Minutes for Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Normal Heights Community Center/Zoom
4649 Hawley Avenue
Attendees:
X = in attendance
| X | Paul Coogan (C) | X | Jim Baross | X* | Scott Kessler (AABA) |
| Allan Harjala (VC) | Dan Soderberg | X | Emilie Colwell | ||
| X | Sami Burrows (S) | X | Greg Stone | X | Jacob Koopman |
| X | Frances Prichett (T) | X | Nancy Lawler |
*Denotes Virtual Attendance
Paul called the meeting to order at 6:06 and read the opening reflection. Then Paul gave a brief overview of the meeting procedure.
Board introduced themselves along with their favorite class and teacher.
Community Attendees
9 zoom participants, 13 physical signed in
Approval of previous meeting minutes
June 4th Regular Meeting
Emilie motioned. Jim second with amendment to statement regarding sharing address when telecommuting.
Jim, Paul, Jacob, Emilie, Nancy, Sami approved. Greg and Frances abstained.
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- Dr. Terry Hoskins: announced running for District 9 Councilmember and introduced himself.
- Jim Baross: Published NHCPG flyers available at front. Adams Recreation Group update: in process of developing a community garden in Ward Canyon Park – need an administrator, contact Jim or Paul for helping move the project forward.
- Adrian Salis: No idea where the project stands for in Dimilles, but supports higher density projects in Normal Heights Community along the bus line. Requested for more parking spaces for scooter and motorcycles.
Create new subcommittees based on goals
Jacob advised that based on five goals, community engagement committee should be a standing committee and potentially a temporary one for financing and how to raise funds. Greg advised would like to focus on this one, and have ad hoc committees as needed, as other items are already addressed regularly in our meetings.
Paul asked if we have a motion to create 4 committees. Standing Committees for Community Engagement and Infrastructure. Ad Hoc Committees for Safety & Open Space and Finance.
Jacob motioned. Greg second.
Unanimous approval. Scott abstained.
Vote: Shall the Board endorse the Adams Ave Street Fair?
Paul asked if Board should write a letter to endorse the Adams Ave Street Fair.
Jim motioned. Emilie seconded
Unanimous approval.
Vote: Election of Board Seats for Open Seats
Paul advised that the Board needs to decide if, according to the bylaws, seat one member today or hold a special election and seat two at once. Both scenarios would require 2 months to seat 2 people.
Kenneth Patrick, nominee, gave an introduction to himself and relation to the neighborhood. Jim Baross mentioned Kenneth volunteered and served as secretary for the Recreation Group.
Jim motioned to nominate Kenneth to the Board. Emilie seconded.
Unanimous approval.
Elected Representatives
Sara Al-Agha from District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s office
Roberto Marin spoke on updates in place of Sara. Perception that Councilpresident is not serious about crime, but wanted to make it clear that if there are unsheltered folks causing trouble within the community and do need to be dealt with, they have no tolerance for folks breaking the law. Council office is instructed to fill out GetItDone by the mayor’s office. Reason why Sean voted no on the encampment ban wasn’t because he didn’t support something like that; the specifics were too grave for our communities in District 9 particularly Normal Heights near a lot of canyons and with fire threats. Encouraged citizens to submit GetItDone Reports and forward along to Sara so they can elevate. Sean attended Taste of Adams and went to several different businesses and was able to converse with constituents and hear their concerns.
- Nancy Lawler: submitted homeless encampment with fire safety concerns on GetItDone Request, but was informed that it was not city land and had to go to CalTrans. Jacob further expressed concerns regarding the submission process.
- Roberto: submit directly to CalTrans instead of GetItDone for expedited requests. GetItDone will forward requests, but it’s a delayed process. Paul asked Roberto to submit the link to Paul to share on the website.
Sara Jacobs District 51 U.S. Congressmember
Sara provided updates on what is happening in Washington, D.C. Currently in the middle of the FY2025 Appropriations Process. Submitted 15 projects as community project funding with 13 accepted by the Appropriations Committee–focus on kids & families, infrastructure improvements, veterans, homelessness. Last year was able to get all community project funding projects funded in 2024, ~16-17 projects. Michaela can send the full list to anyone who is interested in seeing 2024 projects.
National Defense Authorization Act – bill that sets all the authority and rules for Department of Defense and funding levels that then the Appropriations Committee uses. Passed the House version and working with Senate on final version. Had a bipartisan commission working on military life on the Committee of this year and able to get really big expansions on military housing, military childcare and IVR covered under tricare.
