Don't forget, there's a party tonight

Don't forget ... join us tonight for dinner, bingo, fun and more!

________________
Make plans to attend the annual neighborhood meeting/gathering on Tuesday, December 4.


The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street). Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.

Hope to see you there!

Winter is Coming - Snow Removal

Dear Neighborhoods:


On August 31, 2012, we shared with you and other neighborhoods the details of a recently approved ordinance restricting on-street parking Citywide during snow plowing operations. The new ordinance makes it possible to use larger, more efficient “wing plow” equipment to plow residential streets after snowfalls of greater than 2” compared to greater than 4” in the past.

Public Works has provided the following resources in an effort to educate the public on this new ordinance:

• Article provided for neighborhood newsletters (September)
• Insert in Des Moines Water Works statements (October)
• Insert in the upcoming City Source Newsletter (November)
• Public Works’ employees meeting with neighborhoods upon request

The snow season is close at hand. The average date of the first measureable snow in Des Moines over the last five years is November 15.
Residents may monitor developing conditions via the City’s website with quick links to radar and press release information. In addition, residents may choose to subscribe to our email so they are notified when plowing begins, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for information. Up-to-date information on snow removal operations will also be available 24/7 at our Customer Service Center at 283-4950.


To further educate residents, the Police Department will issue informational warnings only during the first two snow events. After that, however, vehicle owners will be ticketed if their vehicle is on the street before it is plowed. The amount of a parking ticket is $35.


Laurie Frederick
Executive Administrative Assistant
City of Des Moines Department of Public Works
216 SE 5th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
For Patrick J. Kozitza, Public Works Director (Interim)

From ISU Students ... Submit your Feedback

Dear Woodland Heights residents,


On behalf of the ISU Planning Team, thank you again to all who helped to make each of the planning workshops a success. We appreciate your valuable insight and leadership. As we stated last Saturday, the information that we received from the workshops will assist us in developing a realistic, yet visionary, neighborhood plan. If you were unable to attend the workshops, please add any comments or questions about the process and results at Revitalize Des Moines: http://www.revitalizedesmoines.com/. We especially want to thank the Woodland Heights Organization in helping to make the workshops a reality.

The purpose of the neighborhood plan is to help the residents of Woodland Heights (you all) to create a community that reflects the vision that its residents have agreed to. A major outcome of the final workshop was the adaption of a neighborhood vision. The vision of Woodland Heights is:

• The residents of Woodland Heights envision a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing, and peaceful neighborhood where families can thrive in a socially-diverse, historically significant community that remains connected to its natural setting and surrounding urban environment.
• The next step is to draft the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Plan! We are working diligently on preparing a draft that will be reviewed by the city on November 16th. We will be presenting the plan to you all for your approval on the evening of Tuesday, December 4th at the Mickle Center Community Room. Prior to presenting the plan, we will be distributing the final draft for your comments. In the meantime, we will be updating you all as to the progress of the draft, and also identifying potential neighborhood leaders to help us reach the vision that Woodland Heights strives for.

Thanks again,
John and the ISU Planning Team

Mark the Calendar: December 4 Holiday Party

Make plans to attend the annual neighborhood meeting/gathering on Tuesday, December 4.

The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street).  Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.

Hope to see you there!

Home Safety Tips

Just a few home safety tips--real simple but effective.

1. When you leave your home each day be sure to check all doors and windows and see that they are locked. The majority of the latest burglaries were committed by opportunists finding windows unlocked and slightly open. The crooks were able to remove or cut screen and raise the windows permitting entry. EASY--NOISELESS
2. Keep a car in the driveway if you have a second car that isn't being driven. This give the appearance that someone is home.
3. Keep hedges and trees trimmed, particularly those that are in front of first floor windows and doors.
4. Purchase strong locks for windows and doors.
5. Develop good relations with your neighbors and keep in contact reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles.

If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM, BE AN EFFICIENT OBSERVER. Many times, victims AND witnesses become so emotionally overcome with fear or anger they can't give an accurate description of the incident or the perpetrators or they may completely forget what happened.

DO NOT confront the criminal. rather stay out of sight and call police immediately. You may be asked to give directions and give a play by play of the activity so officers can zero right in on the act. Stay out of sight, stay in contact and let the police surprise them!!

Remember, you can be an important link in the investigation and in the closure of a case. Use you best powers of observation.

Tips provided by Sgt. Vince Valdez

Be Warned: Break-Ins

This message is from our neighborhood Sgt. - Sgt. Vince Valdez

Woodland Heights Residents:


I found the information about the Character Plan to be very interesting. I am a history buff and am always interested in learning about the many historic neighborhoods in Des Moines. My hat is off to Lila and so many of you who take pride in the heritage and preservation of your neighborhood. This is a heritage that should never be forgotten and passed on to the new residents that come to live in Woodland Heights.

