Madison Park

Sept. 10th Madison Park HOA Meeting Minutes

Sep 12, 2007

Sept. 10, 2007

Madison Park HOA
www.neigborhoodlink.com 28210


Meeting called to order at 7:30 by President Marty Doss.
30 people in attendance, plus 2 officers and 2 guest speakers

Westover Police Crime Stats- Officer Hairston and Officer Lim were unable to attend the meeting. The crime stats will return next month.
Officer B.A. Edwards and Officer K. Bridges, patrol officers in our area, did attend to answer questions.
One resident asked how often the officers drive behind Pinewood Elementary to patrol. The resident said there are problems with young people hanging out at night behind the school. Officer Edwards said that unless there is a specific call to report a problem, it is probably not patrolled often
Another resident asked if the officers had planned routes while on duty. Officer Edwards replied that some officers have their favorite routes. Officer Edwards tends to focus on traffic violations. Officer Bridges usually drives around the residential streets while it is still light at night and then checks on the local businesses after dark.
Both Officer Edwards and Bridges encouraged residents to call the police if anything looks suspicious in the neighborhood.


Crime Alert and Safety Tips from Sgt. Lester, Westover Police Division
There were two robberies on South Tryon Street between the 4000 and 5400 block on 09/05/2007, and it was probably the same suspect. He was described as short, 5?’5?”-5?’7?” and thick, 180-200 pounds, 22-30 years old. The two female victims described him as dark-skinned with pockmarks on his face. He is probably clean-shaven. He indicated he had a gun but did not show one. He grabbed both of their purses. Please be aware of your surroundings when you are getting out of your cars at public places.
CRIME TIPS
The two types of crimes occurring most frequently in parking facilities are thefts and crimes against persons. While these dangers can never be totally eliminated the opportunity for such crimes can be significantly reduced by developing good security habits. Here are a few tips about safety in parking lots and parking garages:
Hide or remove your valuables when leaving your car.
Park close to your destination, even if it means waiting for a space to become free.
At night, try to park under a street light.
Leave your engine running until you've gathered everything and you're ready to get out of the car. Check your surroundings to make sure its safe before you get out of the car.
If you're comfortable backing into parking spaces, it's a good way to park, because it means you can leave quickly if the situation becomes dangerous.
When you're walking back to your car, keep your keys in hand, so you can get into the car quickly or use them as a weapon if needed.
 Always take the most brightly lit path to and from your car.
As you approach the vehicle, check the front and back seats to make sure no one is hiding inside.
 Lock your doors once you get inside the car.
If someone suspicious approaches you, honk your horn and flash the lights to draw attention.
Trust your instinct, if you sense danger when you are parking or coming back to your car, leave the area until you're sure it is secure.
Ask security to walk you to your car if you feel you are not safe.
Get in the habit of rolling up your car windows and locking your car doors.
Guest Speaker CPI Security Systems. Thank you to CPI for donating $500 for our National Night Out party last month.
Darrell Haddox, Sales Manager
Alex Maginnis, Security Consultant
CPI offers burglary and fire protection, medical emergency assistance and local monitoring. They are a full service provider and do not use sub-contractors. CPI has one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry, with less than 6% of customers choosing to not renew their security contracts. During the month of September, CPI is offering a special on the standard package installed:
-2 display keypads
-1 real time response speaker
-1 fire communicator
-3 window/door contacts
-1 motion detector
-control panel
-back-up battery
-window decals
-yard sign
The cost for the special is $0. For questions, call Alex Maginnis at 704-506-2340.
CPI offers these security tips:
?• Install dead bolts on all exterior doors
?• Trim all bushes, branches and foliage from around windows and doors
?• Install photocell or motion sensitive lighting
?• Install peep holes in front and back doors
?• Keep garage doors closed at all times
?• Make sure street numbers are visible from the road
?• Keep ladders stored in a location inaccessible to strangers
?• Install a center mount brace on sliding glass doors

CPI Security has one feature that is especially interesting. It is a remote alarm that could be used if a resident is approached or bothered on his or her property. As many Madison Park residents are aware we have had residents robbed in their own driveways taking trash to the curb and getting in and out of their autos.

