March Minutes
Meeting: March 10, 2010
Present: Liz and Gilbert Medina, Nicholas Cortez, Estela Ranjel (+! guest), Many Valenzuela, Carlos Avila, Patsy Villa (+2 guests), Kevin Ahearn, Wendy Reese, Michele Ybanez(+1 guest)
Wendy showed the Working For Green video and updated community garden info.
Manny discussed and incident at 1421 S. 13th Place. He had received annoymous a sofa and uncontrolled burn in a vacant lot and intimidating men. The police did an “educational” visit. The people with warrants were arrested, otherwise no citations given. The sofa has been removed. Manny will try to have graffiti busters attend an upcoming meeting.
Patsy vocalized concerns about harassment, as did Liz. Manny shared that a supervisor should be contacted immediately and give the squat or badge number.
Movie Night will be April 11 at Nuestro Park. Community celan-up with be Saturday, March 13 at 10 am, meet at Nuestro Park. Planting for Peace will be April 24. 100 trees have been donated and there will be a party in the park afterwards.
Carlos updated on VARS. The City is not renewing WD Schocks contract and will absorb the services into the City, contracting out demolition. Over $500,000 will be spent in the 6 month transition period. 107 properties have been purchased this year with 67 being in Nuestro Barrio, properties were sold from $12,000-$350,000.
It was suggested to put something in the newsletter about illegal dumping.
Sheila Gauff won the $25 raffle for attending.
February Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2010 6:05 pm
Present: Stacy Roman, Wendy Reese, Patsy and Rosemary Villa, Liz and Gilbert Medina, Nicholas Cortez, Carlos Avila, Manny Valenzuela
Manny provided the CAO report and discussed potential budget changes. He distributed handouts about upcoming City budget hearings. He presented a report on response times for police calls within the neighborhood.
Liz presented information from the previous VARS Community Meeting.
Nicholas announced a community clean-up would happen on February 20 and start at Lewis Park. The bulk trash pick up would be the following week.
Wendy reported on the new gardens that AZHS is helping with and about the 2nd annual Planting for Peace.
Carlos discussed the dust pallative being removed from sidewalks and grading being done for rock. He also announced WD Schocks contract has been extended and there is no notice for when public hearings would be.
Stacy asked if the fundraiser would be held in March. Wendy said she is unable to take the lead. Stacy agreed to have a meeting at her house to discuss possible options.
Next meeting, March 10, 2010.