I hope the information I presented to you last night was informative and alleviated the fears that are so prevalent regarding the rash of burglaries on the west side and in your back yard.

I'm going to pass along this information again I shared in an earlier e-mail regarding the burglaries as well as last night at the meeting. I'm also including some home safety tips that may sound too simple but that's how burglars easily exploit our weaknesses-by going for the simple stuff.

With the recent wave of home burglaries in the Woodland Heights, North of Grand, and South of Grand neighborhoods there is understandably a serious concern for the safety of the neighborhoods and what the police department is doing or has done to solve this rash of crimes.

I am happy to report that the DM Police Department and it's partners in law enforcement have worked very hard at identifying the suspects and in the last two weeks have made several arrests.

I assisted members of our intelligence unit and members of a fugitive task force on Tuesday of last week as they located a group of individuals responsible for a wave of burglaries, thefts, and fraud cases.

I also wanted to address your concern over the lack of attention to Woodland Heights and their burglaries a couple of weeks when officers of the patrol section and NBSD were concentrated in the area south of Grand during a rash of burglaries. Those resources were called there to respond to a series of incidents that were happening, right then, with suspects still in the neighborhood.

A resident in the area was able to take pictures of the suspects who were later located, positively identified and arrested. They were part of a loosely organized group of young adults and juveniles that were committing crimes in the NOG, Woodland Heights and Sherman Hill neighborhoods.

The investigation is not over as more leads and connections keep coming. Some of the arrested individuals have bonded out and some are still in jail as they had outstanding warrants for probation violation prior to the new charges.

Just a few home safety tips--real simple but effective.

When you leave your home each day be sure to check all doors and windows and see that they are locked. The majority of the latest burglaries were committed by opportunists finding windows unlocked and slightly open. The crooks were able to remove or cut screen and raise the windows permitting entry. EASY--NOISELESS

Keep a car in the driveway if you have a second car that isn't being driven. This give the appearance that someone is home.

Keep hedges and trees trimmed, particularly those that are in front of first floor windows and doors. Purchase strong locks for windows and doors.

Develop good relations with your neighbors and keep in contact reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles.

If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM, BE AN EFFICIENT OBSERVER. Many times, victims AND witnesses become so emotionally overcome with fear or anger they can't give an accurate description of the incident or the perpetrators or they may completely forget what happened.

DO NOT confront the criminal. rather stay out of sight and call police immediately. You may be asked to give directions and give a play by play of the activity so officers can zero right in on the act. Stay out of sight, stay in contact and let the police surprise them!!

Remember, you can be an important link in the investigation and in the closure of a case. Use you best powers of observation.

- Sgt. Vince Valdez

September Meeting Notes

WHO Meeting – Sept 18 2012


Bert – Zoning Board of Adjustment, City Planner

• City notifies Neighborhood Association and residents impacted for zoning issues
• 689 28th Street – Variance for large garage – 24 x 24 … 24 x 30 (124 sq feet larger than allowed); proposing 4 feet from property line from Pleasant St. (legally 2 feet set-back)
• Public hearing on Sept. 26th
• Concerns voiced during the meeting:
• Character plan for remodeling/building – arts/crafts period, pitches of roof, street appeal, conform to street scape, etc.
• Sidewalk planned for Pleasant for safety concerns; garage might not be ideal
• Potential rental property (neighbor believes owner moved back); but rental certificate good through 2013
• Motion/2nd - Encourage resident to adhere/incorporate more of prairie design (Bert to discuss with resident) – Unanimous
• Motion/2nd – invite resident to meeting to discuss guidelines (Claudia)
• Quedoba – wants 3 signs (zoning only allows 2)

John Dean – ISU Graduate – Visioning Session coming up – please make plans to attend!

Vince (DSM Police) – 7 arrests for break-ins. 4 adults/ 3 juveniles

• Most in neighborhood in South/North Grand – daytime burglaries; open door/open windows
• Fast/efficient youth – scope/ID house?
• 18 Burglaries since August – Maroon color car – watch out for it.
• Walgreens burglary on Ingersoll - professional job
• Want crime prevention tips; home safety brochure; inventory sheet distributed to neighbors

Childcare Provided: Saturday 9/22

Share your thoughts!  Woodland Heights has been selected to participate in the City of Des Moines' new pilot program to update your original neighborhood revitalization plan, approved in 1991.

Neighborhood residents and area stakeholders will work with Masters' students in Community and Regional Planning from ISU and City staff to update our plan.  The updated plan will identify goals, strategies and action steps for improving the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Participation provides us a chance to help shape the future of our neighborhood!

We will have 3 sessions -- all at Mickle Center - 1620 Pleasant Street from 1 to 4:00 p.m.  Refreshments and childcare provided!

• Saturday, 9/22  - Vision
• Saturday, 10/6 - Strategies & Action Steps
• Saturday, 10/20 - Roles & Resources

Our Original Character Plan

Here's the plan we're working to update - check out the progress we've made since 1991!

