Oread Neighborhood Association
Thursday, October 23, 2008 @ 7:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church – Meeting Room 202N
Minutes

Approved with Changes:  December 28, 2008

Board Members Attending:  Candy Davis, James Dunn, Marci Francisco, Christy Kennedy, Ellie Lecompte, Jerry Stubbs, Kyle Thompson, and Carol von Tersch

Absent Board Members:  Ann Blackhurst, Rene Diaz, Charity Grace, and Beth Reiber

CDBG Blight Survey

The proposal that will be submitted with the CDBG grant application, due on December 1st, was discussed.  
•	There are areas in the neighborhood that still need to be evaluated using the blight survey form.  Assignments were made to complete areas that still need to be done.  
•	The information contained in the completed blight surveys will be compiled.  This information will be used to identify specific areas in the neighborhood to work on initially.  
•	Suggested criteria for identifying blighted properties include:
o	If there are four or more blighted items identified for a particular property, 
o	Prioritize properties that list a very poor condition rating in any of the categories identified on the blight survey form,
o	Identify if there is a pattern of ownership,
o	Ask the city to help the neighborhood identify what can be done with the property condition information that has been gathered.
o	If rental registration is approved for multi-family zoning, the property condition information can be provided to the city for their use.  It would be the neighborhood’s preference to have rental licenses withheld until blighted conditions are corrected.

Other Neighborhood Discussion
•	For some time now, the neighborhood has been unaffordable for anyone other than landlords.  
•	There is a bungalow-style home currently for sale in the neighborhood.  This was sold as a two bedroom residence to the current owners for ~$85,000 five or six years ago.  
o	The home was renovated to include two additional bedrooms in the basement and other in the attic.
o	This property is listed at $195,000.
o	Tarps are in place around the outside of the house to keep water out of the basement.
o	This serves as an example of what can happen when Oread properties are purchased by investors.  With occupancy increased from two to five, it is hopeful that the property owners have adequate resources to repair the foundation problems.  
•	Without the ongoing presence of a neighborhood association which strives to sustain some measure of livability, the Oread neighborhood could ultimately decline into a chronic state of disrepair and overcrowding.  
•	Photos of well-maintained Oread homes should be included in the next newsletter.  These property owners deserve to receive recognition for taking really great care of their homes.    

Treasurer’s Report

Register Reports:  Register reports from the ONA accounts were reviewed.  The balances were as follows:
•	Treasurer Account:  $6,984.18
•	Coordinator Account:  The October 31st paycheck is pending.  The balance remaining after that has been paid will be ~$3.00.
•	Free State Credit Union Quarterly Statement
o	Regular Share Account:  $11.38
o	Special Share Account:  $2,934.60

The origin of the Free State Credit Union account was discussed.  This account was established as loan from the Oread Neighborhood Association to the Merc at the time the store relocated to 9th and Mississippi.  This money served as collateral against the loan that was pledged for the move.  Some research would be required to identify the original source of the funds.  It is possible that some of the money may have come from a homes tour sponsored by the neighborhood over 10-years ago.  

ONA Membership Income:  Membership income received since August 01, 2008, is $65.00.

Coordinator’s Report

Review September 2008 Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
Jon Davis needs to be added to the list of those who attended the September meeting.  With this addition, the minutes were approved with the following abstentions:  Ellie LeCompte and Carol von Tersch.

Demolition Permit Applications
None received since the September neighborhood meeting.

Blight Follow-Up

1043 Indiana (KU Property)  
The survey has been completed and the appraisals are underway.  Barry Swanson, the Associate Comptroller at KU, is working on the public notice and the bid process.  The Oread Neighborhood has been added to the public bid notice e-mail that will go out.  

Board of Zoning Appeals  
The November 6th agenda is scheduled to be posted on October 30th.  The following information has been provided by Planning and Development Services:

1005 Indiana (Destroyed by fire on 07/31/08)
Two variances will be considered for this property; to reduce the building setbacks for a principal structure in an RM32 District and to not provide any off-street parking spaces for an 8-bedroom congregate residence.
•	The current proposal is to rebuild the existing structure instead of building an entirely new structure on the existing foundation.  This is what is being required by the insurance company.

