19th Ward Community Association
Housing Committee
Wednesday Meeting Notes
October 17, 2012

The Meeting convened at 11:15 am.

Present: Marian B, Henrene B, Kathleen C, Donna S

Because of paving in the parking lot, we were unable to access the 19thWCA office, so we re-convened at Boulder Coffee Shop.

We briefly reviewed the activities of the Totes and Property Code Violations Sub-Committees. Totes are proceeding; Code Violations continues to establish ground rules and process.

We discussed the continuing lack of volunteers. We feel that it is vital to work within the Delegate structure of the 19thWCA by encouraging the Delegates to become familiar with and in regular contact with existing block clubs and to foster the formation of additional ones. We will meet with the new Executive Committee after the first of the year to introduce ourselves and discuss our goals.

Kathleen Connolly discussed the continuing disruptive behavior of students and the lack of responsibility for them displayed by their landlords as well as the University of Rochester and RIT. The students tend to be social, nocturnal, and, because they are out on their own for the first time, are largely unaware of personal safety issues. The landlords tend to pack their properties with as many students as possible, regardless of zoning and fire safety considerations.

Attempts to reach out to UR President Joel Seligman and Council Member Dana Miller have been met with silence.

We discussed ways the UR could assist, for instance by requiring students to allow entry by City Code Inspectors, and by making their addresses known to the Police and Fire Departments.

We recalled the fire on Upton Park a few years ago where several RIT students died. That property had multiple code violations and fines against it, yet the landlord was allowed to continue to rent it until that tragedy occurred.

We discussed contacting President Seligman, the Fire Department, the Police Department at platoon role calls, the NSC, City Council, and other neighborhoods that we are aware of who are having the same problems – South Wedge, Mt. Hope, Park Avenue; also the Town of Henrietta. Our concerns are not only for the effect of the students’ disruptive behavior on permanent residents, but also for their safety and the that of their neighbors.

Marian will construct a tentative timeline for the above.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Our next meeting is Thursday October 25th at 7:00 pm.

Minutes submitted by M Boutet