2011 Agendas and Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes for November 10, 2011

Those in attendance: B. Bean, C. McGinty, S. McGinty, D. Sandstrom, G. Ashcraft, J. Feldman, E.Fisher, D.Gilman
Guests and visitors: John Musgrave, Brian and Kate Janes, Jeff Martin, Aftyn Giles, Sarah McKean, Cole Wolfson, Pam D’Alessandro, Carmen Koteski

Betsy called the meeting to order at 6:30
Review and approval of minutes from last month were approved
Introduction of guests and visitors

Betsy said there is a UPMC Community Master Plan meeting on November 11th in the West Wing Auditorium of the hospital. They are working on their 25 year plan, much of which deals with the Shadyside campus. They will be discussing options on the 1,000 parking spaces on the former Luna site and the overall traffic on the Baum Center Corridor (BCI).

Councilman’s Updates:
 Council introduced legislation for $10,000 for new lighting.
 $3,000 was approved for the first bike corral in Pittsburgh. It will take up one parking spot and will most likely be in front of Mario’s but that is not confirmed yet.
 Dan mentioned that that the DiDomenico project on Shady Avenue has been postponed a few times. There have been a few neighborhood meetings as well. There is a possibility of taking it from 28 units to 20 units which would then make it all two bedrooms, no one bedrooms.
 New legislation was also passed: Responsible Banking Act which means all banks would need to support their neighborhoods.
 There is another legislation that is pending that is called Franking Legislation. This would limit the amount of mass mailings close to election times.
 Another piece of legislation is the Pittsburgh Stimulus Act. This would be for any new project there would be a tax abatement on a sliding scale for three years. First two years-100%, second two years-90%
 LA Fitness project on Baum and Liberty is now on hold.
 Market District Giant Eagle wants to expand their cafe. They will present their plans in January
 The Bovie House project (behind Fuel On on Summerlea and Ellsworth) is to start in th enext few months.
 The Ellsworth Pedestrian Bridge is to open in December.
 UPMC Master Plan Meeting: November 16th at 6PM in the West Wing Auditorium
 Mellon Park: do you want it to be an on leash or off leash park?
 Lulu Lemon (formerly Pottery Barn) is requesting a variance for a sign. Both the Chamber of Commerce and SAC are not in favor of a larger sign. Letters of opposition were written.

Public Safety: Commander Degler
The Commander stated that theft from auto was again the leading statistic this month. She reminded everyone not to leave anything in plain sight in your vehicle. Always lock your cars! The holidays are approaching and we always see much more theft from auto around this time of year.

Presentations: Jeff Martin from Primrose Homes
Jeff came to explain his plans for a home he purchased on Claybourne Street. He originally intended to rehab this home but ended up needing to tear it down. It will be a certified green home at the silver level of LEED certification. It was originally a single family dwelling. He is building a new single family home with 2 off street parking places. He is requesting a variance for a 3′ set back on each side of the home. He has met with the neighbors and neighbors were at this mtg as well. His hearing is December 8th and it will be 45 days until he gets a decision.

What’s new, what’s old:
Aftyn Giles from the Mayors Office noted a few important dates:
Saturday Yard Debris is November 12th
America Recycle Drive is November 15th
Light Up Night is Friday, November 18th

Meeting adjourned at 7:55

Community Meeting
Monday, December 5, 2011, 6:00 PM, UCP Building, 4638 Centre Ave. (near Neville)
Giant Eagle Market District Proposed Expansion: The Giant Eagle Market District is proposing the following two improvements to the store: a small expansion of the cafe on the Centre Ave. side, and an extension on the western side. Community input is important – especially from residents of nearby streets (Claybourne, S. Graham, Centre). Please attend this community meeting with Giant Eagle and the community to learn more.

4th SHADYSIDE MASTER-PLAN COMMUNITY MEETING

John Innocenti, President, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, invites the neighborhood to attend the 4th community meeting to support development of the Hospital Campus Master Plan for UPMC Shadyside.

