The Gap Community Organization Monthly Minutes September 2006 09

September 5, 2006

1. CALL TO ORDER
- 7:22

2. SECRETARY REPORT
- Reading of July Meeting Minutes
- Also available on thegapco.blogspot.com

3. TREASURE’S REPORT
- Deferred

4. AREA REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORT
- No report given

5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
a) President attended a budget hearing meeting on August 22nd and 23rd. Discussed a number of items including the items the neighborhood is requesting in our petition drive. Look for details of the budget hearing posted on the GAPCO web blog at thegapco.blogspot.com.
b) Goal is to get 500 signatures for petition. (See more on petition drive on item 8.)
c) The President has a copy of a 35th street plan composed from a July 2002 blue ribbon committee. It outlines what people said they would like to have on 35th street. It is available for viewing by request. President reemphasized the need to implement the old plan, not develop a new one.
d) Leona’s update: The Depart of Planning is preparing to introduce an ordinance for the city to vacate the alley (surrender ownership.) The alley is located directly behind the store. Property tax reduction has passed and is in place. Liquor license issue has also been resolved. Sam Toya with Leona’s is ready to go ahead with the purchase of the property once the alley issue is resolved. Prepare for parking to be happening along the side streets in the immediate area. There is also talk of allowing parking on 31st street during certain hours of the day. The hope is to have ground breaking before February.

6. HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT
a) Meeting held on August 31st
b) 3405-07 S. Prairie: new construction, 2 unit building. Spent 3 meetings with owner/architect, but they just met with Landmarks last week. Landmarks expressed concern with the alterations to plan that The Housing Committee suggested. Asked architect to send and email with a summary of the concerns expressed by Landmarks.
c) 3400 S. Indiana: ground breaking on 4 new structures.
d) 3327 S. Giles: existing attached home undergoing interior renovations. No changed planned to the façade. Stairs and cornice will be repainted to the existing color (green.) Wooden porch to the rear of the building will be replaced with an iron porch and deck. Garage will also be built. None of this is visible from the street.
e) Committee report and recommendations approved.
f) Dr. Peter McCaluey is resigning after serving as chair of the committee for the past 4 years (at least). Commended for a job well done. Peter will remain on the committee. Tim and Kevin spoken to regarding the position.
g) Tim Rinkoshi’s home at 3228 S. Prairie has been given the 2006 Landmark Preservation Award. An article in the September 8th edition of the Suntimes is planned.

7. LEROY KENNEDY FROM IIT: Addressed several issues including historical markers, patrols, 3300 vacant lot on Prairie.
a) In the mid 90s a task force developed a master plan. That plan is now entering 2nd stage. The focus is on the residential side of campus along State Street. A new task force will be put together within the next 2 months that will include representatives from area institutions (including the GAP.)
b) Historical Markers: 2 ½ years ago IIT was asked to install signage to identify the structures that have been torn down over the years. 8 to 10 structures were identified and those markers are now in place. Any comments should be addressed to Mr. Kennedy.
c) 3300 S. Prairie vacant lot: IIT does not have a consensus from the GAP what should be done with the vacant lot. The lot has been patrolled more and trash pick up done. Now, there’s talk of what to do with fencing and lighting. IIT is willing and able to do what needs to be done. Need a recommendation from the community on whether there will be a gate. As for lighting, if the city is installing new lighting, will IIT need to invest in new lighting?
d) QUESTIONS
• Has the number of black students attending IIT increased for decreased? It has decreased significantly over recent years. Any partnerships with local high schools or elementary schools to increase the number of black students? No, but IIT does need to develop some. IIT has a history of working with schools. IIT received a grant from the Gates Foundation to enhance math and science. The enrollment of black students needs to be addressed.
• Are there architectural assistance programs that benefit residents in the Bronzeville area? Not much right now, usually been done on an ad-hoc basis. Why has it taken so long to set up a program? Can’t address it at this point, but the Dean has expressed interest in doing something.
• What does IIT want to see on the vacant lot on 33rd and Prairie? Long term, IIT would like to keep it and build on it, but no clear defined use for it right now. There is no time frame for development.

