Many people do not know that Guavaween is a fundraiser for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce (YCCC). As such, we as a neighborhood are interested in seeing it succeed and come out of a slight slump in attendance. This year the Chamber projected 80,000 revelers would come out to the events held on Saturday. No major incidents were reported.

6 years and going strong. Remember to support our neighborhood fresh market every Saturday (except this one coming up because of Guavaween)!

See their latest newsletter here (.pdf)

The department was on the hook to beautify the area because the road crosses Ybor City, a national historical landmark district.

The feds required noise barriers and enhanced landscaping to make the
interstate compatible with the neighborhood. But state transportation
officials say they’ve surpassed those requirements.

I-4 has been the great divider in Ybor since its construction. Much of Ybor was leveled back during the "Urban Renewal" period in the 60’s to build it. It is good to see some effort is being made to add character to the new and improved interstate section that crosses our neighborhood.

Hi Neighbors,

This is a great opportunity to get to know the TPD District III Command. Hope to see you there!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ragan Park Community Center 1200 E. Lake Ave.
WHAT: “Strengthening Our Relationship” workshop

Minutes of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association Board Members Meeting 10-16-06

The meeting of the HYNCA Board was held at the Tre-Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City FL 33605 at 1830 on October 16th and was called to order by the President, Tony LaColla at 1835.

The following Directors attended: Tony LaColla, President, Scott Moore, Treasurer, and Thomas C. Knueppel, Secretary.

The following Directors-at-Large were also present: Rich Simmons, Carl Hognefelt, and Ron DeSantis.

Members in attendance were: Jose Garboza, Tom Stephens, Pam Hopper, Robin Williams, Connie Rasmussen, Judy Greer, Alex Zayas, Tom Keating, Sharon Rose, A. Sandor, Rosemary Saumas, Dustin Konansky, Keith Werks, Ian Rashid, Tim Casey, Steven Erickson, Joe Howden, Christiaan Cavallaro (my apologies in advance if I misspelled any of these names or omitted some members attending – but the handwriting on our attendance list is not that readable <bg>)

Thomas C. Knueppel prepared the minutes

Proceedings:

• The Board approved the Minutes from our 10-2-06 meeting.

• The representative from CCEvents discussed the upcoming Guavaween festivities and handed out a schedule of events and free daytime tickets. Thomas C. Knueppel raised the subject of free daytime vs. nighttime tickets for those residents who are directly impacted by these festivities. After a spirited discussion it was decided that this subject should be shelved until next year’s Guavaween. Joe Howden recommended that a separate committee be formed to develop an approach to deal with this issue. ACTION: To be discussed at the next Board meeting. Tom Keating elaborated on the fact that this event is a fundraiser for the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, in the event that any of our residents needs to contact CCEvents during the festivities, they can be raised at 813-248-0721.

• Tony LaColla reported on several items:

1. The YCDC Alleyways meeting and stated that nothing was decided at that meeting.
2. At the Mayor’s Roundtable the subject of Club Fuel/Empire was discussed after residents suggested that the nature of the crowds attending these clubs needed to be changed to address both noise and disturbance issues. Apparently, the City is out of ideas and has requested Citizen Input.

• Several members raised the issue of parking problems around the area of the “Quarter” and it was suggested that the existing parking permit program in Ybor be extended to encompass the area around the Quarter i.e. cover South Ybor to 21st and 17th. . A motion was made by Carl Hognefelt, which was seconded by Christiaan Cavallaro. ACTION: Tony LaColla to invite a representative from the Parking Authority and the Quarter to our next meeting.

• Scott Moore reported that our organizations’ finances now stood at about $ 350.00

• Jose Garboza elaborated on the “Historic Ybor Helping Neighbors” program, which is meant to help those of our neighbors who are in need of either or both financial and operational help to keep their properties maintained. ACTION: Jose Garboza to form a committee to propose a program. Committee members are: Lauren & Steve from 4th Ave. (Did not get their last names), Russell Smeback and Tom Stephens.

• We then discussed the location for our next “social” and it was agreed to hold this at the Ybor City Museum sometime in December. ACTION: December 4th at 6:30 pm at the Ybor City Museum.

• Joe Howden presented an “Ybor T-Shirt” and suggested that we offer this to our embers.

• A suggestion was made by Carl Hognefelt that our organization should be participating at “Quarter” events. ACTION: Tony LaColla and Carl Hognefelt to discuss.

Our next general member meeting will be held on Monday, November 20th at 1830 pm at the Bunker – Tre Amici Bar.

The meeting as adjourned at 2000.

________________________________________
Thomas C. Knueppel, Secretary

When: October 16 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: 3 Amici Bar @ The Bunker 1907 N. 19th St.

I. Welcome/Introduction

II. Approval of Minutes from 9/18 meeting (Approved at 10/2/06 BOD Meeting)

III. Speaker from CC Events Regarding Guavaween

IV. Board of Directors Reports
A. President – Tony LaColla
1. YCDC – Alleyways
2. Mayor’s Roundtable
3. Letters to Mayors Office
B. Vice President – Aiesha Snachez (Out of Town)
C. Secretary - Thomas Knueppel
D. Treasurer – Scott Moore
1. Financial Report
E. Directors –at-Large

V. Possible actions regarding recent disturbances around Club Fuel/Empire and throughout Ybor City.

VI. Historic Ybor Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Jose Garboza, Committee Chair
A. Formation of committee to take action on idea discussed at 10/02 BOD meeting.

VII. Old Business/New Business
A. Tampa’s Greenprinting Initiative – Possible grant opportunity for us to pursue for Jose Marti Park
B. Rezoning Public Hearing concerning Central Park Development - Thurs. Oct. 26, 5:00 pm, City Hall.

The City of Tampa S.W.E.E.P program is coming to Ybor City on two days in October. This program was established by the City of Tampa to keep neighborhoods beautiful and prevent illegal dumping. Historic Ybor is broken down into two areas for the clean-up.

October 14: West Ybor City (boundaries include Hillsborough River on west, 15th St. on east, I4/I275 on north, Harbor Island on South).

October 21: East Ybor City (boundaries include 15th St. on west, City Limits on east, I-4 on north, Adamo on south)

Items may be placed curbside 8-days prior to a cleanup, but NO LATER than 7:30 a.m. the morning of a cleanup.

Materials accepted for collection during S.W.E.E.P. Cleanup:

Appliances, furniture, televisions, mattress, tires without rims, carpet, yard waste, wood, dried latex paint, toilets, computer equipment, bicycles, toys and barbecue grills. Large appliances will be picked up during the following week, however they must be placed at curbside with all other materials.

Materials not accepted:

Auto parts; building materials such as sheds, fences, tile, pipe, wood/plywood, brick, concrete blocks, roofing materials, doors, windows or drywall; hazardous, toxic, or combustible materials, such as lead, mercury, asbestos, PCB’s, chlorine, radioactive material, herbicides, pesticides, explosives, ammunition, or pressurized gas cylinders, liquid wastes including paints, solvents, or fuels; tires with rims, sludge, motor oil, metal drums, household garbage and tree trunks over 5’ long or over 100 lbs.

For more information call the City of Tampa Solid Waste Department at 348-1111.

In Ybor City, a budget of more than $2.7 million lost about $40,000 earmarked for improvements at Centennial Park and for one block of streetscaping.

Centennial Park will see improvements, but, like other areas hit with cuts, work there will not be finished as quickly as hoped.

Unfortunately, our city council forgot the impact their decision would have in this and other CRA neighborhoods. See more of this story here.