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
6:00 p.m.
West Wing Auditorium
UPMC Shadyside

This community meeting will focus on the Shadyside Hospital campus direction, created from input from a variety of sources, in order to obtain further refinement, build community understanding, and general consensus for the Shadyside Hospital campus.

No RSVP is necessary.

BOARD MEETING AGENDA-NOVEMBER 10, 2011
Introduction of guests and visitors
This Month’s trivia question
Review and approval of minutes
News and Notes: What’s the buzz?
Councilman’s Update: Update from Councilman Peduto’s staff
Public Safety Update:Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey
Treasurer’s Update: Vickie Toner
Committee Reports:
Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historic Shadyside
Old Business/New Business:
-Presentation: Proposed Project on Claybourne Street

EAST END FLOODING – FOLLOW-UP MEETINGS
Follow-up meetings on East End flooding – smaller, focused meetings specific to your area have been scheduled by Councilman Peduto’s office as noted below. Note that PWSA (Pittsburgh Water/Sewer Authority) was invited *but they have declined to attend*. The neighborhood meetings will continue without PWSA:

1. Zone 5 – East Liberty/Friendship, 11/1/11 6:30pm Kolano Design, first floor, 6026 Penn Circle South
2. Zone 4 – Point Breeze, 11/10/11 7:30pm St. Bede’s, activity room, 509 South Dallas Avenue, entrance on Willard Street
3. Zone 1 – SHADYSIDE West of Aiken, 11/14/11 7:00pm Winchester Thurston, board room (where SAC meets), 555 Morewood Avenue
4. Zone 2 – SHADYSIDE East of Aiken, 11/16/11 7:00pm Calvary Church, 315 Shady Avenue
5. Zone 3 – Squirrel Hill, 11/22/11 7:00pm Children’s Institute, multi-purpose room, 1405 Shady Avenue

BOARD MEETING AGENDA OCTOBER 13, 2011
The monthly agenda includes a roundup of neighborhood information and brief presentation/s by neighbors or developers regarding upcoming projects. More detail will be provided as it is available.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 AGENDA

Introduction of guests and visitors
Review and approval of minutes
News and Notes: What’s the buzz….
Councilman’s Update: Update from Councilman Peduto’s staff
Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey
House Tour Update: Carol McGinty
Old Business/New Business:
Presentation: 430 Shady Avenue Development – Paul Didomenico

COMMUNITY MEETING – FLOODING ISSUES: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

Thank you to all who attended this important meeting!

From Councilman Peduto and Chief-of-staff Dan Gilman:
Thank you for contacting our office regarding the ongoing flooding issues in the East End . We have been working with residents, community groups, and the PWSA for the past couple of years to address these issues. We have had PWSA in people’s homes and at community meetings working to address these issues. These efforts have been increased since the flooding many of you experienced in July. On Friday, following the storm, the Councilman and I were both immediately out in the community, in people’s basements, and taking tours. Unfortunately, our office has no direct oversight over the PWSA. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and they exist under authorization of the state. Therefore, we can act as a clearinghouse for information and a catalyst for action, but we need help to get it done. In order to make sure the right people hear from the community, we have scheduled a community meeting for Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00 at Winchester Thurston. We will be inviting the Mayor and his staff, PWSA leadership, the PWSA Board, and county and state officials. This will be a chance for all of you to speak directly to the PWSA and a chance for them to talk about a plan of action.

BOARD MEETING AGENDA JULY 2011

Introduction of guests and visitors
This Month’s trivia – Carol McGinty
Review and approval of minutes
News and Notes: What’s the buzz?
Update on 7/14/11 zoning hearing

Councilman’s Update: Update from Councilman Peduto’s staff
Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey
Treasurer’s Update: Vickie Toner
Committee Reports:
Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical Shadyside
Old Business/New Business:
Mike Beck – New owner of the establishment f/k/a Doc’s
Linda Mecurio – Merurio’s liquor license

JUNE 2011 MINUTES

Thursday, May 12, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Betsy Bean called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM

Those in attendance were: Carmelita Portugal, Jessica Feldman, Carol McGinty, Susan McGinty, Vickie Toner, Dorothy Sandstrom, Dennis Downey, Gloria Ashcraft and Dan Gilman

Guests and visitors were: Harry Levine, Jason Lardo, John, Musgrave, Vivian and Rocco DiDomenico

Introductions were made

The minutes from April were approved. May and June’s minutes will be approved at the July meeting.

