Feb. 20 Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Heller Park Neighbors Meeting
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:00-8:30 PM
Southern Hills Baptist Church, Fireside Room

Attendance: 84 neighbors
Guests: Ken Hill, Chris Cox and Mark Brown from City of Tulsa, Major Dennis Larsen and Cpt. Rick Helberg from UDSW police department and Cason Carter, District 9 City Councilor

Items Discussed:

THANK YOU - Thanks went to Kyle and Sarah Wright for sponsoring our flyers. Kyle of K. Wright Irrigation (346-2899) and Sarah Wright, Keller Williams Realtor (346-2898 or sarahwright@tulsarealtors.com) paid for 1000 flyers.

Thanks also went to the volunteers who helped to pass out over 800 flyers: Dr. Lanny Endicott and four ORU students, Bethany Bjorkland, Stephanie Mendez, Ann Gabayan, and Kim Touthung, as well as neighbors Jamie Belger, Denice Brice, Jim and Alice Costas, Tom and Jamie Fry, Gerry Hendon, Gail Ryan, Richard Stathem and Ted and Wendi Ward. Also Gail Ryan called a number of neighbors who were not on the email list.

CRIME - Captain Helberg talked about the recent stabbings at 56th and Peoria. He said that this was a domestic violence case, and although it was tragic, it is not an indication of high crime in our neighborhood. He said that folks in their homes should feel safe.

ROBBERIES - One neighbor asked about the recent robberies at businesses near I-44, such as Waffle House. Cpt. Helberg said that the combination of Section 8 housing and close access to the highway means that businesses that have few staff late at night will be at risk for robbery.

SPEEDING ON UTICA - Mark Brown, City of Tulsa Traffic Operations Manager was asked about speeding down Utica near the park. A street study had already been requested and completed and as soon as the petition is signed, the City will complete the speed humps project.

SAND - Mr. Brown was also asked about the sand that is left over from the snow storm. He said the City was not able to get enough salt to keep up with the heavy snow storms we had, which is why more sand was used than usual. The City is still working on cleaning it up.

51ST AND LEWIS - Mr. Brown and several neighbors discussed problems with the light at 51st and Lewis, specifically that it does not give enough time for left turns. This intersection will be addressed when I-44 is widened.

61ST AND YORKTOWN - The need for a stoplight and left turn lanes at 61st and Yorktown was also discussed. The City is looking into an interim solution to deal with the high traffic generated by Metro and McClure schools until the money is available to widen 61st from Peoria to Lewis.

52ND STREET/DEAD END - The problem of 52nd Street near the Lewiston apartments was also discussed. This street is supposed to be a dead end, but thru-access is often available and apartment residents use this street to get to the complex. Several neighbors talked about the traffic and crime on this street. Major Larsen is going to contact the apartment managers and owners about this problem. Mr. Brown is also looking into the issue.

61ST/RIVERSIDE TO PEORIA - Mr. Cox discussed the street improvement projects in our area. The widening and drainage designs for 61st between Riverside and Peoria are complete and right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations will begin this year. Construction is scheduled to begin in two years.

61ST/ PEORIA TO LEWIS - The widening and drainage designs for 61st between Peoria and Lewis are complete but the right-of-way, utility relocations, and construction is not yet funded, although it is a top priority for the City.

PEORIA/61ST TO RIVERSIDE - The design for Peoria Avenue from 61st Street South to Riverside Parkway has been funded and design work will begin in six years. This street is also a high priority for the City.

I-44 AND 61ST/PEORIA - Neighbors asked whether the I-44 construction will occur at the same time as the 61st and Peoria construction. Mr. Hill responded that the City will coordinate that with ODOT, and the 61st and Peoria construction will likely be completed first.

COUNCILOR CARTER - Councilor Carter congratulated our residents for having such interest and involvement in the neighborhood. He fielded a variety of questions.

I-44 - Many residents wanted to know the status of I-44 right-of-way acquisitions and construction. Councilor Carter suggested contacting Congressman Sullivan. (Editor's note: you can send Rep. Sullivan a message by visiting the following website: http://sullivan.house.gov/contact.shtml . You can also speak to the I-44 project managers by calling Randall White at 838-9933 or Ray Sanders at 405-522-7600 or James Pruett at 405-522-7604. Also, we will send a message to let neighbors know when ODOT calls a meeting in our neighborhood to discuss I-44 expansion.)

CITY STREETS/PLANNING - Councilor Carter also discussed the backlog of street improvements and the need for more comprehensive city planning to make on-time improvements to streets.

CAMELOT - Both Councilor Carter and Major Larson fielded questions about the Camelot Hotel. They agreed that it is not only an eyesore, but a danger to folks, including police officers who are called to that location. The City is exploring ways to fund an abatement project and then charging the costs back to the current owners of the Camelot. The Camelot building will not be affected by I-44 expansion.

CONTACTING MAJOR LARSEN - Major Larsen said that crime statistics have greatly improved in our area over the past years, but he encouraged neighbors to use his email address if they are dealing with an ongoing problem, such as the speeding and crime that is occurring on 52nd near the Lewiston apartments. His email address is dlarsen@ci.tulsa.ok.us .

HELICOPTER - Neighbors asked about the helicopters that circle our area on a regular basis. Major Larsen said that they are usually testing and improving their infra-red tracking technology.

SOUTH PEORIA HOUSE - Erin Hardy discussed the activities of the South Peoria Neighborhood House. The House provides social services to area residents, including a food and clothing closet, computer access, bus tokens for job interviews and doctors appointments, and after-school snacks and tutoring for kids. The House is located at 1208 E. 58th Street and its website is www.riverwoodtulsa.com

HELLER PARK - Wendi Ward, Board member of the SPNCF, gave an update on the Heller Park Improvement Plan. The list of priorities that the neighbors discussed over the past six months was submitted to the Parks Department. It included an improvement package for Heller Theatre, lighting for the walking trail and playground, improved parking, new playground equipment, a splash pad, a sidewalk going north to 53rd Street, a new picnic shelter, drinking fountains, new trees and maintenance for old trees, dredging of canal, anti-litter signs, emergency phone, message board, and doggie-doo stations. As of yet, these items have not been accepted by the Parks Department as Capital Improvement Projects, but when they come up for a vote, the neighbors will be encouraged to attend the Park Board meeting to show support. A great deal of thanks goes to David Simmons, from the City's Planning Department for helping us with the park improvement plan.

HELLER THEATRE - Wendi Ward also encouraged neighbors to go to Heller Theatre's Irish Night and Silent Auction Benefit on Friday, March 2 at 8:00 pm. The cost is $10 and the proceeds will go to sending our theatre to regional competition with their award-winning production. The Irish Night Benefit will be a Laughing Matter Improv show in which the players use input from the audience to do improvisational theatre. Call 746-5065 for reservations.

SEPTEMBER MEETING/ALERT NEIGHBORS - The September meeting is tentatively scheduled for the third Tuesday in September. The guest speaker will talk about starting or re-instating an Alert Neighbors program on your block. We apologize for the lack of space at this meeting and we will get a larger space to accommodate the wonderful, enthusiastic neighbors who have been attending our meetings.

Thanks to all who attended, and please encourage your neighbors to join our email list to stay informed about our community.