August Notes

WHO Meeting – August 21, 2012

Mary Neidenbracher – Federal funds with property loans from city (5 loan and 5 year restriction)

2714 Ingersoll – Crattelli building; foreclosure by city

• Meric – HOME loan; federal loan for development
• 1919 built by former Mayor of DSM – originally 15 units; in 1944 approx. divided into more units & garages built
• Loan – 165,000 2012; part of it will be paid back
• Assist 11 units with payments - most be occupied by tenants below 60% of median income (1 person – income must be less than $31,000); other 11 units not under limits
• 8 2 bedrooms; 15 1 bedrooms (dogs up to 25 lbs); screen tenants but are liberal; Avg: 650 up to 700/month
• Maintenance plans – roof, boiler, new kitchens, redo majority of bathrooms; like to keep original fixtures if can (woodwork, tiles, etc.); repair/retexture/repaint walls; update electrical service; new plumbing to street, etc.

See examples of their work - 3451 grand ave – building ½ done – DMU students are in it (corner of 35 & grand) \ 511 29th street \ other examples

Eric and Merle – 3607 Ingersoll (have about 400 units now; been in business for 4 to 5 years an incorporated entity)

Merle Laswell – Meric Property Management – 5157715383
mericpm1@gmail.com | o – 5152559289 | 3607 Ingersoll Ave, 107 – dsm, IA 50312

Ingersoll Square – Sherman Hill – Ingersoll/High/MLK – 63 Units of New construction housing – coming up for planning zoning committee - $3 million grant from state of IA (CGBG) (77% brick; hardy plank; differences in decking) – 50% of residents must be at 80% of median income – 42,100 (32 units); rest of building not restricted. $800 for 1 bedroom; 850 for 2 bedroom

Vince – will set-up meeting with Principal & VP at Callahan; 4:00 p.m. time; bring ideas and concerns to meeting; try something different in 2012-2013 school year; still have ambassadors

NBSD – assigned to state fair duty & court avenue loop ; assisting special ops unit

Neighborhood Planning Process – Dates confirmed for neighborhood workshops – Sat. Sept. 22nd 1 to 4
Oct. 6 1 to 4; Oct 20 1 to 4 (every other week) – location ?? location/snacks/child care (team of 3 students);

- Mickelson Center
- Schools/ 42nd Plymouth Church
- City will have postage list for ISU students – they will send postcards
- These plans are put into action – benefit you – on the ground changes (1 – vision/creating a vision 2 – turning vision into projects & who will take responsibility 3 – how will we know we got there/measure change)
- Homeownership is a commitment for our neighborhood; need a plan – lots of foreclosures; identify problem; get data; assign responsibility, etc.
- Foreclosure response information – financial planning, etc.

Thank you for NNO – great event; great coordination.

Meeting Tonight - 7:00 p.m.

Don't forget to stop by Callanan Middle School cafeteria to discuss issues important to our neighborhood.

Agenda
- Recent break-ins
- Upcoming vision discussions (first meeting this Saturday!)
- Foreclosure information

See you soon!

Take a Trip Through History: An Exhibit of Images Since 1879

Presented by the North of Grand Neighborhood Association Sept. 3rd through Sept. 28th, Scottish Rite Park Art Gallery, located at 2909 Woodland Avenue Public hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The North of Grand Neighborhood is researching the people, infrastructure, businesses and churches of part of early Des Moines (between 31st and 42nd, and I-235 and Grand Avenue). Historically-rich neighborhoods encourage residents to take pride in where they live. This safe, affordable, tree-lined area is a desirable part of Des Moines due to its close proximity to Ingersoll shops, restaurants, the bus line, well-established churches, quality schools and historic architecture.

This project is a collaborative effort undertaken by the North of Grand Neighborhood Association and the Community Development Department at the City of Des Moines, and supported in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa, Historical Resource Development Program; Polk County; Drake University; private donations and volunteer resources. Thanks for supporting (we proudly believe) one of the most attractive, mixed-use neighborhoods in Iowa.

Please visit our Facebook page, North of Grand DSM.

Sept 6: Join us for a Neighborhood Tour

Please let Doug - President of WHO (at: WHO@mediacombb.net) know if you are interested in joining in on a tour of our neighborhood and identifying potential opportunities for development.  This is an important step for our development plan and vision for the future.

--------------------------

My name is John Dean, and I am the Team Leader for the Iowa State University Woodland Heights planning team.  My team is excited to meet you and to work with the residents of Woodland Heights.  

