LPNA MEETING July 17, 2008
St Joseph School Cafeteria, relocatedto Sullivan House
Meeting called to order by President Jen Gedaminski at 6:40 PM
Old Business
Lincoln Park Lagoon Update – The contractor is currently grading. The dam is leaking. Some stone caps have been placed and additional ones have been ordered. Work on the spillway has begun. According to officials, the restoration is still on target for completion by early August. Jen Gedaminski has been voted onto the Springfield Parks Foundation.
Springfield in Bloom Update – Jen gave an update on Springfield in Bloom and explained the voting rules. LPNA has two members in the contest – the SARA Center landscaping that was sponsored by LPNA and headed by LPNA member Doug Williams, and Doug’s project at his own home.
Treasurer’s Report – Cathie Bryant reported a balance of $2810.00 in the LPNA checking account. There is still one more invoice from Ace Sign Company pending, estimated to be around $1100.00. Funds remain for possibly sponsoring a child for Nelson Center’s Summer Camp for next year, and to pay for the upcoming Picnic in the Park.
Neighborhood Sign Update – Rich Huelskoetter reported that most of the signs had been installed. He has completed the work himself. He is still waiting for hardware to finish up the remaining dozen or so.
Newsletter Update – Jen asked for news items for the newsletter, as well as volunteers to help with composition and distribution. She reminded everyone that there is space for reporting properties for sale within the association boundaries.
New Business
North Branch Library Update – Cathie reported that she had contacted Kathy McLain from the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Assn. to ask if LPNA representation at the Lincoln Library Trustees meeting would be help further the goal of getting a North branch re-opened, and Kathy thought it would help. Cathie will attend the next meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 23.
Adopt a Street Clean-up - Association members felt it would be beneficial to wait until the end of the State Fair for cleaning up 5 th Street.
Neighborhood Park Watch Program – Erin Conley gave details of the new Park Watch Program. Signs will be posted in the park and the Park Board is looking for sponsorship. Some discussion followed about how much the signs would cost and how many LPNA should sponsor, as LPNA will get recognized for its sponsorship. Erin will ask a Park Board official to provide the association with more details, or possibly attend a meeting soon. Also, the Park Board is trying to hire two more part-time Park Police Officers, one of which will be assigned to Lincoln Park.
Officers / Nominating Committee – Currently there is a vacancy for an LPNA Neighborhood Safety and Crime Prevention Officer who would handle the Neighborhood Watch Program. Jen is currently handling that position, and her two-year term as President will end this fall. LPNA is looking for volunteers or nominations to fill those vacancies.
Miscellaneous Information – Jen has received some complaints about barking dogs, and asked all the members to pay attention to their own dogs as some neighbors are unhappy.
The City is currently trimming trees, and not placing much importance on how the tree looks after it is trimmed. Laurel Dickerson offered to chair a committee that would discuss the tree trimming procedures with the Public Works Department.
Kevin Broeckling gave the members an update regarding SCIactivities. Classes will be starting on August 18 th. The College has been holding mass for Young Adults each Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. in the St. Ursula Chapel, and everyone is invited to attend. SCI has been updating their buildings and roofing. They have entered into a new program with China and expect 36 Chinese students to attend SCI this fall. They will be housed in various student housing facilities, including the possible re-opening of Dockson Plaza. A new PHD program is beginning in September. SCI wants to re-establish their Catholic image and, as such, are looking to hire a Campus Minister for a one-year commitment.
Windows were broken out in cars parked on the street on the 1400 & 1500 blocks of North Fourth recently. The vandalism was initially reported on that block and two other west-side neighborhoods. Police support was good, with five officers responding.
Erin Conley, in her capacity as President of the School Board, talked about of potential upcoming referendum which could include a tax hike for improvements in District 186 schools. She also discussed the Lanphier High School update and installing air conditioning in schools. Erin is interested in hearing general feedback, and asked that anyone that wants to discuss these issues should call her at 522-3083.
Committee Chair Reports
Zoning & Urban Development – Chris Lewis commented that the neighborhood and alley clean up went well.
Social Activity – J.D. Noseck updated the membership on the upcoming Picnic in the Park to be held August 2 nd at Location #1 at Lincoln Park. He brought flyers to be distributed throughout the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention – Jen is looking for volunteers to sponsor a Neighborhood Watch program in areas of the boundaries that currently do not have a program in place. She will assist anyone who volunteers.
Evening Topic
The Guest Speaker for the meeting was Curtis Mann from the Sangamon Valley Collection of Lincoln Library. Curtis has been with SVC for 15 years, and was named City Historian in 2006. He distributed information showing some historic maps and resources available for homeowners who are interested in learning the history of their hour. Members can call for an appointment with Curtis by calling 753-4900 ext. 234
John Fulgenzi of Fulgenzi’s Pizza and Pasta ordered free pizza for the attendees. He also offered certificates for door prizes at the Picnic in the Park.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Submitted by Cathie Bryant on behalf of Karilyn Eastvold, secretary.
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