Minutes of the Historic East Urbana Neighborhood Association

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2010 

Café Kaldi, Schnucks, Urbana, IL

Attending: Scott Dossett, Alice Engelbretsen, Tyler Fitch, Marianne Downey, and Chris Stohr, Presiding and Recording.

Meeting came to order at 7:01 p.m.

1.         Victory Park and Tree Sculpture.

            Scott Dossett reported that Randy Hauser, Urbana Park District, will check the dead tulip tree in Victory Park for integrity by topping the tree at 14 feet above ground surface and coring the stump. He will coat the cut with a preservative to protect the stump. HEUNA will await the results before approaching the Urbana Arts Commission to propose a presentation about the tree sculpture. Stohr sent an email to Carlton Mills at the Baha’i Temple mentioning that the HEUNA is considering holding a spring garage sale benefit for the tree sculpture.

2.         Urbana Park District Pool Referendum.

            Tyler Fitch and Scott Dossett described activities of the Friends of Urbana Parks to promote the passage of a referendum on the April 5, 2011 ballot for the Urbana Park District Urbana Park District. Tyler explained that the language of the referendum, because of tax cap legislation, will not mention Crystal Lake Outdoor Pool specifically, but rather a rate increase of 11 cents for the Urbana Park District, or about $37 per year on a $100,000 home.  The UPD use the increase to build a new pool in Crystal Lake Park, as well as fund a portion of operations, maintenance and scholarships for children who get free or reduced cost lunches at school. Downey asked if the scholarships covered swim lessons.

Those interested in supporting the referendum should contact Tyler at capnfitch1999@yahoo.com.  You can join, ask for a yard sign, fliers, or donate at http://friendsofurbanapark.com or mail to the Friends of Urbana Parks, PO Box 483, Urbana, IL 61803-0483. 

3.         Snow Removal.

                The Mayor’s Neighborhood Task Force discussed the alternatives to voluntary removal of snow on city sidewalks. The group expressed concern about clearing around commercial businesses, apartments, churches, and ‘safe routes’ for children to walk to school. The Urbana Public Works is estimating the cost for removal which runs about $1000/mile/inch of snow. Marianne Downey thought that there was about 35 miles of sidewalk for the safe routes. Fitch estimated the cost would amount to about $20 per parcel or household. Members thought that a citywide assistance program could include shoveling for handicapped or those unable to clear to their door. Downey will contact Mayor Prussing, UPW and Alderman Dennis Roberts to see what costs might be involved for providing assistance for those who need the additional clearing.

4.                  Malawi Sister City Visit.

Scott Dossett, Dennis Roberts and two Malawans, Charles Kalemba, Chief Exec. Officer of Zomba (as in Mayor), and Mussa Mwale, Director of Administration, have been invited to attend the 55th Sister Cities International Convention March 2-5. Urbana is one of four U.S. Sister Cities to be invited to the conference.

The Malawans will travel to Urbana with Scott and Dennis for a 5 day diplomatic visit March 7-11, 2011. They will tour the city, meet residents, local Malawan ex-patriots, and University of Illinois faculty, students, and staff. Scott is making arrangements for the March 7 – 10 visit, meetings, and events.

Dossett described the construction projects in Zomba funded by the Gates Foundation which are construction of water points (places to obtain potable water), public toilets, and an 'ablution block' at the hospital (includes showers, toilets, urinals, and handwash stations) for family caring for those receiving care at the facility. Engelbretsen and Downey asked if there would be an opportunity for a repeat of the presentations about Malawi and Egypt.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.