NAC 11 Meeting

January 16, 2007

Frederick, MD City Hall

 

NAC 11 members present: Ken Eidel, Mike Olson, Elin Ross

Also present: Stephanie Davis (Community Outreach Specialist), Mark DiOcampo (Planning Department), Tim Davis (Planning Department), David Koontz (Alderman), Greg Stockdale (Police Department)

Others present: Ricardo Bairan, David Demiray, Sebastian Ojanguren, Kluane LaBelle, Chris Hodge, Rebecca Lee, Mike (?-3rd Street)

 

Police Report

Officer Stockdale passed around Daily Bulletin (see last month’s minutes).  The Police Department (Directed Patrol Unit) has arrested a graffiti artist who has been a prolific tagger downtown.  Bicycles on Market Street continue to be a problem and Officer Stockdale mentioned an anarchist group that organizes rides periodically (illegally).  Ms. Lee offered congratulations on the Department’s attaining the second phase of accreditation, which places the Frederick Department in the top tier of U.S. police departments.

 

Development/City Presentations

Tim Davis, Regarding Parking Fee in Lieu of Payment and Downtown Parking Task Force—Task Force—makes recommendations to planning, sanitation, etc…regarding downtown parking issues.  They are looking for citizen involvement on the task force to attend meetings and help with recommendations (3 people volunteered)

Fees In Lieu—an alternative way to fund downtown parking where business owners pay (the City) for parking spaces that they cannot provide on-site.  Calculations have been based on construction costs and are currently set at $19,000 per space.  However, no money has been collected and the Task Force and Planning Department have revised the figure to $5,000 per space.  A hearing will take place on January 18th at 7:00 pm to make a final decision

 

Site Plan Review/David Demiray, Regarding renovation of 104-106 North Market Street (formerly Velvet Lounge).  Plan will provide a visually pleasing rear façade to building (handout) The project is still in the review process and is due to be completed by May 2007 if all plans are approved.

 

Discussion of All-NAC meeting and Purpose and Mission of NAC

Stephanie and Elin shared some of the discussion that took place at the All-NAC meeting in December including: ideas about combining NACs with similar demographics and issues; the purpose and mission for the NACs (to be addressed by the Mayor’s office in the next couple of months); the potential for volunteer projects for NAC 11 (to be addressed as an agenda item in February); and the concerns about NAC Board membership and the disconnect between applicants and the NAC and then the NAC and the Mayor’s office.

 

Discussion of NAC Funds for 2007

Elin will talk to Karen Norman regarding matching funds for trash-can replacement (will report at next meeting)

 

Resignation of Ken Eidel as NAC Chairman—it was decided that while NAC Board applications were on hold until the Mayor’s office and Stephanie looked at the purpose and mission that NAC 11 would function without a chairperson temporarily.  The members and Stephanie will develop the agenda, Elin will continue to take minutes and the meeting chair will be determined at the time of meeting itself. 

 

Meeting was adjourned, next meeting will be held on February 20th.