Working on bipartisan legislation with Senators Manchin and Murphy to extend school districts funding deadlines to help students experience homelessness. Also working with them on Government-wide approach to addressing family and child homelessness.
Also introduced new legislation based on experience with FEMA response related to local floods. It took local governments a long time to clear national disaster declaration, so legislation is to help address that.
Lastly, introduced new legislation to hold student loan servicers accountable and ensure they are not doing things that can negatively impact consumers.
Sara answered some community questions and provided thoughts on some of the recent Supreme Court decisions. For full discussion, review Zoom recording.
- Paul: Normal Heights Community observed deterioration of urban canopy. Mayor advised USDA providing San Diego with 8,000 trees–how does Normal Heights ensure we get some of the trees, Michaela will follow up on the best way to get in contact, but likely best is through the city.
[Bio Break]
Timekeeper, Parker, called meeting back to order at 7:16.
Adams Avenue Business Association
Scott Kessler – Successful Taste of Adams; sold out for 10th year in a row, ~1100 people. AABA in conjunction with UCSD received a $20,000 grant to work on the alley project. Street fair is September 21st and 22nd.
El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association
Gary Weber – No update.
NH Community Association & NH Urban Arts
Greg – Summer community bike ride July 13th at 9AM starting from Ward Canyon Park, with potential ice cream stop.
Adams Community Recreation Advisory Group
Nancy Lawler – Request for more participants to join meetings. Walk through at mock building and recovered some boxes from the storefront. Still some encampments and have submitted GetItDone reports to city. Some weed removal helped improve the area. Movies in the Park (one movie) will take place later this summer. Community camp also sold out.
Jim updated that demolition of mock building should take place by end of summer and ficus tree should remain intact.
Normal Heights for Smart Growth Poll & Community Garden
Paul – community garden is in progress with the rec team and city. Site plan submitted the city and available to view on the table. Pushing the city to get key turnover by end of summer for citizens to build community garden.
Board will likely adapt Rosenbergs versus Robert Rules of Orders once bylaws are finalized. Paul will also put on agenda to vote on adapting Rosenberg’s. Jacob and Paul decided to work together on presentation to help educate community on methodologies.
Treasurer’s Report
Frances reported that balance remained same, $332.46.
Emilie updated that the deadline to submit reimbursables was June 30th, so now in fiscal reimbursable for the new year. Must submit a catalog of items bought and send a reimbursement check.
Chair report
Emilie attended the CPC meeting. Jim will provide a previous board submission to Paul to circulate and help consolidate for the future.
CPC meeting recap from Emilie
- CIP survey is now open through August: wishlist of improvements in the neighborhood and will distribute to the appropriate department–first step to getting on the unfunded list to then get on funded list
- Website: Emilie will share link after meeting to Board
- Presentation about short-term rental properties, closing loopholes for permit submission
- Discussion on changing level of process, CIP projects within environmentally sensitive lands
Mid City Community Plan Update Joint Committee
First meeting for Mid City Community Plan Update – biggest action, published the Mid City Atlas. Accepting comments until October, to then take those comments to help build the draft community plan. It’s posted on the city website. Some fun key takeaway facts: 54% of Normal Heights is composed of multi-family units, the majority of homes built before 1945. Normal Heights on the top for being highly walkable and identified as an area experiencing significant change. 9% population decline in the whole Mid City area from 2020 to now. Median home price is up 340% since the year 2000. Last time they updated the plan in 1998, the whole area was down-zoned.
Historic Review
Dan – Not present, no update.
Nominating committee
Jim was term limited out after serving 8 years, but can no longer participate on the Board after this meeting. Additionally, a community member was advised to coordinate with the Board on when they’ll be in town to be added to the agenda for the Board to vote on seating them in one of the open seats.
Undergrounding
Emilie – Close to sending out the property owner’s survey. Will have postcards going out shortly and will have the next update in August. Emilie provided a quick overview of the acorn lamp plans for more context to new meeting attendees.
Traffic issues
Allan – Not present. No update.
Paul advised if anyone would like to know what CIP items are funded to look at the proposed budget.
Jim updated that traffic symbols now have advanced systems to allow walkers to get green prior to vehicles. New law that bikes can proceed on the walk green.
Adjournment
Paul called the meeting to adjournment at 7:49.