8. BLUE LIGHT PETITION
a) Area reps will distribute petition and letter.
b) Letter states that the community agrees the blue light cameras send the wrong signal about the community. Petition requests:
• Ornamental street lights within the boundaries of King Drive to LaSalle Street and from 31st to 35th Street
• Sidewalk pedestrian lights
• New sidewalks for ones that have not been replaced within the last 18 months
• New curbs, gutters, and trashcans for each street corner that have not been replaced within the last 18 months
• Grate covers for existing trees on 31st and 35th Streets to accommodate pedestrian traffic
• Flower planters on light posts along 31st and 35th Streets
• Gateway signs for the Douglas historical district to be located on 31st and 35th Streets
• Public art on 35th street from White Sox Park to Douglas Tomb
c) Deadline to have petition turned in to President: December 1st.
d) The purpose of the petition is to send a clear message to the aldermen.
e) Make sure the black boxes and “x”ed out, and the forms are signed.

9. 35th STREET
a) Increased patrols have cut down crime on 35th street.
b) Police Sup. Phil Cline has expressed interest in improving 35th street.

10. BLUE LIGHT AT 31ST & KING DRIVE
a) Cmdr. Lodding does not know what the light is for. He suggests it might be for traffic.

11. JOHN KNIGHT, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
a) Appointed to commissioner in November 2005.
b) 300,000 inspections increase to 400,000—mostly checking on contractors for permits.
c) To schedule an inspection call 312-743-3600.
d) Complaints or issues call 311 and get tracking number for future follow up.
e) Take stop work orders very seriously. New automated system has streamlined the process. Police are notified electronically to enforce stop work orders.
f) 4000 complaints a year on porch problems. Can now inspect all year around. If you do any work on a porch, make sure it is with a licensed architect and contractor.
g) New troubled buildings program works to secure vacant buildings, alleged drug/gang houses, nuisance buildings. Department forces the landlord to secure building or the building faces demolition if the owner doesn’t comply. A troubled building is defined as a building that has had crime reported at it in the last year, 3 units or bigger.
h) Vacant buildings need to be registered with the city and secured.
i) New “Gallery of Shame” on the department’s website updates residents on troubled buildings in their neighborhood. People in community can contribute to the website.
j) Questions:
• How big is the inspection staff? 400 strong, want to hire 50 additional people.
• Jobs posted on website
• Where do you find the status of complaints? When calling 311, ask for complaint number, and then call the building’s department to track the status of the 311 number.
• Annual budget? $22 Million
• How are you making your department more user friendly? Working on simplifying the freedom of information process. Have not tackled that issue as of yet.
• Address what the buildings department is doing to address public safety concerning Pilgram Baptist Church? The projected cost of restoring the historic landmark is $10 million. So far only $1 million has been raised. The department is forced to follow rules to preserve landmark building. Unfortunately, what happens next with Pilgram is in the church leaders’ hands. The buildings department has done all it can do. When does public safety trump landmark status?

12. PROPERTY TAX
a) The neighborhood is in the process of being reassessed. Reassessments will be sent out in October. We need a special meeting on taxes to fill out appeal forms so that they can be turned in all together. There is a rally planned on north side on September 14th on the issue of property taxes and whether the 7% cap should be made into law. Legislators did not address the cap issue last session. Debate is coming up in the fall veto session. If 7% percent cap is removed, taxes will increase dramatically. You have 30 days to appeal. GAPCO looking for volunteers to go door to door to help people fill out appeal forms. We are working with the assessor’s office to try and carve out the new Landmark Square development from the rest of the neighborhood. They need their own tax assessment so that it doesn’t dramatically impact on the surrounding community.

13. COMMUNITY SPEAKOUTS
a) Please go to thegapco.blogspot.com for latest news and leave complaints or issues.
b) October meeting will be a membership meeting that will be held on the IIT Campus. Location will be announced. Objective of meeting is to review accomplishments of the GAPCO. We have successfully turned around 75 housing units in addition to 75 units in Michigan place. We were effective in the beautification of King Drive, the McCormick place project.
c) Dues are due. $20 for regular members, $10 for seniors. Please pay treasurer Brandon Pendelton.
d) Body approved allowing the executive board to randomly select a benefactor for the Hurricane Katrina fund. There is approximately $360 available.

14. MOTION TO PAY BILLS
• Approved
15. MOTION TO ADJOURN
• 9:14 approved.


Respectfully submitted,

Stephen J. Lewis
Secretary, GAP Community Organization
thegapco@hotmail.com