June Meeting Minutes

GAP Meeting June 5, 2007

1. Call to order 7:24

2. Community Introductions

3. Secretary’s Report
a) May Minutes approved by body
b) Unreadiness: Corrections:
-Field House is on “Pershing West School on the Douglas Campus”
-Gwen corrected spelling of her name in May Minutes

4. Treasure’s Report:
a) Checking $85
b) Savings $3704.12

5. Area Reps Report:
a) 35th Street alley has been fixed between Prairie and Indiana

6. President’s Report:
a) Postal Service Complaints. President introduced Keith Pugh- Manager of Post Office Operation (312) 983-8026, Linda Copin- Regional Manager, Rachel Nails- 22nd Station Manager (312) 225-9333 or (312) 225-0218, Carmen Santiago- Manager of Consumer Affairs (312) 983-8327. Complaints: 1-800-ASK-USPS.
b) Issues:
-Misdeliveries-- 3307 Calumet, 3338 Prairie, 3115 S. Michigan, 3207 Calumet, 3432-4 Giles, 3445 S. Giles, 3430 Giles, 3140 Prairie, 3123 Giles, 3123 Prairie, 3306 Indiana, 3320 Indiana, 3447 Giles, 3347 Giles, 3345 Giles, 3411 Giles, 3341 Giles, 3430 Calumet.
-Mail deliveries for people no longer at the address
-Parcel Slips left instead of parcel.
c) Pugh recognizes the problems. There is a new station manager working on training, retraining and hiring new delivery personnel. Pugh says it is really a national problem. At the processing center, equipment is being overhauled. A Team is coming in to make sure address data base is correct. 84,000 misdirected mail has already been corrected. If a resident notices a delivery person talking on telephone or listening to radio, let the station manager know service vehicle number.
d) Carmen Santiago is putting together a customer advisory council to deal with finding solutions to problems. She is also sending a letter to the alderman. If interested to be on the council call (312) 983-8392.
e) Deliverys should be made by 5pm.
f) Expect to see improved conditions by July 13th for late deliveries. New staff should be trained and in place by that time.
g) IIT is offering full scholarships staring in the fall. School is working to raise 6 Million dollars.
h) President went to Mayor Daley’s inauguration. President told the Mayor that he owes us a walk on 35th street and he needs to follow up on his promise to get it cleaned up.

7. Housing Committee Report:
a) 3363 Prairie, new single family home. Tim Doidge explained the home is a 4 bedroom, 3 ½ bath home with 2 car garage. Housing Committee recommended passing. Project has been before landmarks commission and the alderman. After reviewing the project and details, it was approved by the body.
b) Pilgram Baptist is requesting to demolish building at 236 E. 33rd street. Alderman Dowell ask that the request be taking off Landmark’s calendar for June and pushed to July. Presidnet reports the church would like to fence it, put grass and flowers and not use it for parking. Long term goal is to put a parsonage on the lot. Alderman Dowell likes that idea. Body voted, and approved demolition with the stipulation that the church would clean and green it, and install a black fence around the lot within 20 days of demolition.

8. Old Business:
a) Pilgram Baptist update: as of May 24th, the church’s objective was to fence off the property. Once that is completed on Indiana and 33rd, it is possible they can remove the barricades and open 33rd, but it may still mean the alley will remain closed. Church is getting ride of the security company because of costs. Invited chairman of Pilgram to a GAP meeting.
b) CTA bus shelters. Kevin Stancil reports there will be no more bus shelters for 2nd and 3rd wards unless city passes legislation to expand contract with the shelter company.
c) Peter McCauley conducted election of new area reps:
- Giles: Joan Emerson & Michelle Wall
- Calumet: Rochelle McGee
- Prairie: Venetta Grant
- Indiana: Marvin Paramore (after Gewn King and Kenneth Johnson withdrew nominations)
d) Yard Sale: Michelle Wall announced sale will be held on June 23rd with a July 14th rain date. Participants must drop off applications and permits with yard sale committee. $5 donation.
e) Summer Sizzle: Peter McCauley is organizing the event for Saturday, August 4th from Noon until 6pm. It will be held at Pershing West School on the Douglas Campus. There will be activities for the children. A request was made to ask Cheryl to have the school’s ballroom dancers take part in the event.
f) Movie in Dunbar Park: August 2nd, “Dreamgirls” and Jazz in the park will be August 16th.
g) McDonald’s Loitering: President attended a meeting on May 22nd with Commander Howard Lodding and Keith Allen, the owner of McDonald’s franchise. McDonald’s staff agreed to police the parking lot, tow illegally parked cars. There will be no security guard at the restaurant. Police asked McDonald’s to leave lights on, but the restaurant said neighbors complain. Trespassing signs may go up, but it will take some time because they have to be cleared by corporate.
h) Leonas: Restaurant is still coming, but there is an outstanding issue to vacate the alley.

9. Community Speakout:
a) Where do the new aldermen stand on new lights for 2nd Ward? Alderman Fioretti has said he would not use menu money to put up lights, but he might reconsider. GAP will invite new aldermen for July meeting.
b) Dues for are due in July.
c) Softball League: Scott Hamlin is planning a meeting with Dunbar Park officials. Contact Scott scotthamlin@sbcglobal.net for more information.
d) Will there be a High School addition to Pershing West School? There has been no discussion publicly, but the community will have a voice. Cheryl asks that community complete questionnaire. There will most likely be a new school put in the building, but the community can sway the CPS board decision. The design process goes from July through October.
e) What is going on a 35th and State? Possible businesses: Starbucks, Fed Ex, Marble Slab Creamery.
f) Summer, Dance and Dinner: ICO is the location for event to be held on July 28th. Alternative date is August 18th. GAP CO needs to sell 100 tickets. The price of the tickets depends on the sponsorship. Organization is not trying to make money. Attire for the evening will be elegant casual.


10. Motion to pay bills: approved.

11. Adjournment: 9:45pm