PAC 2 Meeting
Monday, April 13, 2009
Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center
2107 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27704
6:00 to 8:00 p m
Facilitators:
Self Introductions
Community Concerns:
1. Last year there was a clean-up at River Forest. It was done by a source that did not coordinate with Parks and Rec. to have the garbage picked up. It was piled up in the Neighborhood and left there. They did it again this year. There is a big pile in one of the cul-de-sacs. Someone with Eno River Association is doing this and Cynthia Mebane-Watts will check on this and follow up with someone in River Forest.
1. There is a problem with traffic cutting across an area at the end of Fox Hunt going to the park. In the past barricade were erected to prohibit this and they asked that the barricade be put back into place. This will not be done because there are plans to cut a road through there. Contact Public works for more details.
1. River Forest residents also want a walk-through with the City to determine the needs for repair in their Neighborhood. This is the program using a hand-held device to input findings. Cynthia Mebane-Watts will check and post her reply on the Listserv.
1. Flooding problem at 943 Belvin Street. This is a dead-end and pipes were put in about 3-4 years ago and now they are experiencing flooding. They have called Storm Waste Department and no one has responded. Cynthia will check on this.
1. The question was asked if it was legal to have a basketball goal on a city street. No, it is illegal to do this. Send an e-mail to Capt. Smith and he will tag it and contact the Impact Team for removal.
1. Carolyn White, President of NW in Bragtown reported that the Weed & Seed Project will be holding several meetings in the near future at several different Churches in the area. Their goal is to Weed out negatives in neighborhoods and Seed in positives.
1. Two areas North of Club Boulevard that were overgrown had been cleaned up. It has grown back again and needs another clean up.700 Block of Old Oxford Highway has become a dumping site again.
1. A big thank you to the police Department for taking care of the drug dealers on Carver and Charlotte Streets. It has improved a lot but still some problems are on-going. They asked for increased Police Patrol in that area.
1. Duke Park Neighborhood reports suspicious activity at the Shawnee Street cul-de- sac. It is escalating and they want an increase in Police Patrols.
1. One Citizen reports that there is an increase in drug dealing in lots of Neighborhoods and its up to everyone to do all we can to take control of our own communities. We must interact with neighbors and ask questions and learn all we can about who is coming and going and calling the Police for all suspicious activity. Everyone must help.
1. The Saigon Restaurant is new on Roxboro Street. They are having trouble getting An ABC permit. The ABC rep was present and will check on this.
1. Eno Trace reports the Police Department did a great job solving the problem with break-ins in that area. Neighbors were asking for updates on progress of these crimes. The police do not provide updates unless property is recovered or arrests were made. The residents were thankful for the mid-day drive thru by the police.
1. One neighborhood reported problems with cars parked all over yards. Karen Burd is in charge of checking on these and her phone number is 560-4137. You may also call Durham One Call at 560-1200. Send photographs when possible. Eno Trace reported a car backed up to a garage and left there 3-4 months. Multiple cars on rental property are handled the same way.
1. Gang members are reported to be congregating on Leon Street and Bay Creek. The resident was upset because He had read in the newspaper that the Gang Unit with the Police Department had been disbanded. This is not true. They have been reassigned but still work with Gangs when criminal activity is displayed. It is not against the law to wear their colors. If Gang members are committing criminal activity, please call the Police.
1. Those who had requested Street Lights these have been released and will be installing these soon. There is a new process to request lights moving forward.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES:
Audrey Gill Durham Parks and Recreation: She reports there are openings for Life Guard positions and training is available. The pay is $7.77 per hour. Summer Job Fair is scheduled for April 17, 2009. There is a meeting tomorrow night for input from the Wall Town Community members for the new Aquatic Center. This meeting is being held at 6:30 at the Northside Baptist Church. Senior Games are coming up; Durham Art Walk is planned and Earth Day Stream Clean ups are scheduled for April 25 9:00 to 11:00a m. and Durham Earth Day Festival is 12:p m to 5: p m at the CCB Plaza.
Audrey expressed thanks to the COP’sfor patrolling the parking lot at Edison Johnson. It has cut down on the number of vehicular break-ins in that area. Greatly appreciated!
Neighborhood Improvement: No report given but details can be found on Page 2 of the PAC2 Newsletter distributed or on the back table.
Wilmur Conyers, Federal Program Administrator, Community Development Department presented a draft of the Funding Chart for 2009-20010 Annual Action Plan. She provided a hand out of the expected Funds and recommendations. She explained the process and what is required when you receive Federal Funding for projects. You may call her at 560-4570 with any comments or questions.
Larrisha McGill, Waste Reduction Coordinator, Solid Waste: She reported valuable information regarding recyclables. If residents are unable to get their containers to the curb, they can apply for an exempt status. Call her at 560-4186 ext 227. The Swap Shop at East Club Boulevard is available to take paint, small appliances and fluorescent light bulbs. Their hours are 7:30to 4:30 Mon thru Fri. and Sat. 7:30 to 12:00. Cardboard must be broken down to size 3 x 3 for pick up. There is no market in this area for plastic bowls only plastic bottles may be recycled.
Program: Larry Liggins, Field Services Supervisor, N C Private Protective Services presented excellent information on how to handle the door-to-door Alarm salesmen who will begin to show up around the first of May. They are usually out of Utah. DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR AND LET THESE PEOPLE IN YOUR HOME! Unless they are licensed and registered with North Carolina. They will use several different ploys to gain entry into your home such as, My Company has just bought the company that installed your system and I need you to fill out this form. Or they might ask Who does your monitoring? Use extreme caution and do not open your door and do not give them any personal information. Call 919 875-3611 to find out if the Company is licensed and 919 850-2798 to see if the person is registered in N. C. Mr. Liggins provided a sample registration form and ID card.
BE VERY CAUTIOUS.
Announcement: Re:PAC 2 Website. We have a minor problem right now and the address has been changed from .Com to .Org. This will be solved soon.
Meeting Adjourned
Minutes by
Carolyn Best
Secretary