Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations

Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations

Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2009

1.               Call to order:

Terry Pulido: Called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.

Members in Attendance:

2.               Approval of the September minutes.

Mary Petlichkoff motioned to approve the minutes, Mark Lipischak seconded. Minutes were approved.

3.               Treasurer’s Report:

Ned Nikodem Presented the treasurer’s report:

                    Beginning  balance                       $1014.43
                    Income (Dues)                              +     $0.00
                    Expense                                       -        0.00
                    Balance as of 10/07/2009               $ 1014.43

4.               John Cascardo DFNA Liaison and Assistant Director of the New Residential Services Department:

Updated the membership on the transition of the prior Building and Safety Department responsibilities with the Economic and Community Development Department for Commercial, Residential Services Department for Residential and Department of Public Works for Neighborhood Services now in charge of all trash set outs, litter issues, tall grass, leaf pick-ups, weeds issues and the Public Service Day Program.

The transitions for the old Building and Safety Department are progressing and bugs are being ironed out with process improvements.  Residents should continue to call (313) 943-2161 regarding issues of trash, litter, rental properties, abandoned properties, blighted properties, vector issues etc. to get the right department to respond to their requests.

Residents are to refer to the City of Dearborn calendar to find phone numbers (attached) to call the appropriate City of Dearborn Department regarding any issue with property care, maintenance, or ordinance violations.   Calendars are still available at the City of Dearborn Public Information Department (313) 943-2285.

Dearborn Residents, Landlords, Tenants and Business owners that have an issue to report to the City of Dearborn should refer to the City of Dearborn calendar to obtain phone numbers to call a specific Department who would be responsible for their issue.  If you are still not sure who to call after you look at the City of Dearborn calendar call (313) 943-2161.  For Police emergency issues please call 911 and for non-Police emergency issues please call (313) 943-3030.

If residents cannot obtain a resolution for their issues within a reasonable time, they should contact their Neighborhood Association President who will contact John Cascardo or Abe Dabaja to follow up on the issue. Issues with digital photos are most helpful when they are accompanied by address information of the issue including the date and time of when the photos were taken.  The President of the Neighborhood will e-mail the issues that were not followed up by a Department to John Cascardo or Abe Dabaja. www.jcascardo@ci.dearborn.mi.us  or ww.idabaja@ci.dearborn.mi.us

Remember that calling the Mayor’s office first when there is an issue only slows down the process to obtain an equitable and timely resolution because the Mayor’s office will take down the information and forward the information to a Department to obtain all of the prior information related to the issue.  Please start with calling the appropriate phone number in the City of Dearborn calendar first before calling the Mayor’s office in order to save time with resolving an issue. 

Aviation received a City Beautiful award for their neighborhood garden. Big plans are under way for next year’s neighborhood gardens with a big garden planed for the Crowley Park area.

5.               Neighborhood News:

Ford Homes Historic District: Sylvia Tillman announced that the FHHD meeting will be held 10/14/09. Annual “Pumpkin Walk” is slated for 10/30/09 at dusk, residents decorate and display seasonal decorations and walk about the neighborhood to vote on the best display.

Hemlock/Blesser Neighborhood Association: Alex Shasko informed the association of suspicious activity regarding tennis shoes tossed over and hanging from electrical wires. Alex indicated that this was a way of marking the area as a spot where drugs are available and marking “turf”. This is an item that needs investigation and monitoring. Abe Dabaja agreed to follow up.

Mary Bugeia, representing the League of Women Voters Dearborn, Dearborn Heights let us know that the League hosted a  council candidate debate and it is currently airing on the city cable channel. Information can also be obtained at www.LWVDDH.org

Dustin Campbell, representing Senator Irma Clark-Coleman let us know that the Senator is hard at work trying to find a way to get the state’s budget approved and that there are some programs available to ease the foreclosure crisis facing our area,  more information can be obtained by contacting Dustin at:  www.dcampbell@senate.michigan.gov

Terry Pulido reminded the group that November the DFNA will be accepting nominations for the December election of officers. Nominations are open to all and the positions up for election are President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

6.               Adjournment:

With there being no further business Rick Fletke motioned for adjournment, Mark Lipischak seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 9:03 PM.

7.               Associations in attendance:

 The next meeting will be held in the Mayor's conference room 11/04/2009 @ 7:30 pm. These minutes have been compiled and submitted by Dave Tillman, Secretary DFNA.  http://www.dfna.org