HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-16 Residential NeighborhoodsOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AUGUST 25, 2016 5:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Regina Williams- Preston, Jo M. Broden
Committee Members Absent: John Voorde
Other Council Present:
Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Joseph Molnar, Henry Davis Jr.
Agenda: Neighborhood Walking Tour, 2nd District
Committee Chair Karen White called the Residential Neighborhoods meeting to order. The
meeting began on a bus outside of Charles Black Center with approximately thirty -five (35)
people in attendance. Committee Chair White explained the purpose of the meeting was to travel
through the LaSalle Park Neighborhood and field questions from residents. The Neighborhood
Walking Tours started four (4) years ago and focus on what are the needs of the individual
districts and are they reflected in the budget.
Committeemember Regina Williams- Preston stated that as a community we will have unity
through strength. The residents need to hold the City accountable for the distribution of service
and application of the law. She stated she has a number of issues she will be looking for during
this tour and looks forward to conversing with residents.
The bus left the Charles Black Center at 5:08 p.m. and toured a large area around LaSalle Park.
Some of the concerns raised by residents are as followed:
• In the district there were overgrown lots everywhere, both City owned and owned by
private individuals.
• Western Avenue has heavy traffic backup at 5:30 p.m.
• Residents recommended that a Code Enforcement officer needs to be on the tour as well.
There has been a high turnover in Code Enforcement personnel and it is evident.
• Eviction items sit on the curbs for long periods of time.
• Residents expressed concerns about the Smart Streets program.
• At Ford and Bendix the grass around the sidewalks was very overgrown.
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JENNIFER M. COFFMAN ALKEYNA M. ALDRIDGE JOSEPH MOLNAR
CHIEF DEPUTY/ CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK
• Resident expressed concern for how the ADA sidewalk ramps are being put in place and
the quality of construction as they are not flush with the road. There should be a smooth
transition from the road to the sidewalk.
• There are no curbs and sidewalks at the Family Dollar on Western which also has large
amounts of garbage and overgrowth.
• Newly paved streets on Lake (adjacent to Harrison) covers sunken curbs.
• There were cars on the walkway on Western making it impassable for pedestrians.
• Vacant lots frequently have adjacent unkempt sidewalks.
• There were suggestions for economic development plans for the soon to be vacant
Martins Supermarket.
• There were no curbs or sidewalks along Linden or on the West, North and East side of
Harrison School.
The bus stopped at these locations:
• Harrison School at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the state of the sidewalks and roads.
• Iowa and Western intersection at 5:50 p.m. The residents commented on the terrible
sidewalks as well as very tall grass. They claimed that Code Enforcement will not pick up
the trash on the lot. There was an abandoned car on blocks with a Code Enforcement
ticket on the car.
• Dundee and Washington intersection at 6:01 p.m. Tree limbs were hanging over the
sidewalks making them impassable. Residents asked if some parts of the City are getting
tree limbs cut then why was their neighborhood not part of the program.
• Western and Bendix intersection at 6:16 p.m. Residents commented that the new Transpo
bus stop shelters looked very nice and it was a good thing to have one (1) on both sides of
Western. There were comments related to the new street scape improvements and
suggestions that they need to be tied to economic grants as well.
At 6:35 p.m. the bus headed back to Charles Black Center where Committee Chair Karen White
adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen White, Chairperson
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