The Gap Community Organization 2006 July 11 Monthly Meeting Minutes

The Gap Community Organization 2006 July 11

Monthly Meeting Minutes

1. 7:20 Meeting called to order

2. Reading of minutes from June meeting deferred
(Motion by Peter, Seconded by George)

3. Treasure Report deferred
(Motion by Tracy, Seconded by Peter)

4. Area Representative’s Report
a) Indiana- vacant lots cleaned up, continue to work north. Pilgrim Baptist Church update: 3 feet of north wall taken down, cleaning up area, shoring up building, hope to board up soon and open up street. It will take a few weeks to drain the water in the building. RCN cable now working on Calumet, Indiana still out. RCN can not restore service there until church clears away debris so that a cable box can be hung.
b) Calumet- new business called “Computer Club” opens on 35th street. Tree cut down to accommodate sign for the business. A smaller tree has been planted.
c) There has been a problem with people urinating in the alley behind Poor Woods Store. Call 311 to report.

President’s Report
a) CAPS had a great cookout.
b) Mr. Wheatley at the post office says service issues have been addressed in the 3100 block of Giles.
c) New leaders at CPD 21st Dist: Cmdr. Howard Lodding (present), Sgt. Oden (community policing, not present), and Cpt. Williams (3rd Watch, not present)
(1) Cmdr. Lodding addressed GAPCO body. Contact:747-5143
16 yr vet of CPD, encourage attendance at monthly beat meetings and CAPS to hold police accountable. Biggest problems in the GAP area: burglaries, theft to auto, robberies. Undercover officers continue working on the narcotic trade on 35th street. Gang team working on Indiana Ave. Cmdr. Lodding is looking into PAPV (Police Alternative Patrol Vehicles). Wants a bike team to patrol, but funding for the bikes is an issue.
Questions:
1) Move CAPS to 6:30? Lodding checking with team leaders. Moved to 6pm from 8 because of seniors.
2) How to deal with kids from schools that create disturbances? Call 911
3) Teens at Pershing West School drinking between 9:30pm-10:30pm. Lodding says to call 911, but admits it is a lower priority for patrol officers. Lodding will ask tact team to be assigned to look into problem.
4) How often is the patrol in the neighborhood? 9 beats, with patrol overlapping, as well as random patrols.
5) How does CPD hold businesses on 35th street accountable for solicitations and drug trade? Cmdr admits 35th is a tough place to police, but they are doing their best.
6) Officer foot patrol has been successful, ex: helped foil bank robbery at the Chase on 35th and King.

d) Thanks given to Derrick for helping get some lots fenced and putting community signs in stores along 35th.

Old Business
a) Michelle & Cheryl announce Election results

President: Leonard McGee
Vice-President: Tracy Taylor
Secretary: Stephen Lewis
Treasurer: Brandon Pendleton

Housing Committee Report
June 13th meeting:
-3100 S. Calumet SFH on east side of street sold by owner
-3226 S. Prairie: transom issue not resolved
-3100 S. Giles: slow construction west side of street
-3415 S. Giles: curb cut restored
-3405-07 S. Prairie: multiunit building, 1 unit owner will reside, 1 rental unit, changes in design pending before presentation before full body
-3352 S. Calumet: structural changes to interior of building, parapet height raised 6 inches
Report accepted

Yard Sale
Michelle thanked participants for the June 17th event. 12 homes participated in the GAP, 50 homes total. $60 dollars was collected from the sale, and given to President McGee. There was great advertisement for the event. It came in under budget.

Dunbar Park Update
Lynn reports successful meeting with Dunbar Park committee, 12 people present, which is a first. 3 events are planned for the park: Jazz (date TBA), Movie (Aug 8th ,park district will set rain date, movie TBA- most likely King Kong). Need to establish a concession stand to raise money for advisory council. Quaker Oats is donating products. Volunteers are needed. Need to recruit people for advisory committee. Idea: ask for donations during events for beautification of the park. Next planning meeting: July 18th @ 7pm at 29th and Calumet police station.

Bronzeville House Walk set for October 8th. More details to come.

IIT Projects
Danny wants IIT reps to come out. President reports the project is still a work in progress. Police patrol has improved. Still working on fence issue for 33rd & Prairie lot. There is extensive debate as to whether a fence should be erected or the area kept open for community use. Process is stalled. GAPCO body needs to make a decision about the future of fencing, lighting, and clean up.

Giles Block Party set for Sept. 2nd

Community Speak Out
a) Issue raised and then extensive debate over whether to move quality of life issues to the top of meeting agenda. President disagrees with doing that because quality of life issues should be addressed at CAPS meeting. GAPCO meeting purpose is to decide what the direction the community wants to move. GAPCO meeting objective is to get more residents to CAPS meeting. Issues need to be addressed at GAPCO meeting and then taken to CAPS. Quality of life issues are important, but main reason for GAPCO meeting is housing.
b) GAPCO future plan from 1994 & 1996 some things in that plan have been addressed. Both aldermen have sat on plans, which remain unapproved.
c) Restoring Bronzeville Plan- conceived 12 years ago but was never approved. President to locate plan documents and send out information to community members.
d) City of Chicago Municipal Library has a catelog of past plans.
e) New GAP business: “Sugar Foot” located at 217 E. 31st St.
f) Blue Light on 35th & Prairie: issue brought up 2 months ago. There is strong protest against bringing it to the community. A petition has to be signed to get it approved. There is not enough drug traffic for the police department to install light.
g) A new petition will be passed through community to gauge community needs and wants. It will be distributed to the area reps.

Motion by Danny to pay bills. 2nd by Kenneth Clark. Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. Next meeting September 5th, 2006.


Respectfully submitted,

Stephen J. Lewis