Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association

August 17, 2006 - Meeting Minutes

Nov 03, 2006

Minutes
Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association
17 August 2006 (1900 ?– 2015)
Chapel of Saint Philip

Next Meeting ?– 21 September (7:00 pm) St Philip

Don Driskell moved that the minutes of the 20 July 2006 meeting be approved and was seconded by Irene Spicer. The minutes were approved without dissent.

Helga Ulrich (Treasurer) reported that the current balance is $3243.00.

Old Business ?–
The issue of truck traffic through Toonerville and the possibility of a sound barrier along Interstate 65 dominated the old business. Concern for public safety was expressed about the heavy trucks using the one way streets through Toonerville. Vibrations caused by these heavy trucks and the possible affect upon the historic structures are also a concern.

Melissa Oldham, a resident of Floyd Street, came to express her concern about the sounds from Interstate 65 and the vibrations caused by the heavy trucks on both the Interstate and Floyd Street. It was the general opinion that property values along the east side of Floyd Street are lower, many of the structures are vacant and those that are occupied are rental properties and this was due to the fact that there is much noise from I-65 traffic ?– a sound barrier is clearly needed.

Concerns were expressed for the poor / lack of signage on St. Catherine Street and the ramps from I-65 to the north bound turn lane on 2nd Street and the south bound turn lane onto 3rd Street.

Brian Seger, who has done a great deal of investigating about sound barriers and how the public got them installed along the interstate system in southern Indiana and along the Watterson Expressway (I-264) indicated that the issue needs to be brought up to the Federal Highway Administration.

The consensus of the group was that we wanted a sound barrier along Interstate 65, that Brook and First Streets need to be made into two way streets, the signage along St. Catherine and the I-65 exit ramps need improvement and we should consider (in the long term) having the traffic lights removed and all the intersections turned into four way stops ?– using historic stop signs and posts. The rational being that the interstate sounds affect property values and the quality of life along Floyd Streets and slowing traffic along 1st and Brook Streets will benefit the public safety and the neighborhood.

Much discussion revolved around how to reach the aforementioned objectives. The signage on St. Catherine was possibly the most difficult, but the issue needed to be brought up to the Old Louisville PIC (Property Improvement Committee). Brian Seger volunteered to write an article for the Old Louisville Journal and possibly for the Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. President Kevin Kouba will co-author this article. The article will discuss the need for the sound barrier along the west side I-65. It will also include a discussion of the need to have Brook and 1st Streets turned back into two way streets for both safety, the preservation of both the historic structures and to preserve the "feeling" of the late 19th / early 20th century historic neighborhood. The idea of changing the intersections back to historic four way stops will be left for later discussion, because of the issues related to fuel conservation.

Once the article was written, Toonerville will have to bring the issue of the sound barrier and two way streets to the PIC. We hope it would then go to the Neighborhood Council and eventually to the Metro Council. If these organizations will back the concept ?– the issue can be taken to Congressman Anne Northrup as well as the Federal Highway Administration.

Satellite dishes are not allowed in the Historic Preservation District of Old Louisville. If they are visible from the street, they are "not in compliance with the historic preservation ordinance" (read this as "illegal"). These should be reported via email to Don Driskell (dd_n_ky@yahoo.com). Don will make sure they are reported to the property authorities and your report will be anonymous.

The owner(s) of properties at 1365, 1369 and 1372 S Brook are under the impression these structures can be made into apartments, they have been vacant for a year and are supposed to revert to single family ?– we may need to write letters to see that they comply.

1254 S Brook will be torn down! Apparently, this structure has had so much water damage it has been irreparably damaged. The owners have gone through all the right channels and the approval is legitimate. This structure is located on the west side of Brook, about five houses north of the corner of Ormsby.

Boundaries of Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association were discussed. We are the largest neighborhood association in Old Louisville. Clearly, there are issues about getting neighbors from throughout the area involved in a single project. Why, for example, should people on Floyd Street get involved in work on 1st Street? It is also hard to keep up interest over such a large area ?– focus is an issue. The issues were discussed and the general consensus was that we need focus committees on the various issues ?– maybe involving people from a specific portion of Toonerville to get a task completed, but the support of the whole organization can be brought to focus. For example ?– the sound barriers along I-65 can be supported by all of Toonerville by writing letters and attending committee meetings. By showing our support, in numbers, we can be more effective.

We ask our membership to bring up task or area specific ideas so we can develop focus groups or committees to work on them. Be sure to bring your ideas to the next meeting.

New Business ?–

Do we want to involve ourselves in bulb sales to raise funds for TTNA? It was the consensus of those present that we do. Irene Spicer will look into the possibility of getting a booth at St. James in 2007 for bulb sales. Kevin Kouba will look into other options.

Helga Ulrich moved that we contribute $300 (about 10% of our treasury) to the St. Catherine neighborhood organization to support the "historic" street light project. Aaron Jent seconded. St. Catherine is the "front door" to Old Louisville. If their lights are working, it reflects positively on the entire neighborhood. Discussion suggested that they knew the financial situation and cost going into the street lighting project. They have raised significant money and are close to finishing their financial obligation. The motion was defeated.

Helga Ulrich moved that we contribute $300 (again, about 10% of the treasury) to the Old Louisville Visitor's Center. Don Driskell made the second. There was much discussion over this point. The point was brought up that the 1300 block of 3rd Street put up a $5000 challenge to all the neighborhood associations and our contribution of $300 would be doubled to $600 as a result. Ultimately, it was decided that the benefit to Old Louisville of the Visitor's Center was significant and we voted to contribute the $300. The motion passed.

It was suggested that we consider having post cards, letterhead & envelopes, photographs, graphics, or refrigerator magnets with the Toonerville Trolley (since we are the original Toonerville Trolley) logo or design on it, for sale at the Visitor's Center. We need someone good in graphic design and motivated to work on this find raising project.

Other fundraising ideas included: members of Toonerville parking cars for festivals (such as the fall festival ?– a Black tie gala scheduled for this fall).

Brian Seger and Aaron Jent are preparing proposals to Operation Brightside ?– the former, for the public property at the 1000 block of Brook Street and the later for the Toonerville Park. Both are for landscaping and plantings. Brightside gives small grants every six months for such things.

A video was made at the Gardens of Old Louisville Tour. It is about 45 minutes long and is entirely within Toonerville. It may be shown at the Conrad-Caldwell House on 26 August or 16 September (depending when the final product is ready). The grand opening may become a garden party with lemonade and cookies. Copies will be for sale at the Old Louisville Visitor Center. Toonerville is scheduled to receive a small percent of sales.

University of Louisville has a project of cleaning up portions of Brook and Floyd Streets, this weekend or next. If you see a bunch of young folk picking up trash ?– you might want to thank them and bring them a cold drink. This is a community relations project for incoming freshmen.

Crime and Safety Committee Report ?– Muggings in Old Louisville continue, according to police, it is best to divest yourself of anything of value as you walk about in your neighborhood. It is suggested that you should only carry your house key and a single form of identification ?– for your protection.

The Crime and Safety Committee is holding a class on identity theft, this Monday (21 August) at 7:00 pm in the Old Louisville Information Center. It is free for those who want to attend.

A motion from the floor was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 there were seven simultaneous seconds and people were exiting the building by 8:15 and 30 seconds.