Minutes – August 4, 2015
August 4, 2015 ELVN Meeting Minutes
In attendance:
Michael Zink
Jim Spencer
Beth Murphy
Tom Rothschild
Aileen Tien
Patrick Carlson
Patrick Nagle
Mark Lundgren
Ariel Cheung (DNA Info)
Chester Kropidlowski
Terie Kata
Absent:
Marty Wallace
Paul Bauch
Bruce Handler
Nora Handler
Jean O’Neill
Dafna Stempel
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm
Chamber report
No report/not present
44th Ward Report
No report/not present; will be present at September meeting
46th Ward Report
No report/not present; will be present at September meeting
Officers Reports
Jim participated on the committee considering reforms to the Pride Parade. He stated that there was considerable extra security this year. He e-mailed a request for input about how the parade went and received many responses. Approximately 8 of every 10 respondents indicated that they want the parade to stay in its current location.
The Aldermen will continue to meet throughout the year about it, and no decision is expected until next year. Jim expressed hope that the parade may remain for one more year but that if it stays, there will be stricter enforcement of the number of marchers.
Michael noted that he walked in the parade this year for almost the 10th time and that it seemed more subdued and peaceful on the parade route.
Beth says that the aftermath was terrible again.
Terie suggests to shorten the parade, that 4 hours is far too long, > and that the CTA was not alerting bus riders of closures near the parade route. She says that there was only a limited east and west crossing past the parade.
Patrick Nagle says Belmont and Sheffield was historically a hot spot for dangerous behavior, but that it seemed better this year.
Mark says the decision to bifurcate the weekends for celebrations and for the parade was smart, and he did not perceive the aftermath as rowdy as in the past.
Getting ELVN set up as a 501(c)(3) is in the corporate stages and is in the process of being incorporated with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Terie put together the Wrigley Renovation Committee at the LVCC. She encouraged anyone who wishes to come to a meeting or to contact her. The next meeting is 8/27 but the location is not determined yet. The committee meets monthly. Terie made a scorecard of issues. Representatives from the aldermen, Cubs, ELVN and Southport Neighbors have taken part. Some solutions have been achieved. Sound, lights, and street closures still are the main problems not yet resolved. She suggests a press conference regarding the Cubs street closures because the Aldermen’s offices have provided no answers or assistance and have largely directed people to call 311 or 911.
Jackhammers and leaf blowers have been operating all night overnight, and construction begins before 7:00 at times. The message board for night and weekend games is sometimes not at the remote lot. The Cubs anticipate another 4 years of construction if it goes to plan. A recent release by the Cubs says opening dates of streets.
Chester notes that many cars have been running over the concrete slab at Waveland and Sheffield. He also stated that there are typically over 100 shuttle buses park on Irving Park and that it seems to still work well. He notes that cars parked on Clark near Irving Park and on Addison west of Clark were not being ticketed adequately. He will continue to keep us updated on permit issues with CDOT.
CAPS Report
Terie says there have been car break-ins just east of the Jewel on Wayne. There has been no sign of forced entry. Pride Parade issues were discussed as well.
Octoberfest
Patrick, Brian, and Jim met and started reaching out to corporate entities in the community for sponsorships. It will take place October 4. Board members take at least 10 tickets to sell to friends. The prices are $25 presale, $30 at door, and $20 if sell 10. Capacity is 450, so we would like to sell 400. Visit places that you frequent. Try to get at least $100 donations from businesses. There is no particular goal, but it raised $17,000 last year, so perhaps we would like to reach $20,000.
Cubs Report
Heather Way Kitzes reported that the Under Armour All-American game for high school stars is August 15 at 3:05. The estimated attendance is a few thousand.
Concerts are August 27 Billy Joel, August 29 Foo Fighters, September 11 Zach Brown Band, and September 15 AC/DC. Next week there will be an interagency meeting to plan for security, parking, etc. for the concerts.
She had no information about the Sheffield street opening as earlier reported by the Board (and detailed in an e-mail). Beautification initiatives on Sheffield may slow the opening of streets. The Cubs cannot control if TMA workers are not where they are supposed to be. Terie says that early in the bleacher openings those fans were all over the streets and not on the sidewalk. Terie suggests getting a trolley at the blue lot for senior citizens.
New Business
Chester: Gill Park-he is working with the Park District. $500,000 was raised for its renovation. The Park District wants to have a public meeting with our community at Gill Park. It has the necessary money to move forward.
Chester, Beth, and Jim attended the CDDC zoning course. Terie says there will be a meeting on August 12 from 6:30-7:30 at Mystic Celt where developers will advocate for a multitude of rental properties by CTA stations. The concept is called Transit Oriented Development.
Jim says Loukas will come back to our community about a potential development at Dakin and Sheridan and that we may revisit that proposal.
The Park on Addison project is probably delayed again. There may be financing problems.
Next month is the General Meeting.
Patrick Nagle made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Mark, and the motion was approved by acclimation and carries at 7:46 p.m.