South Park Neighborhood Association

SPNA Meeting Minutes, 2-5-2007

Quincie Douglas Community Center

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by co-chair Maggie Gerring. Introductions were made and the dues basket was passed.

Officer Steve Haynes gave the police report. Crime in South Park is down. Residents were urged to continue reporting odd or suspicious activity to 911. Transients have been going door to door asking for money and in some cases have entered backyards and stolen property. Non-emergency calls such as wildcat dumping or abandoned vehicles can be reported to 791-4444.

Jim Portner from KB Homes reported on the progress of the Bridges development south of 36th Street. The formal documents were filed before Thanksgiving and they have been waiting for the city zoning office to review them. They hoped to be on the zoning agenda for Feb. 8, but their case may be continued until March 8. Once the zoning office approves the project, then it will go to Mayor and Council for approval. The first phase planned will be the section west of Park Avenue then they will work their way to the east. The residential area will offer 6-7 different base models with upgrade packages and include embedded parks and open spaces. KB Homes has already done some work to prevent flooding along 36th St.

The minutes of the SPNA meeting on January 8 and the treasurer's report were approved. Treasurer Louis Padilla was still very ill in the Veterans Hospital in intensive care.

Shirley Hockett reported on her participation in Neighborhood Day at the legislature in January. A group of representatives from Tucson neighborhoods took a bus to Phoenix to meet the state representatives and learn about the legislative process. This event is held every January and Shirley said it was very interesting and informative.

Maggie Gerring noted that a bridge in the neighborhood at 24th and Park Avenue has been painted.

Shirley Hockett led the continuing discussion of goals and recommendations from the "Revisiting South Park Neighborhood" report. As suggested at a previous meeting, SPNA has obtained use of a website at www.neighborhoodlink.com/Tucson/spark. There is a lot of useful information there and anyone can sign up to post events to the calendar and participate in the discussion forum. The topic of Safety and Security was reviewed. Residents complained that stray dogs and junked cars are still a concern. Neighborhood Watch programs were suggested, as well as signs stating that the neighborhood reports suspicious activity. The signs are available from the traffic department at 791-4259. The discussion will continue with the topic of health care.

Announcements printed on the agenda were reviewed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 5th.