NAC 3 Minutes for September 10, 2007

Meeting began at 7:10 pm in the cafeteria of Monocacy Elementary School; 12 residents were in attendance

NAC 3 Representatives present were Connie Pryor, Beth Conny and Kathy Griffee

Since it was a small group, Connie had each person introduce themselves and tell where they lived. Everyone was from Amber Meadows. Attending in Stephanie Davis’s place was Ron Tobin, the Executive Assistant to the Mayor. Stephanie Davis recently got married and is now Stephanie Ambush

Police Report

Connie introduced Sgt. Ron Figgers who is the Supervisor for the midnight patrol, replacing Earl Rocca.

Sgt. Figgers’ direct line is 301-600-1230 or he can be reached at rfiggers@fredco-md.net

Any item that needs immediate attention should be called in on 911 or the non-emergency line, since Sgt. Figgers has days off or can be out of the office. Usually if he is unavailable you will get an “out of office” response reply to your email. When Sgt. Figgers is unavailable, Cpl. Stanley is next in the chain of command. His email is estanley@fredco-md.net

· Most complaints in NAC 3 this summer in Amber Meadows were for parking violations and for commercial and oversized vehicles on Amber Drive and the side streets. Residents can call the non-emergency number, 301-600-2100, to report illegally parked or abandoned vehicles. Give the tag number and location of the vehicle.

· Complaints regarding speeding were voiced at tonight’s meeting. Sgt. Figgers says that there isn’t enough police manpower to answer reports of speeding unless it’s a very quiet shift. The patrols spend most of their time answering the radio calls so if you notice suspicious or outrageous activities be sure to call it in. There were very few calls for service overall in the Amber Meadows neighborhood.

· Several complaints in Willowbrook were made in regard to juvenile activities and suspicious drug activity. The police have increased patrols in that area especially after 9 pm. Some apprehension of minors has been made. Usually this activity tapers off as the weather gets colder.

· Several reports of burglaries in Clover Ridge, North Crossing and Willowbrook took place, mostly in unlocked cars.

· Ron Tobin said that the City has a task force to look into putting cameras in the problem areas like parks. Currently there are cameras in the Parking Garages to deter and/or monitor. If financially feasible the City may consider strategically placing some cameras for better police protection.

· A resident reported dirt bikes or small motorcycles riding and doing stunts on the Monocacy Middle School’s soccer fields. He wanted this activity reported to the police and wondered if there was anything that could be done. Sgt. Figgers will pass the information to patrols and see what he can do.

Old Business

Beth Conny gave an overview of the NAC’s for the new attendees and a short list of NAC 3’s accomplishments:

· The new traffic pattern, stop signs, etc. at the TJ Drive and Hayward Rd. intersection

· Every school in the City, except Monocacy Elementary, has a flashing light in front of it. We are now on the list to receive one also. It is coming, it takes time to order it and get it installed.

· The Developers must now present to the NAC’s, as part of the Land Management Code, their sketch plan for a development. By requiring this, the neighborhoods that would be most affected by the development have the opportunity to voice their concerns in the beginning of the development process, rather than when most of the decisions have already been made. We had some lively debates over the development of the old F&M property on TJ Drive which mostly focused on traffic concerns.

· If a resident wants to go to City Hall and speak on a topic at the Mayor and Board of Alderman meetings, Ron Tobin said it would be best to only represent yourself and not represent your NAC since you can’t speak on behalf of all the residents in the NAC

New Business

· Residents want something done with the utility boxes at the corner of Carriage Way and Amber Drive. They have always been a place for teens and suspicious people to hang out. There appears to be drug activity which his has been going on for years. Jimmie Toms, a resident and retired engineer who has experience working with utility companies, has volunteered to coordinate a “beautification plan” for this area with the Utility companies. One of the Utility companies removed one of the boxes, leaving a large hole in the ground that has been roped off with that ugly, plastic, orange fencing all summer. How long is it going to be like this? Residents wanted Sgt. Figgers to be aware of the increase in suspicious activity and trash which carries over into the Amber Meadows Park. Suggestions to have the trees trimmed to reduce the shadows around the boxes might help.

· NAC 3 would like Ron to thank the Parks and Recreation Dept. for removing the old rusty fence that went around the “tot” area at the Amber Meadows Park. It looks so much better!

· A big thanks to Mike Blank and Code Enforcement for the job they are doing with the “Clean Sweep” of the City

· Strong complaints about the Bird Droppings on the sidewalks in front of residents’ homes. One resident said that her children have shoes to wear when they are outside and they must immediately remove them when they come inside because she doesn’t want them tracking that filth into the house. She is concerned with the safety and health of her children. This complaint comes up every year and the trees are protected by the State and are not removed unless they are damaged or diseased. Ron will check with DPW and have them evaluate thinning the trees to decrease “flocking” by the birds.

· Several residents complained about the New Trash Cans. They have received notices that their cans are too close to a parked car and then the city doesn’t empty the can. The cars belong to neighbors who have 4 or more vehicles and are squeezing them in on the street where ever they can, making it impossible for residents to put their trash can out according to instructions. Ron will ask the City to be “user friendly”

· Connie reviewed some of the topics that were discussed in August when several NAC Representatives met with the Mayor, Ron Tobin and Stephanie Ambush. The City wants each NAC to decide on how often they feel they should hold meetings, have a common format for the agendas, standardize the police reports and have a purpose to the meeting. The purpose could address issues such as traffic, graffiti, trash, noise, safety, drugs, overcrowding, etc. Also, the NAC’s could be instrumental in gathering information in the event of a crisis for special needs or disabled persons in the neighborhoods. Minutes for the meeting should be submitted and perhaps a yearly report.

The City wants feed back from the NAC’s on what sort of Citizen Representation they want. Should the NAC Board be appointed, elected, have term limits?

· NAC 3 discussion decided tonight that most meetings are complaint driven and we have been busy and seem to need the monthly meetings, taking Dec., July and Aug. off due to unavailability of the School for our meetings.

· Connie polled the 12 people in attendance for our top 2 concerns:

1. Code Enforcement/overcrowding/possible rental licensing agreement was unanimously the number one concern for everyone.

2. Public Safety – crime, traffic, commercial vehicles, bird droppings was second

Meeting closed with a raffle:

Mrs. Slovikovsty won the Redskin Book Cover

Connie presented Ron Tobin with a plaque expressing our appreciation for his time and help addressing our concerns

Meeting Adjourned @ 9:00 pm

Respectfully Submitted

Kathy Griffee and Beth Conny

Copies to Ron Tobin, Sgt. Ron Figgers and Stephanie Ambush via email