Neighborhood Discussion
•	A request was made to put a note on record documenting that there was no suspicion of arson in this case.
•	Because the city determined that the reconstruction cost is not more than 50% of the property’s value, a variance does not need to be approved for no off-street parking.  This will be grandfathered in.
•	The neighborhood would like to meet with Planning and Development Services again to continue discussion about boarding house concerns.  The outcome of 1005 Indiana will result in an occupancy situation that exceeds the four-occupant limit identified by city code.  Density is a concern in the neighborhood.  
•	The BZA must consider five legal standards when considering requests for variance; one of those being a hardship standard.  This standard could be one that opponents can use to argue against a requested variance.  

903 Alabama
Two variances will be considered for this property; to exceed the maximum 12 dwelling units per acre standard in the RM12D district and reduce the side yard setback to a minimum of two feet instead of five feet.  
•	The plan is to move the existing structure so it is located on its own lot.  This will free up the second lot for development of a new duplex dwelling.

	MOTION:	The neighborhood will write a letter to the BZA stating opposition to the proposed variances for 903 Alabama; increase in density, availability of parking and fire safety concerns.  
	VOTE:	Approved unanimously

Historic Resources Commission - October 16th agenda 
There were no questions or comments in reference to the following items listed on the October HRC agenda:
•	1005 Indiana:  Rehabilitation / Replication
•	1119 Massachusetts:  Sidewalk Dining Site Plan (former Campus Hideaway).

Traffic Safety Commission – November 3rd agenda
ITEM NO. 2:	Consider request to establish a multi-way stop at the intersection of 11th Street & Louisiana Street and the intersection of 11th Street & Mississippi Street.

Neighborhood Discussion
•	Stop signs are already in place at these locations for construction traffic.  It is believed that the city would like to make these stops permanent.  

New Business

Enhanced Trash Ordinance
The revised ordinance, considered by the City Commission on October 21st, was approved.  
•	The amount of time for abatement has been reduced from 15 days to 7 days.    
•	When the city goes to a site and it is confirmed that there is a violation, the residents are notified immediately via a notification that is left on the home’s door.  
•	The city also sends a letter to the property owner.  This used to be done via certified mail which used to cost the city $5.00.

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods
The Oread neighborhood is now considered as a place for having homeless shelters and day centers for the homeless.  

Quarterly Performance Measures – August thru October 2008 	
Date	Activity Description	Number of Attendees	
Third Week of August	Distribution of Neighborhood Newsletter	Sent to +2,000 residents	
8/28/2008	Monthly Neighborhood Meeting
Blight Related Topics:  
•	1043 Indiana:  KU property to be sold to the public, 
•	1232 Louisiana:  Outcome of City Commission meeting on 8/12 - Demolition approved, 
•	1005 Indiana:  House fire on 7/31, 
•	Neighborhood blight survey:  Progress report	10	
9/17/2008	Neighborhood Participation in LCS Block Party  
•	The Oread neighborhood donated hot dogs, hot dog buns, and veggie burgers	25+	
9/25/2008	Monthly Neighborhood Meeting
Special Guest: Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, spoke with neighbors about city sales tax proposals.
Blight Related Topics:  
•	1043 Indiana:  KU property to be sold to the public.  The university is in the process of hiring an appraiser.  Prior to use by KU, there were eight bedrooms in this home.  Eight bedrooms with two occupants per room would require a total of 12 parking spaces (i.e.:  1.5 spaces for 2 occupants). 
•	1005 Indiana:  Discuss future plans with property owners / Variance requests to be considered by BZA at the 10/2 meeting, 
•	Neighborhood blight survey (Progress report)	11	
10/1/2008	Attendance at Lawrence Association of Neighborhood Meeting	1	
10/2/2008	Oread Representation at Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting
•	Proposed variances for 1005 Indiana discussed.	3	
10/21/2008	Oread Representation at City Commission Meeting
•	Enhancements to the trash ordinance discussed.  This is in response to the Oread study session held with the city commission in November 2007.  Implementation will improve environmental blight conditions in the neighborhood.	2	
10/23/2008	Monthly Neighborhood Meeting
Blight Related Topics:  
•	The first hour of the meeting was spent discussing the neighborhood's blight survey to develop a plan that will be submitted with the CDBG grant application that is due on December 1st, 
•	1043 Indiana:  KU property - discuss appraisal progress, 
•	1005 Indiana:  Structure destroyed by fire / Variances to be considered by BZA at the 11/6 meeting, 
•	Trash ordinance:  Discuss outcome of city commission mtg on 10/21.	8	
Ongoing	Neighborhood Blight Survey:  ONA board members are gathering structural blight information throughout the neighborhood.  It is important to note that this is a very time consuming project that is not well-represented by the number of attendees.	13	

