July 2021 Meeting Minutes

Attendees:

• 4 execs – Mark Keller, president; Tracy Kraft 2^nd VP; Holly Diflora Treasurer’ Heath MacAlpine, Membership Secretary
• 13 neighbors in-person, some on Zoom (although we experienced technical difficulties)
• Guests: Daryl Fairchild and Shenise Turner-Schloss, both candidates running for City Council

Call to order: 7:05 pm, Hope Lutheran Church downstairs dining room.

Crime Report:

Officer Bunch reported on his interactions with Fred Allen, owner of two long-time nuisance properties. Mr. Allen has agreed to work to keep crimes/drugs/prostitution out of 10 Adams and 57 Vine. Progress has been made ridding 32 and 34 Morton of squatters dealing/doing drugs. Both houses are abandoned and have been abated but continue to require policing. South Park neighbors reported 13 property crimes in July (thievery from cars and residences). One neighbor on the 100 block of Bonner, Tony Crouch Jr., has a warrant for his arrest and marshals are looking for him. Officers, City Workers and Social workers cleaned up/dispersed the homeless camp beside the Wayne Ave 35 overpass (inside a now-closed tunnel that used to lead to the Boys&Girls Club that is now a Smart charter school). All the homeless were offered aid and housing; all declined.  Lastly, Officer Bunch reminded everyone that the police often use unmarked vehicles to observe some types of crime, not just police cruisers to patrol the neighborhood which is getting good coverage.

Anti-crime chair Tracy Kraft reminded everyone to be active and call the police to report alarming or suspicious activity on or near your property. Remaining passive or posting on Facebook doesn’t resolve the problem or get a stranger help if they need it, and it doesn’t prevent a stranger from trespassing or stealing if that is their intent. Tracy is happy to track neighborhood crime and make sure Officer Bunch is aware of areas of concern, but please call the police, not Tracy, when you feel alarmed by something that looks like a neighborhood safety issue.

 Minutes from the June 2021 meeting were approved.

 Committee Reports:

Housing + Development: Chair Mark Keller reminds us: Always get a Certificate of Appropriateness for work on the exterior of your historic home. If you see someone working on a house without a permit in the window, ask them if they are aware of the rules and direct them to the City Landmark Commission, Holly Hornbeak 937-333-4271. Neighbors expressed frustration at the City’s refusal to sell the abandoned properties they control (628 Hickory, 319 Wyoming) when buyers want to purchase and renovate them. Because there is no one currently employed by Dayton who knows how to cut through the red tape and sell such properties hundreds of such houses are languishing around the City. Members asked HSPI to push the City to resolve this bureaucratic muddle before the houses are beyond repair.

 Neighbors expressed concern about the recent purchase of the Crown Plaza and the announcement that it will be converted into permanent housing for veterans and the impact, good or bad, that may have for downtown and downtown neighborhoods like South Park. Daryl Fairchild, City Commissioner, told us the new owners will have to apply for a zoning variance and once that happens there will be public hearings. The City wants a use compatible with Levitt Pavilion and The Convention Center immediately next door. It has happened in other cities that once the city changes the zoning, the owner changes/withdraws its plans. So it is something to keep an eye on.

Parks: The committee submitted its progress report to Keep Montgomery County Beautiful to let them know how we spent the $1000 grant they awarded us this spring. Parks also submitted its application for a City of Dayton Mini-Grant in the amount of $4600 for Parks improvement; the awards will be given out in August.

Social:  The first Porch, Patio and Deck party on July 17 was a success. We expected 40 but about 70 people attended. Many neighbors joined or renewed their HSPI memberships. The event generated over $600. Thank you to the Pizza Factory for donating 14 pizzas. The next PPD is set for August 7 at 326 Park Drive.

Marketing/Communications:  The committee is researching the possible purchase of a Chrome book and a webcam in response to neighbors’ requests to continue to offer online attendance to HSPI meetings. It would cost around $600, but plans are still being made for who will keep/maintain/run the equipment. Marketing plans to help Shakespeare in South Park promote its play, The Importance of Being Earnest to run in September.

President’s Report:  Officer elections will be held in November this year after skipping last year.

Treasurer’s Report:  For the month of June 2021: Opening balance of $11,827.87. Income $89.94. Expenses $599.28. Ending balance $11,318.53. (See full report below)

Membership Report: HSPI gained 23 new/renewing members this month. We are closing in on 200 members total and have brought in $1,925 in dues to date.

 New business/Unfinished business:

None.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Margie Harrell is willing to pick up dead stray cats and dogs and bury them if neighbors ask. Calling the City to dispose of them via the Dayton Delivers app is also an option.

 Meeting adjourned, 7:50 PM. There will be no August meeting. The next is September 28.

HISTORIC SOUTH PARK, INC. Treasurer’s Report – June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021

Opening balance  $11,827.87

Income                

• Membership dues $88.74
• Interest  $1.20

Total Income  $89.94

Expenses              

• Dog waste bags $144.83
• Landscaping (topsoil) $400.00
• T-shirt sale cost $53.45
• Bank fees $1.00

Total Expenses   $599.28

Ending balance  $11,318.53

     Respectfully submitted, Holly E. Di Flora, Treasurer

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