Councilman’s Updates: Dan Gilman reported that there are many, many streets that are in a sever state of disrepair. There are approximately 500 miles of streets/road in the city with a 0 rating and money to only pave 32 miles. He said people can email dan.gilman@city.pittsburgh.pa.us or call 412.225.2133 and report potholes. There is money to patch some potholes. Dan also spoke of the electrical issues on College, Ellwood, Lehigh, Spahr and surrounding streets in that corridor. Duquesne light is switching these areas to a different grid system and replacing several telephone poles hoping this will rectify these problems.

Public Safety: Dennis Downey
Theft from auto is still the leading statistic among crimes in the Shadyside area. The Police would like to reiterate again to NOT leave anything of value in plain sight in your cars. Dennis reported that Commander Degler was not going to be able to attend this evening. He asked Dan if he could provide a status on the meeting that he and the Commander had with resident Jen Mankoff yesterday at the corner of Walnut and Denniston. Several months back
an armed robbery occurred near Jen’s house that her children witnessed. The “actor” fled in the direction of Bakery square via a nearby alley that is now open to foot traffic. This area is not well lit and at one point area contained a tall fence preventing access to and from the neighborhood. A gate exists closer to the middle school that is unlocked during school hours. A determination needs to be made as to who own the fence closer to Mellon Park and if it can be replaced. Dan will look into this and report at our next meeting..

Dennis also gave an update on a subject that he brought up in April regarding the programs that the Better Business Bureau sponsors twice a year “Safeguard your Identity” Up to 3 boxes of documents are accepted for shredding twice a year. In April this event was held in Greensburg and was heavily endorsed by Westmoreland County. Dennis will continue to follow the program and have information posted on our website and distributed prior to the next shredding event.

Treasurer: Vickie Toner
Vickie will be receiving the checkbook from Brenda and Brenda will be transitioning everything over to Vickie as the new Treasurer. The Executive Committee will meet in the next few weeks to establish a budget for this year.

Membership/Marketing: Susan and Betsy will be meeting in the next week with a plan to reach out to our membership for their dues.

Community Networking: B. Bean
• Betsy reported that LA Fitness is going forward.
• The construction on the Pedestrian Bridge has begun

Aldi’s has run into a few minor issues that has prevented them from starting their development but their plan is to still move forward with their project.
Carol stated that the First Great Shadyside Yard Sale went well not having had a lot of time to prepare for it. Changes will be made to improve and promote the event better next year. The Animal rescue league was the beneficiary. They attended the event and brought several cats that were up for adoption. They also brought several dogs that were also looking for homes. Several animals were adopted that day. This eventwill grow every year.only

New Business:

John Musgrave came to speak on behalf of his tenants on S Highland Avenue concerning noise and parking issues on S. Highland. Mr. Musgrave believes that the addition of Mad Mex is creating problems for his tenants. The Neighborhood Bar Task Force of SAC agreed to meet with Mr. Musgrave, Councilman Peduto and Mad Mex to see if there are a few things that can be done to eliminate a few of their problems.

A few members of the Neighborhood Bar Task Force are going to meet with Linda Mercurio from Mercurio’s Creamery to see what their plans are as far as obtaining a liquor license for their pizza restaurant which is attached to their Creamery.

Betsy stated that Dan Gilman asked if he could list SAC as a supporter of his for the charity of his choice; Cystic Fibrosis. Dan was inducted as one of Pittsburgh’s 50 most influential people under 50. Carol made a motion to support Dan and his charity. Gloria seconded. All were in favor of supporting Dan’s charity.

