SHCC Meeting Minutes – January 1994

SHCC Meeting Minutes – January 1994

SUGAR HOUSE COMMUNITY COUNCIL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

January 5, 1994

 

Present: Hope Hilton, Jeff Chapman, Mark Fetzer, Alice Edvalson, Jack Simantob, Patrick Knowlton, Lynn Chatwin, George Veney, Steve Jones, Paul Jackson, Ruth Robbins, Jan Haug, Anne Menzies, Del Brewster, Debbie Curtis, Rawlins Young, Judi Short, Mary Carlson, Rich Bennett, Roselyn Kirk, Pam Grimes, Joe Clark, Afton Kyropoulos, Miriam Murphy, Dorothy Tuddenham, Steven Lester, Roger Miller, Jerry Romero. Meeting was conducted initially by Jerry Romero. Welcome. No minutes for December were available. Councilman Keith Christensen, SHCC chair Roger Miller, and several trustees were excused temporarily because of the lateness of the hearing on the application for a demolition permit for Irving Commons by Legacy Management before the State Landmarks Commission. Pam Grimes introduced Officer Joe Clark of the SLPD, who has been assigned to the SH Station now open in the Old Post Office. Officer Clark said he was happy to be able to work with the SH Community and would be walking the streets to get better acquainted with store owners, residents, and others. He hopes to work closely with the SHCC and would appreciate any suggestions on how to address the needs of the people in this area. He asked for help in cleaning and painting the space provided. Rich Bennett and others volunteered to help. Jerry announced that there would be a meeting of the Rec Center Committee on Sat, January 8, 1994, at Sprague Library, 10 AM. Purpose of the meeting would be to go over the proposed survey. Unit legalization for a duplex, now triplex, owned by George Veney. Trustees voted in favor of allowing the executive board to investigate the property and make a judgment in behalf of the council. Task was assigned to Jerry Romero and Roger Miller. Those arriving from the Landmarks Commission Meeting reported that the Commission voted to table the request for demolition until March 2, 1994. This will allow time for qualified developers to come forward with plans to the RDA. If a qualified developer is found, RDA will buy Irving as a “pass-through” and the issue of the demolition permit will be moot. If not, the process would normally take five months, but any decision of the Landmarks Committee could be overruled by the City Council if there were pressure to demolish the bldg. immediately, so that the land could be sold without the building, relieving the RDA of the financial responsibility as well as addressing the crime problem. It was reported that several prospective developers had been found and that every effort would be made to find a qualified developer. Lynn Chatwin conducted an extensive discussion on a Community Pride Project to counteract signs of decline, such as trash in the streets, graffiti, unkempt lawns and buildings. A number of suggestions were made about how to get started, and a group of trustees and others agreed to work with Lynn in preparing a specific program to be explained at the February SHCC meeting. Among these suggestions were:  1.      Use the new Sugarhouse Times newspaper (monthly) as a means of raising community awareness.        2.      Sponsor a lawn sign awards program to recognize outstanding businesses and individuals who maintain excellent and attractive homes and shops. 3.      Enlist the support of businesses through agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce. Give window decals to businesses that agree to cooperate, and then make sure that certain standards are met. 4.      Create an information handout for distribution to residents, giving information about the program and also various services available, also inviting citizens to become involved with the SHCC. 5.      Work with PTAs, Youth Organizations, School Community Councils, Church groups, etc., to educate young people about the need for a clean, respectable community. Plan educational programs.6. Work with the SLPD Community Pride program and other established programs, such as the GLAD Corp. Spring Cleanup Campaign. 7.      Apply for Community Self-help grants where needed. 8.      Organize neighborhoods through the SHCC to clean up where needed. State representative Mary Carlson spoke about upcoming legislation regarding freeway sound barriers. The area south of I-80 between 20th East and the mountains is the no. 2 priority of the DOT for retrofitting. The project would cost approximately $600,000. Mary asked the members of the council and community to be prepared for an extensive lobbying effort in support of this money. She will give an update on the legislature in February, at which time it will be appropriate to begin the effort to persuade key members of the legislature to fight for passage of this appropriation. Jack Simantob explained his position with respect to the Post Office RFP and how he planned to proceed. He hopes the RFP will be reopened and thanked the SHCC for bringing the matter to the attention of the Mayor, and for the hearing that resulted. Final decision will be up to Mayor Corradini. If unfavorable, he may proceed with some form of legal action. There was some discussion of the bus stop problem on 17th East and the results of the meeting to try to solve the problem. Highland High students create problems for the neighbors because of the lack of space at the present location. Further information will be forthcoming on this unresolved situation. A further hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16. Due to the lateness of the hour, other business was postponed to the February meeting, including: 1.      The need for a secretary for the SHCC. 2.      The need for an ethics statement in the by-laws regarding the use of SHCC offices and accoutrements for political purposes in violation of the non-partisan nature of the council. 3.      Review of committee assignments and proactive plans to build the community.

 

Landon Clark
minnesotaute76@gmail.com