HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-20 - Minutes -Meeting:Neighborhood Interest Forum
Date:June 20, 2019
Location:City Hall, Room 326
Attendants:Nancy Allen, James Tolbert, Will Dockery, Rick McKinney, Terry Michaels, Robin
Devine and Sarah Harrell
Will Dockery called the meeting to order at 5:38 pm.
1.Minutes from 05/24/19 were approved.
2.Cpl. G. Dawson from the Community-Oriented Policing Division led a discussion of ways
to prevent crime in neighborhoods.
a.Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) - this program
identifies areas in homes and businesses where a criminal might take advantage.
Certified CPTEP technicians will survey the physical location and offer
suggestions on how to make the area safer. The City’s and Police Department’s
websites have links to the survey form and requests are usually completed within
1-2 weeks.
b.Members of the CPD are available for HOA meetings and can discuss specific
crimes in your area. Requests can be made through links on the division page
on the Police Department’s website.
c.Neighborhood crime prevention tools
i.Ring Doorbells - these have an app called a “neighborhood map” that
Ring owners can join. On this app, owners can discuss happenings in the
neighborhood and share videos.
ii.Nextdoor App - this is an app that anyone can join. You are linked to
other neighborhoods in your geographical area and can post information
for other neighbors to see.
d.Homeless issue
i.This is a city-wide issue.
ii.Private property - there is a form at the Police Department that property
owners can fill out that allows the police to warn people off property
whether or not the property owners are present. Otherwise, the police
can do nothing until contacting the property owner.
iii.Public property - the homeless have every right to be there. There are
city ordinances that are stricter pertaining to parks than to other public
areas. Communicate any concerns to the police.
e.When to call the police - ask yourself what are they doing that a normal person
wouldn’t do? Cpl. Dawson explained that they’re trained to be the bad guys so
don’t hesitate to call them if you feel something isn’t right. If life or property aren’t
in danger, then call the non-emergency number - 479.587.3555
f.Non-emergency reports - there is an online form you can fill out for
non-emergency reports or you can call the 24 hour reporting line and make the
report over the phone - 479-587-3555.
3.Neighborhood News Roundtable
a.Rock Arch Park is open. This is a burning altar and reflection park off the bike
trail at Stearn Street.
b.Washington area - infill - why are no duplexes or other multi-use buildings being
built?
c.Ways to help people repair houses so they can stay in their home
i.Is there anything the City can do?
ii.Can we force people/contractors to spend so much time/money helping
fix up homes?
iii.Is Habitat for Humanity a viable option?
iv.The City does have forms for people to fill out for help in repairing their
homes but service time is long.
d.Gregory Park - given to the city from the Gregory family to be a walking trail.
Now has a bike trail.
i.How are changes allowed in parks that differ from the original park
concept?
ii.How are residents around parks notified when changes are being made
or other issues such as controlled burns?
e.Ward meetings
i.Ward meetings are one way to disseminate information, but aren’t being
used by all wards.
ii.Propose to city council that all wards hold monthly meetings. Currently,
only Ward 4 has meetings on a consistent basis.
f.City mowing
i.Thanks to Byron Humphries and his crew are catching up on mowing on
the East side.
ii.If some neighborhoods don’t want as much mowing, how could they
designate an area a wildflower area or something similar?
g.West side of Fayetteville issues
i.Wedington - are there plans to create another way to cross the interstate?
ii.School overcrowding - Holcomb is at capacity
h.Great House Park needs a bench. Will the City install a bench or do we have to
fundraise the $2000/bench costs?
i.Ward 3 - issues with infill where it’s not matching the architectural design or
placement of neighborhood. Specifically the lot in Township Commons that was
recently subdivided. The old house will remain on one half of the lot and a new
house will be built on the other half. The plans for the new house nor the
placement on the lot matches that of the other houses in the neighborhood.
4.Committee Business
a.Because of low turnout, it was decided that we would create our “purpose
statement” at the next meeting or at a special meeting to be called for just that
purpose.
b.Suggested the agenda for the next couple of meetings if arrangements can be
made.
i.July - Planning Commission - to discuss infill plan and concerns such as
design, infrastructure, water runoff
ii.August - Agencies that can help with home repairs - Habitat for Humanity,
Fayetteville’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, etc.
iii.September - Parks and Rec
c.Next meeting is scheduled for July 18, 5:30 pm, room 219.
Will Dockery adjourned the meeting at 7:28