Presentations:
• Jason Lardo and Harry Levine presented their plans for the Bovie Electric Building which is beside the Fuel On (formerly UniMart). Their plans are to have four retail store fronts (approximately 1,400
sq feet) on the first floor with three additional stories which would be for fifteen 1, 2 and 3 bedroom luxury apartments. They will not exceed the 40’ height that is allowed in that LNC neighborhood. They are proposing having 19 parking spots on Alder; one for every apartment and one for each storefront. A traffic study is being done to see if that is feasible. The SAC Board asked what materials were being used for the exterior and stated that we would need the traffic study report, more details of exactly what the building would look like and for them to flier the neighborhood and hold community meetings with the
neighbors before we would support the project. Mr. Lardo and Mr. Levine agreed to do that. Their hearing is scheduled for July 14th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00PM

Submitted by
Susan McGinty

JUNE 9, 2011 AGENDA

Introduction of guests and visitors

This Month’s trivia –

Review and approval of minutes

News and Notes:

What’s the buzz?

SAC/Chamber Shadyside Yard Sale Review

Councilman’s Update:
Public Safety Update:

Treasurer’s Update:

Committee Reports:

Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical
Shadyside

Update from Councilman Peduto’s staff
Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey

Vickie Toner – review of budget for this fiscal year

Old Business/New Business:

Presentation – Jason Lardo and Harry Levine – Bovie

ANNUAL MEETING 2011 AND MEMBERSHIP DRIVE MINUTES/SUMMARY:

Thursday, May 12, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

This year’s Annual Meeting was held in the Upper School auditorium at Winchester Thurston School at 7PM. Doug Shields and his wife Bridget were the guest speakers and spoke on Marcellus Shale drilling in and around the city.

Carol McGinty announced this year’s slate of Board Members and Officers.

They are:

President: Betsy Bean
V. President: Carol McGinty
Treasurer: Vickie Toner
Secretary: Dorothy Sandstrom

Board Members:

Gloria Ashcraft
Anthony Boule
Dennis Downey
Jessica Feldman
Eric Fisher
Carmen Koteski
Katie Lederman
Paul Stockman

All were voted in for the 2011-2012 year.
A desert reception followed.

ANNUAL MEETING 2011 AND MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AGENDA

Thursday, May 12, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

- Review of the Shadyside Action Coalition
- Election of new Board
- Guest speaker: Councilman Doug Shields; Topic: Marcellus Shale Drilling Initiatives
- Councilman Shields will speak about the impact this drilling will have on our neighbohoods and our region
- Meet Shadyside’s Councilman Bill Peduto
- Meeting is open to the public from all neighborhoods – free of charge
- Refereshments following

APRIL 2011 AGENDA

Introduction of guests and visitors

This Month’s trivia –

Review and approval of February minutes

News and Notes: What’s the buzz?
Pedestrian Bridge Update
SAC/Chamber Shadyside Yard Sale Update
Annual Meeting Guest Speaker Update

Councilman’s Update: Update from Councilman Peduto’s staff

Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey

Treasurer’s Update: Brenda Bestland

Committee Reports:

Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical Shadyside

Old Business/New Business:

New ownership of Pittsburgh Deli presentation

UPMC Presentation – see also next page and attachment

1. Reidbord / Ford Motor Building improvements
2. Lifetime Auto site parking plan update
3. Shadyside Hospital ED Project discussion
4. South Aiken / East Wing Governor’s Drive update
5. Shadyside Hospital Master Plan timeline update

Attached is the UPMC presentation for the April BCI and SAC meetings and, listed below is a summary of the project(s).

• Expand existing Emergency Department to respond to increased demand for emergency treatment from the surrounding community.
• Optimize Emergency care environment for improved patient care efficiencies and safety.
• Reduce traffic congestion and improve safety at Emergency Department entry for visitors and ambulance traffic access.
• Improve patient transfer process, safety, efficiencies and patient experience with Governor’s Drive, East Wing on-site improvements.
• Re-align existing Aiken Parking Garage drive and curb cut entry north for improved traffic access and safety.
• Relocate existing Aiken Parking Garage control gate arms and equipment inward to the deck to create vehicle cueing internal to the deck.
• Create private/dedicated valet access to Aiken Parking Garage to avoid adding traffic onto Aiken Avenue for Emergency Department patient vehicle valet service parking within the Aiken Parking Garage.
• Relocate vital existing services such as Oxygen tank and Peoples Gas utility on-site deep within the campus to maximize internal site emergency vehicle and Emergency Department visitor access and safety.
• Enhance existing landscape conditions along Aiken Avenue related to these on-site improvements.

