HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-15 Joint Meeting Community Investment & Community RelationsCommunity Investment &
Community Relations Committees
June 10, 2015 5:30pm
Committee Members Present — Gavin Ferlic, Karen White, and Henry Davis Jr.
Other Council Present — Tim Scott
Others Present — Media, Members of the public, (See signature sheet attached)
Agenda — The west side main streets revitalization plan — vision for LWW and Western
Ave. and the neighborhoods adjacent to these commercial streets.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Community Investment Chair Gavin
Ferlic. He discussed the format of tonight's meeting. He then turned the meeting over
to the Community Relations Chair Karen L. White. Councilmember White then gave a
brief power point presentation (attached). She also said the council was there tonight to
listen to the neighbors' concerns and to take questions down to be answered by the
administration.
Councilman Ferlic then asked if anyone would like to speak and they would have 3
minutes.
1. Kathy Jones or Johnson, Camden St.(did not sign in) She wants to know why a
soccer tournament was brought up for the cultural center? She feels that is geared
towards the Hispanic community. Why not something everyone could enjoy.
2. Lynn Collier, 4916 W. Washington St. Wants bullet point number #1 and #2
explained from the handout sheet attached.
3. Brenda Blake, 303 S. Camden She had a copy of the plan and on page 102. If no
homes will be forcibly taken, how can the cit
+y accomplish "revitalization:" in Phase 2? If residents do not want to move what will the
city do?
4. Rodney White, no address given, Are taxes going to up? How is the project being
paid for and what is the source of the funding?
5. Constance Green, 3217 Dunham St. Wants to know if the plan is in cement? Wants
the whole plan to be revaluated with the neighbors input. There are plenty of empty
store fronts and a porn shop that need to be dealt with.
6. John Byers, 714 Camden caretaker for homeowner Florence Wright, Take care of
empty grass lots before you start to revitalize. He sees nothing for the community. He
wants the plan looked into better and talk to the elderly.
7. Regina Williams- Preston, 838 N. Elmer St. Thinks Code Enforcement has cited
many more houses that they used to in the neighborhood. Wonders if this is a way for
the City to acquire property. Wants to know if the City purchased about 100 houses at
the tax sale? Be more upfront with answers and how are they going to get these
questions answered?
8. Arthur Kelly, 758 S. Albert, Why do you have to revitalize right now? Is there grant
money involved that you might lose? Do we have to rush?
9. Carolyn Archie, 238 N. Wellington What are you doing on Jefferson by Washington?
Why 71 houses in this area? Use the money for curbs in the neighborhoods. Is the City
going to prohibit double lots like she has?
10. Gail Brodie, 114 S. Lake, Unhappy with the whole plan. Nothing is in this plan that
the neighbors want. What if someone wants to sell their house and others don't? What
happens to the property of the ones that have been sold?
11. Florine Jennings, 110 S. Lake St. She is also unhappy with the whole plan. Sees
only Hispanic culture on Western Ave. No lots being cut, big groundhogs. Who is paying
for uncut city lots?
12. Denise Johnson, 218 S. Liberty St. How is the city going to address and
incorporate our concerns into the plan?
13. Did not get name, Olive St. Need more notice about meetings.
14. Marvin Crayton, 305 S. Lake St. What happens with Lake St. and eminent domain?
He said he it will cost if they want his house. He will want equivalent land to build on.
15. Tony Trinca, 139 Camden He said three or so year ago he was asked by someone
from the City what his plans for his vacant lots are. He said I own the lots I maintain the
lots I think of them as my lawn. He said now his taxes for his lots have been doubled?
Why have they been doubled?
16. Curtis Leonard, 122 Lake St. Are you buying properties in the area? People don't
want new mortgages.
17. Pastor Batteast Pastor of Church on 141 Camden, Never noticed a plan for the
LaSalle Area before. Why Western Ave. now? Clean it up first. When is the city going
to take vacant lots and build new houses?
18. Wendall Johnson 305 Falcon St. He said they had tried at one point with a
Western Ave. Steering committee to address the needs of the citizens. No citizen input,
city has consistently ignored this area. City has failed to address the needs of the
citizens. Does the city think our residents' concerns are not legitimate? They are!
19. William Johnson, No address — Start new with the neighborhood on the plan, need
transparency so we can help. Need to more forward.
20. Vera Crayton 305 S. Lake St. wants to give her 3 minutes to Wendall Johnson. Mr.
Johnson talked about a greater growth of the Hispanic community, wants both the black
and Hispanic communities to meet. Talked about the dividing line of Western Ave. Need
a more solid plan.
Comments from Council
Tim Scott — Appreciate the feedback from the public. We owe you answers. The City
should take the plan and highlight where the questions are answered.
Karen White — Use to live on Kenmore and understands about needing safe clean
neighborhoods and basic city services. The questions brought today will be answered
by next Friday by the latest by the administration since they are not here today. I am in
with the people for the long haul. We are all part of this community and have the
responsible to be doing our very best. That is my commitment.
Henry Davis — Thanked the citizens for participating. The plan was formed by the
administration and not by the council on the 4th floor. Council is the citizen's advocacy
voice. He was involved with getting money for the corridors and here we are. Also
mentioned a meeting the 2nd council meeting in July on assessments from the
Assessor's office.
Gavin Ferlic — Thanked everyone for coming and said if anyone had any other
questions for councilmembers they could ask after the meeting.
Councilman Gavin Ferlic adjourned the meeting at 6:22pm.
Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson Community Investment
Karen L. White, Chairperson Community Relations