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Council
of Meeting Minutes 1. Howard Stoller, CANA Chair, called the meeting to order. 2. Introductions 3.
Minutes - Minutes of the 4. Guest Speaker: Jordan Wishy of the SUNYA Intergovernmental Solutions Program addressed the council regarding the “Neighbors Building Neighborhoods” program.
In 1993 the City of
In order to implement NBN, the city and its citizens needed to change the
way they did business; both needed to hold the other accountable.
Communication between the citizens and city planners and government
agencies was imperative. To
facilitate that communication, the City of Thirty-seven
neighborhood associations assisted with the design of
ten city sectors being defined by the Department of Community
Development. Each sector
included one or more neighborhood association, businesses, churches, etc.
The city provided a one facilitator to assist
in organizing each sector group, one city planner to represent the municipality,
and $5,000 per year for administrative costs. Residents who may not have
otherwise done so, became involved in their neighborhood association and/or
sector committee. The leadership in
some NA’s changed during the course of the NBN process. Each
sector was charged with developing and articulating its own action plan or
planning document to be included in the city’s comprehensive plan.
They developed their own leadership structures,
presented their process, and worked with governmental agencies and community
partners to implement its plan. To
develop an asset-based plan rather then a problem-based process, the sectors
identified existing neighborhood assets in developing its plan and participated
with organizations (community
partners) existing in the sector to carry out the work of the plan.
Each focused on (1) goals, (2) strategies and (3) actions.
The Mayor and community development staff periodically attended meetings
of each sector group. When
each sector completed its plan and presented it to the city, initiatives were
prioritized and work began to determine the feasibility of implementation by the
city, neighborhood associations, and partners.
During the first phase of the NBN process, approximately 1,400
initiatives were identified, and it is believed that about 75 percent of those
were implemented. By most
accounts, the NBN-fostered communication has re-established trust between the
residents of the City of The speaker addressed the following questions from 1.
The NBN is phasing in
as the permanent and ongoing process of governing in the City of 2.
Politics did, in fact,
become an issue primarily with the not-for-profit organizations who were
concerned that their power may be undercut.
Eventually they all came on board. 3.
Compromises were
necessary between the city and its residents. 4.
Citywide issues as
well as neighborhood issues became part of the city plan. 5.
Businessman William
Johnson who was elected mayor of 6.
Both the city council
and the citizens of 7.
Work of the
initiatives is implemented and carried out by all partners—neighborhood
associations, community groups, neighborhood associations, non-profits, etc. 8.
Gatherings were held
to celebrate the success of each sector’s development of its plan. 9.
The $5,000 provided to
each sector came from CDBG funds and also provided moral support to the groups. 10.
11.
The Neighbors Building
Neighborhoods Institute has been established for cities that wish to train its
leaders and residents in this process and implementation. 12.
Mayor
Johnson and the NBN (or “bottoms up”) planning process have attracted the
attention of the national media. 13.
Information
about the NBN concept and history is available on the City of 5. Communications and Announcements a.
Aaron Mair has asked Howard Stoller to participate in a radio talk
show. It was decided that he will
participate and discuss b.
The question of whether neighborhood associations need general
liability insurance was raised based upon the fact that c. The membership was informed of a two-night, September 11 teach-in. Adequate sponsorship of the event has been secured. d.
A resolution stating e.
The Historic Albany Foundation will hold its annual meeting and
awards presentation on f.
As of August 20 there is $1,469 in the 6.
Committee Reports University
and Community Relations
– Tom Gebhardt The next meeting will be
at Community Police CouncilThe Committee has not yet held its first meeting; therefore, there
was no report. Reapportionment Commission & Community Involvement
– Marggie Skinner Two plans have been produced. Maps
are available. The plans have gone
to the City Council but neither has yet been introduced.
7.
New Business a.
Four candidates are
likely to run for the two available seats on the school board.
It was suggested that b.
The chairman is
attempting to schedule Chris Hurley, the City budget director to speak at the
October CANA meeting. The c.
Members interested in
participating in the Neighborhood Works 3 planning committee should contact Gene
Solan at 964-6208. It will require
attendance at four or five meetings. d.
Craig Waltz announced
the possibility of an education summit. He
will present information at a future meeting. e.
Colin McKnight asked
that representatives from other neighborhood associations who are experiencing
problems or have issues with Niagara Mohawk contact him to coordinate and
present their problems as a larger and united group and, therefore, yield a more
positive result. f.
Georgette Steffins
reviewed the programs of the Albany Home Store and distributed written
information. g.
Appreciation was
expressed to those associations and members who encouraged and participated in
the efforts to revitalize the pool at The meeting adjourned at
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NAME
|
ASSOCIATION |
ADDRESS |
Howard Stoller |
|
|
Daniel
W. Van Riper |
|
|
Joyce
White |
|
209
|
Colin
McKnight |
Mansion |
|
Pat
Maxon |
|
|
Mary
Connari |
|
|
Gene
Solan |
|
126
So |
Donald
Wardle |
United
Tenants |
|
Harold
Rubin |
Center
Square NA |
|
Henry
M. Madej |
Pine
Hills NA |
hmmadej@yahoo.com |
Stephen
Winters |
|
227
|
Thomas
Gebhardt |
University
at |
tgebhardt@umail.albany.edu |
Holy
Katz |
Mansion |
|
Clare
Yates |
Center
Square |
|
Marggie
Skinner |
|
|
Comm.
Jack Nielsen |
City
of |
|
Jeff
Cannell |
|
|
G.
Mowbray |
H/P |
|
Colleen
Ryan |
H/PNA |
|
David
Phaff |
NANA |
|
Heather
Barrett |
|
|
Julie
Elson |
New
|
|
Elfreida
Textores |
South
End |
70
|
Tom
McPheeters |
Mansion |
|
Jordan
Gobrecht |
Center
Square |
|
Helen
Desfosses |
|
|
|
APD |
|
Mary
Ellen O’Connor |
Mansion |
|
Betsey
Schearer |
PSNA |
|
Andres
Harvey |
PSNA |
|
Marty
Gawoski |
Hest
Hill |
|
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No.
|
|
Rev.
Joyce Hartwell |
|
revjoy@nycap.rr.com |