Oakcliffe Housing Club – Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting Minutes: Thursday, June 14, 2012

 

Attendance: David Panasiuk (Chair), Michelle Panasiuk (Secretary), John Berkman, Bernardine Swiech, Theresa Sobkiewicz, Pamela Lupinacci, Harry Johnson, Phil Garrow, Franny Monahan, Trevor Smith, Gail Mitchell Hall, Patricia Panasiuk, Bernardine Swiech, Liz Gray, Vince Mach, Jordan Walsh, Moira Quigley, Bryant Andrews-Nino, Candice A. Gonzalez

 

Next meeting: July 11, 2012, 7 – 8:30, Community Human Services, 374 Lawn St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

 

1. Announcements

a. BRYANT – (OPDC) Working on several initiatives that focus on long-term resident and student resident relations. This includes the “trash talk” magnet and other great things that will educate students more on the community of Oakland and lead to more good will between everyone!

b. MICHAEL WURZER (OPDC) – A. Bruk from Engineers for a Sustainable World (Pitt): The team is planning completion of the Oakcliffe Garden rain catchment system Sunday, June 17. The Rain Catchment System should provide 200-300 gallons of water to the gardeners per month with an average Pittsburgh rainfall. As of June 22nd, the project is running a bit behind, but is still in progress. B. OPDC “Love Your Block” volunteer project: What: Landscaping the side, part of the front, and building window boxes; and possibly door knocking around the block to seek new tree requests. When: June 16, 1-5 PM. Where: Corner of Louisa and Semple Streets (opposite side of the fire station on McKee Place, previously the Oakland Senior Center). Why: To fulfill the requirements of the City of Pittsburgh “Love Your Block” campaign. How: Volunteers who love outdoor activity, enjoy beautify in green space, and want to enhance their community through easy, visible, and lasting projects, Contact: Brian BPerry@opdc.org or Michael MWurzer@opdc.org for more information. Thank you to all volunteers that participated in this project.

c. MARTI PRISTAS (University of Pittsburgh)- About 6 spaces left in the summer camp program for MIDDLE SCHOOL Boys & Girls Entering Grades 5th through 8th by Fall ’12. Camp is from June 25th—July 26th, 2012 Mon. thru Thurs., 11am to 3:15pm A free* campus-based summer camp for youth from underserved neighborhoods (* $50 Registration Fee per child applies; Reduced rate for additional children in family.) For more information contact Martha Pristas MSW, Program Director, Community Leisure-Learn Program, Dept. of Health & Physical Activity, 146 Trees Hall, Pittsburgh , PA. 15261. www.cll.pitt.edu Phone: (412) 648-8278 / Fax: 412-648-7092.

d. CANDICE GONZALEZ (Mayor’s Office) – As of March 19th, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s Neighborhood Initiatives Coordinator. She will provide a Report of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Contact Information: City of Pittsburgh, City County Building, Fifth Floor, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Office: 412.255.2792, Fax: 412.255.2988 candice.gonzalez@pittsburghpa.gov.

e. REBEKKAH RANALLO (OPDC)– Communications Director OPDC A. Next OakWatch (Oakland Code Enforcement Task Force) meeting is next Wednesday, June, 20th at Noon, Forbes Tower, 11th Floor. Lunch Provided. B. – Properties appearing in Housing Court before Judge Ricciardi: featured on the docket is 3109 Forbes Ave. (next to the Blvd of the Allies Bridge) Hearing to be held at 1700 East Carson Street, 3rd Floor. See Schedule for further Property Addresses. Thank you to all that came out, the 3109 Forbes was continued for 45 days. New date will be announced when available. C. – Link to June Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MHDnvp

f. INNOVATION OAKLAND – Thursday, June 14th, 5:00-7:00, Revv Oakland, 122 Meyran Ave. Refeshments Provided: Tour Oakland’s First Tech Incubator Space, Network with fellow OBID members, Hear about exciting plans for Innovation Oakland, the launch of Scenable (Oakland’s mobile app), and more!

g. WHITNEY BOSNYAK (OPDC) – Programming Director at The Corner, 200 Robinson St., The Corner is hosting an exciting summer kick-off event to gather community members together, promote Corner activities, and generally just have a great time. Our kick-off will be held on June 23 from 10am-3pm and will feature a variety of food/art vendors, music, and more.