MARCH 2011 AGENDA

Introduction of guests and visitors
This Month’s trivia –
Review and approval of February minutes
News and Notes: What’s the buzz?
Pedestrian Bridge
SAC/Chamber Shadyside Yard Sale
Annual meeting guest speaker
Councilman’s Update: Councilman Bill Peduto and/or Chief of Staff Dan Gilman
Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey
Treasurer’s Update: Brenda Bestland
Committee Reports:
Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical Shadyside
Old Business/New Business:
Review, discuss and vote, if appropriate, on Giving Back to the Community projects
If appropriate, vote on choices for annual meeting guest speaker, 1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.

2011 PRIOR MEETING AGENDAS AND APPROVED MINUTES:

JANUARY 2011 AGENDA

AGENDA
January 13, 2011

Introduction of guests and visitors
This Month’s trivia –
Review and approval of November’s minutes
News and Notes: What’s the buzz?
Councilman’s Update: Councilman Bill Peduto and/or Chief of Staff Dan Gilman
Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey
Treasurer’s Update: Brenda Bestland
(including Treasurer’s report on income/expenses for Tour/Party)
Website Management: Chris Kouklis
Committee Reports:
Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical Shadyside
New Business: UPMC presentation on ER entrance/exit on S. Aiken
(approximately 7:00pm)
Motheral, Inc. Shady Oak Apts (10 units) on Clyde Street (this replaces previous plan for 6 townhouses) – information attached – (approximately 7:15pm)

JANUARY 2011 MINUTES

Carol McGinty called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM

Those in attendance were: Betsy Bean, Brenda Bestland, Carmelita Portugal, Jessica Feldman, Carol McGinty, Susan McGinty, and Vickie Toner and [Carmen Koteski], [Dorothy Sandstrom], Ruth Garfinkel, Dennis Downey, Chris Kouklis, Vickie Toner, Peggy Ott, Eric Fisher, Lindsay Baxter and Dan Gilman.
Excused absences were: Paul Stockman, Dave Black,
Guests and visitors were: Sam Spatter, Brinton Motheral, Sean Logan, and Roger Altmire

Introductions were made

The minutes from November have not been submitted yet but will be sent out soon.

Councilman’s Updates: Dan Gilman, Chief of Staff to Councilman Peduto
• There was a hearing for the Aldi development on Centre Avenue before the zoning board. Everything is moving forward with their plans
• The Mayor has sent out a document about the snow removal expectations for city residents. This information is available online at http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/pw/html/snow and ice program.html
• Dan reported that this is the first time since he has been involved in City Council that they actually had received compliments on how DPW handled the recent snow.
• Mad Mex is moving forward on S Highland Avenue.
• Wendy’s on Baum went before the Planning Commission for their exterior renovations.
• Bill Peduto introduced an amendment for funding to make significant changes to Mellon Park.
• Dan also stated that Jessica McCurdy who has worked in their office is going back to Grad School. They will be announcing her replacement soon.

Public Safety: Dennis Downey, Public Safety Chair
Dennis reported for Commander Degler that all has been pretty quiet in our neighborhood.

Treasurer: B. Bestland
B. Bestland reported that we have $20,637.17 in our checking account, and $29,462.25 in a CD, and $2,321.11 in a Paypal account for a total of $52,420.53

Membership/Marketing: B. Bestland, Chair
• B. Bestland reported that only one person had sent her their five names of potential people to join SAC. Betsy stated that several people had sent her their names which she was going to compile into one list and send on to Brenda.

