HSPI General Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, Hope Lutheran Church, 7-8pm
President Mark Manovich called the meeting to order and attendees introduced themselves. Mark invited everyone to stay after adjournment for an informal “mini-social.”
Minutes from the September member meeting were approved without correction.
Anti-crime/Community Police Officer Report: No report this month.
President’s Report
The Wayne Avenue Traffic Safety Coalition (WATSC) is a group of South Park area retail and service businesses, organizations and citizens affected by the dangerous traffic situation on Wayne Avenue between Wyoming and Hwy 35. They are working with the City of Dayton traffic engineers and planners on traffic calming street design techniques to save lives and bring prosperity to the businesses along our historically pedestrian-oriented stretch of Wayne.
Per WATSC, the City is considering dropping the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph and making this area a business district, so HSPI is hopeful. WATSC leaders are currently meeting with the City every month.
Emerson Academy and Hickory Street Traffic
Neighbors report continued gridlock of traffic on Hickory Street during Emerson’s student drop off/pickup times. Even with guards helping, traffic to/from Emerson is still causing issues.The City of Dayton has agreed to move forward with Emerson’s proposed plan to modify the turnaround on Buckeye Street for parents to pickup/drop off students, keeping traffic off Hickory. We look forward to a formal agreement and a timeline from Emerson Academy’s people.
Sonoco Mediation
HSPI leadership along with business owners and organizations in the Twin Towers neighborhood continue to work with a Dayton Police team formed to clear up crime in and around the Sunoco at Wayne & Keowee, and we would like to ask Sunoco to increase its security measures. Our group has asked for a Mediation session with the Sunocos owner and with Target Dayton Ministries to see if they can understand and assist with our anti-crime efforts. However, Sunocos owner has been out of the country for an extended period, so no date yet for mediation.
Treasurer’s Report
The balance is our treasury is $10,165. We raised about $320 from the Moeller Brew Barn fundraiser. Expenses have been paid for Shakespeare in South Park and the South Park Community Garden now at Burns Jackson Park. Our final City of Dayton Mini-grant report (written to fund the building of the new community garden) has been submitted to the City so HSPI can be reimbursed for that cash outlay.
Upcoming events
The Halloween Weenie Roast and Costume Parade Oct. 31 at Blommel Park 5-6pm.
Euchre Tournament – Nov. 11th at a private residence, to be announced.
Christmas Cocktails – Dec. 15th at a private residence, to be announced.
Cookie Exchange & Santa – Sunday, Dec. 17th, 3-5pm at Hope Lutheran at Hope Lutheran Church.
Nominations for three HSPI 2024-2025 Officer Positions
We will vote at the next meeting, November 28th
- President – Mark Manovich
- 2nd VP – Sarah Dugan
- Treasurer – Galen Wilson
Committee Reports
Parks will be removing leaves from the Gazebo, Alberta/Park and Adams Park gardens Nov. 13th-20th and start outdoor holiday decorating in mid-November.
Housing & Development attended a City of Dayton Public Planning Meeting regarding the City’s application for a large HUD grant to develop the proposed Flight Line Project. Part of the grant proposal asks for money to re-evaluate theDayton zoning code. HSPI leadership is concerned about some of the changes, and will be watching the matter closely. Please email the Chair of Housing at [email protected] if you are interested in submitting a comment to the City of Dayton directly – deadline is November 1, 2023.
New Business
Historic House Plaques
Heath MacAlpine has an estimate for the plaques, but there is still an engraving issue. He expects the plaques to cost in the range of $220-$300 each. He’ll keep researching this.
Announcements
Our Dayton Community Engagement person, Martha Rodriguez, invited South Parkers to attend the New Americans Art Exhibit Open House Reception Saturday, Nov. 4th from 11am-2pm at Main Library. Enjoy musical and dance performances and light refreshments while meeting artists from around the world now calling Dayton home. The exhibit runs Nov. 1-December 31 and is free and open to the public.
Meeting adjourned at 7:44pm.