LEWTON –RICH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
FEB. 19, 2004


WELCOME: Meeting was called to order at 7:08

PLEDGE

INTRODUCTIONS: Gordon Steinhower, Jim Moore; Gilbert Holmes, Rose Cousin, Dick Stutman, Carol Wood, Vic Celentino Mike Fada, Andy Kilpatrick, Elizabeth Gibbs,
Officer Whitsitt, Marsha Pullen, Angela James, Micki Fuhrman, Patty Farhat, Chuck Fleck, Neil Davis

Victor Celentino: 321-7020 He brought an article summarizing the activities of the Ingham Co, board of commissioners. Also, to recognize people who have stepped up and done something. Patty Farhat received a certificate as being nominated for the Bea Christie award. Victor is chairman of the board of commissioners.

MINUTES: A motion was made and supported to accept minutes. The motion was carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Had $135.00. Six people donated $10.00; Neil Davis, Gordon Steinhower, Angela James, Micki Fuhrman, Marsha Pullen, Patty Farhat.

NEIGHBORHOODS IN BLOOM: Neil submitted the grant. He worked with Ms. Davis at Rich, They will call him when the flowers come in. 

LPD Officer Brian Whitsitt: Things have been really quiet. Question about night parking. Brian will talk to Linda Doherty. Question about Victor being blocked off on a Saturday and many police cars being on the street. Brian will check into it and will let us know what happened. 

Welcome to Randy Williams, who has recently bought a house in our neighborhood.

Carol Wood: 
1. Budget: 1.5 million deficit. There is a concern about not filling 5 vacancies. Asked administration to find another way to fund that. There will be no additional cuts. 
Running around 80 vacancies and about 25 in general funds. 
On the city website, there is information put on about non-motorized bike lanes. Council has not approved that, and it is still on hold. Fiscal year ends on June 30. New finance director is Glen Kirk, formerly of GM. 
(Bike path--grant applied for from M-dot to put in bike lanes. Council voted on this, the grant came at the last minute and was awarded. Council felt that they needed to look at it before it was implemented. 

Issue brought up about sidewalk by bus stop by trailer park where sidewalk is very broken. Carol and Randy will be talking about this. Also mentioned is the issue of a tree branch hanging over Mt. Hope in the same area.


Dale Copich-- on public service board.
Othello Sullivan--


Randy Williams: wonderful turnout to /Bea Christie dinner. 


Public Comment: Andy Kilpatrick from transportation dept. and parking office.
He addressed the issue of Hampden-Hanover and Belaire. 

Transportation dept is working with schools to improve parking issues.

Issue of Lewton school again brought up, with parents not obeying signs. 

OLD BUSINESS: 
By-Laws: Second reading, Section 3 is amended to read “3 additional board members representing the neighborhood”. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

Voting for Gordon: Gordon nominated last meeting, a motion made, supported and passed.

Grants: Patty reported about writing 2-3 grants. There is a grant for each of the following: new signs for the neighborhood association (18 signs), chairs for the South precinct, a McGruff costume, $100.00 for summer get-together, and $100 for Neighborhood Watch.

Bea Christy dinner: Angela James bought a ticket and it was donated to Rena Risper.. 


NEW BUSINESS: 
Hawk Island Children’s Park: This is a community volunteer effort. We could put together a team to go. Also, Bricks and Picks brochure, where you can donate a brick or picket with your name on it. Randy spoke about this. May 19-23 is the building week. 
All ages are welcome to help. Need tools to use. (Guaranteed to get them back)

Citizen's Police Academy: 
Patty talked about the academy. She had flyers that people could use. Citizens could get to know the police dept. a little better. This is a 10 week class, 2 hours per night, one night a week. They have many different speakers, e.g swat team, judges, Prosecutor’s office, trauma .etc., to let people know exactly what they do. The only requirement is to be a resident. There is no cost. Next session starts in March. 



Comment on agenda items:
Meetings about changing lanes will be announced, either on a Tues or Thurs, onein the afternoon, one in the evening.
There will be another one following for people who could not attend the others. Notification will be sent to neighborhood groups, and also a press release.

We want Randy to create a web-site for our association.

ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25