Madison Park

Madison Park Homeowner's Association Feb. 13, 2006 Minutes

Feb 16, 2006

GARDEN CLUB MEETING
Feb 20th at the home of Barbara Conner - 1016 Seneca Place. Speaker will
be Dave Powell from Bartlett Tree Experts. This is a free club - no dues.
If you are a person who likes gardening Please try to attend. There
are always lots of helpful tips!

MINUTES OF MADISON PARK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION


February 13, 2006
www.neighborhoodlink.com
Madison Park 28210


Meetings are always the 2nd Monday of each month. Martin Doss, President,
called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
(Remember doors always open at 7:00 p.m. for 1/2 hour of social time)

WELCOME to our new members & attendees!

Don't forget to pay your dues. $15. Can be sent to Dee McCandlish, 812
Fairbanks, Dr. 28210

CRIME STATISTICS AND ISSUES:

South Division - Officer Jenny Woodlief (from January, 2006)
1. 5700 block Farmbrook - Damage to property - someone turned a outside
water spigot on & left it running.
2. 5100 block Chedworth - broke into auto by breaking a window. The auto
had a club on the steering wheel which probably prevented car from being
stolen.
3. 5800 block Farmbrook - (Montclair Elementary) - 10 yr. old student
assaulted a teacher
4. 5800 block Farmbrook - (Montclair Elementary) - domestic confrontation
between a man & woman in the parking lot

Westover Division - Officer Hairston (From January, 2006)
1. 500 Inwood Dr. - Damage to property - Inwood sidewalk at Gilmore, about
a 200-foot section: Inspector verifies that new sidewalk at corner of
Inwood and Gilmore was vandalized just after it was poured - bikes, dogs,
people through it, etc. Contractor refinished it so all markings are
removed.
2. 536 Seneca Place - Hit & Run, Someone backed into a vehicle
3. 308 Seneca Place - Drugs were being sold
4. 4600 Bayberry Dr. - Hit & Run with property damage
5. 5201 Wedgewood Dr. - Breaking & Entering - someone broke into storage
shed & took items

These are incidents within our neighborhood. On South Blvd. there are 56
street lights out. Someone also used a torch to cut the door at the car
wash on South Blvd. & gain entry. A surveillance camera has been installed
in the Pep Boys auto store due to break-ins.

Officer Hairston pointed out that some streets like Murrayhill don't have
many street lights & are dark at night. Anyone jogging or walking after
dark needs to be wearing light colored clothing! Also, a neighbor
mentioned that the trees on Gentry Place need to be trimmed back to help
the street lights work better. The school should be contacted to help with
this.

SPEAKER FROM CHARLOTTE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION, CATS, Jennifer Green,
Senior Community Relations Specialist South and Northeast Corridors
SOUTH BLVD. LIGHT RAIL CORRIDOR UPDATE

- Expected to open in the fall of 2007
- It will extend from 7th Street, Uptown, to I-485 at Sterling Elementary
School near Pineville (9.6 miles)
- Cost will be same as the local bus fare
- It will operate from 5:00am to 1:00am seven days a week
- 15 stations with 7 park-n-rides (All stations are expected to open at
the same time)

Buses servicing South Blvd. currently are expected to become obsolete with
the Light Rail line running. There is talk of using those buses as
shuttles to get people from nearby neighborhoods to the stations.

Safety is an issue that was brought up. Parking areas will be well lit
with security cameras and no bushes or shrubs for anyone to hide behind.
These lots will be periodically patrolled. The train cars will also have
security officers riding in them.

Clanton Road widening: There are no plans to widen Clanton Road. However,
there will be a left-turn lane added to the cross-section of northbound
South Blvd.

WAYS TO STAY INFORMED:
- www.charlottefuture.com
- www.ridetransit.org
- 704-336-RIDE
- South Corridor Construction & Info. Office at 4035 South Blvd.

NEXT OPEN HOUSE:
April 27, 2006
3:30 - 7:30 pm at the South Corridor Construction & Info. Office at 4035
South Blvd.
Stop by, ask questions and get answers!

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Matt Magnasco with Charlotte Dept. of Transportation informed us about TAP
(Transportation Action Plan)
This plan will address the expected transportation needs for the next 25
years, population growth of the area, and the cost for the needed
transportation. It is in the public comment stage now and there will be 4
workshops in which you can participate:

Maps to the workshops are available at http://cdot.charmeck.org.

