Date: February 12th, 2009

The RSCA Business Group met 2/9/09 at 4 p.m. at Neighborhood Realty. Maureen States, Nancy Drew, Deborah Hughes, Kathy Cauley, Kathie Meyer and Kitty Brunkhorst attended.

Andrew Lang from the Public Improvements committee of the RSCA Board of Directors came to get our input on deciding how to spend $6000 by 6/30/2009. Several grants were applied for over the past couple of years to improve the business district so there is additional money to be spent, but $6000 needs to be spent by 6/30 or returned to the grantor. The Public Improvements committee knew that banners, benches and garbage cans had been discussed. The main issue with banners is that a monthly fee has to be paid to Duquesne Light if banners are placed on their poles and an additional application fee must be paid every 90 days. It may be possible to place banners only at the ends of the business district, thus avoiding Duquesne Light poles. A suggestion was made to investigate installing grates around the 27 trees lining the business district matching the ones near Square Café and Dr. Gleason’s office. It was felt that it was possible to research options and get an order plac
ed by 6/30 while we looked further into options for the banners, trash cans and benches. Andrew will report back at our meeting on 3/9. Generally it was felt that we should improve what exists before adding things to the streetscape.

There was a discussion on increasing the membership fee for businesses and residents to cover the cost of the annual tree lighting. Any changes to the current structure would need to be discussed and approved by the RSCA board.

Cleaning out the cigarette butt receptacles needs to be done by business owners. Taking turns doing this may be a way to see that this happens regularly.

Next meeting is Monday 3/9 at 4 p.m. at Neighborhood Realty (1038 S. Braddock). Meetings will also be held 4/20, 5/11, 9/14, 10/12 and 11/9 at 4 p.m. at Neighborhood Realty. Contact Nancy Drew (nancy@drewdesignsltd.com, 412-244-1369) or Maureen States (maureenstates@neighborhoodrealtyservices.net, 412-241-4700 x11) for further information.