PAC 2 Meeting
Monday, November 10, 2009
Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center
2107 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27704
6:00 to 8:00 p m
Facilitators: Cheryl Shiflett scjdurham@…
Bill Anderson TheOcean1@…
MINUTES
Cheryl Shiflett was assisted tonight by Cynthia Mebane-Watts in Bill
Anderson’s absence.
Self-Introductions
COMMUNITY CONCERNS:
At 3025 Alabama Avenue, a large number of leaf bags have been awaiting
pick-up for over three weeks. If this is a new Resident, they have to
pay an extra fee to have yard waste picked up. The fee is $60.00
yearly plus $18 for each additional yard waste container. Mitch Archer
will check on this.
Ongoing complaints about the Blue Recycle bins: The top leaks and rain
pours into the bin. They are very hard to tip over for some people to
remove the water. After much discussion, it was determined that they
are not very well designed. A resident who complained about a bent
top and a broken wheel was advised to call 560-1200 to ask for a
replacement. A resident from Club Boulevard reports that when the
recycle bins are emptied and placed back on the street, the tops are
left open. This allows rainwater to collect and they are hard to
maneuver. There was discussion about punching small holes in the
bottom to allow the water to drain, but it was determined that this
would not be a good idea.
Corporal Pearsall was taking all Police concerns tonight in the absence
of Capt. Smith.
On Club Boulevard there have been many instances reported of rock
throwing at vehicles. If you are driving East on Club, it is below the
I85 overpass near the Club Magnate school. On Club in the vicinity of
409 West Club, at least one windshield has been smashed and sides of
many vehicles have been dented. The police are working very hard to
solve this problem with the responsible parties.
A resident from the Walltown Community reports there is an increase of
young people hanging around the 1100 Block of Onslow. They asked for a
report on the Court date for a particular suspect. Police do not know
the results, but will check on this.
Congratulations to Mike Woodard and other incumbents who won their
re-elections.
A cul-de-sac in the Guess Road Area Red Ash Circle; Warren Street &
Holton reports vandalism of mail boxes and Trash receptacles are left
at the Street for over a week.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES:
Cynthia Mebane-Watts: Neighborhood Improvement Services
The Landlord Training Workshop was a great success with 41 people
repeating the workshop. This was a big success and will be held each
year.
PAL, Public Affairs Liaison – “ Saving Your Dream†rated as the # 1
Program.
Mitch Archer: Solid Waste
Mitch reminded everyone to call if they have a problem with pick-up.
If your garbage is not picked up on the day designated, wait one day
before calling. If your recyclables and yard waste are not picked up,
wait three days to call. Leave all bins out until they are picked up.
They have hired another person for exempt pick-ups. The process has
changed to become exempt. You are no longer required to go to your
Doctor. Call Michelle at 560-4106 if you have questions regarding
exempt status.
Larry Revelle Human Relations:
If you have been turned down for housing in the City of Durham or
suspect that you have been discriminated against in any way, please
call 560-4107.
New Walltown Park & Recreational Center:
Reuben Wall, Assistant Director, Recreation Programs presented an
update on the opening of the New Walltown Recreational Center. This is
very exciting and something the citizens have been looking forward to
for a long time. It is in construction stage now and they are in the
process of getting surveys and holding meetings on what programs are
desired for the new facility. Edison Johnson, W D Hill and Weaver
Street facilities will shut down January 4, for renovations.
Walltown will be open 7 days a week, 8:30 am to 9:00 pm; Friday open
until 11:00 pm; Saturday close at 6:00 p m and Sunday hours 1:00 to
6:00 pm. Interviews for staff positions will begin in January.
Background checks are done on all interested parties. You may apply
online or at City Hall.
This is a state-of-the art building with space for 90 children. It
includes a teaching kitchen; walking track; Teen Center; media room and
lockers. Concern was raised about safety in the parking areas and the
fact that there is no pool. Other concerns are the lack of a
playground area, (they lost one area due to flood plain issues) but
feel an outside playground is very important. They also asked that the
speed limit be reduced on Club Boulevard but this is a state maintained
street and might not be possible. Survey sheets were distributed to
voice other requests. Citizens in the community are very thankful for
the new center and many hope that at some point a swimming pool can be
added.
Project Safe Neighborhood
Seeking volunteers to help with this initiative. Neighborhood
representatives would accompany police officers to canvas a
neighborhood and gather information if a shooting has occurred or any
other violent act. Listserv has over 900 members and only 1 showed up
to participate. We had one PAC2 member volunteer to recruit other
members for any future needs.
Announcements:
A Brontosaurus Birthday Bash is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 1:00
to 4:00 on the greenway off Murray Avenue. His head has been restored
and the party is a way to say thank you to all who participated.
A community yard sale will be held Saturday, November 14, 8:30 to noon
in the Swann’s Mill Community right off Hebron and Old Oxford Roads.
Pace Car Decals are again available. Many members signed up.
Presentation program by District Attorney, Tracey Cline was not done
this evening. We will reschedule this and learn how to maneuver around
the Court Rooms and Magistrates Offices.
Meeting Adjourned.
Carolyn Best, Recording Secretary