Website Development: Chris reported that he and Betsy have been working with our new web developer on our new website which is up and running. Denise DeSimone who had developed our last website has been paying for our website hosting. We just learned that she has still been paying this which has gone undetected because she has many websites that she pays hosting fees for. We will make sure she is reimbursed.

House Tour/Fundraising: C. McGinty, Chair
• Carol reported that the planning for this year’s house tour will begin in the next few weeks with the first committee meeting being scheduled in the next few weeks.

Historic Shadyside: No report

Zoning: B. Bean
• Betsy reported that she met with the developer and adjacent neighbors on S. Negley and Howe about their concerns and that most of their concerns have and are being addressed

Community Networking:
Peggy stated that the Center for the Arts has only one date that would be available for us to hold our Annual Meeting there in May. It is Wednesday, May 11th. A committee has not yet been formed for this event nor has there been any discussion of speakers decided upon yet for this event. Ruth Garfinkel suggested Nancy Polinsky Johnson and Eric Fisher suggested Carl Karlander who is doing a film on the life of Jonas Salk. The Board will let Joy Sato at the Center know our decision to hold it there or not by march 1st.

New Business:

• Sean Logan from UPMC Shadyside Community Relations and Roger Altmire spoke about UPMC enhancing the exterior of the Reidbord Building better known as the Ford Motor Building (which formerly housed Paper mart). Their concept is to do put up large murals along all the first floor windows on Morewood and Center Avenue that would depict the history of the automobile which would tie in with the building itself and would look much better than the way it sits now. The photos on these murals would start around the 1900’s and tell the story of the evolution of the automobile and would wrap from Morewood to Center around the building. UPMC worked with our historic Chair Don Doherty to help them access the photos for these murals.

• UPMC Shadyside is also enlarging their Emergency Department. They will separate the current ED entrance into two entrances. One for walking and one for ambulatory. Other changes will take place in the interior but as part of their Master Community Plan they are meeting with all neighborhood groups that a butt any of their proposed plans for guidance, insight and to address any concerns they may have.

• UPMC Shadyside is putting a Governor’s Drive back into place by the parking garage on S Aiken. This decision was made to better allow for people being dropped off and picked up going to and coming from the Doctor’s offices. Many questions arose about the traffic patterns in an already congested area.

UPMC Shadyside will be hosting a Community Gathering Information Meeting on February 1st in the West Wing of Shadyside Hospital at 6:00PM. This meeting will outline their development process of their Master Plan for the expansion of the Shadyside campus.

Shady Oak Court Apartments: Brinton Motheral and his architect, Michael Holler presented their plan for the Shady Oak Court Apartments on Clyde Street. Currently, most of this property is for parking. They want to maintain the green space that is there now and design their building to have five units in each side separated by a courtyard in the middle. Each unit is 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms. They are not requesting any variances. They will be rental units. No decisions have been made about exterior materials but as soon as they are, Mr. Motheral and Mr. Holler will come back and present their updated plans to us.

Lindsay Baxter from the Mayor’s office asked if anyone would be willing to write a letter to Port Authority addressing the over-crowded Shadyside streets from people coming to our neighborhood to catch a bus because the one in their neighborhood was possibly eliminated and or the fact that people are being passed by waiting for a bus because there are fewer and there is no room.

Betsy announced that the Nominating Committee was formed and is comprised of Carol McGinty, Vickie
Toner and Paul Stockman.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM

Submitted by
Susan McGinty

FEBRUARY 2011 AGENDA

AGENDA-FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Introduction of guests and visitors

This Month’s trivia –

Review and approval of November and January minutes

News and Notes: What’s the buzz?