Date Time Location Address
Saturday, Feb. 18 11 am ?– 1 pm University City Regional Library 301 E.
W.T. Harris Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28262
Saturday, Feb. 25 10 am ?– 12 pm West Blvd. Branch Library 2157 West
Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28208
Saturday, March 18 10 am ?– 12 pm Eastland Mall Community Room ?– Entrance E
near Belk 5471 Central Ave.Charlotte, NC 28212
Saturday, March 25 10 am ?– 12 pm Morrison Regional Library 7015 Morrison
Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28211

If you have any questions http://cdot.charmeck.org


ADOPT A STREET CLEANING OF TYVOLA ROAD
Saturday, March 4th, 9:00 am. Wear Bright clothing, gloves and boots if
you have them. Dress appropriate for the walk and cleanup. Long sleeves
are always recommended! Trash bags will be supplied! This should take
less than an hour to clean the 1 mile stretch from Farmbrook to Park Road.
A reminder will be sent out closer to the date! The morning of the pick up
if the ground were to be snow covered or if it is raining, the pick up would be
canceled until the following Saturday the 11th of March. The rain date
would be March 11th, at 9:00 am. Please come out and help if you can!

NEW WESTOVER TRAFFIC COORDINATOR
Marty sat in on the interviews at the Westover Police Dept. last month for
the new Westover Traffic Coordinator along with the Captain, Sergeant,
Major, hits photo operator, and an officer to help with the selection of
the new traffic coordinator for the division. There will be two this year-
the 1st 6 months Officer Kevin Stank and the last 6 months Officer
Pressley. The officer that meets the objectives set out the best will
have the job permanently in 2007.

STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOODS

The City?’s Neighborhood Development Department helps strengthen
neighborhoods through various programs and initiatives. Charlotte
residents and neighborhood organizations are invited to make use of the
resources described below.

COMMUNITY UNIVERSITY:
New and Improved! This neighborhood training and capacity building
program has recently been expanded to include a full menu of topics that
are designed to benefit all neighborhoods, regardless of their level of
development. Series include Neighborhood Leadership I and II,
Organizational Tools for Success I and II and Using Your Resources. The
majority of the series are being held at public libraries and other
locations in the community. Classes begin on February 9 and continue
throughout the year. The current schedule includes:

Neighborhood Leadership I Feb. 9 - March 16, 6:00-8:30
pm
Neighborhood Leadership II March 14 - April 18, 6:00-8:30
pm
Organizational Tools for Success I March 23 - April 13, 6:30-8:30
pm
Organizational Tools for Success II May 9 - June 6, 6:30-8:30 pm
Using Your Resources May 4 - June 1, 6:30-8:30 pm

Call the Neighborhood Services office or visit the website to enroll in the
spring classes! Neighborhoods are encouraged to sign up three or more
residents for each series.

GOOD NEIGHBOR RELATIONS PROGRAM:
This new program was created in collaboration with several community
stakeholders. It is designed to help improve the quality of life in
neighborhoods by increasing awareness and promoting higher standards of
accountability. The subject matter ranges from laws and ordinance
regulations to conflict resolution in neighborhoods. Sessions are
scheduled for February 21, March 16, April 27, and May 20 from 6:00-7:30
pm. Call or visit us on the web for locations and enrollment information.

NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANTS:
Does our neighborhood have important issues that need to be addressed?
We can turn those troubles into triumph! Our neighborhood organization may
be eligible to receive assistance through the Neighborhood Matching Grants
Program. Grants up to $25,000 are awarded to eligible neighborhood
organizations and business associations for projects that will improve
neighborhood appearance or public safety, increase organizational capacity
or support educational, recreational and cultural initiatives. Call
Neighborhood Development to check your neighborhood?’s eligibility.

Neighborhood Matching Grants Pre-Application workshops are scheduled for
the following dates and locations for the March 15 application deadline:

Tuesday, February 7, 6:00-8:30 pm, West Boulevard Library, 2157 W. Blvd.
Wednesday, February 15, 6:00-8:30 pm, Beatties Ford Library, 2412 Beatties
Ford Rd.
Saturday February 18, 9:30-12 noon, Carmel Road Library, 6624 Walsh Blvd.
Thursday February 23, 6:00-8:30 pm, University City Library, 301 East W.T.
Harris Blvd.

