Meeting Notes
April 9, 2018
Facilitator: Judy Hay
We need your support! If you or your neighborhood group is willing to provide refreshments for future meetings, please send us an email at nbn6leadershipteam@gmail.com. Thanks!
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Discussion notes are “coded” in the following way:
Q = Question
A = Answer
C = Comment
R = Response
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1. Introductions
2. Crime Prevention Reports
Genesee Section (Upper Mt. Hope, Lilac/Azalea, South Wedge):
Crime in the area over the last 30 days:
- One domestic call
Goodman Section (Highland Park, Swillburg, Lilac/Azalea, South Wedge):
Officer Sammy Drayton has been temporarily reassigned.
Crime in the area over the last 30 days:
- There were 10 larcenies (5 car larcenies, only 2 of them were break-ins)
- Patient thefts at Highland Hospital have increased (jewelry and phone and charger). If you have family or friends going to the hospital, please remind her/him to leave all jewelry etc. at home.
- Gold St. package theft occurred
- 300 block Benton burglary while house unattended for several days
Central Section (South Wedge):
Crime in the area over the last 30 days:
- 5 car larcenies, only 2 were break-ins
- Stolen phone from purse in a bar
- Stolen vehicle at Southview Towers
3. UR Office of Public Safety’s expansion of jurisdictional boundaries – Captain Tony McMullen and Mark Fischer
Discussion with Chief Fisher of UR Public Safety of the transition to UR armed public safety officers patrolling and responding to the public streets adjoining UR campus and properties.
There is a memorandum of understanding being developed between the RPD and URPS setting out the protocol for responses to calls. For example, felonies will have RPD response, non-violent misdemeanors and traffic accidents will be responded to by URPS. The training of the sworn armed public safety officers is comparable to police officer academy training. The primary reason for the expansion of jurisdiction was at the request of UR, to allow them to ensure the free flow of traffic on the roadways adjacent to their UR property and the hospitals, particularly in the case of traffic accidents, which frequently cause traffic delays. They will not be conducting traffic enforcement at this time, but they will focus on cross-walks at Crittenden.
4. 2018 Lilac Festival Plans – Larry Staub, Monroe County Parks Dept
Dates Friday May 11 to Sunday, May 20. Parade is first Saturday, May 12 and Race is Sunday, May 20th.
There are a few new paid events. Lineup includes May 12 wine expo in events tent, comedy event on Wednesday May 16 (Arni Adams), 19th craft beer expo, bloody mary expo on Mother’s Day.
No dogs allowed. Will continue unaccompanied youth policy from last year. Between the hours of 10:30 am and 8:30 pm, young people 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian 21 or older or other responsible adult. One adult can accompany up to 5 youth. An id with photo and birthdate will be required to show age.
Former Cornell Cooperative Extension space continuing to develop pursuant to the Master Plan: adventure playground, 2 casual use (non-rented) shelters, no lighting, gated area after hours.
$150,000 funding is being sought with the assistance of Assemblyman Bronson to move the Frederick Douglas statue to a more prominent area at the corner of Robinson and South, with lighting and a plaza around it. As soon as the State contract is signed the project is ready to go.
5. Proposal for Auxiliary Parking Lot at 36 Gold St. – Tim Lawler, Genesee Park Properties
Discussion of plans to request permission to have an auxiliary parking lot at 36 Gold St, residential looking, with the grass and trees remaining, for 4 cars, a turnaround and a curb cut.
This is intended to provide adequate parking for his rental residents because many on-street spots are occupied by employees of the hospital during the day and he anticipates that if the Lofts are built, his residents will have insufficient parking.
Peter Psyllos is in the process of building a new lot to serve his customers. His residents used to rent spots from Peter Psyllos’ parking lot before it was sold to the developers of the Gold Street Lofts.
6. Gold Street Development Mini-Update
Zoning Board of Appeals allowed height and setback variances requested and tied on vote on parking variance. Because of tie, developer may request of the Zoning Manager, Zina Logonegro, a parking adjustment, or resubmit the request to the Zoning Board of Appeals. They have requested a parking adjustment. So, that decision will be made by Manager Logonegro.
7. Neighborhood Service Center Reports
NBN6 celebrated and thanked Nancy Johns-Price for her long dedication to the area and its residents. Flowers were presented.
