Avondale Community Council returns back in session

Call to Order: 

• Meeting started promptly at 6:03 p.m. by Council Member Antonio Williams.
• Began with a word of prayer by Vice President Jennifer Foster. 
• Council members attendance:
  • Antonio Williams
  • Sandra Jones Mitchell
  • Russel Hairston
  • Patrick Cartier
  • Jennifer Foster
  • Pastor Sil Watkins
  • Pastor Ennis Tait
  • Tamika Turner Douglas (absent)

Presentations:

Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD)

• CFD Lt. Jeff Hafner shared about  the activities the fire department is leading this fall.
  • From Oct. 5  to  Oct. 11, CFD will offer fire prevention training (Charge Into Fire Safety), where residents can learnabout battery safety – especially on how to safely charge bikes and scootersThe department will also host fire safety lessons and drills in schools.
  • Hafner saidthere are new colors on fire hydrants throughout Avondale. The color indicates  how much water can come out of that hydrant. Residents can determine whether their hydrant is out of water or not.
    • Blue is the best, green is good, orange is bad, and red is dangerous. 
• The Cincinnati Fire Department offices and training offices are currently moving and are under development. 

Cincinnati Police Department (CPD)

• A Cincinnati police officer who serves Acondale ) Avondale said the area has been quiet over the summer.  Many of the shootings this summer have been in North Avondale. The most pressing issue recently were massive raids of apartments in the area.
  • The officer said there have also been numerous school fights Youth need more guidance from parents and families to improve behavior. 
• Council Vice President Jennifer Foster said Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) has about 7,000 children not attending school. She said everyone needs to be vigilant about helping children because it “takes a village.”
• Resident concerns: 

• One resident asked if people can  go into schools to teach children how to properly cross the street. Her comment came in response to a  loss in crossing guards. Another resident said  there are still crossing guards, though the number has decreased. The Officer and Councilperson Pastor Ennis Tait did not seem confident on how to resolve this issue, if it is occurring.  
• One resident asked if disrespectful behavior in children could be improved. Tait said conflict resolution is a learned behaviour at home, and it is escalating to a point where the officer is afraid to talk to kids. Tait said the community needs to focus on the parents more than the kids. 

Williams thanked the officer for his time and introduced President Sandra Jones Mitchell for the presidential address and updates. 

• Mitchell said membership applications are open for community council  committees . Applications were only distrubuted in-person, and there are no online membership applications. Committees may be related to housing, safety, and schools. 
• The community council is in desperate need of volunteers, with the possibility of paid opportunities. 
• Mitchell thankeds everyone for attending. Williams added the community council needs volunteers to boost community engagement. 

Williams introduces the three areas of focus of the council. 

• Strategic planning (three areas of focus):
  • Community engagement 
  • Membership
  • Different funding opportunities.

Finance Chair Patrick Cartier went over financial and programming updates. 

• Cartier begins an overview of the financial report:
  • All funds provided to the Council come through grants and/or donations and have restricted use for programming and administrative support. The Avondale Community Council Board of Trustees serve as volunteers. 
  • No further questions or concerns from the residents. 

• Overview of the council’s programming (no online version given during the meeting):
  • ADC Strategic Plan: focuses on community sustainability, neighborhood engagement, business district and neighborhood activations, and real estate development. 
  • Avondale Digital Inclusion Project
    • ADC has built partnerships with The Port, Bell Charitable Foundation and PCs for People to conduct digital skills trainings for Avondale residents 
    • ADC partnered to host eight trainings led by youth trainees
  • Avondale Free Wi-fi Initiative 
    • ADC has built partnerships with the Uptown Consortium and AltaFiber to secure $179k for upfront wi-fi infrastructure investments. 
    • Replaced the existing non-functional/outdated equipment at 10 subsidized housing complexes; Provided free outdoor hotspots 
  • Additional upcoming programs:
    • Avondale Film Camp
    • Avondale Day Festival
    • Home ownership trainings
    • Burnet Quarter
    • Fossett Village 
    • ABC Parking Lot Expansion 
    • Gabriel’s Place
    • Blair Lofts II “The Blair”
  • No further questions asked 

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful 

• A representative from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful promoted the Adopt a Spot Program.
• Participants will maintain an area, clearing it of debris and taking care of other cleaning needs.   Participants can sign up as individuals, groups or businesses.

Eddie Hawkins for the HBCU Literacy Hub

• Led by Brown Hands Literacy and No Excuses College Tours 
• It is a cultural and educational intervention that aims to bring people together through shared learning and cultural celebration. 

Rahiel Michael and partners of The Port Authority 

• Rahiel Michael, senior vice president of external affairs, said the Legacy Home Improvement Loan Program (Legacy Program) helps resident homeowners finance essential repairs, upgrades and energy efficiency.. 

Principal April Simmons of South Avondale Middle School 

• Simmons said South Avondale Middle School is a 3 out of 5 star school.
• Students  are meeting state academic standards. 
• Regardless of the perception, the principal said  the school is thriving. 
• Simmons wants  more community partnerships with the middle school, saying “the kids need us.”

Hirsh Recreation Center 

• ACincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) employee said the One Stop Bus will be at the Hirsch Center 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. 
• The employee said there is a Hirsh after-school camp  that started in August. It runs May 25, 2026. Transportation will be provided to  children from several neighborhoods and schools. 
• She asks the community to watch their children at night, because some children are sneaking in and using the pool after-hours. g  

Destiny Simone, financial programs coordinator  with Community Builders:

• Simone said  a new program helps residents prepare for homeownership and bridge the wealth gap. The organization is promoting programs to help save for down payments and other financial goals. The goal is to get people in the mindset of building generational wealth. 
• Current Community Builders programs:

• From Our Doors to Yours
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

Avondale Diversion Court: 

• The employee said the Avondale Diversion Court serves children and teens who commit crimes in Avondale as first-time offenders.. i
  • The court provides social and emotional learning and conflict resolution. Education centers around ending  bad habits and poor decision-making.

Council Member Williams opens the floor for residents to give any comments.  

• A resident promoted the Avondale Outreach Ministry (food bank).
  • Food will be provided noon to 1:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays 
  • If anyone needs a ride to the food bank or a DoorDash deliver the organization can provide them. Contact information: 513-823-3448.
•  The meeting ends at 7:28 p.m. The next Avondale Community Council meeting is 6 p.m. Oct. 21.  

These notes can be found on documenters.org.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.