WNA Minutes

Wooten Neighborhood Association – September Meeting

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Wooten Neighborhood Association Meeting Summary –  September 2024 

  1. Introductions & Welcome
    1. Sandra, the Wooten Neighborhood Association President, welcomes attendees, both new and familiar, to the meeting.
    2. Attendees introduce themselves, sharing their names, addresses, and how long they’ve lived in the neighborhood.
  1. Neighborhood Association Reports 
    1. Treasurer’s Report – Outgoing Treasurer, Patty, provided a summary of the association’s current financial status. There is currently $25 in savings and $1116.59 in checking. We also have $2,434.52 in the Park account.
      1. Patty emphasized that she needs to roll off and that the treasurer position was not demanding,  encouraging members to volunteer.
    2. Parks Update – Seju, the Parks Chair, discussed the upcoming Parks Day event scheduled for November 2nd. He highlighted the various activities planned for Parks Day, including mulching and weeding. He also discussed a potential pet rock memorial project.
    3. Contact Team Update – The Contact team went over their current zoning cases:
      1. Anderson Square Redevelopment – The team has been negotiating with the developer on the proposed Anderson Square redevelopment project, aiming to ensure the project benefits the neighborhood. Key discussion points include underground parking, park funding, and pedestrian connectivity.
      2. Emerald Tavern Redevelopment – The team previously met with the Emerald Tavern developers, who are seeking a zoning change to eliminate commercial use on the property. The association, however, supports maintaining a commercial component and will continue to advocate for this. An update from the Councilman’s office said that it passed with the commercial component still intact. 
      3.  Polaris Redevelopment – The team is in the early stages of discussions with the developers of the Polaris property. Potential opportunities include partnering with the nearby middle school to create a public park space.
      4. Next meeting to be scheduled shortly. 
      5. A discussion took place on the purpose of the contact team – The Contact Team of the Wooten Neighborhood Association serves as a liaison between the neighborhood and developers proposing projects that could impact the area. The team reviews proposed development plans, negotiates with developers on behalf of the neighborhood, and works to ensure that new projects align with the neighborhood’s goals and vision. Some of the Key things for the contact team, including responsibilities, focus on:
        1. Negotiating with developers on zoning changes and project plans: The Contact Team plays an active role in shaping development projects from an early stage. They have been heavily involved in discussions surrounding the Anderson Square rezoning, advocating for elements such as underground parking, parkland dedication, and shaded sidewalks.
        2. Advocating for neighborhood interests and priorities: The Contact Team ensures that the neighborhood’s concerns and desires are considered during the development process. For example, they have successfully negotiated for financial contributions to the Wooten Park fund from the Anderson Square developers.
        3. Promoting walkability and connectivity: The Contact Team prioritizes maintaining and enhancing the neighborhood’s walkability. They have pushed for features like covered sidewalks, access to the red line, and pedestrian-friendly design elements in new developments.
        4. Working with city officials to address concerns: The Contact Team collaborates with city council members and staff to address neighborhood issues related to development. They raise concerns, provide feedback, and seek solutions that benefit the community.
        5. Keeping the community informed: The Contact Team’s activities  play a role in informing the neighborhood about proposed developments and advocating for their interests in relevant city processes.
  2. Council Member Report
    1. Council Member Chito Vela provided updates on various district-level matters, including:
      1. New Sidewalks: He highlights the progress made on sidewalk construction in District 4, emphasizing the focus on equity and improving amenities in historically underserved neighborhoods.
      2. Anderson Police Shooting: Chito informs the association about a recent police shooting in the area, sharing the information available at the time. He emphasizes the importance of waiting for the release of the video footage before drawing conclusions.
      3. New Police Chief: He introduces the newly appointed police chief and her extensive experience in tackling crime hot spots. He expresses optimism about her ability to address crime concerns in District 4. 
      4. Mental Health Response: Chito discusses the ongoing efforts to improve mental health response times in the city, including the need for 24/7 staffing and resources.
      5. Affordable Housing Project: He shares information about a new affordable housing project on Halfway Drive, highlighting the benefits of community land trusts and their role in preserving affordability.
  3. Election
    1. Patty Colligan stated that she has been treasurer for two years and needs to rotate off. Patty, the outgoing treasurer, emphasizes that the role is not very demanding, stating it is “really not a taxing position” and “not very much” work. She encourages people to consider the position if they are looking for a low-commitment way to get involved with the neighborhood association. Patty discussed the responsibilities of the treasurer, including:
      1. Depositing money in the bank
      2. Signing checks as needed
      3. Maintaining the membership log – This duty is specifically mentioned as part of the sign-in process for the meeting.
      4. Filing taxes annually for the neighborhood association
      5. Updating the Secretary of State when there are membership changes
      6. Managing the PO Box, including picking up mail every few weeks. 
    2. Sandra opened it up for volunteers. Phil Simmons nominated himself to become treasurer. A vote was held and no one opposed the nomination. Phil became our new treasurer. 
  4. New Business
    1. Healthy Streets Initiative – There is potentially an application to have Healthy Streets put in for Villanova, Polaris, and San Carlos streets. The discussion revolves around traffic concerns, the effectiveness of the program, and the potential for unintended consequences.
    2. Traffic Safety & Speeding – The conversation continues with concerns about traffic safety and speeding on various streets, particularly Burell and Fairfield. Council Member Chito again suggests the possibility of a neighborhood-wide study and offers to involve transportation staff in a future meeting to discuss potential solutions.
    3. Upcoming Events & Announcements – WNA is planning to have several events:
      1. A Wootenannie to be planned. More details to come. 
      2. Holiday Events – We plan to do another house decorating contest. Councilman Vela stated he would be a judge. 
      3. Block Party  – WNA would love to see if another Block Party can be hosted again.