ordinances and how these are issued to property owners. All press outlets have been contacted, signage posted in several neighborhood locations, including businesses and restaurants. Two candidates can attend for part of the time, hoping for 10 of the 11 running in the primary to attend and a packed house!

8. “Alien Lights” at 1251 S. Brook Street, Brookleigh Arms

Discussion on working with new owners of this property to remedy obnoxious, intrusive exterior lights versus crime issues and preventive measures for same. Suggestions included motion-sensor lighting focused on the interior courtyard of the property as opposed to the street, or installation of period lighting as a pilot project for the rest of the Toonerville neighborhood.  Input from Debra Richards with Landmarks should be considered as a point of negotiation with the owners in addition to same from TTNA.

9. New Business

Irene proposed some kind of social event or gathering to take place after meetings as time permits. Expand and follow up at the May meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Submitted by Rebecca Kessler

TTNA vice-president