[Durham INC] -3/27/2012 Meeting Minutes-

Wed Mar 28 16:43:13 EDT 2012

Dear INC'ers:

Below, please find my recorded minutes from last night's meeting.  If there are any suggested corrections, please send them to me within 48-hours, so that I may amend, print and submit these minutes to both President Martin and Secretary Carstensen.

Yesterday's Acting-Secretary, in Pat's absence,

Darius

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InterNeighborhood Council of Durham's Monthly Meeting Minutes
Location:  Neighborhood Improvement Services Conference Room - Golden Belt
Date:  March 27, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm, EST

(A) In attendance were the following Neighborhood, Community and/or Association Representatives:

1. Cleveland-Holloway: Mrs. Maureen Kurtz
2. Colony Park: Mr. Don Lebkes
3. Downing Creek : Mr. Dick Ford
4. Duke Park: Mr. Bill Anderson
5. Falconbridge Community Association: Mrs. Rosemarie Kitchin
6. Golden Belt: Mr. John Martin [President]
7. Hope Valley North: Ms. Martha Wilaby and Mr. John Horton
8. Long Meadow: Mr. Pakis Bessias
9. Magnolia Place Homeowner's Association: Mr. Darius Little
10. Northgate Park: Mr. Mike Shiflett
11. Old Farm: Mr. Fred Foster
12. Old East Durham: Ms. Chloe Palenchar
13. Old West Durham: Mr. Eric Heidt
14. Old North Durham: Mr. Peter Katz
15. Trinity Park: Mr. Philip Azar
16. Tuscaloosa-Lakewood: Ms. Susan Sewell
17. Watts Hospital-Hillandale: Mr. Tom Miller, Mr. Mike Woodard
18. Woodcroft: Mr. Scott Carter

(B) The following visitors were present (their affiliation is also provided):

1. Mr. Jim Wise:  The News and Observer
2. Mr. Lynwood Best: Neighborhood Improvement Services Staff (City of Durham)
3. Mr. Jahn Hartmut: "Neighborship Program"

- INC President, Mr. John Martin, called the monthly meeting to order at 7:06 pm, EST.

- Delegates and Visitors alike introduced themselves.

(C) Neighborship Program:

- INC President, Mr. John Martin sought action from the group as it relates to the topic of February's Monthly Meeting Minutes;
- Delegate, Mrs. Rosemarie Kitchen, of the Falconbridge Community Association, moved to approve the February Minutes;
- Delegate, Mr. Mike Shiflett, seconded the motion to approve;
- The INC Membership approved the February Minutes unanimously.

- INC President, Mr. John Martin, introduced Mr. Jahn Hartmut to the body.  Mr. Hartmut was presented as a representative to the group, on behalf of the "Neighborship" program;
- Mr. Hartmut began his presentation by showing a map of Durham Neighborhoods (noting that all shown were not 'active');
- Mr. Hartmut provided a demonstration of the current configuration of community communication (which showed several bubbles - a Neighborhood Website being the centerpiece, surrounded by bubbles for Facebook, PAC List, Neighborhood Watch List, Neighborhood Mailing List, Board Group, etc;
- Mr. Hartmut expressed the personal belief that the few individuals that are signed-up to various lists receive all community information, however, this information is only retained for a short period of time and as such, a lot of important issues go unaddressed;
- Hartmut also shared the belief that the upshot of these list servs is people becoming drowned in email (often deleting them in disgust and not passing along the info.).

- The 'Neighborship' program was presented as being a "1 Stop Solution" to the chaos of list servs by "combining neighborhood, city, surrounding neighborhood, board, group, PAC and Facebook activities into one portal, which would be easily accessible.

- Some of the professed positives of the Neighborship program, as presented by Mr. Hartmut are as follows: (a) interconnectedness, (b) improved flow of information and (c) the making of more 'fun' communication through avenues such as (1) event calendars (with RSVP), (2) interactive maps showing crime activity, (3) problematic street condition warnings, (4) accounting/payment systems and (5) service reviews (for neighborhood vendors such as roofers, plumbers, security, etc) being available.

