Downtown Residents Council
December 8, 2009 Member Meeting
Date of meeting: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)
Welcome and Introductions
Casey Gilmore, DRC Vice President, presided over the meeting this evening; minutes from the November 2009 meeting were accepted.
Cincinnati Police Department Update:
- New cameras are in operation, but are not being manned around the clock. Information is recorded up to 14 days. Offer was made to host a meeting at “Radcliffe” the camera command center. Plans in the future include installing 64 cameras.
Cincinnati Fire Department:
Shana Johnson, Engine 3 - Asked residents to please be particularly careful installing their lights, particularly on Xmas trees.
Guests:
Margo Warminski – Cincinnati Preservation Association - 342 W. 4th Street
Celebrating its 45th Anniversary; Preservation advocacy is one of their main concerns along with providing info on Cincinnati history, education sessions, and advice to those who are rehabbing historic buildings. Federal Historic Tax Credit program provides a 20% credit and CPA can advise persons on how to qualify.
Alton Frabetti - Founder & Editor of AEQAI
Critical Thinking, Review & Reflective Prose on Contemporary Visual Art in Greater Cincinnati (www.aeqai.com); team of writers who write reviews and interview artists; they meet monthly and would like to be a resource to residents
Steve Leeper - 3CDC (private non-profit redevelopment corporation)
A $125 million investment has been made in the CBD to date; 3CDC now owns the Metropole building; 21C of Louisville plans to redevelop the Metropole as a boutique hotel with 160 rooms, a restaurant & bar (5,200SF) and meeting and event space (3,700SF); the bld’g is currently on the National Historic Register; conceptual design and pricing is complete; federal historic tax credits will be sought; 3 fulltime relocation persons are on-site conducting interviews with residents; opening is expected mid-year 2012; capital funds will be requested from city council.
Sonia Shultz - 5/3 Banking
First time home buyer/tax credit program ($8,000) makes it an advantageous time to buy now; current home owners might qualify for a $6,500 tax credit; consider refinancing because the interest rates are very low.
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES
Treasurer's Report: Chris Smith
$7, 572.41 balance; financial support from the city may continue to markedly decrease.
Budget/NSP: George Verkamp
continues to work on the budget
Communications Committee: Conrad Thiede
our community was presented with a Gold Star Community Banner that will be hung in the public library; the DRC is forming a committee with the goal of reaching out to broaden and diversify our membership base.
Membership Committee: Casey Gilmore and Alison Kamine
we have had several new members, individual and corporate; membership renewals and new membership forms will be taken at the DRC Holiday Party on Dec. 15th.
Clean, Green and Safe Committee: David Siders, Paul Westendorf & Chris Wiedeman
The city now accepts ALL plastics for recycling, no longer just numbers 1 & 2.
Events Committee: Linda Phillips and Marty McGlinchey
after party this evening will take place at Palominos; the DRC Holiday Party will be December 15th at McCormick & Schmick’s 6-8pm; volunteer opportunity at Christ Church on Tuesday, December 22nd @ 4:30
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were noted:
- Betts House is open with holiday decorations this weekend.
- Our city budget historically contributed to neighborhood councils, but it is currently being recommended that a competitive bid process be set up for the monies. Public hearings are taking place for debate and this may result in losing many of our community councils.
- Artist Mary Barr Rhodes, Holiday Open House, Dec. 17th, 5-8pm 424 Findlay Street.
Motion to adjourn by David Siders, 2nd by Rick Dieringer
Meeting was adjourned @ 7:10 pm
Approximately 50 persons were in attendance
Respectfully submitted by Alison Kamine