E-Mail via ONA Website  
A proposal was presented to route neighborhood association related e-mails through the ONA website.  At this time, everyone is blind copied when the Coordinator sends out information.  This is done to ensure that personal e-mail addresses remain confidential.  

Concern was expressed that not everyone is receiving information sent out by anyone other than the Coordinator.  Board members and neighbors can send information to the Coordinator and ask to have it forwarded on to everyone who needs to receive it (i.e.:  other board members and/or everyone on the interested parties list).  

There was some reservation about implementing a new practice for sharing information among the group.  Using the blind copy method seems to be working well for everyone at this time.  Due to a lack of time, this item will be reconsidered at a future neighborhood meeting.

Old Business

Coordinator Salary  
At the September meeting, the neighborhood approved paying the Coordinator for 12 hours per week at $10.00 per hour or whatever the city’s living wage is if it is over $10.00 per hour.  The 2008 living wage in the City of Lawrence is $11.00 per hour.  Everyone was still in agreement with paying this hourly rate.

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings  

November 2008 Meeting
•	Room 202N is NOT available at Plymouth on Thursday, November 20th.  Downstairs meeting space has been reserved for the group on that date instead.

December 2008 Meeting
•	The date, time, and location of the December meeting will be discussed further at the November neighborhood meeting.

February 2009 Meeting
•	Because the Castle Tea Room won’t be ready for public events prior to January 2009.  The WestStar Energy group will be invited to meet with the neighborhood at the February neighborhood meeting instead of the December meeting as originally proposed.  A Castle representative can be at the meeting to discuss energy efficiency measures included in the renovation of the facility.  This event will be announced in the winter 2009 newsletter.

CDBG Capital Improvement Project  
The water meter and faucet project for the community garden is progressing.  A plumber will be contacted to provide an estimate for installation of a faucet at this location.  

Deferred Agenda Items

Identify Nominating Committee
Three members need to be identified to serve on the nominating committee.  This committee will recommend candidates for board member positions that will be elected at the annual meeting to be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

FYI and Reminders

Campus Heritage Plan:  http://www.dcm.ku.edu/planning/heritage.shtml

Study Session Follow Up:  It is anticipated that the multi-family rental registration program will be considered by the City Commission in mid-November.  

Bizarre Bazaar:  Saturday, November 29th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Google Transit:  The T became the first bus system in Kansas to join Google Transit.  Contact: Casey Toomay, Interim Public Transit Administrator, 832-3409 or Google Transit at press@google.com.

1232 Louisiana:  Demolition approved by the City Commission on 08/12/08 with conditions that included: 
•	Neighborhood Plan:  This will need to be updated prior to building a replacement structure.
•	Parking:  Following demolition, the property cannot be used as a parking lot.
•	Salvage:  A letter will be sent to Price Banks requesting permission to salvage items from the structure prior to demolition.  

Over-Occupancy Violations (RM District – Code Amendment):  Currently on hold because the city is considering expanding the rental registration program to include structures that are 50+ years old.

Graffiti Removal:  Check out http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief38.htm