- Mr. Hartmut also expressed that the Neighborship program would help Durham INC by: (a) encouraging the establishment of neighborhood organizations where they do not currently exist, (b) fostering greater cooperation amongst existing neighborhoods, (c) creating the ability to take positions on issues affecting Durham INC's neighborhoods and (d) enhancing ability to collect and disseminate info. to stimulate awareness and interest in issues.

- In an effort to establish communal credibility, Mr. Hartmut referenced a prior presentation he made at the "Glenwood/Raleigh CAC Meeting" which resulted in that body deciding to "utilize the program."  Acting-Secretary Mr. Darius Little (delegate of Magnolia Place Homeowner's Association) noted to the contrary, however, that in smaller letters near the bottom of the documentation, Glenwood/Raleigh had actually indicated that they were only engaging in a "two (2) month trial run," of Neighborhsip, not using the program permanently, or decisively.

***INC President, Mr. John Martin asked for discussion on the issue presented***

- Tuscaloosa-Lakewood delegate, Ms. Susan Sewell, sought clarification of Hartmut as to whether information (such as message postings, as well as the background/"mainpage") was viewable to all members, or just those subscribed to those individual neighborhood portals, so to speak.

- Hartmut stated that all information, backgrounds, etc were unique to each neighborhood and that postings were also, only viewable to those subscribed to those specific neighborhoods.

- Old North Durham delegate, Mr. Pete Katz, inquired of Hartmut of the options available to neighborhoods who may not want to subscribe to all of the expressed offerings of Neighborship.

- Hartmut stated that each neighborhood had complete discretion as to which elements of the site they subscribed to.

- Magnolia Place delegate, Mr. Darius Little, asked Mr. Hartmut to explain "any and all fees associated with Neighborhip" and whether "you (Mr. Hartmut) reserve the right, after a neighborhood joins, to later charge a fee for being a member of the site."

- Mr. Hartmut stated that there was no fee to join, however, his purpose is to make the site profitable for all parties involved.

(D) Candidate's Forum:

- INC's Durham County Commissioners Candidate's Forum Co-Chairs, Mr. Don Lebkes (Colony Park delegate) and Mr. Dick Ford (Downing Creek delegate) gave a swift run-through of the candidate's forum.  Mr. Bob Ashley, Executive Director of Preservation Durham, will be the Moderator.  The Forum will be attended by all Candidates - Chairman Page communicated that he will be a little tardy, due to a previous Bible Study commitment. We were notified that questions may be submitted via the drop box provided by Mr. Lebkes (kleenex box).  Jokes of enhancing fundraising ensued.  We were notified by Co-Chair Lebkes that neither food, nor drink is not permitted in the facility (other than water which will be provided for candidates).  Members commended the two men on their hard work and again, it was stressed that while the forum is a wonderful idea, everyone involved needed to spend the hours building-up to the event, publicizing it to any and everyone.  All audiences.  Further discussion ensued about being more proactive in developing and growing the organization and in how events such as the candidate's forum are imperative in such effort.

(E) Neighborhood Heroes Award and Ceremony:

- Northgate Park delegate, Mr. Mike Shiflett, seemed to be the lead of this event.  The group (Mr. Shiflett, President Emeritus Miller, along with Duke Park delegate, Mr. Bill Anderson, met at Emeritus Miller's residence).  The group openly discussed whether to have the event at Washington Duke, or Fullsteam.  Much discussion occured about the various undertones sent by having an event "honoring" individuals, in different atmosphere's.  Further discussion escalated, in respectful capacity, as to finances, potential in-kind contributions, etc.  After much feedback, the general consensus was to allow the "Neighborhood Heroes" Committee, to meet and bring their findings back to the General Body (who would ratify their plans, or amend them).

(F) Resolution on the Planning process for the Creation of Local Historic Districts:

 - INC President, Mr. John Martin presented the Resolution to the body for discussion.

- President Emeritus Miller moved to accept the resolution, with the previously discussed, amended clause: "Whereas, the Planning Department needs to be as timely and responsive to the requests of ordinary citizens as they are to developers,"

- Old North Durham delegate, Mr. Pete Katz seconded the motion.

- The Motion carried, unanimously.

(G) INC Meeting Site:

- President Emeritus Miller asked if there were any potential deal-breakers, as it relates to the Neighborhood Improvement Services Conference Room being the agreed-upon meeting location of INC.

