Paul Nickerson of the Tree House Humane Society and Ald. Brian Hopkins prepare to address members at Happy Village. East Village Association membership meeting April 2, 2018 Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Business Minute: Cats at Work Paul Nickerson of the Tree House Humane Society gave a presentation on the Cats at Work program. Nickerson shared personal anecdotes of his introduction to the program and how it addressed a severe rodent problem in his neighborhood. Feral cats are trapped, neutered and released in proper shelters where there is a rodent problem. Nickerson noted that feral cats are usually placed in groups of 2 or 3. The placement by Tree House comes with appropriate shelters that can be placed in garages, under porches or in unused gangways. Placement costs $725 for 3 cats and $650 for 2 cats. A cat eating a rat who has been poisoned is unlikely to suffer ill effects. More than 650 feral cat colonies and more than 3,500 ...

East Village Association board meeting March 19, 2018 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. Present: Michael VanDam, Michelle Hayward, Dan Johnson, Brian Foote, Neal McKnight Guests: Beatnik/Bonhomme Hospitality, Thomas Raines (attorney), Rafid Hindo and Daniel Alonso. By Neal McKnight Beatnik Upzone Bonhomme Hospitality Group is requesting that EVA support or not oppose a requested upzone for Beatnik restaurant at 1604 W. Chicago Ave. The requested upzone is from B1-3 to B3-1 to accommodate a full restaurant license, which will allow for a dedicated bar area and the issuance of a Public Place of Amusement (PPA) license. Daniel Alonso and Rafid Hindo noted that Beatnik has been a good neighbor and that there have been no complaints and no calls for service. The principals also were open to a Plan of Operation and Type 1 zoning. In addition, Beatnik does not plan on having paid DJ events and is willing to include specific restrictions in the Plan of Operation regarding the PPA. Board members n...