Merry Oaks Neighborhood Association

Meeting Notes May 20, 2004

Police Report

MONA Neighborhood Meeting May 20, 2004
By Carol Herrington
Meeting started about 7 pm. President Cate Martin introduced the Board and welcomed new neighbors.
A web site survey was distributed to get suggestions to improve our site.

Police report by Officer Chris O’Neil.
He offered to send tips for the web site. He brought up the radar speed cameras and gave statistics on speeding. Charlotte is fourth in the country for speeding violations. There is a $50 fine for radar speed violations and the money raised after the equipment is paid for will go to the Mecklenburg schools.

Lawn parking ordinance was discussed. It is being enforced. Parking for a party is permitted but long term parking on your lawn is not. Don’t call 911 for a violation, call code enforcement at 704-336-7600. If it is a safety hazard, then call 911. A ticket is $25. If a yard has a designated parking area in it, then parking is permitted but if it does not, then it is a violation. Questions were asked concerning back yard parking, does the car work, is it covered? etc. The used car lot on Flynnwood behind Woodmere condominiums was brought up and he will investigate.

The speed cameras were placed by the number of incidents, the police didn’t just target certain neighborhoods. There are 14 speed areas that were designated by the City Dept. of Transportation.
Skateboard ramps cannot be placed in the road. Questions were asked about the biting dog incident on Graybark. Officer O’Neil will get in touch with Animal Control and the owner of the skateboard ramp.

Crime update: Strong-arm robbery in the 1700 block of Arnold. Someone followed the people on their home from shopping. He gave these tips: If you are being followed, call 911, and don’t go home. Carry a cell phone, if you don’t have one; go to a police station or a well-lit area, like Wal-Mart. One bike was stolen on Draper.

Chris made suggestion that everyone write down all the serial numbers of your possessions and take photos. That will help in identification if something is stolen or if you have a disaster and you need to contact your insurance company. Place you name and address on a piece of paper and put it in your bike seat tube or in the handlebars. Most bikes that are stolen are spray painted which hinders identification and your name on the paper can help in recovering it. He also suggested engraving your drivers license number on everything, engravers are cheap at Wal-Mart or you can borrow his. The best way to contact him is via email at cmncneil@cmpd.org..

When you call about an incident, be specific about details. Let them know if you want to talk to an officer. Never put yourself in danger if you witness a crime in progress, cal 911.

Woodmere Condominiums

Woodmere Condominiums homeowner’s association president George Eddins was next on the agenda. The condos have a new board and a new management company. The buffer between the condos and the houses was brought up. He went back 31 years and saw the drawings that were drawn up then which were not followed by the builders. They are also dealing with structural problems that have been present since the condos were built in 1973. George presented a plan for a buffer that includes Leland cypress, bay berry, holly and Spanish bayonet yucca. It is not what the city wants but MONA will work with Woodmere to get his plan approved by the city. It will provide not only a buffer between the condos and houses but will keep people away from their pool and from trespassing. Woodmere would like more owner occupied units and let us know there are a few units available.

General

Cate reminded us that Hands on Merry Oaks is Saturday, June 5, not June 6 like the newsletter states. Cate has tree-banding info available. MONA Day will be a fall event this year. She also passed out a neighborhood survey, which we did in groups.
Jan Snead is the Democratic Chairman for the Democratic Party for Precinct 29. She wants people to register to vote. June 25 is the last day to change where you are registered if you want to vote in the primary July 20. She is starting an email list and looking for block captains to help call, give rides, etc. Howard McClure is vice chair and is looking for volunteers to increase voting. He would like churches to start social action committees to help.
Donna gave a treasurer’s report and asked people to renew their memberships and pay their dues.
June 5th is a Queen of Arts fest in NoDa.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45.