2. DAVID PANASIUK (OHC) Additional Oakcliffe Announcements:

a. City Pools Open Tomorrow June 14. City of Pittsburgh residents (proof of residency required) $60 – family of four, $10 – each additional family member, $30 – adult (16 years and older), $15 – youth (3 – 15 years old), free – child (2 and under). One Session Pass: $3 for children ages 3 – 15 and $4 for individuals 16 and older.

b. Swim Teams- All pools for children and teens 6 to 18 years old. Join your local swim team, head off to compete against teams from other Citiparks pools throughout the summer, then compete at the Championship Swim Meet at Highland Park Pool. Ask the head lifeguard at your local pool how to become a member of a swim team. :: Practice: Mondays – Fridays, June 18 – August 3, Noon – 12:45 p.m.

c. Lessons – Infant/Preschool Swimming Lessons for children 18 months – 5 years old. Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, Moore, Phillips, Schenley and Westwood. Join your youngster in the pool for five, fun half-hour classes. Your child will learn water entry, kicks, glides, arm movements and water play. Please note: Parents must participate in the water. :: Saturdays, June 23 – July 21. Noon – 12:30 p.m. $10 fee for 5 classes.

d. Children’s Learn-to-Swim All pools for children 6 – 15 years old. Enroll your child in 10 swimming classes this summer. Your youngster learns basic water skills while focusing on water safety. Two-week sessions. Monday – Friday, 11 – 11:45 a.m. $20 fee/session, Session 1 – June 25 – July 6, Session 2 – July 9 – 20, Session 3 – July 23 – August 3.

e. Adult’s Learn-to-Swim for individuals 16 and older. Ammon, Highland, Moore, Ormsby, Riverview, Schenley and Sheraden. Any age is the perfect age to learn to swim! Overcome your fear of the water and gain basic water skills by registering for an adults-only class. Saturdays: June 23 – July 21, 11:00-11:45 a.m., $10 fee for 5 classes.

f. Free Learn-to-Swim Camp for children 6 – 15 years old. Ammon, Bloomfield and Ormsby, Homewood and Sue Murray. Certified lifeguards teach swimming and general safety practices in and around the water. Your child receives 10 free lessons during a two-week period. Instructors teach two separate classes each weekday: Mondays through Fridays, 10 – 10:45 a.m., and Mondays through Fridays, 11 – 11:45 a.m. Please note: Due to limited class size, applicants can enroll in only one session. Pool tags are not required for the free Learn-to-Swim camp. For Information: 412-323-7928 :: Two-week sessions: Session 1 – June 25 – July 6, Session 2 – July 9 – 20.

g. Bob O’Connor Summer Tennis Classic: Dates: June 16-24, 2012, Locations: Schenley Park Tennis Center and Stanton Avenue Courts, Highland Park. Fees: $10 singles; $15 doubles.

h. 2012 Summer Tennis Camp for children 4 – 17 years old. This program features a game-based approach and is led by coaches certified in PTR Junior Development. These young tennis enthusiasts also learn about other important aspects of playing tennis, including social skills and sportsmanship. All skill levels—beginner to tournament player—are welcome, and players who register for a week receive a USTA JTT t-shirt! Dates: One-week sessions: Mondays – Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – Noon (Tiny Tots 9-10 a.m. only) Week 1: June 18 – 22, 2: June 25 – 29, 3: July 2-6 (no camp on July 4), 4: July 9 – 13, 5: July 16 – 20, 6: July 23 – 27, 7: July 30 – August 3, 8: August 6 – 10 Location: Schenley Park Tennis Center, Overlook Drive Fees: Juniors – $120/week or $30/day; Tiny Tots – $50/week or $12/day.

i. Citiparks Summer Magazine: 62-Pages Click link to view: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/assets/12-summer-magazine.pdf

j. Senior Lunches at City Senior Centers Monday through Friday, at 15 senior centers throughout the City, those ages 60+ can enjoy a nutritious and satisfying meal with Citiparks. The meals are provided through a partnership with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging. In order to have lunch at the senior centers, please pre-register by noon the day before going to the center. Lunches are usually served at noon, but please contact your center directly for more information. Program Office: 412-422-6401 5344 Second Ave.

