North Frederick Elementary @ 7 p.m.

Members Present: Don Dean, Claudia Winkelman, David Winkelman, and Earl Smith.

City Representatives Present: Stephanie Ambush, Alderman Kip Koontz, Alderwoman Marcia Hall,

Alderman Paul Smith, and Mike Blank with Code Enforcement.

Police Representative: Officer Pyon, and Chief Dine

Citizens Present: approx 23

Officer Pyon:

The explosives heard in Monocacy Park about 3:40 a.m. the Sunday before last were done by juveniles and the investigation is still continuing. There was also a traffic stop of a drunk driver who ran from his vehicle into the tree line and towards Monocacy Park. He was caught. His blood alcohol level was .08.

Kip Koontz said that he and neighbors witnessed numerous drug deals on Oakwood (behind Monocacy Woods Apts.). Drug enforcement was there but could not get into position to actually see money and drugs exchange hands.

Stephanie Ambush:

Handed out emergency preparedness refrigerator cards.
There will be discussion at the Mayor & Board workshop about a partnering of the youth center with the Boys & Girls Club.
Yard waste will be year round. In our area, we need to put out yard waste the 2nd & 4th Tues of the month.

The rest of the meeting was discussion on overcrowding in neighborhoods with the majority of citizens in attendance from Fredericktowne Village. The discussion contained the following:

Marcia Hall announced that the Mayor is appointing a workgroup to discuss this issue. Marcia and Kip will chair the group and they will meet within the next two weeks. If anyone is interested they need to contact Susan Harding (susan@cityoffrederick.com) tomorrow. A land management work group is also being formed. Also contact Susan.

Pam Shaw spoke about the overcrowding situation on Eden Court and Eden Drive. Last May there was a hearing with the planning board and the application for multi rooms at 802 was denied as the owner did not live there. Nothing has changed. All the people coming and going, all the cars, etc are still there. She believes there has to be a code on the books to remedy the situation. It is not a racial issue. It is her home and 20 year investment that is the issue.

Mike Blank then spoke to give history and understanding to the situation. Overcrowding is the fastest growing problem. The City of Frederick has the highest percentage increase in Hispanic population in the nation. The Code Enforcement is bringing 3 cases to conclusion. The problem is defining how many people can be in a home. We do not have broad enough definitions. Property maintenance requires a certain amount of square footage vs people (70 sq ft for 1 person, 50 sq ft per person for 2 or more person in a bedroom)

His department has to follow the laws. How do you prove who is family and who is not?

They have to proceed carefully so that the cases will hold up in court.

In the case of 802 Eden Court, they were able to get information about the inside of the home, due to a fire and the fire dept then communicated to the city about the inside. They are close to a conclusion as the owner either has to put in bigger windows or people have to vacate.

The owner of 839 Briar Ct. met with code enforcement and the owner will boot the people out.

Since the 5712 Butterfly complaint, there have been 63 overcrowding complaints. The more police calls and calls to code enforcement, the more the complaint is moved to the top of the list.

If there is probable cause for overcrowding, they can get a search warrant. It is important to document, document, document. Citizens in Hillcrest keep a diary. Do not take pictures as there is gang activity present. Code enforcement is reactive and not proactive.

There was a hearing years ago regarding rental licensing. All the rental agencies had people there to testify against it. Rental licensing would require an inspection of the property every time it changed hands. When they hear this issue again, it is very important that the citizens come to testify. Carol Krimm recommended when citizens come to testify and the issue is near the end of the docket, many citizens end up leaving due to lateness of the hour. She recommends that when the ordinance comes up for public hearing that it be the only item on the docket.

Mike Blank reiterated the importance of keeping records and emailing supporting facts such as the number of people going in and out in a day, what times of the day, vehicle descriptions, out of state license plates, switching of plates, work being done without permits, vehicles blocking traffic, etc. E-mail the Aldermen and Code Enforcement.

Citizens informed Mike of other problem addresses on Eden Drive.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Our next NAC meeting is set for Tues Nov 6th @ 7 p.m. at the YMCA.

Sincerely,

Claudia J. Winkelman, Secretary