Steering Committee - District 13

Minutes for February 15 Meeting

Mar 13, 2005

Present: Inez Lynch, John Gatton, David Rhodes, Reggie Paschal,Ray Pierce, Steve Clark, Ron Weston, Linda Duncan, Dorothy Finley

Absent: Dave Marlow, Nate Hollingsworth, Jim Caskey

Guests: Lauren Loughmiller, Director of Fairdale Neighborhood Youth Board; Sgt. Barry Denton, Community Relations Officer, LMPD

Lauren reported on the NYB office being established at the Playtorium (soon to move to the former C District building), Fairdale NYB having been open since October, 2004. This is a teen-empowerment program designed to help kids 13-19 develop leadership skills - doing community service projects and awareness programs - making a connection between kids and the community - operating 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday - no independent budget, just purchase requests as needed - Lauren will be setting up an information station at the March 28 Community meeting.

Sgt. Barry Denton is our Community Relations Officer, oftentimes working the Quick Tip Line at 574-LMPD. The Community Relations Office covers DARE, School Resource Officers, Citizens Academy, Safety City for elementary kids, Police Athletic League (helping kids read), manning the State Fair booth - available for accepting reports on suspected drug activity and other crime tips.


What is happening in District 13:
1. The Neighborhood Plan for Fairdale Village is ready for the mission statement - plan suggests enlarging area to be included in Fairdale village.

2. Beautification program for Fairdale village to begin in March

3. Signs for Jefferson Memorial Forest are to be up-graded to look more like state park signs - state being asked to put forest-related signs along the Gene Snyder.

4. Since there is no money to buy land next to the foresdt, an effort is being made to obtain conservation easements next to the forest so certain things will NOT be built there.

5. A $500,000 donation was made to purchase the Farnsley-Moremen property that adjoins the forest.

6. A proposal is being written to build on the Welcome Center property a monument recognizing veterans

7. Ron is working to get signs for the library to be put up in the driveway to the library and on the library building.

8. Ron is working to get a permanent fence and some shrubbery placed around the recycling center in Fairdale to help beautify the site.

9. The police station building in Fairdale will continue to be manned.

10. Road pavings for Welch Dr., Mitchell Hill, the sidewalk project in Leemont - all are scheduled for this spring.

11. More bridges need to be replaced in District 13 - 3 have been - most of the Neighborhood Development Funds are being spent on sidewalks and other infrastructure projects.

12. There is some discussion of making New Cut Rd. a parkway into the village and into the entrance of the forest. There is also discussionm of developing a "scenic corridor" that would extend 50 feet back from the road along which it would follow.

13. Property on New Cut Rd. by Different Strokes has been re-zoned for retail and possibly storage.

14. David registered a complaint about signs, litter, and noise from airplanes, recommending that all those negatively affected by the airplane noise should call Bob Slattery at 574-4546 ext. 112. and complain to him.

15. Hot topic before Metro Council - smoking ordinance - still looking at a measure to ban smoking in restaurants that derive 75% or more of their income from food sales.

Adjourned: 5:15 p.m.
Next Meeting: March 15, 2005 - 4:00 p.m. - library