Board Members Present: Rich Braziel, Alana Apodaca, Elizabeth Doak, Craig Wallace, Robert Stembridge, & Katy Braziel. Attachment 1
Guests: Jeremy Sment, Terry Apodaca, Jim Duncan, Priscilla Duncan, Maureen Kohn, Dave Kohn, and Ike Benton (Albuquerque City Counselor). Attachment 1
Meeting called to order: 7:02pm
Approval of Minutes: The March 9, 2015 Annual Board Meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
Commissioner Benton Discussion: Jim initiated the discussion by talking about seeing more street people, drug deals and prostitution lately and seeing no patrol cars or bike officers. Commissioner Benton explained that he has been concerned about homeless for many years. The “Coming Home” program has proven to be quite successful but is targeted at a small segment of the homeless population. The City has set aside $1.2 Million plus another $750K for Albuquerque Supportive Housing projects. It also attracts 4 to 1 private funding and supports the local construction industry. Most of the homeless are suffering from mental/behavior health issues and Supportive Housing not only finds people a home but also provides case managers to follow and proactively check to see if people are taking their medications and getting the city services they need. Many of these people now qualify for Medicaid thanks to Obama-Care (The Affordable Care Act) so local residents are not funding the entire cost of the program. We need a centralized triage center to take in people with problems and then get them the help they need. These low-income housing units are located around the facilities that serve them and where there is public transit available. SHNA expressed support for these programs but also pointed that our neighborhood has way more than its share of this housing. We recommended that other neighborhoods also be used for these facilities.
To address the prostitution problem we all agreed that targeting Johns and pimps is more effective. Jim will call Commander Wisonet about stings for Johns & pimps and thank him for having his officers address the drug dealing that was occurring in Roosevelt Park. It worked!
There is a Bernalillo County tax that goes into effect in June and SHNA needs to provide input into the use of these funds. Jim will schedule Maggie Hart Stebbins, County Commissioner, to attend a SHNA board meeting and talk to us about the planned use for this revenue.
Terry talked about speeding cars on Gold and the many accidents that have occurred. Commissioner Benton said that speed bumps are being allowed again but the City doesn’t consider 4 way stop for traffic calming. Jim & Terry will write up a email about the need for a new 4-way stop signs at Buena Vista & Gold and speed bumps along gold.
Katy talked about the $50 mil spent to do Landscaping on Lead & Coal and the fact that it is being damaged and dying from neglect. SHNA is working with Parks and Solid Waste but so far there is little evidence of maintenance working. A lot of plantings have died, and they say they don’t have the money to replace dead ones. Commissioner Bentonsaid he could use some of his discretionary funding for this.
The Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan to improve bus travel on Central by reducing travel time, improve on-time performance, and increase safety/security is being completed. Ike recommended that SHNA provide our input. Jim will invite them to make a presentation at a SHNA board meeting ASAP.
Great American Cleanup: SHNA is going to clean Lead & Coal on Saturday April 25th from 9:00am to noon. Supplies will be at Elizabeth and Katy’s house, 1606 Silver, and coffee will be provided. We need everybody’s help and encourage you to recruit others to help.
Green Waste Pickup: The City will be picking up green waste 5/6 & 5/13. Waste must be bagged and branches cut to 4’ or less and bound. Waste should be at the curb by 7:00 am.
Solar Work Shop: Rich Braziel and Jeremy Sment will prepare a Solar Workshop to be held in mid-June and will be sponsored by SHNA. Topics covered will include tax credits, historic considerations for panel locations, benefits of combining roofing/solar projects, and financial analysis of your investment.
Historic Tax Credit: Katy Braziel & Robert Stembridge will report at next months meeting on a possible Historic Tax Credit Workshop that will be sponsored by SHNA
Treasure’s Report: There are 29 dues paying members. The un-encumbered balance is $1,744.32. Attachedment 2
Zoning:
1924 Silver – Isaac Chavez has informed SHNA that he plans to submit an application to demolish a substandard single car garage and build a two car garage in its place with additional space being provided by extending into his back yard. The Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission will review it on May 13. Attachment 3
2101 Silver Party House – Terry & Alanna reported that the party house will no longer be eligible for party permits. Repeated phone calls to police and the owner seem to have worked. Way to go!!
Meeting adjourned: 8:45 pm