Councilman’s Update: Councilman Bill Peduto and/or Chief of Staff Dan Gilman

Public Safety Update: Commander Kathy Degler and/or Dennis Downey

Treasurer’s Update: Brenda Bestland

Website Management: Chris Kouklis
(discussion on whether we continue to send minutes to the masses)

Committee Reports:

Public Safety; Community Networking; Membership; Fundraising; Zoning; Historical Shadyside

Old Business/New Business:

- UPMC/Review, discuss and vote, if appropriate, on UPMC S. Aiken Governor’s Drive
- Review, discuss and vote, if appropriate, on annual meeting location
- Review, discuss and vote, if appropriate, on Giving Back to the Community projects

FEBRUARY 2011 MINUTES

SHADYSIDE
Action Coalition
www.shadysideaction.org
February 11, 2011 Minutes
Betsy Bean called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM
Those in attendance were: Brenda Bestland, Carmelita Portugal, Jessica Feldman, Carol McGinty, Susan McGinty, Vickie Toner, Dorothy Sandstrom, Ruth Garfinkel, Chris Kouklis, Eric Fisher, Lindsay Baxter
Excused absences were: Paul Stockman, Dave Black, Carmen Koteski, Dennis Downey and Dan Gilman
Guests and visitors were: Gloria Ashcraft, Marissa Hicks, Lauren Hayward, Sean Logan, and Deanna Wise
Introductions were made
The minutes from November and January were approved with j Feldman motioning to approve them and R. Garfinkel making a second motion. All were in favor of approving the minutes from November and January.
Councilman’s Updates: No report
Public Safety: Commander Degler
The Commander reported that all has been pretty quiet in our neighborhood over the last few months. Incidents have decreased significantly since an arrest was made in November. The Commander explained the difference between a strong arm robbery and a burglary. A strong arm robbery is when force is used instead of a weapon. The Commander also spoke about a benefit for Nicole Cleland on February 25th called “Pasta with Police with love”
Treasurer: B. Bestland
B. Bestland reported that we have $21,268.33 in our checking account, and $29,596.45 in a CD, and $2,321.11 in a Paypal account for a total of $53,185.89.
Membership/Marketing: B. Bestland No report
Website Development: Chris reported that he and our web developer have been working on our new website which is up and running. It had been down for a bit. They are now working on the words that people will use to search for us. Jessica suggested we have a presence on Facebook and Twitter. There was discussion about one person needing to be associated with setting up these accounts. One of our neighbors graciously set up a Facebook page for the Shadyside Action Coalition after our last meeting.
Historic Shadyside: No report
Zoning: E. Fisher
Eric is meeting with the architect and neighbors about the proposed project at 620 Bellefonte and will report at our March meeting

Community Networking: B. Bean
Betsy reported that LA Fitness is going forward. They are scheduled to speak at the Baum Centre Corridor Initiative (BCI) meeting in March.
The construction on the Pedestrian Bridge is to start this Spring
Our Giving Back to the Community discussion will be continued in March after we have looked at the budget.

New Business:
Jessica stated that we should concentrate on ways to let people know SAC is an advocate for them. “SAC is here to help you”. This brought up the possibility of adding another Board position which would be a Public Relations Officer.
Betsy discussed the options for our Annual Meeting meeting space. The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts offered their space to us on Wednesday evening May 11th and would waive their regular $3,500 fee to let us hold our meeting there as we did last year. There would be some cost incurred though. Approximately $300. The other option is Winchester Thurston Upper School Auditorium. We would have to pay$ 65-$75 for security for that location and would be able to hold it on our regularly scheduled meeting date which is May 12th. Brenda made a motion to utilize Winchester Thurston School. Carol seconded and all voted in favor of holding our meeting there.

Presentations:
Sean Logan and Deanna Wise from UPMC Shadyside presented their plans again for the additional Governor’s Drive on S Aiken Avenue. They feel this will better allow for people being dropped off and picked up going to and coming from the Doctor’s offices. Many questions arose about the traffic patterns in an already congested area. UPMC has committed to their Master Plan being completed by this year. Many questions were raised about the traffic issues on S Aiken and from Claybourne which comes onto S. Aiken. We would like to see UPMC commit to having all the work they wish to do on S Aiken done at the same time, not in phases. UPMC will continue to meet with us on a regular basis until a final decision is made on their proposed project plan on S Aiken.

The meeting adjourned at 8:19PM
Submitted by
Susan McGinty
PO Box 10149 Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Phone 412-361-3771 or email info@shadysideaction.org