Madison Park

June 11th 2007 Madison Park HOA minutes

Jun 13, 2007

Madison Park HOA Agenda
6/11/07 www.neighborhoodlink.com 28210


Welcome

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm by President Marty Doss

41 in attendance plus one speaker and two police officers

Crime Stats
Westover Police Crime Stats given by Officer Lim and Officer Hairston:
-4900 block of Prentice- theft from motor vehicle
-5300 block of Furman Place- theft from motor vehicle
-two residential breaking and entering at the Abbey Place apartments
-Wachovia Bank robbery on Park Rd

A couple of residents asked about the tags that have been handed out by Central Division to deter vehicle break-ins (tags, that are hung in the car notify potential criminals that there are no valuables in the car, also reminds car owners to remove all valuables). Officer Lim offered to see if our neighborhood can receive any of the tags.

Officer Lim and Officer Hairston reminded us that since schools are out for the summer, juvenile crime will likely increase. Please call the police if you see any suspicious activity. A resident said he notices kids hanging out most nights a Pinewood Elementary (drinking beer and vandalizing). Officer Hairston said to call the police when this happens.

Guest Speaker
Anita Blankney with Charlotte 311
311 is the ?“one stop shop?” to assist Charlotte residents with customer service and information about City and County services.
You can call 311 about:
 Animal control
 City and County Storm Water services
-Billing inquiries
-Service requests for flooding, erosion
?• Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT)
- questions about street closures, requests for street maintenance

?• Charlotte- Mecklenburg utilities
- billing information, service requests
?• City code enforcements
?• Non-emergency Police services
?• Mecklenburg Parks and Rec
?• Mecklenburg County Tax Department
?• Solid Waste Services
- bulky item pick up, information about garbage and recycling services
?• South Corridor Light Rail information
If 311 can not help you with your request, they will try to direct you to someone who can. 311 operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You can also go to www.charmeck.org to access 311 online.






Special Thanks to the Picnic committee
Thank you to Lars Hedenborg, Lyndsey Denlinger, Ingrid Lachner, Eudora Alston, Diane and Lamar Gunter, and Richard Akers for running the grill. The committee did an excellent job this year.
We had a nice number of attendees and Mayor Pro Tem, Susan Burgess and her husband Patrick Burgess stopped in to say hello.

Thanks to the Following People for your support of our Annual Picnic
Dr. Clarke Hammock, Dentist, $250 cash for event, 202 E. Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
Lars Hedenborg, Maison Properties for the following Door Prizes
* 2 25 Gift Certificates to Black Hawk Hardware
* 1 25 Gift Certificate to Target
* 1 children?’s milk shake machine
* 1 children?’s bubble machine
Lyndsey Denlinger, Principal Financial Group
*9 potted flower plants
*supplied ice for the event
Candy Bridges, Parks and Recreation for supplying paper products, and arranging the shelter for the picnic.
Special Thanks for Door Prizes Goes To
*Blackhawk Hardware 50 dollar gift certificate
*Hotel Charlotte 25 dollar gift certificate
*Suarez Bakery 25 dollar gift certificate
*Quaker Steak & Lube 25 dollar gift certificate
*Fuel Pizza Cafe 4 5 dollar gift certificates
*Good Year 40 dollars in services (Oil or Tire Rotations)
*Eatza Pizza 5 Buffet Coupons
*Jewelology 10 dollars Gift Certificate
*Fire House Subs 5 5 dollar certificates
*Portofino 30 dollar Gift Certificate
*Auto Bell 2 full car washes
*Papa Johns 5 large pizzas


Be Sure To Thank These Business and Members of Our Community
Thanks to everyone that supplied cash support, supplies, or donated gift certificates or prizes for our picnic event.
Show you support of these businesses and professionals next time you might need their services or something from their business. Support those that support us!


2008 Spring Picnic
Saturday May 17th, 2008 Candy Bridges, Parks and Recreations has already reserved the largest shelter for next year?’s event for us. We were limited with only one choice this year during the month of May for the event.

Dee McCandlish with the Treasury Report
We have $1,362 in the bank with 75 paid members (with a few added at the meeting to bring us closer to 80). It is $15 a year to join. Please pay your dues if you have not done so. You can mail your check to Dee McCandlish at 812 Fairbanks Dr, Charlotte, 28210. Your dues help to pay for all the fun events this year!

Welcome to first time attendees

Seacroft Road Update
The north side of Seacroft Road has had 25 mph signs added.
The south side of Seacroft Road has a resident with small children that has requested CDOT install all-stop at Seacroft and Fairbanks. The resident, Jennifer Kennedy, will have to work a petition if the intersection meets all the requirements. The all-stop at Chedworth and Seacroft has helped slow traffic at the mid point of the road.

