Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations

Meeting Minutes June 4, 2003

Albany Public Library

1.                  Howard Stoller, CANA Chair, called the meeting to order.

2.                  Introductions

3.                  Minutes - Minutes of the May meeting are amended to include information that could not be transcribed from the sign in sheet.  It should read “Edward L. Falterman, Center Square Neighborhood Association, falterman1@aol.com, 303 State Street , Albany , 12210”.

4.                  Guest Speakers:

a.                  Rocco A. Ferraro of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission presented demographic information about the City of Albany as it relates to the Capital District.  The source of the information is the 2000 Census; it is available on the Internet or by calling Mr. Ferraro.

In the census, students living on campus are counted; students living off campus are counted if they complete the census form.  Families are defined as two or more related or married individuals living in the same household.  Non-families consist of one or more individuals living together who are not related by marriage or birth.

·        Households and population:  The Capital Region gained population and households between 1990 and 2000; the city lost population and households.

·        Race:  Between 1990 and 2000 the number of white residents in the city decreased and the number of black residents increased.

·        Age:  Individuals 20 to 29 years old are the largest group of city residents (36.1%) and also the largest in the Capital Region (28%).

·        Families make up less than half of the households in the city; they make up two-thirds of the households in the Capital Region.

·        Family Type:  Between 1990 and 2000 there was a decrease of residents who were married without children living in Albany .

·        Housing tenure:  In the city, 62.4% of the housing is for rental; 37.6 is owned; and 10% is vacant.  In the Capital Region, 36% of housing is for rental; 64 % is owned; and 8.5% is vacant.

·        Housing value (self-identified by homeowners):  The value or single family,    owner-occupied houses declined;   the same is true in the Capital Region.  

·        Gross Rent:  There was only a slight decrease in the rent being paid by tenants in both the city and the Capital Region.

·        Household income:  There was a decrease in the income of city residents between 1990 and 2000.  The same was true for the Capital Region. 

·        Persons living below poverty line:  There was an increase in the number of persons living in poverty in the city of Albany .  In 2000 one in five people lived in poverty

·        Travel time to work:  City residents spend less time traveling to and from work than persons living in the Capital Region.

·        Employment/place of work:  55% of the jobs in the Capital Region are in Albany County .

·        Journey to work:  76,000 people come to the city of Albany to work.

The   CDRPC and the City have a common objective:  to reduce the reasons for leaving the city such as:

1.      higher taxes

2.      crumbling infrastructure

3.      poor services (schools, plowing, etc.)

4.      unsafe streets and

5.      a negative marketing message.

Both are marketing a positive message that includes stressing reasons for locating to the City such as access to:

1.      employment centers

2.      educational institutions

3.      culture and entertainment

4.      health care facilities

5.      architectural diversity

6.      health and community design patterns

7.      disadvantages of suburban life such as land use, congestion, long commutes to work, and access to services for “empty nesters”

b.                  Henry Myerberg of the Rockwell Group and Nolan Lushington, a library planning consultant, discussed the Albany Public Library Plan to redevelop its facilities and civic presence in the community.   For many years, libraries were considered  locations where books are records were stored, accessed and shared.  More recently they have a civic presence in the community as sites of meetings, lectures and interactive events.  The services of libraries in Albany are used not only by residents, but also by those individuals who travel to the city to work.

Libraries are beginning to provide the same amenities as retail bookstores with regard to comfort, image and services.  But they have the resources and capability of outdoing retailers because citizens have pride in and  are invested in their libraries.  Communities across the country have added things such as museums, theatres, restaurants and theme/wonder parks to their libraries. 

 Mr. Myerberg and Mr. Nolan have spent time evaluating the Albany Public Library’s present facilities.   While all have the ingredients to successfully serve residents such as goods and services, there are design issues to be addressed.  Exterior issues include location, entry appearance, parking, and identification.  Interior issues reviewed include space, light, goods, layout and furnishings.  Slide pictures of libraries that have successfully incorporated goods, services and design were presented. 

One of the most important issues to be addressed is providing continuity of identification to the present facilities to further establish their presence in the community.  Using identical signs that include the library’s logo outside of each facility shall be one of the initial  considerations. 

Mr. Lushington has conducted research into the population and demographics of the city’s residents and concluded that the needs are different in each section of the city.  These needs will be addressed in the development plan.

The next step in development will be to conduct a meeting with the staff of the library branches and community leaders to incorporate their ideas and visions. A prelimary report including a proposed sequence for development will be available during the summer.

5.                  Communications and announcements

The Delaware Area Neighborhood Association has arranged for a farmer’s market in the St. James Church parking lot from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM every Tuesday this summer beginning June 17.

The Upper Washington Avenue Neighborhood Association would like to hear from other neighborhood associations about their experience in purchasing insurance.  Members with information about this may contact Pat Maxon.

Common Council Dominick Calsolaro is sponsoring a community workshop entitled “Gun Violence in the Capital Region” on Thursday, June 19, 2003 , from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church .  He encouraged members and residents to attend to present their ideas.  A motion for CANA to sponsor this event was made, seconded, and adopted.

The ARISE Regional meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 13 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM .  Members wishing to participate or seeking additional information may contact Tom McPheeters at 443-0679.

6.                  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM .

ATTENDEES

JUNE 4, 2003