DECEMBER MEETING MINUTES

December 4, 2007 GAP Meeting

Call to order: 7:20pm

Community introductions

Secretary Report:
a) Reading of November minutes.
b) Approved

Treasurer’s Report
a) Report deferred.
b) GAP is in the process of adding the treasurer to the banking account.

Area Rep Reports: none

Vice President’s Report:
a) Pay Dues please!
b) Need to hold an area rep meeting. Planned for Saturday morning at Starbucks.

President’s Report
a) District Area Council meeting on November 7th. Reviewed crime stats. The GAP is in the top of 5 areas where crime has gone down. We have one of the lowest crime beats in the city. Police are writing tickets for people speeding on King Drive and writing tickets for people who don’t move their car for street cleaning. January CAPS meeting is January 3rd in this room.

Announcements
a) Brother Michaels has transitioned out of De Lasalle school. The school threw a part last Saturday. The GAP needs to send a letter to thank him for his service.

Community Projects
a) Housing: Calumet and 31st—putting up a garage, 3440 Calumet and 3248 Prairie finishing up. Globe glass is going slow because of the alley issue.

Speak Out
a) The north end of the alley between Prairie and Indiana (behind Pilgrim Baptist Church) has been blocked due to the fire 3 years ago. President McGee has had conversations with parties involved including the church, IIT, and alderman. City ordered the alley to be closed because it was determined the building remains unsafe.
b) Concerns/Comments:
1. Rodney Hill: Doesn’t believe the city is doing all it can do to resolve the issue. Option open up the Pilgrim parking lot.
2. Emma Coston: The alley being closed is inconvenient because of delivery trucks, garbage trucks, etc blocking the pathway because of only one way in and one way out.
3. Mrs. Bishop: If city can open up Indiana, it’s time to figure out how to open the alley.
4. Pat banks: Thursday morning, streets and san was blocking the alley delaying doc appt. and sometimes cars are parked at Poor Woods blocking the alley.
5. Lola Brock: missed doctor appt because of a delivery truck at poor woods blocking the alley. Police are not responsive.
6. Not a problem just on Indiana or prairie on 35th street, it is a safety factor because of cars pulling out into the street 35th.
7. What is Pilgrim’s responsibility to help push the alley issue along?
8. Pastor Keith Gordon: Pilgrim’s pastor for 11 months, apologized. He said church moves at a snails pace. Tonight, church leaders met with architects and signed the contracts for the rebuilding. Plans call for building the church 100% as it was before. Talked to Mayor Daley. He says the city is moving as fast as it an. As far as complaints, totally correct. As for opening parking lot: I am for it. Lot next to the church parking lot is owned by IIT. Working with the city to open that lot to make it a thorough fare. Pilgrim’s responsibility: why don’t we open up one of our lots to make a temporary exit. Will take the compromise idea back to the church deacon and trustee board.
c) Leroy Kennedy from IIT: he has had lots of conversations about using the IIT lot. The school needs an official request. Let’s explore what is available between the city, church and private owners.
d) Alderman Dowell: Thanks to the residents who’ve been patient. The best thing to do is to sit down and see who owns what and figure out the strategy. I am willing to convene the group. Pilgrim did pass the landmarks committee to demo the annex building.
1. Other news: Median improvements on State street between 26th and 34th street, 35th to 43rd .
2. Close to getting a grocery store in the community at 39th and state street. Talking to a number of users.
3. 31st and Indiana project condo project is underway.
4. What about 35th street? Need to get a strong merchant association to work on improvements. Alderman’s office is working on that already.

Motion to reconvene all parties regarding the church alley issue: Passed.

Pay all bills: approved

Adjourn: 8:19pm