11th ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD SYMPOSIUM:
Make plans to attend Charlotte?’s citywide neighborhood conference on
Saturday April 22, 2006 from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Charlotte
Marriott City Center, 100 West Trade Street uptown. This year?’s theme is
?“Standards of Excellence: Showcasing Model Neighborhoods.?” The format
includes workshops, speakers, a community forum, exhibits and excellent
neighborhood networking opportunities. Some very special workshops and
activities will be targeted to youth ages 12-18. Pre-registration is
underway. Marty would like to have a good representation of residents and
officers of Madison Park this year. Let the City know that Madison Park is
very involved and show them we Really Care About Our Community. Please
Sign up now. Make sure you say or type Madison Park HOA when signing
up. This is entirely a FREE event including the nice luncheon!

To contact Neighborhood Development, please call 704-336-2061 or log on to
http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org and click on the Neighborhood Services
link. You can also just log in to Madison Park at www.neighborhoodlink.com 28210 Madison Park and click the link to Charmeck.

Join us for our 11th Annual Neighborhood Symposium!

Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006

Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: Charlotte Marriott City Center, 100 West Trade Street

The Neighborhood Symposium is a forum that provides opportunities for neighborhood leaders and residents to learn about resources, share ideas for improving neighborhoods, and network across physical and social boundaries. This is your invitation to join neighbors from throughout the city for an enlightening and energizing day of community building.

Conference Agenda

8:00 a.m. Exhibits, Networking and Continental Breakfast

8:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony and Plenary Address: "What is a Model Neighborhood?"

9:45 a.m. Community Forum: Dialogue with city administrators

11:00 a.m. Neighborhood Networking Sessions

Reducing Crime
Building Neighborhood Participation and Involvement
Improving Community Appearance
Publicizing and Enforcing Ordinances
Building Landlord/Community Relationships
Resolving Transportation, Infrastructure and Traffic Issues
12:30 p.m. Luncheon and Keynote Speaker

2:30 p.m. Afternoon Workshops

Being Part of the Solution: Steps to Neighborhood Problem Solving
Dollars and Sense Fundraising
Good Fences, Good Neighbors?
I'm Okay, You're Okay: Embracing Diversity in the Community
Each One Reach One: Increasing Neighborhood Participation
The ABCs of Re-Zoning in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Inside the Quality of Life Study
4:00 p.m. Adjourn


If you want to register, please contact Cynthia Woods at (704) 336 - 2646 or cwoods@ci.charlotte.nc.us for more information.




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TOPPERS WITH WEB ADDRESS for yard signs update. Marty has not found any
cheaper toppers than Signs to Go up on South Blvd., so he will most likely go ahead
and purchase some this month for next month. He will add the toppers next
month so make sure you have your signs out so that he can easily spot them.

PERMANENT SIGN LOCATION
Marty received a call from a Madison Park Resident, Charlotte McCotter.
She lives at the corner of Wedgewood Drive and Tyvola Road on the South
side of Tyvola. During our conversation said she would like to have a
permanent sign in her yard that says Madison Park! Marty told her we had
talked about this type of sign in the past but finding someone willing to
give up part of their yard had been a problem. We now have an option on a
high visibility Corner with vehicle traffic reported just report 2/13/06 in the
Charlotte Observer to be at 45,000 vehicles a day on Tyvola!

Joyce Merritt 41 year resident of Madison Park is selling her home. She
will have several items that will need to be sold such as yard equipment,
piano, cabinets, and computer cabinets. She will be missed by our community! Marty
will put a list of the larger items she is planning to sell on
the web site. If you're interested, you can contact her on her cell phone.
704-905-9495 - her home is 5301 Londonderry Road.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2006
August 1st, 2006 We're trying to find someone to share a box of official banners
with us. It would be good to have 1 or 2 of the official banners. We Already
have a music group that has volunteered. Any suggestions or thoughts
please contact me at Martydoss@aol.com. We will form a committee similar to
last year on this project. Marty would like to include the fire dept. in a larger roll this
year. The children seem to love the fire truck last year.

Gary Nunn, a 15 year Madison Park resident, wanted to know why we did not
have a Swim Club. Marty told him he would throw the topic out and see if
we have any interest. He said he would be willing to pay up to 250.00 a
years in dues. With our current dues of $15 a year a pool would not be
possible. He mentioned that Claremont has a pool and it seems to do fine.
Members at the meeting said Starclaire does have a pool and invites
our neighborhood through banners to attend their adult parties from time to time.
Marty was hoping Queens would put an outdoor pool in at the Sports Complex,
but that is not on any of their plans. Marion Diehl has an indoor pool and
it is used by some of our residents. If you're a senior, it's only $3 to
swim there & it is a nice pool. The water is warmer than the Aquatic
Center. Visit the website for open swim times:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Aquatics/MarionDiehl.htm

If you have any interest in this subject let Marty know and we can discuss
this further or look at all our options.

