Sunset Hills Neighborhood Association Annual meeting
Monday, April 24, 2014, 7:00 to 8:15
Sunset Hills Elementary School Gymnasium
Minutes
2015-Annual-Meeting-Minutes-5.1.15 (pdf download)
Agenda for Meeting:
- Aaron Hachmeister and Drew Fennelly, Neighborhood Resource Officers Update
- Susie Nightingale, Lawrence Bicycle/Pedestrian Safe Ride Report
- Jeanne Pees, Neighborhood Updates
- Joan Stone, Sunset Hill Elementary School Construction Updates
- carolynn Crawford, Kasold St. repair updates
Meeting called to order by Jeanne Pees
Agenda:
Neighborhood Resource Officers Report
Steven Drive Incident
Report focused mainly on recent shooting incident on Steven Drive. Officers mentioned that
investigation is ongoing so not at liberty to discuss details. Did report that victims knew each other so it
was not a random act of violence that would indicate that crime is increasing in neighborhood.
One member who lives nearby mentioned that has seen evidences of continued drug activity at house
and asked for advice of whether or not to report and how to report. Officers strongly encouraged
reporting any unusual activity.
Another member who lives across the street from the property asked if a Neighborhood Watch Sign
could be put up to deter crime. Officers gave instructions on process for placing a sign. Another
member gave instructions on how a Neighborhood Watch Group could be created. There was a strong
positive response from audience to create one.
Another member who lives next door asked if the police could have a more visible presence particularly
on the weekends as drug dealing activity is still occurring on property. Officers said it will be addressed
but reminded that crime investigation is still ongoing.
Orchord Golf Course
Other issue was the piling on dead trees at Orchard Golf Course and that it was becoming a code
violation issue. Jeanne said she would be glad to help and will talk to current golf course owner,
Richard, to discuss issue. She mentioned that Richard is very interested in keeping golf course safe and
neighbor friendly.
Traffic Issues
Residents who live near 9′” Street (just west of Lawrence Ave.) expressed concerns with car speeding
along that section of the road and asked if anything could be done about it. Neighborhood Resource
Officers mentioned that a speed bump had been proposed at the time the other two speed bumps were
created along 9″‘ Street between Lawrence and Kasold but was opposed by one neighbor. Seems that
every effort has been exhausted to control speed. Since part of the road project on Kasold between Bob
Billings and 6′” Street could include blocking off 8′” at Kasold that it could reduce the traffic flow. One
attendee cautioned implementing that idea.
Another member expressed concerns with traffic issues on Lawrence Ave. between 6″‘ St. and 9″‘ Street.
Since there are many cars that are parked on the street, it requires weaving in and out of lanes. Asked if
signs could be put on the street to remind drivers to slow down and also to halt for incoming traffic.
Neighborhood Resource Officers said they would look into It.
Police Station
Member asked Neighborhood Resource Officers if they preferred centralized or decentralized police
stations. Officer Fennelly responded that in a community the size of Lawrence that a centralized police
station works best. That the precinct police station approach works best in communities with a
population of 200,000 or more. He felt that the Lawrence police department addressed response time
and patrol availability by staggering shifts.
Officer Hachmeister mentioned that he is taking on a new role in the police department and a new
Neighborhood Resource Office will take his spot.
Treasurer’s report, Janis Hutchison
- 91 paid members of which 88 renewed their membership
- Highlighted annual treasurer’s report (copies provided to all attendees)
Susie Nightingale, Lawrence Bicycle/Pedestrian Safe Ride Report
Susie mentioned that she attended the recent Safe Routes All Town Hall meeting. Handouts of the
meeting were distributed to members. She mentioned that the keynote speaker at the Town Hall
meeting. Robert Ping, provided some vital statistics regarding the need to create pedestrian and bicycle
friendly communities. Another attendee mentioned that every second Wednesday of the month, the
Lawrence Pedestrian Coalition meets at the Carnegie Building and invited members to attend.
Jeanne Pees, Neighborhood UDclates
Jeanne provided updates on upcoming road and curb repair projects this summer.
She also mentioned that there is a proposed four-way stop sign at the intersection of 9′” and Crestline.
Jeanne will let the association know when the proposal comes before the City Commission meeting.
Joan Stone. Sunset Hill Elementary School Construction Updates
Joan is secretary at Sunset Hill and she gave an update on eventual changes to traffic patterns, parking
spaces and pedestrian flow. She also gave a report on upgrades to building after construction is
completed (slated to completed by December, 2015-the school will be housed temporarily at East
Heights Elementary School for the fall and moving back in the beginning of 2016.
Carolynn Crawford, Kasold St. Repair Updates
Carolynn mentioned that the contract was awarded to CFS Engineering and final plans are in process of
being completed. She highly encouraged us to express our voice now before it’s too late. She
mentioned that she attended a meeting during initial phase and felt there was a receptive audience to
listen to public comments. There will be two public meetings at the end of May.
Jeanne concluded meeting with asking for Board nominations. The member who volunteered to help
start the Neighborhood Watch Group, Shannon Spra.dling, was nominated and she accepted.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jose Trujillo
SHNA Secretary