POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
October PACE-EH Update

Date:     November 28, 2006

To:         Daniel Parker, MSP
                Assistant Director, Division of Environmental Health

From:     Jill Weinischke
                Community Assistance Specialist

Subject: Skyview, Wahneta, and North Combee PACE-EH Updates

Skyview Project

Project Summary
Exciting things are happening for the Skyview Neighborhood Association. Since the last report I have met several times with the county?s Office of Neighborhood Partnerships and the Polk County Sheriff?s Department. As a collective group which also includes Code Enforcement and VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) staff, we are embarking on the ?Greater Skyview Initiative.? It has been decided that we are segmenting the community into ?attack zones.? The next community meeting is scheduled for Dec. 4th. This is the group?s Christmas party but we will present 2 large maps with the proposed zones so that we can get feedback with regard to the zone boundaries. Also, the group will pick a date in January to hold its first ?clean sweep? in the first zone. We are highly encouraged by the potential and look forward to developing these partnerships.

Work plan and Process Update

PACE-EH Tasks	Action	Outcome	Target Date
Task 1: Determine Community Capacity	?Develop partnerships with the various city and county governments as well as supporting non-profit agencies which serve the area	Ongoing
	? Potential strengths and weaknesses of community outlined.	Ongoing
	? First community meeting conducted.	Completed	Sept. 11, 2006
Task 2: Define and Characterize the Community	The area for this project is known as the Skyview Community. The area is in an unincorporated part of the county directly adjacent to the City of Lakeland. *With an area of approximately five square miles, it has a population of around 5,000. The population is estimated to be 72% white, 8% black, and 20% Hispanic/Mexican. There is a higher than average (for Polk County) population of seniors aged 55 and older. More research needs to be conducted and resources need to be determined to more accurately define the makeup of the community.	*Ongoing

Outstanding Issues/Concerns
During the Skyview Community Association?s (SCA) November meeting, the Greater Skyview Initiative was outlined. Approximately 40 people were in attendance and the concept was well received. In addition to PACE EH, the following organizations were present: Family Restoration Church, Board of County Commissioners? Neighborhood Services and the Polk County Sheriff?s Office. During this reporting period, a COPS station has been approved for this area and will be located at the Family Restoration Church, the site for all community meetings.

I am very much encouraged by the partnerships being developed. We have met to discuss preliminary timelines and ideas to boost involvement. During the month of November, the group collectively met to investigate illegal dumping sites and to photo-document the worst portions of the first zone. From the pictures below one can see the potholes at the end of someone?s driveway, an illegal dumping site, code enforcement violations and the wastewater treatment plant ? all issues which have been identified by the residents.

Miscellaneous

Wahneta Project

Project Summary

The Wahneta area of Polk County went through an accelerated PACE EH process in 2004. As part of the evaluation process, I have been attending their monthly meetings. During September and October, I provided technical assistance to the group with their Leisure Services grant application. This community has been overlooked by county Parks and Recreation with respect to ball field improvements for years.

Work plan and Process Update

PACE-EH Tasks	Action	Outcome	Target Date
Task 13: Evaluate Progress and Plan for the Future	? Attended their meeting on September 5th	Ongoing	Ongoing
	? Assisting with research for their Parks and Recreation park improvement grant which is due on Sept. 30	Ongoing	Ongoing
	? Planning to attend future meetings to establish a helpful presence	Ongoing

Outstanding Issues/Concerns

The group was focused on their Leisure Services Grant application this last month. During the next months I will work with the group to attend water system meetings and help identify other outstanding issues in the community.

Miscellaneous

Only public water on premises at Wahneta Park

North Combee Project

Project Summary
The Combee Area Revitalization Effort (C.A.R.E.) of north Combee, Lakeland, was one of the NACCHO demonstration sites. As part of the evaluation process, we attend monthly meetings when available and assist with projects as requested.

Work plan and Process Update

PACE-EH Tasks	Action	Outcome	Target Date
Task 13: Evaluate Progress and Plan for the Future	? Assisted with Adopt A Road Project on Saturday, Sept. 23^rd.	Completed	Completed
Task 13: Evaluate Progress and Plan for the Future	? The group has indicated a desire for DOH assistance with follow-up with regard to their street lighting project along Combee Road. We are waiting for specific instructions.	Ongoing

Outstanding Issues/Concerns
NA ? the group has a solid base of volunteers and is very active in its community. I see our role to be a technical advisor and community liaison when needed.

Miscellaneous