OPEN DISCUSSION/NEW BUSINESS

A couple of members were concerned about the contractors doing the storm drain
work on the South Boulevard (phase II) storm drainage improvement that is in the center
our community doing major work and closing streets. The concerns were that
vehicles are being parked unnecessarily in front yards from the contractors and that
workers don't always take the less damaging route to reach their work area in the rear of
properties. Like entering from down the street instead of driving equipment between
homes. Marty suspected that the Storm Drain Easements gave the workers right to
come on the property as they have been doing.

Update: After the meeting Marty e-mailed Storm Water Services and Reported the
problems. He also found the following information on this project.

SOUTH BOULEVARD (PHASE II) STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The South Boulevard Phase II Storm Drainage Improvement Project reduces
street and potential house flooding. Affected streets include: Murrayhill
Road, Bradbury Drive, Montford Drive and Fairbluff Court. The proposed
improvements include: replacing existing pipes with larger pipes, adding
pipes and inlets along roadways, and improving sections of channel.

Objectives:
- Reduce street flooding at Murrayhill Road, Bradbury Drive, Montford Drive
and Fairbluff Court.
- Reduce structure flooding throughout the neighborhood with channel
improvements.

Property Easement/Acquisition Phase (Completed August 2005)
The City's real estate staff works directly with affected citizens to
acquire Storm Drainage Easements (SDEs). The City requests that affected
property owners grant SDEs to provide the City access to their property to
perform needed improvements and future maintenance.

The project schedule for this phase depends almost entirely on the
responsiveness of property owners. Timely responses from citizens and
donations of SDEs will expedite the repairs. The bid phase will begin
after all easements are acquired.

Bid Phase (Completed November 2005)
During the bid phase, the final plans will be circulated to qualified
contractors for a competitive bidding process. By state law, the lowest
responsible bidder is awarded the construction contract.

Construction Phase (December 2005 to December 2007)
The contractor (Ferebee Corporation) has received their notice-to-proceed
to begin construction on December 6th, 2005. Residents will first notice
surveyors in the area to stake the limits of construction and easements.
These limits will indicate clearing limits for construction and utility
pole relocations. Survey representatives may need to enter upon your
property for the purpose of surveying property lines and locating physical
features. While State law authorizes entry on property to locate property
lines and physical features, no buildings or structures will be entered or
disturbed. Road closures will also be necessary for the portions of the
project. Road closure signs will be posted a week in advance.

Based on the information and concerns brought up in tonight's meeting
Martin Doss has sent a message requesting that Storm Water Contractors
please ease up parking in yards and moving equipment between homes when
there are less destructive alternatives to reaching the stream. He will
report back the response if any next month.


UPDATE: In response to the questions on 2110 Tyvola Road (the new parking
garage structures with the apartment upstairs), Mark Griffin responded to
Martin Doss on 2/14/06 that "the zoning holds are still on both the house
and garage. They will not be released until the site meets requirements.
The house cannot be legally occupied without a certificate of occupancy. A
certificate of occupancy will not be issued until all requirements have
been met. I am not aware of any "exceptions" here. The status has not
changed."
Mark Griffin
Neighborhood Development Zoning
West Center

Vice President John Olsakkovsky was heading back to Mississippi with a
truck load of books and items for a Hurricane Struck Town. The books
are to open a small Library for the town. Residents of Madison Park donated items
/books and he also had a donation of 2000 dollars for books.

Treasury Report Dee McCandlish gave her report. We currently have 67 Paid members
our account balance is 494.10 cents. I have lots of big plans in the next few months so if you have not paid your dues PLEASE send in your 15 dollars to Dee McCandlish at 812 Fairbanks Drive, Charlotte NC 28210. That is 15 dollars per household! Put 2006 in the memo area if paying by check.

Our meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Furr


Next month's topic: CHARLOTTE 311 will provide us with a speaker and
presentation. If you have ever had a problem using 311 or are not sure
when you should call 311, this is the meeting for you! See you March 13th