Ken Davis Unique Traffic Calming Program
Ken emailed Marty recently about a program called Slowdown4families.com
President Doss, corresponded with Connie Echols, the Executive Director of Slowdown4families.com
The program uses various methods of getting out their messages?…t shirts, program info sheets, bumper stickers, and yard signs.
Marty had been told in the past that residents could purchase Slow Children at Play Signs and place in their yards; however they were not allowed to place them within 11 feet of the curb.
Marty assumed the yard signs would be violations of the sign ordinance. Connie Echols was unaware of the sign ordinance and thanked Marty for the info and was going to investigate. She said she did not wish to eliminate one problem and create another at the same time.
Marty applauds her efforts for trying to help eliminate the speeding problem. He hears traffic complaints on speeding frequently.
For more information, visit www.slowdown4families.com


Boarded up Structures
The latest revision on the potential new ordinance reduces the allowed time from the initial proposed 1 year to 6 months now.
Proposed Residential Board Up Guidelines
All boarded up residential structures must register with the City.
Six month time limit on how long a residence can stay boarded up
Projected estimated cost to owners

$35-$60 per opening

1. Cut plywood to fit over the window and door openings, flush with outside of the molding.
2. Cut the 2x4s to fit the horizontal dimension of the plywood. You will need two 2x4 exterior and two interior braces for each window and three sets for each door.
3. Pre drill 3/8th inch holes in the plywood and the braces.
4. The holes will be placed approximately 1/3 of the length of the brace from each outside edge of the door and window jam.
5. The two window braces will be placed 1/3 of the distance from the top and the bottom of the window.
6. The three door braces will be placed; one in the center of the doorway, and one half the distance from the center to the top and to the bottom of the doorway.
7. Place the plywood over the exterior opening and nail to the frame.
8. Place the 2x4 braces over the interior and exterior of the door or window.
9. Place the large washer over the carriage bolt and place the bolt through the holes.
10. Place washer and nut inside and tighten securely. Torque the nut so that it slightly compresses the interior 2x4

Subject to civil penalties if units are boarded up longer than the required time period or become unsecured.

Fine: $500 + $50 per day until violation is corrected.

Note: Penalties help City recover monitoring, inspection, and follow-up cost.


Burglary Increase Sergeant Lester reports they are noticing an increased amount of residential burglaries in all parts of our Division. Please be mindful of strange cars riding in your neighborhoods and suspicious people going door to door knocking to see if anyone is home. We are finding that criminals are targeting jewelry, electronics and of course money. Please secure these items in a less conspicuous place when you are not at home. I know it will be hard to hide large items so please engrave these items with your driver?’s license number. I am including some information handouts that you can give to your community members.
Please feel free to contact your community officers if you need additional information.
Tips from

Landscaping
Overgrown landscaping (bushes, trees, shrubs) situated in front of windows and around doors can provide easy concealment when burglarizing a home. It is recommended that bushes and shrubs be kept cut down to 3 ft off the ground, and that trees be trimmed up 6 ft off the ground. Maintained landscaping also shows pride in ownership and gives the house that ?“lived in look?”.
Lighting
All entrances (front, side, rear) should have lighting with enough wattage to light up the entire entry area (porch, steps, decks). The lighting should also be bright enough for facial recognition during the evening and night hours. Adding flood lights to all sides of your home help in lighting the perimeter areas of the house and yard , and should operate on timers or motion sensors.
Fencing
Having a fence, whether it is around the entire yard or just the back yard, shows ownership and defines property lines. It is important to keep the fence in good repair and try to keep the gate locked when not in use. This also benefits when you have a dog, which is always an added security advantage. Privacy fencing, although nice, definitely serves its purpose for giving homeowners privacy from their neighbors and other surroundings. It also is beneficial to a burglar and gives them that extra advantage of concealment.
Sheds, Outdoor closets, Garages
Always keep any outdoor buildings (including attached and detached garages) secure with a strong hasp and padlock. Any property kept inside these structures should be inventoried with make, model and serial #s documented. Try chaining together lawn equipment with a chain or cable and secure them with a padlock. This will make it difficult for the burglar to remove any one item if they are chained together. Ladders should be kept in a secured place, and not stored on the outside area of a home.
Alarms
It is always beneficial to have an alarm system for your home. These systems can be suited to fit your personal and family needs, and can also provide coverage to outdoor buildings and garages. There are several reputable alarm companies in the Charlotte area, so we recommend getting quotes from two or three companies before making a decision. Make sure that an alarm horn is installed on the outside of the home, so as to notify your neighbors and possibly a passing CMPD Officer when the alarm is sounding. Your alarm must also be registered with CMPD to avoid being fined in the event of false alarms. Go to www.cmpd.org , click on A to Z Services, then click on Alarm Ordinance and Registration or call 704-432-0431.
Exterior Doors and Deadbolts
All exterior doors should be solid steel or solid wood. Hollow core doors, if used, should be for interior doors only. Any deadbolts that are situated within 40inches of a window should be double cylinder (deadbolt that takes a key on both sides). Deadbolt throws should also be a minimum of 1 inch and strike plates should be secured with 3 inch screws or longer.
Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
All ground floor and top floor windows should be kept closed and locked when not in use. Newer model windows now come with ventilation latches, which is an extra security feature designed to allow the window to be opened a few inches without having the ability to raise it any higher. Window bolts can also be installed for extra security. Window bolts secure the top and bottom window frames together and can be found at local hardware stores. Sliding glass doors should be secured with a locking bar designed specifically for these types of doors or by putting a broom stick or other obstacle in the track. Sliding glass doors can also be lifted out of the frame. To avoid this, insert a few screws (spaced about ten inches apart) into the track allowing just enough clearance for the door to slide open, but don?’t put the screws flush into the track. If someone attempts to lift the door out of the frame, it will lift into the screws, thus not allowing it to happen.
Property Inventory / Light Timers / Engraving
As mentioned above, all applicable property should be listed on an inventory sheet with make, model and serial #s documented. This along with photos of expensive valuables (jewelry, silverware etc) should be kept in a safe place and readily accessible (safety deposit box, fire safe). It is a good idea to engrave your driver license # on the back of electronic items. This will assist in property identification and seizure should it be recovered from criminals or from pawn shops. Interior lights should be set on timers to come on during different times during the day and evening hours. This shows that someone may be home even when the house is unoccupied.


