Monthly Meeting Minutes

May 14, 2001 7:00 p.m.

Officers Present: Rich Kessler, Louis B. Galvan, and Maricella Martinez

Neighbors Present: Katie Valenzuela, Andrea Leon Foster, JoAnn Mesa, Sonya Lazo, Joe Root, and Gil Catalan.

President, Rich Kessler, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.


Tucson Police Dept., Beat 56

Captain Rozema presented information on Project ExCaliber, a gun violence prevention program that was started here in Tucson. Educational workshops named C.A.R.G.O. are available for any groups interested in further information. For more information call Captain Rozema at 791-4949.


Back to Basics

Ward 1, Sonya, spoke w/ Armando Monteverde, project manager for Back to Basics. Construction is planned to begin in August. Plans are still being finalized. Our previous information about the plans going out to bid was incorrect. Once the plans are finalized, then they will go out to bid for about a month. We had requested a groundbreaking ceremony, but there are several details that need to be discussed. Having it at the construction site is not possible, since August would be too hot for an outdoor ceremony. Outdoors-vs-indoors. Maybe we could have it at Elvira School. The association will begin to brainstorm on these and other minor details. Chief Miranda has offered to work with us on the event.


Announcements/New Business

ØApril minutes were approved as is. Treasurer not being present, forwarded the status of our account as follows: we had $715.04 in our account and our profits from the HCRC Rummage Sale of $68.75 give us a new balance of $783.99, approved.

ØJoann explained Old Pueblo Foundation would like to be on June meeting agenda 7051 S. Santa Clara Ave. possibly a drug rehabilitation center for indigent men. They are proposing to build 20 additional residences on their 4 acres of property. This program has been in our neighborhood since 1996, but no one knew if neighborhood residents are aware of this program's existence. Joann mentioned she believes our schools and the school district are aware of this program. Over 400 indigent men of passed through this program. According to our lead officer Luis Bustamante they have not had many calls to this address. Possibly 5-8 since it's existence in our neighborhood. The neighborhood association would make sure to inform our residents of what this program will consist of. We will wait to hear from them at our June meeting.

ØChallenger Middle School summer camp will begin 6/4 for incoming all 6th graders up to those who just graduated from middle school. Andrea and Michael will run this program..


ØJim Keene, City Manager, will be at our July 9th meeting. We should plan on what issues we want him to address and prepare any questions.

ØRich had several announcements about the different workshops being offered by CNS and other community organizations

ØGraffiti abatement is being taken over by Robin and Jack Terry at 889-7033.

ØAccording to Dan Felix, Tucson Parks and Recreation, the property on Elvira will not be taken over by the city unless there is a "Phase II" conducted on it and the county is stating it doesn't require a phase II. Requested that we talk to the school about the possibility of using our schools as our neighborhood parks. Rich will look into this further and provide information about the Phase I done on the property.

ØThe plans for our partnership with HCRC are not looking too good. The association will just continue to support them in finalizing their plans. Mari will continue to attend HCRC board meetings and will give updates monthly.

ØTwo letters are being mailed on behalf of the association. One is to the Sunnyside Unified School District Superintendent regarding our limited access to the school grounds after hours. The other is to the realty company who owes the property covering the "old Auto Zone building" requesting nicely that they clean up their property. We will also request that they donate said building to the neighborhood association.

ØSonya will connect Rich with a new person with the city who can guide us in working with the owner of the "old Auto Zone" building in possibly obtaining this building. Rich has contacted T.N.I. to resolve the issue about the newspapers being left at the "old Texaco building".

ØTucson Pima Arts Council did a dedication at Santa Clara Elementary and it looks great.

ØCouncil meeting set on May 21, 2001 at Valencia Library at 7:00 p.m.


Meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.



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Tucson Police Department, Beat 56