COPC Working Group on Housing

Meeting Minutes

September 9, 2004

 

In attendance: Kelly Hoffman, Amanda Cook (Pitt legal clinic), Daniel Friendson, Carolyn Ivanusic, Ruth Feathers, Tracy Soska, Kathryn Nordic (Pitt legal clinic), Nora Geig (Pitt legal clinic)

 

There has been some talk of Ron Graziano of the City of Pittsburgh assigning a new building inspector to Oakland and rotating Jimmy King out of Oakland.

 

Ms. Feathers said she was able to gain entry into one of Shaun Cusick’s properties and a discussion began around how to protect tenants when there are more than 3 living together. If they are complying w/ the lease but the least is not in compliance w/ the law, what happens?

 

Ms. Feathers suggested that the Pitt legal clinic conduct a seminar for students on how to read a lease, what is legal, what is illegal, etc…as part of our ongoing efforts to educate students about tenant rights/responsibilities.

 

Ms. Ivanusic said she has been trying to contact the Freshman Studies at Pitt to see if we could do a class on things students need to know before moving off campus.

 

Ms. Feathers reported that one of Jake Wheatley’s assistants wants to file a complaint against (his/her?) landlord. Mr. Friedson said to send him over to the clinic. Mr. Soska suggested going to Student Government to access legal assistance as well.

 

Keep It Clean, Oakland Update:

Between the dumpsters and the city of Pittsburgh Environmental Services, 68 tons of trash, couches, debris, etc. was collected. More attention needs to be drawn to this project- the Pitt News, the University Times, etc. should be contacted especially since the story on KDKA made it seem like the City was entirely responsible for the project.

 

Day of Caring is Tuesday, the 14th. 55 volunteers (Pitt faculty and staff) have signed up.

 

Ms. Feathers happily announced that there were no couch fires this year.

 

4 groups have signed up for the Adopt-a-Block program and many more are interested. Mr. Soska suggested we contact Jim Kelly from the social work program at Carlow. He may be able to help us get a group from Carlow to adopt Chesterfield Rd.

 

The group reviewed the off campus housing survey and made suggestions. We would like to again try to get this survey in into the Pitt News. Last year, we tried, w/ SGB but were not successful. Ok here’s a test so see who is reading the minutes. First person to answer this riddle gets a prize at the next working group meeting: Name something that is: greater than God and more evil than the devil. The poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it you'll die. Good luck and thanks for reading the minutes!!

 

It was also suggested that we get the survey on line at my.pitt.edu. 

 

Ms. Feathers reported that the neighborhood defense fund is at $700. OCC needs additional funding.

 

Mr. Friedson reminded us to write our “wish list” of technical assistance needs on letter head for him.

 

Ms. Hoffman said a while back she looked into having some recycling containers on Forbes Ave., similar to the plastic soda bottle shaped ones on Walnut St. in Shadyside. The city would be willing to put a few on Forbes Ave. as longs as we could

1)      have a dedicated group of volunteers that would empty out the containers

2)      have storage space for the volunteers to put the bags until the city could pick them up. The city would come a few times a week, depending on necessity.

 

Ms. Hoffman said she would talk to Georgia (OBID) about having the recycling containers.

 

Ms. Feathers said groups are forming for “Oakland Walks”, a program designed to increase the level of exercise that people get.

 

OCC will meet Monday, September 13, 2004 at 6:00 at People’s Oakland.

 

The COPC Working Group on Housing meeting schedule has changed.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 5th at 2:30. The November one will be the 9th at 2:30. Meetings are at ODPC unless otherwise noted.