k. Job fair: Your input is needed Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle and State Rep. Jake Wheatley will be sponsoring an employment and resource fair on Oct. 13 at Point Park University’s Student Activities Center. To best serve the community, we need to know what the employment needs of community members are and what resources would be most useful to you. Please help by answering their survey. http://bit.ly/MSeKvj

l. CHS Playground – The CHS playground will not be opening for the community this summer. The playground is no longer property of CHS and they apologize for the miscommunication.

m. THANK YOU FROM PITTSBURGH CARES: Hi all, I wanted to send out a sincere and BIG THANK YOU for hosting our Pittsburgh Promise volunteers last week! Thursday we had a little over 700 volunteers show up, give back, and have a great time volunteering! Friday we only ended up having a little over 40 volunteers, but they were all so full of energy! I appreciate you opening your doors to these young volunteers and showing them how good it feels to give back to the community that invested in them. Again, that you so much for all that you do! I look forward to working with you again in the future! In service, Holly M. McGraw, Pittsburgh Cares, Director of Youth Programs.

3. Agenda Items

a. University of Pittsburgh Performance Collaborative “Romeo & Juliet” Production: Jordan Matthew Walsh (Director) and Moira Quigley (actor) discussed their upcoming production on the streets of the Oakcliffe Neighborhood. Early in the month the circulated a letter to residents with homes in the vicinity of the production; Ophelia St., Hamlet St., Craft Pl., Joe Hammer Sq., and Kennett Sq. They explained that this is the first time they’ve done a production of this type and it has been a learning experience. They will be operating under busking or street performance guidelines of the City of Pittsburgh and apologize for putting the letters in mailboxes. They are going to encourage attendees to walk or use public transportation if possible. Residents in attendance thanked them for presenting at the meeting and for the letters. If you would like to attend their performances there is a special viewing for Oakcliffe residents on July 3rd at 8PM. Email uppcollaborative@gmail.com with your name, telephone number and number attending. Other performances are July 5-7 and July 12-14. For more information, please contact the Jordan jmatthewwalsh@gmail.com , 412-841-4516 or Moira moiraquig@gmail.com, 215-219-3856.

b. City Councilman Lavelle’s Mobile Office – Executive Assistant Harry Johnson was in representation of Councilman Lavelle this week. The Councilman will be briefed on all information brought before him. Councilman Lavelle’s office encourages everyone to fill out the surveys for the job fair. Councilman Lavelle will be available next month before our monthly meeting from 6pm-7pm.

c. Residential Permit Parking Recertification Meeting. There was a slim turnout, however, topics were covered such as extended hours, increased patrol, increased revenue through changes in renewal dates and more. Residents will receive information regarding changes for approval from the Department of City Planning when it is available. Regarding Lawn St. Extension of the area, petitions and surveys will not be available until August. Just hang in there and we will keep you updated.

d. Niagara Playground tour with Mayor’s Representative Candice Gonzalez Following the meeting, we took a tour of the Niagara Playground with Candice Gonzalez, the Mayor’s Neighborhood Initiatives Coordinator. We identified problems with the landscaping maintenance, broken equipment and graffiti. Thank you goes out the Candice and the DPW for coming out the next day and cleaning everything up. Broken equipment pieces have been ordered and will be installed as soon as they are available.

e. “Love Your Block” 2012 Application. David & Michelle Panasiuk submitted a Love Your Block grant application to purchase blue recycle trash cans with lids for the neighborhood. Neighbors will be solicited to accept a free can and volunteers will secure lids to the cans, stencil house numbers and distribute. If we receive this grant we will present this project to the Oakland Task Force in the hopes of secure a couple matching grants. Our goal is $4000 by August. We will also work with partner organizations, such as Black and Gold goes green, the organization responsible for the bags that were distributed last month. Our hope is to raise awareness for recycling in our neighborhood and raising our responsibility level above the 70% mark targeted by the city. If you would like to be a part of this project, please contact Dave or Michelle at OakcliffeHousingClub@gmail.com / 412-246-1619 or Liz Gray lizabethgray@gmail.com, the project leaders.

4. Action Items

a. We will be working on a Priority list of neighborhood needs for your approval. This action list will be updated on a monthly basis and copied to Councilman Lavelle’s Office, Mayor Ravenstahl’s Office and State Rep. Wheatley Office. Items will be removed as they are accomplished or resolved.

See You at the Next Meeting and don’t forget to bring a neighbor!!!!