SHNA Executive Committee Meeting
July 28, 2015, 7pm
Click here to view or download the EC meeting minutes in pdf format.
Minutes follow from the Sunset Hill Neighborhood Association Executive Committee meeting, Tuesday, July 28, 2015. The meeting place is the Pees’ residence.
In attendance: Jeanne Pees (President), Carolyn Crawford (Vice President), Janis Hutchinson (Treasurer), Clint Idol (Secretary), Members at Large: Mark Hoppe, Marlene Merrill, Shannon Spradling, Gary Weber, Dan Dannenberg
Treasurers report: Jan Hutchinson
87 paid members.
$1035 balance. SHNA paid 100 dollar gift to The Merc education fund.
A few new dues paid, Facebook suggested as possible new reminder/inspiration.
16 of current dues paid are from brand new members.
April starts new membership renewal. An email notice and written notice will go out with an envelope. The group agrees that membership should be more substantial. Once in the past we used a self addressed stamped envelope, but not enough was gained to cover the stamps.
Sunset Hill Rental Properties
Dan Dannenberg is heading a campaign to address Tamara Durham, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, regarding rental houses becoming party houses (because hard liquor is no longer allowed on campus). Dan will write a letter based on his template from previous correspondence. Dan will send to Jeanne and others first. Tamara is expected not to respond due to University policy.
Lance Watson, KU director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, will be copied. Dan has written to the governor, president of Kansas senate, Board of Regents.
Auto Traffic and Bike/Ped Concerns
The new stop sign is installed at Crestline. Some feel a traffic study may be needed again?
Is another study standard post traffic calming measure?
Sunset Elementary will not be in session until winter, and so traffic and concerns are expected to be different at that time.
Carolyn brings attention to the temporary flags that anticipate the of four way stop at 9th and Crestline. The Port authority of Seattle is cited as a resource for the effective use of this measure.
Do we need to consider a yellow signal for (some neighborhood) stop signs like those at school crossings and other school areas? This is a successful alert strategy for school crossings.
Warning lights of upcoming stops and crossings could be considered as possible improvement.
Shannon: David Woosely was referred to a neighbor as City Contact.
David Cronin given as City Engineer contact. Woosely is a traffic engineer.
Crestline known now to be faster and may be abused by through traffic.
Entering ninth from residences is more challenging due to the rhythmic timing of stop and go traffic resulting from stop signs.
When there was a pedestrian accident, it was stated that the current changes would be imposed and then we would revisit and decide if enough difference had been made.
Centennial and Harvard area known to be dangerous. Tony Moss had brought it to our attention via emial. Poor visibility at the corner and the speed limit of 30 on Harvard from iowa to crestline should be 20, and in one location the speed limit sign is blocked.
Interest was express in a scan of map of bike/ped related accidents in lawrence or locate the correct link to share with group. (Link shared)
Consent Agenda Topics
1. “No Parking” signs considered along Crestline. Did that get passed? Iowa to Crestline? Stop sign at the corner of Orchard and Oxford is ignored by some motorists. Through traffic. Can we get flags put on the stop sign. This is a topic for David Woosely. We should email a neighborhood resource officer, cc interim city manager. People are not stopping at Orchard and Oxford and we need should pursue additional enforcement.
2. Rockledge. Mill and overlay gutter problems. Needs to pushed through for consideration in 2016. The SHNA wants to see a bump before the stop sign. City Budget meeting forthcoming and Jeanne volunteers to go.
Land Use/Development
Bob and Betty Lichwardt own the area between Emanuel Lutheran and Meadowbrook north of Bob Billings and want to develop? (Group seems unsure of the plans for the area). Bob Lichwardt is a mycologist and his property was purchased in part because of this interest. Betty is known as being adept at planning and land use. There was once a quarry in the area. Plans are going before the planning commission.
Neighborhood Watch Program: Shannon Spradling
Between Oxford and Chalk Hill Court. One person has expressed interest from Stephens Court. SHNA go door to door on Stephens. We will have neighborhood watch signs. Chalk hill will have one and two for oxford, and they have been purchased. Shannon provided her email to interested parties in the neighborhood.
Carolyn: Is the poetry box being used as a drug stash/exchange hub? A “scruffy looking” bicycle guy, was witnessed there. Items appear to be being passed.
Location of report – (Vicki and Joe Douglas) 2710 or 08 Oxford. 2804 Oxford Road.
” A tremendous amount of retired people are regularly at home and have witnessed.
Several Police have been in the area and Carolyn observed the patty wagon. Police on Stratford watching University Drive. In the 3000 block of Stephens, a young man staggering around was observed by Dan Dannenberg. Carolyn concerned with a large rifle that was observed.
Social Media
Facebook page is managed by Shannon Spradling: 59 People are following.
NextDoor.com Ap is a mobile neighborhood social media forum. Postcards were sent; Melissa Meyer, a member, sent out invitations. Neighbors terrier found through Next Door page. Our email addresses are not shared on Next Door. The ap knows where you live. The money to distribute postcards comes from advertising on the ap.
New Business
The Applause Awards. Joan Stone and Lisa _________. Framed certificates awarded for improved yards and houses. Fall awards are given, nominations are made by your neighbors and the home that has improved the integrity of the neighborhood is given the award. Nominations should be forwarded to Joan and Lisa (email needed).
New neighbors
4-6 Welcome new neighbor packets were distributed. Kimberly Williams provides the greeting bags to new residents. The bags contain SHNA commercial freebies and information.
SHNA Exec Member Rotation: Jose Trujillo has decided not to continue as executive member and suggests rotation of officers.
Oread NA now defunct because they did not observe staggered terms for executive members. Former board officers are allowed to advise but not vote. Carolyn and Jeanne may be stepping down due to duration of terms.
Dan’s letter is proposed to be sent to landlords and tenants. Dan currently knocks on doors to ask that tenants behave.
Dan: We had a letter in the past that was “mush.”
Dan will find out who owns the properties on University Drive to send a copy of the letter. Dan: we have to keep after this because the rentals will become slums. Dan wants a designated liaison for Sunset Hill from the City. Sidewalk repairs are needed. The liaison would also listen to other instances, like dead trees and eyesores for help from the City regarding code enforcement and management. Janis suggests compiling documentation for a report regarding the improvements needed. An official letter will accompany with follow up. Carolyn and Jeanne used to monitor the overhanging plants. Reports were submitted to the forestry division, and they have success with the approach.
Dan: the report function on the city website wants the name and address of the reporting party and
Carolyn wants to pursue the areas of need. Dan will document and identify the areas of need. He will walk around and research.
Edits are requested for Dan’s letter (no caps on point five. Point 5 belongs in above body. The police non emergency number should be listed for parking on the lawns. Ordinances are all cited. Should we amend the introduction to include an invitation to the annual meeting and participation in SHNA?
Jeanne suggests edits to #5, the word “degrade” is then changed to “disturbs” your neighbors.
Citation describing a neighbor that moved away due to disturbance is being scratched from the final draft.
University Drive is currently a mess from tenants moving.
Corrections were considered and rewrites provided and agreed upon by committee.
Student geared language is removed in lieu of “Have a successful stay in our neighborhood.” Proposed dispersal day is first monday of classes.
Jeanne seeking volunteers to door to door with letters. Dan volunteers. Copies of the letter are needed for the disorderly and noisy homes.
Gary: code violations are already currently reported to the City. Needs could be identified and then exec members would write separate letters to the city which would have more impact than one big report.
The bus hub transfer issue needs to be followed actively. Commission and recommendations leaning toward 21st and Iowa. Neighbors in that area have stalled the proposal. Three or four vocal neighbors were opposed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52