Traffic Light
Grover Street and South Blvd. Update from Jennifer Green, CATS
CATS will not be installing this new traffic signal after all. Unfortunately, NCDOT would not allow them to install the light due to its close proximity to South and Tyvola. Since President Doss had asked about it in the past, Cats thought a follow up was warranted and sent him the news last week.

Vacant Lot on Wentworth Park Inquiry
The lot that is County owned can be leased for free or one dollar. The problem with pursuing the possible pocket park is liability issues. County Commissioner Chair Jennifer Roberts looked at various ways to try and limit or avoid liability for the neighborhood on the lot. She thought we should look at all options stating that pocket parks can be a wonderful addition to a community. Unfortunately the County Attorney said if we lease the property or any neighbors it would come with some liability. You basically have to add the policy to a homeowner?’s policy and agree to keep it ensured during the length of the lease.

The resident that had posted one of the anonymous inquiries on our discussion page actually lives on Wentworth. President Doss met the person when the TV news taped a segment on the story. After the news story ran a couple of residents of Wentworth Place contacted President Doss concerned about traffic and said they like the lot like it is unused!

Based on the liability issues we will not pursue the park at this time. Perhaps Parks and Recreation one day will be willing to make some improvements on the lot such as a volleyball court or horseshoes ?…something the immediate area of the community can walk to and enjoy! The lot is very nice and flat with large mature trees on the perimeter.


Library Meetings Canceled
Due to a lack of updated information the Sept. 10th and Sept. 24th scheduled Library meetings mentioned last month have now been canceled for the Scaleybark Library. Once the meetings have been rescheduled communities will be alerted.


Street Lights (update) Matt Magnasco-
Matt plans to go out this weekend, weather permitting, to get more signatures supporting the additional street lights on Murrayhill and White Oak. For more information and to see the map of the plan, visit
http://madisonpark.freehostia.com If you can help Matt finish up the collection of
signatures please contact him at nggofers@bellsouth.net. He would appreciate the assistance.

Treasury Report per Dee McCandlish
As of 8/31/07, we have $920.90 in the bank with all bills paid. Membership dues are $15 a year. You can mail a check to Dee McCandlish at 812 Fairbanks Dr, Charlotte, 28210

Welcome to New Members / First Time Attendees

Queens Sports Complex Updates- given by Lamar Gunter
The World?’s Largest Standing Lion Sculpture has been installed. A dedication event (invitation coming) will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 4pm for the Queens and Charlotte communities to enjoy. Please tell your neighbors! The contractor (Rodgers Builders) is continuing to work on the underground utilities, parking lots and roadways. The architects (Jenkins-Peer) have completed drawings for the Pressbox and Field House and we are receiving bids. We hope to start construction on the Pressbox later this year

Open Discussion/ New Business/ Concerns or Issues

President Doss was able to return the tents we used at the National Night Out and received a full refund. The tents were very difficult to put together and take apart. Eckerd?’s Corporate office agreed that they were difficult and refunded the money after Marty challenged them to put one together and then store it in the storage bag.


?“Burgess-Palooza?”
There is a campaign fundraiser for City Council Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess on 9/28/07 at 6:30 at the NC Music Factory at 1000 Seaboard. There will be six bands plus food and drink vendors. You can buy tickets at VoteSusanBurgess.com or at the gate. Cost is $15 a ticket.
Hardin Minor is the Emcee?….Bands scheduled to play are in-V, Muddy Soul, Seth Boulton & The Dream Machine, Christy Snow, Rough Draft, and Eva Fina. President Doss is the Chair of this Event and all Susan Burgess Campaign Events.

Tyvola Road clean up-
Our adopt a street contract is almost up. A motion to renew the contact was brought up and seconded. A majority voted to renew for another two years. We tentatively plan a clean-up along Tyvola from Farmbook to Park Rd on Saturday Oct 14. More information will come in the October meeting.

Adjournment

Respectfully Submitted
By April Mays Secretary