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November
2003 Meeting Minutes |
November 5, 2003
General Meeting Minutes
Place: Firehouse, Dixie Highway
Time: Meeting Called to Order 6:35 p.m.
Sign-In Sheets Passed
Attendees Signed In:
Rhonda Grammer
Alicia Barnes
Mary Brandenburg
Kimberly Swift
Marion Holloway
Marilyn Jordan
Lila Young
Jim Young
Sylvia Watt
Charlie Eagle
Joe Marx
Ted Ward
Johnny Kaye
Steven Deness
Clare Deness
Elaine
Richard Brown
Kimberly Mitchell
Lori Breece
Marcia Brandon
Bryan Miller
Jenna Sellers
Ron Byrnes
Pat Byrnes
Amy Pregary
Joan Kovarik
Don Harrison
Nancy Harrison
Robin Rockwell
Jo Rockwell
Jennifer Jackson
John Fairbanks
David Knott
Andrew Zimmer
Dorothy Fagan
Lisa Barnes
Mia Ciminella
Mary Holt
Tarji Saito
Leslie Linder
Others present, not signed in:
Carol McLaughlin
Susan Holloway
Tom Hewitt
1) Street Captain Updates (Richard Brown):
Richard Brown reports that progress is being made with street captain
assignments. Ideal goal is to have enough volunteers to assign only 7 - 10
homes (addresses) per volunteer. This will minimize time required, per
person, to distribute important information. More volunteers are needed to
cover over 200 homes. Please contact Richard or any Board member to
volunteer!
2) President's Report (Leslie Linder):
a) Leslie reports on outcome of Mayor's Response Meeting held earlier.
Police and officials indicate that Prospect Park-Monceaux do not have a
significant crime problem, in comparison with the rest of the city. Recent
break-ins have been attributed to minors or someone known to the household.
Please continue to pay attention to what goes on around your immediate
neighbors. If something doesn't look "right" - it probably isn't. Call the
police BEFORE a crime occurs.
Street beautification and refurbishment is not on city's "active" list, but
we will continue to be the "squeaky wheel".
b) 2004 Elections are approaching (January)! We need to form a nominating
committee and a chairperson to organize the election. Appeal for volunteers!
Please contact any Board Member if you are interested in helping out!
3) Treasurer's Report (Carol McLaughlin):
Reminder about Harvest Moon Auction/Fundraiser, 11/9/03.
4) Code Enforcement, (Mohammed Jamal):
City of West Palm Beach, Code Compliance Division: 835-7369
Please call Mr. Jamal regarding Housing Rehab Loans available and Code
Enforcement.
Code Enforcement policies are available on City's website. Mr. Jamal
distributed a handout entitled, "Keeping our Neighborhoods Beautiful",
describing the Top Ten Code Violations and providing a self checklist.
5) Guest, Question and Answer with Commissioner Kim Mitchell:
Best way to reach Commissioner Mitchell is by phone, 659-8099. Phone is
better than email.
Q: Please report on City Summit held earlier.
A: Brainstorming opportunity for the City and individual neighborhoods, how
to make life better for everyone. Some great ideas to pursue.
Q: Garbage pick-up and Debris concerns, how to address? A: Pete Spotera (sp?)oversees
garbage pick up routes. Residents complain of very early trash pick up (4:00
a.m.) Commissioner requests households
affected to contact her directly with street addresses.
Q: How can we get recycle containers?
A: Call Commissioner Mitchell if you need them and can't get them.
Q: Why is Prospect Park the "stepchild" to Southland Park for street
improvements?
A: City is making a consolidated effort to address work that must be done
under the road first.
Q: What is being done with the airport noise?
A: Recommendation to invite Commissioner Koons to January/Februay meeting to
discuss.
Q: What can be done about flooding at Marlborough and Vincent?
A: Recommendation to address with Ken Rearden.
Q: What can be done to put speed bumps on Westminster (18 kids east of
Olive, 5 kids west of Olive)?
A: Recommendation to invite new Traffic Engineer, Angela Kahoe to map out a
comprehensive plan that also addresses traffic flow on adjacent streets.
Perhaps January/February meeting?
Q: What can be done about speeding on S. Olive?
A: Commissioner will look into it.
Q: What can be done about crime on streets under construction?
A: Keep your lights on overnight! There have been significant crime
incidents when roads are under construction.
Q: What can we do about crime prevention in our neighborhood?
A: There are multiple contact sources available to us, including Officer
Russ Lobdell, Al Givens (crime prevention), call Linda at the Mayor's Office
(659-8025) for additional assistance.
Q: Are the large "highway" street lights on Monceaux Road temporary?
A: Yes, they are there for safety until the original, historic granite
lights are rewired.
Q: What is status of playground at Petty Park?
A: Mayor Frankel and Commissioner Mitchell visited each park under
consideration including, Monceaux Park, Petty Park and Westminster Park. Due
to mixed feedback among neighbors "for" and "against", City has decided to
"split it up" among each. Headed up by Laura Schupert (sp?), Head of Parks
and Recreation, ideas are being considered for an old fashioned swing set,
climbing art sculpture, and others, as well as which is appropriate for each
park. Other neighborhoods, such as Flamingo Park, are planning a Community
Garden Park with a stage. Time is still available for additional
neighborhood feedback and ideas. Commissioner Mitchell will come back and
report on progress at next meeting.
Commissioner Mitchell also spoke with the group about her project to
rejuvenate the City Municipal Golf Course. Currently run by well meaning
volunteers, the golf course is woefully in decline. Citing other successful
communities, such as Delray, that have turned the Golf Course into the pride
of the community, both in beauty and in revenue. City residents could
benefit in reduced greens fees. The golf course is located adjacent to
Forest Hill High School, east of I-95. Commissioner Mitchell will be
addressing at the December 3, 2003 city meeting. Please be aware of efforts
made in this behalf.
6) Guest, "Tom the Mailman" Hewitt, Master Gardener, with Mary Holt.
Tom will answer your South Florida gardening questions , leave him a note in
your mail box.
Good news Monceaux Road residents!! Tom's route is expanding, and you too
will be on his enviable route of residents, starting Saturday, November 8,
2003!
In listening to Commissioner Mitchell's ideas for our area parks, Tom
suggested a butterfly garden and volunteered his expertise to help us plan
one, if we residents are interested. Something we can consider and decide if
we wish to pursue. Tom specializes in creating English style gardens in
South Florida.
Tom encouraged us to plant with low maintenance in mind for Florida
gardening, and shared valuable planting tips as well as recommended
educational and garden offerings at our nearby Mounts Botanical Garden at
531 North Military Trail. Along with Tom, our neighbor Mary Holt is able to
certify your yard if it meets "Florida friendly" planting guidelines.
Tom also encourages eco-friendly pest management and can offer suggestions
for proper and effective fertilization methods.
Meeting adjourned, 8:30 p.m.
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