To gain a better understanding of the neighborhood, my team would like to go on a tour of the Woodland Heights area.  Would you, or another representative from the Woodland Heights Organization, be available to offer an afternoon walking tour of the neighborhood on Thursday, September 6th?  We are flexible in the length and content of the tour, however we hope that this tour will offer us a good perspective of the neighborhood in moving forward.  My team especially hopes to gain a better understand of the Ingersoll business area, as well as the schools in the neighborhood.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future,

John Dean
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant

Masters in Community & Regional Planning

MS, Sustainable Agriculture
Iowa State University

Snow Removal: Update

....Letter sent to the organization from the City of Des Moines on August 31, 2012

On June 29, 2012, we shared with you and other neighborhood leaders our plan to request the City Council to restrict parking on all residential streets Citywide until plowed. The plan includes the use of larger, more efficient “wing plow” equipment to plow at accumulations of 2” rather than the current standard of 4” on residential streets.

The City Council has now approved the plan, and as a result, parking is restricted until streets are plowed curb to curb.  A substantial education program is planned to inform residents prior to implementation.  We will be providing information on how residents may monitor developing conditions via the City’s website with quick links to radar and press release information.  In addition, residents may choose to subscribe to our email so they are notified when plowing begins, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for information.  Up-to-date information on snow removal operations will also be available 24 hours at our Customer Service Center at 283-4950.

To help educate residents, warnings only will be issued during the first two snow events. After that, however, vehicle owners will be ticketed if their vehicle is on the street before it is plowed.  The amount of a parking ticket is $35.

Your neighborhood association can participate in this education campaign by including an article in your neighborhood newsletter regarding the new parking restrictions.  Soon you will receive an article you can reprint in your newsletter with an explanation of the new restrictions.

In the event you would like someone to speak at your next neighborhood association meeting to discuss the parking restrictions and possible alternatives for parking, please contact our Street Maintenance Administrator, Sara Thies, at 283-4202, or email her at slthies@dmgov.org as soon as possible.

Best regards,

 

William G. Stowe

Assistant City Manager—Public Works Director

Tonight's 7:00 Meeting @ Smokey Row

Don't forget we have our AUGUST Woodland Heights Organization meeting at 7 pm TONIGHT at SMOKEY ROW at the corner of 19th and Cottage Grove.

The Agenda will be as follows

Guest Speakers:

Mary Neiderbach:  Discussion of apartment building located at 2714 Ingersoll Avenue

Diane Weissman:   Owner of Arabee (Hookah Bar) located on Ingersoll Avenue.

Jane Rongerude:    Discuss the upcoming Woodland Heights planning process.

Old & New Business:

We will discuss the success of National Night Out earlier this month.

The idea of rotating the meeting place every month

Form a monthly meeting agenda process.

Make a decision on how long each item at a meeting can be discussed

March Meeting Notes

WHO – March 20, 2012

Tim O’Brien, Neighborhood Inspection Division (CODE ENFORCEMENT)

tjobrien@dmgov.org |515-283-4011 or 515-283-4046  | 515-208-0309 - cell

-          28^th Street – verbal 5 day notice (optional); 21 day notice; certified notice (2^nd wave) – city code more aligns with state code

-          658 27^th Street – abandoned property; cleaned yard – TX property owner

-          27^th Ingersoll – security coming through 4xs a night (west bank looking for owner)

-          Graffiti at 28^th Ingersoll – taken care of

No issues at cemetery

Vince – SUV with dog at cemetery (repeat offender); trying to catch

-          26^th Center (kids) coming from Rollins (Russell Holders house); coming through his yard – throwing rocks; calling adults names; bullying; close to targeting individuals (wed. night most recent issue; patrol officer said to call Vince – shouldn’t be handled that way)

-          No major issues in last 45 days

-          New NBSD officer to east side/downtown (18 years of experience; sergeant)

-          Pitching in for Drake NBSD officer (stroke)

-          CAP Program – Rev. Ben Brown (lives on 33^rd street); kids responded to ministers in the neighborhood, etc.

-          958 22^nd street (olive ave) – lots of activity; watching house; gold Taurus parked on 26^th street; walked away and gone for hours (did several times); arrested individual that was wanted; reported to NARC suspected activity

-          Distribute flier (teva) – blogspot; telephone numbers ;web numbers; notice of who we are; key numbers for officers, etc. neighborhood, dogs, neighbors, crime; etc. grant movement; etc.

-          Telephone chain

May Meeting Notes

WHO Meeting – May 15, 2012

Guest Speaker

Dylan – Planner with DSM Area Metropolitian Planning Area (regional traffic patterns); work with 20 different governments

Tomorrow Plan

·         Greater DSM area – transportation, housing, 40 year planning

·         $2 million grant – Federal & others

·         Public Outreach started Sept 2011

·         Need public input – design my DSM (online tool)

·         Need to plan 800,000 residents by 2050; how can we grow but still be sustainable for growth

·         www.designmydsm.thetomorrowplan.com

·         Walk/bicycle to work – growing desire for community

Tree Trimming – David Young, City Arborist

·         Trees Forever Program – Trees planted in last 6 years on city property; cleaning up; staking up trees, etc. – past weekend of May 8

Bylaw Discussion – changed board numbers from 9 to 11 back in 2008 (?)

