Trustees in attendance: Abe Bruckman; Paul Ciupa; Steve Henstridge; Christine Kowalski; Jim O’Connor; Alice Ratka; Dane Reich; Lynea Reindel; Matt Reitz

Staff: Robyn Sandys

Matt Reitz called the meeting to order at 6:14 pm, followed by introductions.

Minutes: The minutes of the January 22, 2008 Board Meeting were read and approved.

Councilman Report:

Councilman Kelley was present and reported the following: Council held budget hearings and was considering the use of income tax revenue-based bonds rather than property tax-based bonds because of the decline in real estate values. The capital expense budget for the city includes $200,000 for Loew Park. The capital expense budget for the state includes $50,000 for Loew Park.

Councilman Kelley responded to a question concerning an article in the February 7, 2008 edition of the Brooklyn Sun News concerning the Memphis School site.

Councilman Cummins was present and reported the following: NRP Group, which has proposed a low-income housing development for senior citizens on the Memphis School site, has also proposed a similar project for a site on Denison and West 20th Street. Neither project is a done deal.

Councilman Cummins is involved with Council’s consideration of whether or not Cleveland should agree to buy electricity from a new coal-fired plant to be built in Meigs County.

Councilman Cummins spoke with Gary Sautter, Chief of Capital Programs for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, concerning the renovation of Denison Elementary and Benjamin Franklin Schools and about the lease on the Benjamin Franklin Gardens.

Councilman Cummins discussed his prior request for a special meeting with the Board to discuss neighborhood relations and OBCDC funding for 2008/2009. He presented a written narrative concerning his request.

Treasurer’s Report: There was no Treasurer’s report because the CDC had not yet received the January financials from the accountant.

Executive Director Report: The Executive Director presented her report.

The Executive Director’s report included, for approval, Resolution 2008-004 authorizing her to submit a completed 2008/2009 funding grant application to the Cleveland Department of Community Development. Paul Ciupa moved to approve the resolution. Motion approved. Board members also need to sign a conflict of interest statement which must be included in the grant application.

The Executive Director announced the hiring of Ms. Sheila Quealy-Walter as the new Code Enforcement Manager. Her first day was February 19, 2008. The Executive Director passed out copies of Ms. Quealy-Walter’s resume to the Board and read the information aloud to the guests.

The Executive Director did not discuss membership dues.

The Executive Director presented copies of a Cleveland Magazine article with photographs about an area outside of Old Brooklyn as a model to use in creating a promotional article for the CDC service area. The cost for the promotional article is $1,500. Councilman Cummins suggested that the article mention Old Brooklyn, Archwood-Denison, and Brooklyn Centre. There is money in the advertising budget to cover this. No additional motion to approve is required.

The OBN and Memphis School site items were as reported the Executive Director’s narrative report.

Committee Reports:

Jim O’Connor passed out a packet that included material from Ohio City Near West Development Corporation concerning its 2008 housing tour and information about the planned 2008 Old Brooklyn housing tour.

Announcements: As shown on the meeting agenda. In addition, Matt Reitz announced the availability of an OBCDC Guest Comment Form designed to allow guests to submit written comments or request information or services from the CDC.

Comments from Guests: The guest sign-in sheet contained 44 names. The floor was opened for their questions and comments.

Individuals expressed, strongly, both satisfaction and dissatisfaction with policies, practices, and specific actions of the CDC, the Board and the Executive Director.

Adjournment: Matt Reitz moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. Motion approved.