March 2006 Minutes

The meet was called to order at 7:10 P.M.

A motion was made to accept the February 2006 minutes, was seconded and passed.
We were honored with the presence of Major Propes and Ruby Nalor from Zone 6 APD.

OLD BUSINESS
Speed humps (traffic calming devices). It was reported that Malora Fordam has initiated the process to assess our neighborhood for speed humps on Benteen Avenue, Federal Terrace, and Benteen Way.
A motion was made to present a letter to Carla Smith as a proposal for traffic calming devices. The framework for the letter was presented and a motion made to modify it. The motion was seconded and passed. The modified letter will be presented at our next meeting. A suggestion was made to present the letter to SAND and NPUW for their vote on any resolutions within the letter.
Volunteers signed up for placement in our three subcommittees. Those who will function within each subcommittee will be listed in next month's minutes. Sign up was not completed at adjournment.
A letter from the Chair, SAND Transportation Committee, was presented. The SAND committee will join our effort to help with the cut-through traffic at Benteen Way and Custer. Members of our neighborhood association were invited to attend.
A representative from Benteen Way reported on the special meeting with the developer of the Benteen Way/Boulevard condo complex. The residents had several unanswered questions. The builder will schedule another meeting with Benteen Way residents to continue communication. The main issues discussed were: the proposed retention pond and its placement, ingress/egress at Benteen Way, and fencing. The next meeting will be announced so others in the neighborhood can attend.

THE FLOOR WAS PASSED TO MAJOR PROPES
Major Propes reported that crime is low in our neighborhood and the police are making efforts to patrol Benteen Park. She also reported road blocks on McDonough and other streets at 1-2 AM as being very successful. Major Propes said police are more likely to catch and arrest DUI offenders, those driving stolen cars, and other offenders during early morning hours.
Major Propes reported there were no robberies or car break-ins in our area for the last six weeks.
A Benteen Way resident expressed concern about people using Benteen Way as a cut-through during the early morning. She said some drivers ignore the sign on Custer that states it is illegal to make a right turn off Custer onto Benteen Way between the hours of 7-9 A.M. and 4-6 P.M.. These drivers also speed down Benteen Way posing a great danger to children near the road and also residents backing out of their driveways. Major Propes took note of this and said she would look into it.
Another resident expressed concern about suspected prostitution and drug sales on Federal Terrace - the 1st house on the left from Boulevard. Major Propes took note of this also.
Loud music at the strip mall on Boulevard was discussed. It was mentioned that the neighborhood had been trying for three years to get help with stopping the restaurant at the strip mall from continuously breaking the noise ordinance. Major Propes stressed that something can definitely be done about this. Ruby Naylor agreed. Major Propes and Ruby Naylor said they would send a letter to License Permits about this issue.
Ruby Naylor stated she needs a volunteer from our neighborhood for the Public Safety Chair. The volunteer will be announced at our next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
A community yard sale/gala was proposed to raise money for our neighborhood association. Also proposed, we would discuss this at our next meeting and also discuss where the event will take place.
A motion was made to elect Memorial Day as the day for the yard sale. The motion was seconded and passed.
A motion was made that people in attendance at our meetings not be recorded in the minutes each month (names). This motion was seconded and passed.
It was proposed that we have our meeting at Benteen Park Elementary School instead of the church. This will be discussed at our next meeting.

EACH SATURDAY AFTER THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WILL BE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP DAYS. THOSE WHO WISH TO HELP WILL MEET AT THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT AT 9 AM. CLEAN UP WILL BE FROM 9-11 AM.

TIRE COLLECTION DAY IS APRIL 22nd.