MidTown: The Garden District

Regular Business Meeting

7:00 PM, January 21, 2003

John B. Wright Elementary School Cafeteria

President Brad Holland called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He described the function of signing in at each meeting, that that was a way to become a member of our association and eligible to be nominated for office. He then offered all attendees a chance to review the minutes of the last meeting, and said he would accept a motion approving the minutes for that meeting. The Minutes of the November 19, 2002, meeting were unanimously approved on motion by Marty Ittner, second by Julie Hamann.

Treasurer David Kha presented the monthly treasurer’s report as summarized below:

Cash on hand Deposit Expenses Balance

1596.56 2105.21 1235.80 2465.97

This month’s treasurer’s report was approved on motion by Marty Ittner and second by Ida Plotkin.

OLD BUSINESS:

LEGO Club: David Kha was very excited to report that the club increased its membership from five to 150 in just one year. He’s frustrated because there’s no room for such a large group to meet in our area. Even though we have the money and we have the land, we still don’t have the Library Learning Center.

Bike Club: David Kha said he needed $200 to buy tubes and tires so the kids working on bikes would have those supplies. He would accept cash donations.

MidTown Library and Learning Center: Anna Marie Patti reported that, as far as she had heard, there had been no progress. Brad Holland asked if the trash had been picked up from the site, and David Kha said he would check on that and let Brad know. David Kha suggested that a sign be erected at the property: “Future Home of MidTown Library Learning Center Since 1997.” Later in the meeting, Andy Squire said the Center was still in limbo.

John B. Wright Elementary: Lisa Langford told David Kha that she might be able to help with a sign at the Library Learning Center and maybe with LEGO Club meeting space. She thanked all those who donated tax credit dollars of $1,000.00 to the school. Wright Elementary will have Love of Reading for the whole month of February this year. Any time during the whole month anyone could read to kids, they would be appreciated.

TIARC: Amra Sabanic reported that Tucson International Alliance of Refugee Communities is stable and holds computer classes at 4228 E. Grant, Suite 4B, every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15 to 7:45. More refugees will be coming in March or April from the Somali/Bantu area. Anne Marie Patti offered Tucson Metropolitan Ministries’ assistance in locating housing for those incoming refugees. David Kha reported that he used the TIARC computer lab to teach kids during the summer and planned to hold Chess Club meetings on Sundays there.

Neighborhood Rezoning News: The Swan/Lee rezoning hearing was held and was attended by a large number of protesting neighbors. Both Brad and Anna Marie Patti understand that this rezoning request is over. A hearing on a proposed car wash at Pima and Alvernon was held and the zoning examiner turned the plan down. Evidently the developers are appealing the decision to the Mayor and Council, but Andy Squire said that the Mayor and Council probably will not vote to overturn the zoning examiner’s decision. Brad pointed out that David Kha is creating an action network (a list of names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses) so everyone can be reached quickly for action on urgent issues.

Pima Street Re-striping: Andy Squire reported that Councilman Ronstadt has made progress on getting Pima re-striped—the Transportation Department has finally admitted that this project can be done. The Councilman has told Transportation that a future widening of Pima Street is extremely unlikely for two reasons: there’s no money for such a project and Pima dead-ends into Elm and can’t carry increased traffic. Andy Squire said the street may be re-striped within a year or a year-and-a-half.

NEW BUSINESS:

Midtown Police Report: Brad Holland started this report by detailing two recent incidents of criminal activity. 1. On New Year’s Eve, 60 cars in the neighborhood had all four tires punctured, and 2. There were several close call traffic accidents caused by of one neighbor’s drunk driving on Madelyn. Brad asked how we might create consequences for bad actions, maybe modeled after the neighborhood that stays up all holiday night watching out for possible trouble. Officer Mejia from the Midtown Police Substation has patrolled our area for seven out of his nine year with the Department and feels he knows our neighborhood. He said he was unaware of the drunk driving incidents just referred to. He assured us that there are several things the Police do with a DUI driver, with increasing penalties. Brad Holland encouraged all of us to help control crime in our neighborhood and said if any of us are scared or confused, we can rely on him and other concerned neighbors. Mejia said our area has one of the highest numbers of police calls (385), mostly domestic violence, suspicious activity or criminal damage. Police are going proactively to each school to prepare for possible disasters. Officer Mejia agreed to stay here after the meeting to answer any questions.

Tucson Botanical Gardens: Anna Marie Patti reported that TBG plans to buy a residential lot adjacent to the Gardens to use for demonstration gardens.

Nomination of New Officers: Millard Tucker nominated Brad Holland as President and Ida Plotkin seconded the nomination, which passed unanimously. Nominations were closed unanimously on motion by Julie Hamann and second by Carri Rondeau. David Kha nominated Howard Ward as Vice-President and Carri Rondeau seconded the nomination, which passed unanimously. Nominations were closed unanimously on motion by Vivian Higley and second by Vivian Tucker. Brad Holland nominated Anna Marie Patti as Secretary and David Kha seconded the nomination, which passed unanimously. Nominations were closed unanimously on motion by Julie Hamann and second by Carri Rondeau. Brad Holland nominated David Kha as Treasurer and Ida Plotkin seconded the nomination, which passed unanimously. Nominations were closed unanimously on motion by Carri Rondeau and second by Janice Crist.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM on motion by Janice Crist and second by Amra Sabanic.

Our next meeting will be on February 18, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.

Carolyn Isaman, Secretary