·         Need to update board members; make amendment to change from 11 to 7 – 4 officers and 3 at-large representation

·               

·        Patrol Report – Vince

·         New crimemapping application being rolled-out towards end of May

·         Monthly “promo” during public TV spot on neighborhood and meetings/projects

·         Ash Field Park – Soccer Clinic  - Drake, Police Dept & volunteers – great opportunity

·         Community Ambassador Programs

·         Crimes

o   2301 Ingersoll (dine and dash on ChinaOne) – located on 63^rd street

o   2909 Woodland – Apt break-in; stole credit cards

o   818 29 Street – car theft

o   Several break-ins in North of Grand neighborhood

o   Friday & Saturday – Police open house

o   Public works breakfast – next Tuesday (Russell, carol, lyla and Doug) – donate $25

Woodland Heights Cemetery

·         Upgrades being made; Arch entrance – July 2012

·         Replacing trees after cleanup is down (issues from storm)

·         Restoration budget to be used on tombstone updates; mausoleum  damaged in storm– have about $20,000/year

National Night Out – First Tuesday in August

Teva – Amber Lynch did map of neighborhood; will organize team to deliver content to neighbors – door to door

Welcome Packages – WHO – Claudia Brown to lead   

June Meeting Notes

June 19, 2012 Meeting

Special Guest – Vince Valdez

·         Change behavior of Callahan students; get them involved in community projects and then items we’re working on

·         Met with Principal, seems to be an issue with students typically on Center street

·         Fred: Tree complaints on Center Street – met with principal, notified police; have taken pictures of kids and shared with principal

·         Is there an active PTA at Callahan?  Can they also spread the message?

Suspicious incident in front of Doug’s house

·         Parked car – watched man walk away; left for 3 days; belonged in Merle Hay area – owner is wanted in DSM  & Oklahoma for theft

·         Report through neighborhood watch program!  Make the neighborhood less attractive to suspicious activity

Fred: 

·         2 cars; suspicious activity

·         Pacing in front of school parking lot

·         Called police @ 8:30 – no one showed up; keep calling

Reports

Outreach Committee – Meeting held last week at Gateway Market

·         End of July – distribute fliers & ask survey questions/script

·         Reviewed survey from city planners & Teva is creating a draft of the survey

·         Trying to get information for planning

·         Fred – Volunteering to take Zone A

Old Business

·         By-Law Discussion/Vote – 4 officers; 3 at large representatives/board (proposal) – 7 total

o   Lyla motions; Barry 2nds – unanimous (9) approval for proposed change from 11 to 7

·         Chairperson Nomination: Doug McBride

·         Vice-Chair: Dan Robbins

·         Secretary: Laura Tofteland

·         Treasurer: Claudia Brown

·         Board Members: Lyla Dozier (beautification / historic); Fred, Carol

Unanimous acceptance

New Business

·         Meet at Smokey Row Coffee Shop (July/August) – unanimous

·         NNO – Tuesday, August 7 – Chamberlin Park  5 to 8 p.m.

o   Jeanne Aster – NNO main contact

o   Doug, Laura, Dan to help pick-up items

o   Judy Bradshaw – NNO invitation for officers, Fire Chief,

·         Proposal to have quarterly board meetings

·         Fundraising Group – partner with boy scouts?

·         Yard Issues – call Polk County,

·         Send snow parking concerns to Doug – will be meeting with City to discuss options

July Meeting Notes

WHO Meeting – July 17, 2012

Guest Speaker - Jennifer Bohac, Direct of DSM Dept. of Transportation

•    Mediacom issues of increased traffic; commercial business traffic on residential streets; also use the public street to park; loiter
• Discussed potential options and next steps 

New Business

Alice/Teva - Snow Removal

• Discussed city plan/proposal for snow removal parking – no parking on streets during snow removal
• Feel that this will be an issue for our residents; seeking out options 

Jeanne Astor – NNO (Tues, August 7

·         Delivered letters to request donations from ‘usual’ suspects – Dahls (told to call corporate in 2 weeks), Hy-Vee, Teds, Palmers (committed to cookies), Scottish Rite, etc.; Gateway?? Door prizes

·         4 p.m. to set up event

Sadie Hildebrand – City of DSM; City Planner 

•  IA State comes on board in august; students will begin groundwork
• Neighborhood to get survey out to share information with IA state
• Sadie Hildebrand, Assistant Planner – DSM – srhildebrand@dmgov.org  | 283-3753
• Jane Rongerude, Phd, Assistant Professor – IA State – jrong@iastate.edu | 294-5289

Lyla – Meric Holding Company issue; firehouse/apartment building; would like to sell to couple (letter).  Bank won’t loan to nonconforming (legal, but nonconforming);

2401 High Street
Vote to table discussion to a later date.

Hooka Bar – Ingersoll – It’s open for business; wants alcohol permit

Greenery – fundraising option; any interest?

