38th and Chicago Business Association Meeting
14 October, 2015 ~ CANDO Office 11:30-12:30pm
Members in attendance: Evette McCarthy, Mike Hoyt, Stephen Rocheford, Larry
Tucker, Henry Jimenez, Nick Cronin [Excused: Rebecca Lawrence]
Guests: Karen Notsch, Melissa Wisniewski – SecureNet, Jen Thorpe – GreenBee
Juicery, Dylan Fresco - Arts on Chicago
Evette called to order the meeting at 11:34 Hrs.
Discussion of the Minutes of the Sept meeting:
Moved Acceptance: Larry
Seconded:
Nick
Approved:
Unanimously
Discussion of the Financial Records:
Moved Acceptance: Mike
Seconded:
Henry
Approved:
Unanimously
Evette announced that October, 2015 starts the annual membership dues for renewal as
members.
$50.00
Individual or Home Business
$100.00
Business
$500.00
Neighborhood Association
Evette announced that the city mailed out grant check for $7,600.00 on Sept 4, but due
to changes in management at PPNA, the check was lost. Evette asked the city to cancel
the previous check and to mail another check ASAP.
Mike requested that Tabitha assist in the booking for the grant.
Karen Notsch reported on the crime statistics for the neighborhood. Crime is down
significantly in our area although there was an auto theft with no car found yet.
Furthermore, a burglary was foiled by rapid calls to 911 by neighbors. The suspect was
captured with a firearm. He has a previous history of criminal activity.
On 37th and Chicago a young girl was walking home at 2130hrs at night on Oct 11 and
was knocked down with her I-phone and purse stolen. Apparently she was not aware of
her surroundings at night when this occurred.
Guests: Mellissa from SecurnNET visited the association and passed out literature on
her company’s working with the Minneapolis Police, the use of cameras, and the
coordination of recordings to apprehend, prosecute, and convict felons around the city.
In particular the St Patrick’s Day affair downtown was cited as a good example of such
cooperation leading to arrests. Minneapolis is a starter city in the program and both the
Police and Fire Depts are working with the company paying fees to acquire the video
feeds. Membership is free to join The camera’s belong to the business’s and there are
more and more sophisticated methods available to increase security including live feeds
coordinated with the Police. The latter, however, is charged to the business by a fee.
Nick talked about the grand opening of the Seward Co-op on 6 October 2015 and what a
great success it has been. Sales and memberships have exceeded estimates. Nick
also reported that the Co-op has WICK availability, and is in the process of acquiring
SNAP but is currently on a 45 day wait list/ apparently the application was lost by the
Federal government.
Dwight from Smoke in the Pit was not available, but wished the group to know that he
was attempting to buy the building that he is in. Apparently the landlord raised the price
due to the improvements that Dwight put into the building. Dwight wishes to expand the
business, but if he cannot stay in his location, he is looking for another. Greg Maltby,
Realtor who was visiting the Business Asso was encouraged to speak with Dwight to
see if he could assist Dwight in any way.

Apparently the new neighborhood lighting has also raised the value of the
neighborhood property and helping to curb what little crime there is.

Larry suggested that the neighborhood have a “kick starter” at Smoke in the Pit in
order to assistant Dwight raising money to either buy the building or find another
location if he needs to leave the immediate current location and find another
close local spot.

Henry commented that Smoke in the Pit assists the neighborhood with lowering
crime as there is a physical presence on the street in the evening hours with
outdoor seating.
Jen and Evette were on a joint walking audit of the neighborhood with AARP to help
determine the expanding viability of making it an even better neighborhood for elderly
and retired people. Apparently AARP wishes to assist neighborhoods in the areas of
development for security and the neighborhood jointly. Jen talked about a video from
38th and Chicago to 4th Avenue.

One idea was to improve the neighborhood by using the church parking lot on
the corner of 38th and Chicago as a place where food trucks can be parked
during lunch hour. The space could possibly be rented by the church to food
trucks deriving revenue for the church and bringing more people into the
neighborhood to spend money during the lunch hour in good weather. The
church might wish to add a couple of outside benches for people to sit and enjoy
the lunch.

Artistic signage was brought up with directions and distances to business’s,
foreign cities, and neighborhoods points of interest. It is a good way to bring a
smile to people as they read them.
Larry announced that he is expanding his business with the purchase of two adjoining
lots. He has acquired the necessary signatures to amend the city zoning on one of the
lots and is currently working on the expansion pending approval.
Henry (Cando & Bryant) are currently working on drafting the community benefits
agreement with the Seward Coop. They are hoping to finish it soon and report back to
the neighborhood group.
Mike reported that the currently show “A Day in the Life” is very successful and is still
running for those who wish to attend. Several comments were made regarding the good
quality of the show by attendees who were present.
Henry announced that CANDO Neighborhood Association is having it’s annual Board of
Director’s election at their next meeting 24 October, 2015. The meeting is from 1-4PM
at the CANDO offices.
Move to adjourn the meeting was made at 12:45 by Mike
2nd by Larry
Passed unanimously
Respectfully submitted:
Stephen Rocheford, Acting Secretary for the Meeting
Member