MPNA meeting minutes 13-Mar-2008

MPNA MEETING NOTES - MARCH 13, 2008
Crime and Public Safety:Funding:  Jan reported that the funding for the neighborhood associations is currently based on previous year’s performance and funded as a contract.  This will be changing to a grant process.  To ensure funding is received, documentation of volunteer hours will be required, i.e. rosters from meetings, individuals involved in work parties, and documentation of how the money was spent. 
Crime:  The Chief’s forum is being reorganized and the next one has been cancelled with no further ones scheduled.  Jan thinks the forum process may have collapsed. 
Liaison Officer:  The officer assigned to the Marshall Park Association has been reassigned.  If the new officer does not begin showing up at meetings, Mike Charles will contact Michael Boyer. 

“Mini Precinct”:  A suggestion was made to the Commander for a “mini precinct” in the neighborhood.  He thought it would be a good idea, but he would need several neighborhoods making such a request before it could be taken under consideration.  This “mini precinct” would be staffed around the clock.  The Crestwood association wants to get involved and Mike will contact McMullan regarding attending a meeting.  

 NERT:  The Neighborhood Emergency Response Team officers, who are assigned to work longterm projects in the area are being temporarily being reassigned on a daily basis to assist in the Pearl (Old Town), due to the need for additional officers to deal with the problems arising from the abolition of the drug free zones. 
IVY PULLING:  Neil is struggling to get people to sign in for ivy pulling.  If individuals pull ivy apart from the organized effort, he would still like to have that information. During this discussion, it was acknowledged that a separate meeting needs to be held for Friends of Marshall Park to discuss ivy pulls and kiosks.  Mike will discuss with Margo. 
HISTORY:  Although Mike Duffield had no formal report on history, he did have a tip on getting moles to leave your yard for your neighbors-make strong mint tea and pour it into the mole holes. He did report that stones had been found in Tryon Creek that had been used by the Indians to hole fishing nets. 
LAND USE:  There were no land use items to report, but Karen did report on some opportunities for public involvement.·         Citizen input on how cellular and wireless attachments could be placed in residential, park, and other areas in the City’s streets.·         Advisory members wanted for a committee on Urban land reserves.Karen will set up a page on the website for Volunteer Opportunities. 
NET:  The Neighborhood Emergency Team will be meeting March 17th.  NET is involved in testing neighborhood teams, raising money for the year, and training. 
PARKS:  Margot had informed Mike that the system development charges being paid by developers passed unanimously last week. Mike provided updates on what had transpired since the last meeting in addressing the condemned bridge in Marshall Park.  A subcommittee formed from the last Marshall Park Meeting met and decided to send a letter to the mayor and commissioners prior to the community budget forum.  Karen attended the meeting and reported that the bridge was included in the major maintenance category of the budget request, which is priority number 6.  We do not know the priorities of the items included in the major maintenance category. Karen also provided a drawing and information on the proposed material that was provided by David Dunahugh, an architect in the neighborhood.  Mike will provide this plan to Susan Leander, the project manager assigned to the Marshall Park bridge. Margot also reported that the Marshall Park planning position had been filled and that Margot was taking new park staff on a tour. On another note, there is a meeting scheduled for 04/08 to discuss the trails in Maricara.  Meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm at the Antioch Christian Fellowship.
 Action items:
  • Mike C will invite ONI to a meeting for more information on funding.
  • Mike C to contact Micheal Boyer, if the new police officer assigned does not begin showing up at meetings.
  • Mike C will contact McMullan requesting him to attending a meeting regarding the “mini precinct”
  • Mike C will check with Margot on getting a meeting scheduled for Friends of Marshall Park.
  • Karen will set up a page on the website for Volunteer Opportunities.
  • Mike C will provide bridge plan to Susan Leander.