National Night Out
Mark Your Calendars this year?’s event is 8/7/07 starting at 6:30 PM and ending at 9:00 PM. The event will be held this year on Fairbanks Road between Valleyforge and Wedgewood Drive. Montclaire will be joining us this year. Parks and Recreation is supporting our event, Target, Dr. Clarke Hammock and others. This will be an extra large event this year and lots of fun.
We will need many volunteers to give out food, and help with the events that are being planned for the evening. If you can help please let President Doss know at Martydoss@aol.com or call him at 704-519-0677. We will need volunteers the day of the event for setting up and working on balloon decorations.

Thanks to all the residents on Fairbanks for their signatures on the official petition to allow the street closure.

If your business would like to support the event or any individuals from our community please let us know. In exchange for any cash support you can set up some type of booth to push your business or service or product.

Be sure to come and invite your neighbors. There will be lots of activities for children including train rides, a big slide and a bike parade.

Councilmen Andy Dulin
E-mailed and said he would try and attend our July HOA meeting. City Counsel will be on a summer schedule. He said if he does not see us at the July meeting he will be at National Night Out!

Street Light Murrayhill and White Oak Plan Matt Magnasco
Duke Power did not do the lighting plan correctly. They accidentally started the lighting plan for street lights at Scaleybark on Murrayhill. They did not complete all of Murrayhill South of Woodlawn. They did complete the White Oak portion in what has been done to this point with Murrayhill.
Instead of the lighting plan on the North Side of Woodlawn Road going to waste, Marty suggested that CDOT allow Collinswood Community to use the plan if they desire. The only reason the initial plan requires 25% interest is so not to waste Duke Power time doing a plan if there is not interest. Kelly Roberts is the President of Collinswood and they are interested in using the plan in a response she made to President Doss on 6/4/07.
Matt needs 60% of property owners on Murrayhill and White Oak to approve the plan. If the plan is approved, Duke Power will install the new lights plus upgrade the existing lights. The city will pay the electric bill. For more information and pictures of the upgraded lights, see http://madisonpark.freehostia.com/

Update 6/12/07: Duke Power should have the entire plan completed within a week



Parking in Yards
Please remember that parking on your front lawn or side lawn of corner lots is not allowed by city ordinance. We have had an increase number of residents breaking this ordinance recently.
Codes and the Police dept. can fine you 25 dollars if they receive a complaint and see this happening. On top of that if you are fined 4 times in 1 year your vehicle will be towed from your property. Please either park in the rear of your home, in your driveway, or put in an approved parking pad. Also the street is always an option. CDOT likes people parking on the street this acts as traffic calmer and slows traffic. When parking on the street park completely on the pavement. Rolling up partially on the lawn with one or two wheels is also a violation. This is a City of Charlotte Ordinance. Report violators to 311 by making complaint online at Charlotte Mecklenburg Web site,or calling 311. Give description of vehicle and time of day and the exact address. You are NOT REQUIRED to provide you name if you choose not to leave it!

Madison Park HOA Website Record Month of Hits in May 2007!
Madison Park
Hit Report Updated Daily

Jun 2007 May 2007 Apr 2007 Mar 2007 Feb 2007 Jan 2007
Entire Site 0 3528 2280 2179 2640 2170
Home Page 0 848 572 580 717 518
Community Calendar 0 162 146 126 97 84
Discussion Area 0 755 342 364 481 497
Newsletter 0 380 191 229 272 200


New Business/ Issues/ Problems/ Open Discussion

Update on the Queens Sports Complex at Marion Diehl from Lars Gunter:
They have broken ground for the Pressbox and the Lion Statue base. The pressbox is scheduled to be complete by December. They are also designing a sign for the front entrance.

Garden Club:
The next meeting is at Vivian Moose?’s house at 836 Woodlawn Rd on Monday June 18 at 7pm. The topics will be what is transplantable and what is available through the Master Gardner program

Adjournment

Submitted by April Mays