North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association
Word of Faith Church
October 22, 2002
7 – 9 pm

Call to Order: 7:09 pm

Alison England, association president, opened the meeting. She recapped last month's elections, noting that it mostly involved a "change of hats" for the association's regular active members.

She reported work on the Bird median to be mostly done, but she put in a request for redwoods (no new ones were planted) and for additional cedars to accompany the existing incense cedar.

She reported that the abandoned rail line which passes to the west of the neighborhood will not be sold as parcels as proposed earlier - which makes the land eligible for the Rails to Trails program. Ken Yeager's office is apparently following up on this.

Traffic calming: she reported that the neighborhood Traffic Calming committee will be meeting on Thursday, in preparation for the neighborhood-wide public meeting on October 30. Debbie Rocha passed out flyers for the public meeting, which will focus on presentation and neighborhood approval of the permanent fixtures (islands on Delmas and Hull, and chokers on Delmas).

Police report: We met two officers new to our area, Phil and Kurt. Our local officers remind us that Halloween's coming up: watch out for kids. Gang activity is increasing on the other side of 87, which could mean increased activity in our area. Dan Erceg noted that there hasn't been any increase in tagging in our area.

Debbie Rocha gave us an update on new lighting measures for sidewalk safety on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen. Marc Beauman reiterated the need for a crosswalk to cross Willow at Delmas Avenue: currently there is no crosswalk, which forces the heavy pedestrian traffic to cross willy-nilly.
Debbie Rocha informed us that the association may place a neighborhood sign in Hummingbird Park - the sign must be vinyl and 2x4' or smaller. The association needs to proceed on its own to procure and place the sign.

Debbie Palmer reported that pigeon abatement is proceeding at the railroad underpasses at Bird, Delmas and Prevost, funded by a CAP grant. It was noted that this ties in with a general city pigeon abatement effort.

Marc Bauman gave an update on the formative efforts of a community newsletter. He gave the newsletter's proposed purpose: "We want to inform the neighborhood about itself. We want to voice our community's current issues, opinions, accomplishments, history and personal stories." He mentioned that anyone can submit stories for consideration. The newsletter plans to publish stories about current happenings, neighborhood history, personal stories of long-time residents, home improvement ideas, and so on. Controversial topics might be approached in a section entitled "Can of Worms." Alison added that the main purpose of the newsletter might be to inform neighborhood residents of city programs available to them. She also wanted to make sure that the newsletter is properly announced, so that residents know that they can participate in it.

Harvey Darnell proposed that the association support this newsletter, to be called "The Hummingbird." His motion was seconded and passed.
Marc said the first issue may feature articles on Hummingbird Park, the history of Delmas Avenue, a story on Ralph's Smokehouse and a "Frequently Asked Questions" section, as well as information and a calendar for the association.

Two visitors from Willow Glen alerted the membership to a situation occurring at Glenwood and Cottle, where a developer has acquired two vintage homes on adjoining lots and plans to replace them with five executive homes. The developer has already begun the process by drastically trimming trees on the properties, possibly in violation of code. She invited anyone concerned to attend a neighborhood meeting at noon, Saturday, October 26, at the corner of Glenwood and Cottle.

Alison brought up a subject from last meeting: how does the association get more participation from the community? A resident suggested the association might get more participation if it stopped advocating harassment of residents and theft of property. He was referring to the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative and the power of eminent domain. Alison informed him that the SNI process has safeguards which prevent eminent domain unless it pertains to the priorities of, and with the approval of, the neighborhood.

Talk turned to whether the association should host social events separate from meetings. Alison directed us to a handout she prepared that lists several possible activities in three general categories:

1. fundraising (i.e., a raffle)
2. neighborhood pride (DIY lectures et al) and
3. hobbies/personal (swap meets, food/photo contests, etc.)

One of our visitors related that food is essential to bringing people together. We talked about the possibility of encouraging street meetings at Sangria, similar to the one that succeeded for Spencer Avenue, with association members present at each one to introduce the people on the street to the association and what it does.

That's all, folks!