by Laurie Daley on October 22nd, 2007 at 10:37 am cst
ASNA Meeting Minutes, 10-09-07
Meeting location: Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 West Foster Avenue
Present: Chris Bayard, Alaina Carroll, Laurie Daley, Jennifer Felker (Buchko), Gary Forell, John Gavin, Melissa Goldenman, Art Gregg, Doug Jackson, June Kinard, Frances Krueger-Jackson, Camilla Krueger, Kathleen Leszczynski, Jennifer Owen-O’Quill, Lisa Ragucci, Katie Robinson, Lisa Spiegler, Noel Suarez, Linda Wallace, Sara Wetzel
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Chris Bayard.
Treasurer’s Report
Gary presented the updated treasurer’s report, which indicated $595 in additions to the General Fund ($120 in memberships, $475 in donations), as well as $260 in expenditures ($25 for Starbuck’s cards to welcome new residents, $235 for insurance for Howl-o-Ween). These amounts brought the new balances to $2,889.12 for the General Fund and $1,726.30 for the Landscaping Fund.
311 Representatives
Two City of Chicago 311 representatives attended the meeting. Phillip Hampton, Director of 311 City Services, provided background on the 311 program, as well as answered questions from those in attendance regarding the program. Mr. Hampton indicated that the 311 program is a 24/7 call center handling police non-emergency situations and providing access to City information. It is an automated system with the shortest wait time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (off-peak times) for service requests. The 311 system is also used to evaluate around forty city departments with the data collected from service requests.
Jeff Singer from 311 City Services added that the Internet is an alternate way to make service requests such as those for pothole repair, tree trimming, and burnt out street lights. Use the City website, www.cityofchicago.org, and click on the – request City services link. The database, according to Mr. Singer, is linked between departments, i.e. 311-alderman’s office-ward streets and sanitation office. Call 311 regarding street issues such as bumps and patches, as well as trees blocking street signs or lights (even if it is not on your property). In addition, one can access geocoded information such as determining their ward, police district, and school information, by giving their address to an operator.
Linda Wallace commented that whenever she used the 311 system, there was virtually no wait, and the operators were courteous and efficient. Questions from meeting attendees included the following:
Q. When do I call 311 or someone else?
A. Whenever it is a non-emergency (non-threatening) situation, call 311; otherwise, if it requires a police officer, call 911.
Q. If there is a non-emergency vehicular accident and I called 311, would I be routed to the appropriate department?
A. Yes, a 311 operator would be able to do that.
Q. Are there any services that we might not be aware of that 311 provides?
A. 311 deals with other services such as building code violations; the Department of Public Health issues (if you get sick at a restaurant); the Department of Business Affairs/Licensing; youth services; and job training, just to name a few.
CAPS Representative
Marty Cook, the 20th District (5400 North Lincoln Avenue) CAPS representative, indicated that CAPS first and foremost stands for community, and that maintaining an open line of communication with CAPS will make one’s community a better and safer place. Mr. Cook indicated that CAPS provides such services as dog ID chipping; greening/gardening assistance; and weekly senior meetings to address crime trend awareness topics. Most importantly, attending CAPS meetings (held every other month) provides direct access to one’s beat cops. To determine when and where one’s CAPS meeting will be held, use the City of Chicago website (above) and click on the appropriate link, then plug in your address. A call to 311 can also provide one with their beat number, as well as information regarding their CAPS meetings. Questions from meeting attendees included the following:
Q. Are CAPS minutes posted?
A. No, but any issue brought up at a meeting will be addressed at the next meeting with an update on any action that the Chicago Police Department has taken with regard to that issue.
Q. Can you call to report graffiti on someone else’s property, or does the owner of that property have to call?
A. Anyone can call, even if the problem is not on their own property.
Q. Can we have an update as to the stop signs ASNA had previously requested?
A. The alderman’s office will address that.
Q. Is it possible to get a phone tree with City, ward, and community numbers?
A. CAPS can provide ASNA with packets regarding communication.
Q. Are you suggesting that we keep our porch lights on all night? (This was in response to a comment Mr. Cook made about dispensing low-wattage bulbs throughout one’s neighborhood if worried about crime after dark.)
A. Yes, they are low-wattage bulbs and burn for a long time.
Aldermanic Representative
Lisa from Alderman Schulter’s office indicated that she is the supervisor of Winnemac Park and is overseeing the playlot renovation there, which she hopes will be done by the end of this year. She indicated that the alderman asked for our ward to receive the blue cart program due to it being the highest recycling ward in the City. A few residents indicated that the blue cart fills up quickly so perhaps we could get weekly, rather than bi-weekly, pick-ups. Kathy Leszczynski indicated that one can call 311 to request an additional blue cart. Questions from meeting attendees included the following:
Q. If one’s blue cart is full, can we put recyclables in a blue bag and put the bag in our garbage can?
A. No, put the blue bag next to your blue cart.
Q. Can you provide a status as to the stop signs ASNA has requested?
A. I’ll check on it.
Q. Could you provide the outcome of the survey conducted regarding the Winona-Paulina stop sign versus speed bumps?
A. I’ll check on it.
Q. Have you found that permit parking south of Lawrence Avenue pushes Metra parkers into our neighborhood?
A. I’ll check on it.
Q. What about the stop sign requested at Winnemac and Damen Avenues?
A. I’ll check on it.
Q. What if there is a tree in the alley that is bending into the power lines?
A. 311 will put in a service request to have it trimmed.
Q. Could you also check on the status of the Ravenswood-Carmen stop sign?
A. I’ll check on it.
Q. What about the speed bumps scheduled for the north-south alley between Winona and Carmen just east of Ravenswood.
A. I’ll check on it.
Lisa indicated that she will send responses to questions requiring further investigation to Chris Bayard who will post them on the ASNA website and e-mail them to those on the ASNA members list.
Other Business
Chris suggested that we do the lightbulb – walk before Halloween. Linda indicated that Howl-o-Ween will take place on Saturday, October 27, and that she could use some volunteers to help set up that day.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.. The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at Pat and Laurie Daley’s home, 1716 West Winnemac Avenue.
–Laurie Daley
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