August 21 Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Don't forget we have our AUGUST Woodland Heights Organization meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday the 21st at SMOKEY ROW at the corner of 19th and Cottage Grove.

The Agenda will be as follows

Guest Speakers:

Mary Neiderbach:  Discussion of apartment building located at 2714 Ingersoll Avenue

Diane Weissman:   Owner of Arabee (Hookah Bar) located on Ingersoll Avenue.

Jane Rongerude:    Discuss the upcoming Woodland Heights planning process.

Old and New Business:

We will discuss the success of National Night Out earlier this month.

The idea of rotating the meeting place every month

Form a monthly meeting agenda process.

Make a decision on how long each item at a meeting can be discussed

Agenda Setting

Don't forget to submit Agenda items to who@mediacombb.net.  We want to make sure we cover what our residents are concerned about during our monthly meetings.

Tonight's 7:00 Meeting @ Smokey Row

Tonight's meeting will be held at Smokey Row Coffee shop located at 19th and Cottage Grove.

• Guest speaker and Q & A session ( no  more than 20 mins) - Jennifer Bohac, Director of Des Moines Department of Transportation
• Set up a procedure for creating a new agenda for each meeting (volunteers)
• Mediacom traffic issues in Woodland Heights (Submitted by: Randy Guzman)
• Mediacom traffic issue and use of neighborhood streets as primary access in and out of their hub on Ingersoll.  
• Their vans, trucks, rigs and employees routinely use High Street and 31st street as primary access in and out of their place of business.  
• See if we can obtain Mediacom Management's cooperation in getting their traffic primarily re-routed on MLK and Ingersoll as their primary access into and out of their hub. 
• I would like the WHO's support in drafting a letter and meeting with the management of Mediacom, the Des Moines Traffic Department, Des Moines Police and others to obtain Mediacom's cooperation in re-routing their traffic.  
• Discussion of Hookah Bar located at 2708 Ingersoll applying for beer permit
• Discuss National Night Out and select volunteer duties (volunteers needed)
• Event being held on Tuesday, August 7 at Chamberlain Park
• Follow up ideas on Christmas Greenery
• Set up a date for the next Callanan student issues meeting
• Woodland Cemetery updates

Note: Vincent Valdez (our NBSD officer) is on vacation until August 9th.

June Meeting Notes

June 19, 2012 Meeting

Special Guest – Vince Valdez

·        Change behavior of Callahan students

•  Met with Principal to discuss actions of students (typically on Center Street)
• Need to get them involved in community projects and then items we’re working on
• Fred: Tree complaints on Center Street 
• Is there an active PTA at Callahan?  Can they also spread the message to parents regarding the actions of students

Suspicious incident in front of Doug’s house; parked car – watched man walk away; left for 3 days; belonged in Merle Hay area – owner is wanted in DSM  & Oklahoma for theft

·         Report suspicious activity through neighborhood watch program!  Make the neighborhood less attractive to suspicious activity

Fred: 

·         2 cars; suspicious activity

·         Pacing in front of school parking lot

·         Called police @ 8:30 – no one showed up; keep calling

Reports

Outreach Committee – Meeting held last week at Gateway Market

·         End of July – distribute fliers & ask survey questions/script

·         Reviewed survey from city planners & Teva is creating a draft of the survey

·         Trying to get information for planning

·         Fred – Volunteering to take Zone A

Old Business

·         By-Law Discussion/Vote – 4 officers; 3 at large representatives/board (proposal) – 7 total

o   Lyla motions; Barry 2nds – unanimous (9) approval for proposed change from 11 to 7

·         Chairperson Nomination: Doug McBride

·         Vice-Chair: Dan Robbins

·         Secretary: Laura Tofteland

·         Treasurer: Claudia Brown

·         Board Members: Lyla Dozier (beautification / historic); Fred, Carol

Unanimous acceptance 

June 19 Meeting Agenda - Dahls on Ingersoll

Woodland Heights Organization

Regular Meeting

June 19, 2012

Agenda

***This meeting will be held at Dahl’s Grocery Store in the cafeteria (3425 Ingersoll Ave) at 7:00pm***

Special Guests and Speakers

·         Police Report – Sergeant Valdez

Reports
·         Treasurer’s Report – Barry Tofteland
·         Outreach Committee – Teva Dawson

Old Business
·         Discussion and vote on proposed By-Law change to reduce the Woodland Heights Organization board size from 11 to 7 members.
·         Nominations and election of officers and board members.
·         Additional ideas for By-Law changes may be brought up to be discussed and voted on at a future meeting.