Southeast NSC Report provided by Nancy Johns-Price:
- There will be a roll-out of the new Nuisance Abatement Process on April 11 at 5:30 in Council Chamber. This new process is a result of a two year review in response to court decisions finding parts of the previous code unconstitutional.
- The will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28th in the newly renovated Sibley Building, 260 East Main Street. Admission to the event is www.celebratecityliving.com.
- Clean Sweep is coming up on Saturday, May 5th. There’s a limit of 25 projects for the Southeast, so first come first serve for neighborhood projects. Remember, you can do mini clean sweeps anytime throughout the year with a week’s notice. Contact Nancy at nancy.johns-price@cityofrochester.gov.
- Renewal of the Nathaniel Square Park Special Assessment District goes to Council this Month. The district was created to maintain the park through funds collected in a small tax assessment on area properties. See copy of District renewal below.
Southwest NSC Report provided by John McMahon:
- The SW NSC has been working with the new leadership team on Upper Mt. Hope. Along with Phase 2 of college Town, we are taking steps to help them as they address problems that may arise from high density student tenancy. The problems include everything from parking issues (front yard, rear yard, illegal street parking) to illegal uses of buildings (it is not uncommon for property owners to transform attics, basements and even garages into extra bedrooms). We will be working to strengthen our relationship with student housing professionals and work together with UMHNA to ensure the stability of the neighborhood as well as the safety of the tenants.
8. Community Sharing
As a result of $300,000 City budget cuts to the 10 City library branches, Jen’s position at the Frederick Douglas library is being eliminated. She will be moving to the Central Library. City Library branches have sustained other cuts as well.
Continue to visit Frederick Douglass Library webpage for details about this program and all the programs and events happening this month at our neighborhood library.
Reminders announced at last meeting:
A Firehouse Open House is planned for Saturday, May 12 from 10-2pm at the South Ave. Firehouse.
Save the date: On Wed May 2 from 6-8pm at Calvary St. Andrews there will be a Wedding Fair for wedding vendors and prospective brides.
SWPC’s City Love fundraiser is coming up on Sat April 20 from 6:30-9pm at the German House. Event info at www.swpc.org.
South Wedge Farmer’s Market kickoff will be on Thursday, June 7th. The construction on Mt. Hope is over and we will re-build. Stay tuned to www.swpc.org.
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Transmitted herewith for your approval is legislation for renewal of the South Avenue/Alexander Street Open Space Maintenance Special Assessment District surrounding existing open space at 62 Alexander Street (SBL #121.56-2-55, at South Avenue and Alexander Street). This special assessment will finance the cost of maintenance of this property as developed open space.
The assessment reflects annual maintenance costs of $8,900, based on estimates obtained by the South Wedge Area Neighborhood Council (SWANC). The maintenance includes grass cutting, trimming shrubs, watering, weeding, trash pick-up and removal, fall leaf clean-up, lighting, general maintenance, and a reserve to pay for repairs to structures and pavement installed in the open space.
The assessment district includes 256 properties near the site, and is classified into two tiers: 1). The Inner Tier of the district consisting of properties fronting on South Avenue from Comfort Street to Hamilton Street and properties fronting on Alexander Street between South Clinton Avenue and Kirley Alley/Stebbins Street, but excluding the corner parcels at South Clinton Avenue. 2.) The Outer Tier of the district consisting of the remaining properties in the area bounded by Mt. Hope Avenue, Byron Street, South Clinton Avenue, and Hamilton Street, including the parcels on the south side of Hamilton Street and the parcels fronting on South Avenue between Hamilton Street and Averill Avenue.
The annual charges for maintenance of the open space will be apportioned among these properties based upon their assessed values, and also in relation to their proximity to the open space (without consideration for any exemptions):
· The charges for properties within the Inner Tier will be 36 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value while the charges for the Outer Tier will be 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
· The average annual assessment for Inner Tier properties is $59.04.and the average annual assessment for Outer Tier properties is $25.98.
The initial establishment of the district was supported by 42% of the district property owners (25% is required by Code), including 52% of the Inner Ring and 39% of the Outer Ring. The petition containing the request is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
The district will become effective immediately. The term of the district will be 10 years.
The City finds that it would be impracticable to select a maintenance contractor through competitive bidding and designates the South Wedge Area Neighborhood Council to provide the maintenance.
A public hearing concerning the renewal of the district is required.
NBN6 