Community Relations Committee Annual Report
University Area CommissionCommunity Relations CommitteeAnnual Report 2008-2009
*Transition of Chair in November 2008. Report contains information from December 2008 – June 2009
Member Rimar Villasenor (Chair), Grayson Atha, Miles Curtis, Ahmed Ebady, Ian MacConnell, Doreen Uhas-Sauer, Sharon Young
BusinessThe Community Relations Committee was mainly focused on solidifying the district’s identity through the development of neighborhood stability in three major areas: safety, environment, and an overall sense of community. To achieve success in those three areas, the following initiatives were employed throughout the year:
· Drafting of Good Neighborhood Agreement Letter – In consideration of Maynard’s Good Neighborhood Agreement Letter, a similar letter was drafted and made available online for other civic organizations to implement. The purpose of the letter was to not necessarily create a formal contractual agreement, but rather a formal agreement on “good neighborly values”. This was intended on assisting with neighborhood development by creating a sense of community and safety.· Littering Signage – The city was provided the commission with approximately 30 littering signs. After compiling a list of streets - spanning throughout the district with special consideration to areas that tend to have the most litter (i.e. West Lane Ave.) – the littering signs were posted notifying the general public that no littering is allowed and if caught, there would be a fine.· Columbus Underground – The Columbus Underground website, specifically the University District Blog, was utilized by the commission as a “media outlet” or a form of “press release”. · Official naming of “Student Core” (area between Woodruff Ave and 11th Ave, east of High Street) – With one of the more densely populated areas of the district unnamed, a campaign was implemented to rally names for the area. Several names were generated, but none were officially adopted. Discussion is still being made on what the official name should be.· Promotion of Green Guide – After the drafting of the Green Guide, the committee devised several ways to promote the report. Outlets such as Columbus Underground, the Lantern, the UAC Blog, were utilized and are still being worked on. · Funding for Clintonville Area Commission’s Graffiti Initiative – In light of the recent graffiti crimes, the Community Relations Committee decided to assist Commissioner David Southan from the Clintonville Area Commission and his campaign to stop graffiti. The committee assisted in obtaining funds and support for the initiative through other organizations such as Crime Stoppers.· State of the Neighborhood Address – The committee assisted in drafting the presentation that President Ian MacConnell made to council on December 15th· State of the Neighborhood Presentation – The committee created the State of the Neighborhood Presentation that was made on June 8th. Contents included:o Information on the districto Presentation Initiatives that addressed code and safety, environmental impact, and housing and home ownershipso Thanking the city for§ Safe pathways for children to Weinland Park Elementary School§ Olde North Columbus High Street improvements § Community Policing Center, CPD & CCP§ Community Liaisons, Code Enforcement, City Attorney’s Office