Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations

Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations

Membership Meeting Minutes

Mayor’s Conference Room

Dearborn City Hall

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I.      Call to order

President Pulido called to order the regular meeting of the Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations at 7:26pm on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in the Mayor’s Conference Room.

President Pulido conducted a roll call.  The following persons signed in and were present:

Association: Representative or Guest:
Aviation Anne Basse
City of Dearborn John Cascardo
City of Dearborn Mazen H.
Crowley Park Maureen McIlrath
Dearborn City Council George Darany
Dearborn Hills Robert Seeley
Dearborn Hills Dan Webster
Golfcrest Country Club Estates Craig Dahlke
Golfcrest Country Club Estates Mary Bugeia
Hemlock/Blesser John Koski
Hemlock/Blesser Terry Pulido
Hemlock/Blesser Steve Sharp
Hemlock/Blesser Alex Shashko
Highland Marshall Wehr
Highland Jane Ahern
Howard Park Craig Frost
Morley Area Residents Association Jill Franks
Oakman Grove Mary Petlichkoff
Riverbend Ned Nikodem
Snow Woods Rick Fletke
Snow Woods Beth Michel
Snow Woods Marcel Pultorak
West Lane Civic Association Brenda Lemecha
West Village Square Condo Association Glenn Savarese
Woodworth Mark Lipischak
Jennifer Dunn

Excused Absences: Dave Tillman.

II.      Approval of minutes from last meeting

The DFNA minutes for February 3, 2010 passed with unanimity with the following correction:
In addition to the February 2010 Treasurer's Report, the DFNA 2009 Annual Treasurer's Report was submitted by Treasurer, Ned Nikodem and distributed to those present.

III.      Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Nikodem reported an ending balance of $754.43 ending February, 2010.

IV.      Guest Speaker, Michael Albano, Oxford Neighborhood

Given the recent increase in residential rentals, Michael Albano spoke on the topic of a Safe Neighborhood Program as related to rental properties.  He was not representing the City’s views, but rather, explaining this program’s implementation in other US cities including his first-hand experience of this program in a community where he has resided in the past.  He featured the potential benefits to the City in the event this program or a similar program gets adopted.  This program essentially provides background checks on renters.  Concerns were raised insofar as this program may welcome an unintended criminalization of potential renters for petty offenses found in background checks.  Other kinds of considerations were discussed, including the DFNA’s potential role such as helping to identify renter’s compliance with this program.

V.      Mayor’s DFNA Liaison

John Cascardo, representing Mayor John B. O’Reilly, provided an overview and update on Dearborn Matters and Projects.

·        The City sought to have more block captains

·        An overview and hand-outs were provided on Wayne County’s Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program

·        Information and a short description of the City’s new website was provided

·        A reminder regarding the Census was provided

·        The Community Gardens Initiative was briefly discussed

·        The Mayor’s State of the City was announced that it will take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center beginning at 7pm on Wednesday, March 10, 2010

·        Flyers for a presentation on rain barrels taking place in Grosse Pointe was furnished

·        An update on break-ins was furnished once requested by Mary Bugeia

VI.      Old Business

As a follow-up and response to Marcel Pultorak’s proposal, Mary Petlichkoff volunteered to chair a subcommittee on implementing a blueprint to assist Dearborn neighborhood associations with the DFNA acting as an umbrella organization.

VII.      New Business and Announcements

a)      Councilman Darany announced that plans are for a new Sonic Burger restaurant to open on Michigan and Telegraph.

b)     Steve Sharp raised a concern about the absence of sidewalks for students who walk to school near Miller and Wyoming.  Steve’s concern was for the safety of the students and the potential legal liability and financial implications to the City of Dearborn.  A discussion ensued.

c)      Ned Nikodem, in his role as a Commissioner on the Dearborn Demolition Board, briefly explained process and procedure as it pertained to a discussion on homes in foreclosure.

VIII.      Adjournment

The motion was approved to adjourn at 9:00pm

The next DFNA meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 7:30pm

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Ahern on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, Temporary Stand-In; Final Edit by Terry Pulido

Minutes approved by:  To be Determined

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