- General remarks about no internet connection were murmored, but seemingly, nothing major which led to actual discussion.

- President Emeritus Miller suggested to President Martin that a letter of appreciation be sent to First Presbyterian Church, thanking them for allowing INC to congregate at their corner of the vineyard for such an extended period of time.

- There appeared to be a general consensus on this suggestion.

(H) Durham Human Relations Commission:

- Downing Creek delegate, Mr. Dick Ford, provided the group with a broad backdrop of the role of the Durham Human Relations Commission.  He wanted to solicit individuals to join the group, as there was vacancies for those who fall under the classification of "white male" and "other" on the panel.

- Councilman Mike Woodard provided further background into the Human Relations Commission, as the City Council liaison to the entity.

(I) Neighborhood Reports:

- President Emeritus Miller shared that Watts-Hillandale, in seeming coalition with Old West Durham, are working on development matters surrounding the 9th Street corridor.  Miller reported that the "Harris Teeter" representatives have agreed to meet with the neighborhoods; which, notably, is commendable since they already have their zoning/etc and as such, are not required to do so.  The store will be unique in that it will be viewable from all four sides.  Miller and others will aggressively advocate for an aesthetically pleasing entrance to the store, at all gateways.  More discussion occured, such as the fact that the development was approved prior to Council taking action on new development requirements, thus, allowing the development to operate under the 'old law' so to speak.

- President Martin picked Old East Durham delegate, Ms. Chloe Palenchar, to respond to the best of her ability, on the matters related to Maureen Joy Charter School/Self Help/etc.  Ms. Palenchar succinctly stated that she didn't have much to say about the matter, nor did she feel empowered to speak on behalf of her neighborhood at this point, as the matter is still unfolding.  It was also shared by Palenchar that members of the community have met with representatives from Maureen Joy and that in her personal observation, she feels people in the area are "excited" about the potential rehabilitation of the building.

- Northgate Park delegate, Mr. Mike Shiflett, advertised with excitement the fact that Northgate Park will be having their 1st Food Truck Round-Up.  It will be from 5-7pm, prior to their Community Meetings.

- Mrs. Rosemarie Kitchin, of the Falconbridge Community Association, gave a short briefing on the becoming-more-evident traffic congestion problem her area has, in the NC 54/Farrington Road intersection/area.  Several members asked for the location - and between delegate Kitchin and Councilman Woodard, it appeared that the body was made accurately aware of the location.

- Mr. Phil Azar, Trinity park delegate, provided a rather detailed report on the old BB&T site (Club Blvd, near Northgate), which was a dry cleaners.  The Diener Group demolished the building and apparently, there are some chemical/envrionmental issue arising from the chemicals used in the building's previous life.  Mr. Azar noted that the Diener Group is seemingly, acting positively (though the situation isn't perfect) in their dealings with the site by removing soil, putting new soil in, etc.  The only glaring issue with potential problems is the recommendation from Diener that the bus stops located near the site be removed (temporarily). DATA opposes such actions.  Mr. Azar noted that this seems to be a "real" remediation plan, which is positive.  Potential future uses for sites such as this are (a) landscaping sites and (b) parking lots.  Mr. Azar noted that from his personal research, banks usually purchase such type of locations.

- Ms. Susan Sewell (Tuscaloosa-Lakewood) wanted to remind everyone of the Fracking Amendment, as well as the upcoming meeting.

- Northgate Park delegate, Mr. Mike Shiflett, passed out pamphlets addressing (1) "New Bus Routes & Passenger Amenities" and (2) "Proposed DATA royte changes" to the group.

- President Martin notified the group that he, along with Mr. Mike Shiflett (Northgate Park delegate), Mr. Pete Katz (Old North Durham delegate) and Mr. Linwood Best (Neighborhood Improvement Services staff, City of Durham) are on a committee which will assist in revising the minimum housing code standards, etc.

****Meeting was ADJOURNED****

- Darius

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Darius M. Little
Executive Business Consultant  and
Strategic Marketing Analyst

(web) www.linkedin.com/in/dariuslittle

Manta Business Profile/Report: 
http://www.manta.com/c/mtlwj1m/little-s-business-consulting

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." [Matt 21:22]