New Business
·         Discussion and vote of moving July and August meetings to Smokey Row Coffee Shop at 1910 Cottage Grove Avennue.
·         Need volunteers to organize Neighborhood Night Out event to be held Tuesday, August 7 in Chamberlain Park.
·         Proposal to have quarterly board meetings

Good of the Order  (please limit comments/discussion to 3 minutes for topics not published on the agenda)

Provide Your Feedback: The Tomorrow Plan

Greater Des Moines recently has been named the Best Place for Young Professionals, Best Place to Raise a Family, and among the Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs. These are just a few of many indicators that the region is doing well right now. But the area will face serious challenges in the future with economic competitiveness, social equity, environmental resilience, and a tight fiscal environment. The question, then, is how will the Greater Des Moines region respond to these challenges to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the region?

The Tomorrow Plan is a regional planning effort to engage the community in envisioning how the future of the Greater Des Moines region might play out over the next forty years. The 20-month planning process began in July 2011 and, when complete, will provide a comprehensive framework for future development. A major goal of The Tomorrow Plan is to engage a wide range of people in meaningful public participation to ensure that the region's future reflects the values and aspirations of its residents.


Go to www.designmydsm.thetomorrowplan.com to provide feedback today!

Storm Damage: What to Do

A very strong in-line wind (Tornado?) hit the East side of Woodland Heights going North from the Southwest. Sherman Hill, Woodland Heights, South of Grand, etc areas were hit the hardest.

If you have ANY questions about the damage or issues concerning the clean up, PLEASE BE AT THE MONTHLY MEETING (April 16) so we can put together a list of items to contact City Government about.

Resources from ISU Extention & Outreach

• Hiring Professional Tree Services: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/node/416
• Dealing with Tree Damage After the Storm: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/node/363
• Managing Storm-Damaged Trees (click “Download” for a free copy) - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=6192
• Pruning Trees: Shade, Flowering and Conifer (click “Download” for a free copy) - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=6191
• Choosing an Arborist (click “Download” for a free copy) - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=12124
• Consulting Arborist Providing Service in Iowa (list of contacts) - http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/publications/PDF_files/F-366b.pdf
• ISU Extension Forestry Resources: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/care_maintenance/arborists.html

Sat, May 5 - Free Kids Health Fair

Des Moines University is holding a FREE Kids Health Fair day on campus on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. We wanted to make sure those families in our surrounding neighborhoods knew about this awesome event.

Our mission is to promote activity and fight obesity. Join our crew in conquering an obstacle course, learning new games and getting your body into tip-top shape.

• Let’s Get Moving: Why Exercise?
• Dribble with SURGE: Mascot of the Iowa Energy!
• Dance Off: Learn new hip hop dance moves!
• Monkey Around with MJ: Mascot from Monkey Joe’s!
• Feeling Fruity? Truths about processed foods!
• Why Medicine is Not Candy: Meet Katy the Kangaroo!
• DeFEET painful feet!
• Lather Up: Sunscreen is KEY!
• Vitamins: Why take ‘em?
• Put Your Left Foot In: Balance screens!
• Fuel your body with H2O!
• Rub-a-dub-dub: Give your teeth a scrub!

Free Admission! 

Opening Soon: Creme Cupcake + Dessert

... From the Des Moines Register ...
Crème Cupcake + Desserts is planning to move to the former Great Harvest Bread location at 28th Street and Ingersoll Avenue, at 543 28th St. in Des Moines, from its current location at 1701 S. Union St.


Owner Christina Moffatt worked for awhile out of AllPlay, at 615 Third St., from January until she relocated the bakery to the South Union address, the site where South Union Bakery got its start, about four months ago. The new space will permit her to expand production and provide a better retail location as well as seating for about 34 people.

Crème Cupcake has 36 flavors of cupcakes and additional seasonal flavors, custom cakes, cookies, bars, pies, tarts and cake truffles; scones, muffins and biscuits in the morning; and dog cakes for the family pet.

Moffatt expects to relocate the business by mid-summer.

Retail hours now are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to noon or by appointment on Saturdays. After the move, the hours will begin earlier each morning and later on Saturdays.

Call 515-554-9007.

Christine Hensley to be at April 17th Meeting

Please plan on attending the April 17th meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization.

The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Callanan Middle School beginning at 7 pm

The date is TUESDAY, APRIL 17th.

Christine Hensley will be our guest speaker with much information concerning the residents of our neighborhood.

Come prepared with questions for Christine on any concerns you have with what is going on in Des Moines and Woodland Heights.

We plan on having a great turn out and this is the perfect chance to get the information you need on upcoming events and issues concerning everyone in Woodland Heights neighborhood.

We look forward to seeing you this coming Tuesday at 7 pm.

Don't Forget: 7:00 p.m. Meeting Tonight

Get to know your neighbors and attend our monthly meeting tonight!

From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. we'll be at Dahls on Ingersoll.

Hope to see you there!

News from Our President - Doug McBride

This is a reminder to everyone that the March 20th meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization will be held at Dahl's on Ingersoll cafeteria at 7:00 p.m..

Tim O'Brien will be in attendance to answer questions concerning the City of Des Moines Department of Inspections role in our neighborhood.

