NAC 3 – AMBER MEADOWS

MEETING MINUTES

September 7, 2005

 

7:00 pm           Meeting called to order by Beth Mende Conny. Welcome. Ground Rules explained. No minutes read from previous meeting. Agenda reviewed.

 

Introductions of guest by Connie Pryor.

                       

City Staff:  Mayor Jennifer Dougherty; Vinnie Hughes, Chief Operations Officer; Chief Kim Dine, Frederick Police Dept.; Roelkey Myers, Director of Recreation; Officer Rocca, Midnight Shift Supervisor; Catherine Park, Code Enforcement; Yolanda Woods, Citizen Advocate

 

Special Guests: Ed Berlin, Candidate for Alderman

 

Vinnie Hughes: Distributed FEMA brochure on Emergency Preparedness and spoke on the City efforts to effectively respond.

 

Roelkey Myers: Informed residents on partnerships between the School System and Dept. of Recreation, Camp programs

 

Chief Dine: Will begin the discussion of agenda items.

 

Agenda Items:

 

Neighborhood Issues:

 

1.      Gangs & Graffiti

Question from Residents:  How is graffiti addressed by FPD?

Response by FPD Representatives (Chief Dine or Off. Rocca): 

After receiving call a report is initiated, pictures are taken, tracking of similar occurrences are researched and cataloged.

 

There are gangs in the region, both city and county. Information is shared between City and County, along with the Maryland State Police Department. FPD brochures distributed with contact number on the back and services identified and described. Residents are encouraged to call to alert the FPD, who will respond courteously, but may assist in averting a potential turf war.

 

The FPD currently has a Graffiti Eradication Program with Det. Robert Marker as the contact person. The removal of graffiti is the responsibility of the property owner. The FPD will contact the property owner to inform of possible removal options considering material graffiti is on and what may have been used. If the removal is not done within a specified timeframe, the City will remove the graffiti and the property owner willed be billed for materials and labor.

 

There are local gangs, .i.e, Home Grown gangs. There is some, but very little activity from the very publicized gang, MS13. Residents are advised that if they suspect drug activity to call the number on the brochure for Detective Robert Marker. Both Det. Marker and Det. Thomas Chase will come and facilitate presentation regarding gangs and what to look for in community. Currently presentations are being made at schools, community groups and City departments, i.e., Dept. of Public Works, on the different gangs and different symbols, clothing. Presentations are graphic and may not be suitable for young children. Officer Donovan tracks the information disseminating as necessary to Det. Marker and other agencies.

 

  1. Amber Meadows Playground

Residents: There is an increase in cars, trash and the playground being used as a hang out. A person regularly parks and selling athletic wear from the trunk of his car.

 

FPD:  As long as it raises suspicions, make the call to the FPD, allowing them to investigate. There is an increased effort to respond back to the caller to provide follow-up feedback on action taken.

 

Residents:  Nuisance houses that repeated have parties suspected of involving under aged drinking, trash, urinating outdoors, abusive language. Not a recent problem; existed for the past 4-5 years. Compounded with parking in front of other neighbors houses. The police are called. Either they never come or come after the activity is over.

 

FPD:  The police will always come. All calls are reported. If a car does not respond call and ask to speak to the Shift Supervisor. The time is takes to respond may depend on what may be occurring in other parts of the City and also, how many officers are on duty.

 

Residents: What is loitering and can you provide us a definition?

 

FPD:  The City currently has no loitering ordinance or statute. Persons are allowed to stand on City streets. However, they are not allowed to deal drugs. Call FPD with information defining the time, place, description and behaviors observed. FPD will initiate a drug investigation.

 

Note: All City Parks/Playgrounds close at 10pm. Not all parks/playgrounds have signs posted. Currently, Dept. Recreation increasing efforts to the posting of signs.

           

  1. Parked Vehicles Along Amber Drive

Residents:  Crowded parking, abandoned vehicles

 

FPD:  Complaint generated by the community. City Ordinance stipulates that a vehicle may not be parked on a City street longer than 48 hours. It is the policy of the FPD to issue a Warning Citation as a courtesy to the vehicle owner before tagging the vehicle as abandoned.

 

Residents: Out-of-State Tags on the street, at residences for more than 2-3 months.

 

FPD:  MVA issue. Vehicle owners have 30 days to transfer tags to Maryland registration.

 

Residents: What about parked trailers and campers?

 

FPD:  No camping trailers are allowed to park on City streets longer than 2-4 hours to allow for a flat tire or need for a tow. However, utility trailers, i.e., that haul lawn mowers and boats, are allowed to park on City streets.

 

 

Residents:  Is there a noise ordinance for cars?

     

FPD:  State of Maryland Law. No audible sound beyond 50 feet of the vehicle.

 

Resident: What if the driver is deaf and receives a ticket for the music being too loud? Persons who are deaf use the vibrations to feel the music.

 

FPD:  The driver may want to adjudicate his ticket in court in order to explain his particular situation.

 

  1. Housing Codes – Tabled for another meeting.

 

Raffle

 

Acknowledgement of Community and Business Donors

 

8:30 pm           Adjourned