Also, we were scheduled to hold elections in March, but due to the meeting being held in Dahl's and the neighborhood notification process needed, we will postpone elections until the April 17th meeting at Callanan Middle School cafeteria. All meetings begin at 7 pm prompt.

**************
I have heard people complain about their neighbors, about the city's role in our neighborhood and about life in general.

We have a tremendous resource being a City of Des Moines NBSD neighborhood. Please use our resources! Call Tim O'Brien at 283-4011, or our local police officer Sergeant Valdez at 283-4966.

ATTEND MEETINGS of the WOODLAND HEIGHTS ORGANIZATION!!! Don't complain if you are not willing to participate in being part of the solution. A handful of residents cannot do everything for a neighborhood of approximately 4,000 neighbors.

Contact me, Doug McBride at 515-279-4399 to volunteer to be on the board of WHO and attend meetings.
Take pride in your neighborhood and yourself by joining with your neighbors to improve Woodland Heights and protect it from peril.

Don't sit quietly in your home, filled with anger about something going on in YOUR neighborhood; attend meetings and be a part of one of the finest neighborhood organizations in the City of Des Moines.

Repepresenting your neiborhood in government and social issues is something to be very proud of. Help shape the future for you and your neighbors!

Your opinion is as important as anyone else's; empower yourself by joining your neighbors at the Woodland Heights Organization meetings held monthly.

These are YOUR meetings, so go and be heard!!!  We are having elections at the April meeting. If you or someone you know likes getting involved with issues that directly affect you, then be there and run for a seat on the Woodland Heights Organization board.

It is not hard and is greatly rewarding. We ask all neighbors to attend Woodland Heights meetings every month or at least a few times per year. A meeting lasts between 1 to 1 1/2 hours and is very important to the organization of our neighborhood.

If you attended all meeting in a year, that is only around 16 hours tops. 16 hours out of 365 days is so little to ask for something as important as our neighborhood. You can be an important part of the direction this neighborhood will take over the next few years with as little as 16 hours of your time in a full year.

Why waste an opportunity as precious as this? 16 hours is only equal to 2 business days to help direct an entire neighborhood to greatness. Quit complaining and start attending Woodland Heights Organization meetings.

Be sure to attend the election meeting which will be held on Tuesday, April 17th, at Callanan Middle School cafeteria beginning at 7 pm. BE THERE … It's your neighbor that is at stake, make it a part of your future!

County's Lead Paint Repair Program

The Lead Paint Repair Program is meant to help eligible owner-occupants with children under 6 remove lead hazards from their home. Participation in the program can also open up opportunities for assistance with other repair work to major systems like roofs, furnaces or plumbing.


Key items to determine eligibility:

• Was your home built before 1978?
• Do you have children under the age of 6 that live or visit the house?
• Is your income at or below 80% of Median Family Income?

Go to http://www.metroleadsafe.org/ for more information or call 515-286-3596.

COMING SOON .... FIVE MEGA SCRUB DAYS

Mark your calendars for SCRUB Day!  All are being held from 7 a.m to 1 p.m.

• 4/21 - Hoover High School, 4800 Aurora Ave.
• 6/16 - Bell Ave. Business Park, 1901 Bell Ave.
• 7/21 - Capitol Complex, Lot #3, West of East 14th, South of Courth Ave.
• 8/18 - Southridge Mall, 1111 E. Army Post Road
• 10/20 - Polk County RiverPlace, 2339 Euclid Ave.

More details to follow!

Share Your Comments

The city has a new website that allows neighbors to share their vision and concerns for our neighborhood.  Make sure you share your comments today.  The information you share will help us plan for the future.

Go to: http://www.revitalizedesmoines.com/ .  Share it on Facebook!!

Don't Forget: 7:00 p.m. Meeting Tonight

Get to know your neighbors and attend our monthly meeting tonight!


From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. we'll be at Callanan Middle School.

Hope to see you there!

Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Free tax preparation!

If you earned $50,000 or less in 2011, you can receive FREE tax preparation. You also may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is your money to keep and save. Call 2-1-1 for more information. 2-1-1 is free and available 24/7.

What to bring:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security
• Administration
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Current year’s tax package if you received one
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

Where to go:

Des Moines:

• Park Fair Mall at 100 East Euclid, Lower Level (Des Moines Housing office)
• Starts March 1st
• Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-3:30
• Open March and April only

DMACC:

• Urban and Ankeny Campus
• By appointment only . Call 2-1-1 for location information and to schedule an appointment.

This list is subject to change. Please call 2-1-1 for the most current information.

Refund:
If you made $50,000 or less, you may be eligible for....

• $5,666: Maximum amount, with three or more qualifying children
• $5,036: Maximum amount, with two qualifying children.
• $3,050: Maximum amount, with one qualifying child.
• $457: Maximum amount, with no children.
• $1,491: The average refund amount in 2011!