DPNA Meeting Minutes

Regular Monthly Meeting
August 14, 2003

Board Members Present: Andrew Preiss (Vice President), Esther Bent (Treasurer), Rob Dilworth (Secretary), Katherine O'Brien (At-Large Member), Barry Ragin (At-Large Member)

Neighbors Present: Daniel Kirk, Laura Kirk, Peggy Lanier

Guest: Richard Mullinax (President, Old North Durham Neighborhood Association)

Topics of Discussion

1. Treasurer's Report
Esther Bent reported that the DPNA's current account balance is $3181. Annual membership fees are due this month. Our current balance is ample, so if we spend money on a neighborhood sign this year, we should have sufficient money in our account. The board voted to give Grace Baptist Church a donation of $100 as a thank-you for the use of its space. Richard Mullinax mentioned that the ONDNA has successfully used renewal postcards to increase its membership.

2. New Neighborhood Initiative
Richard Mullinax discussed an initiative for creating a new neighborhood and neighborhood association for the area commonly referred to as "No Man's Land," a phrase used to describe the area that's bordered by Old North Durham, Duke Park, and Trinity Park that doesn't have a neighborhood association. The rough boundaries of this area are Markham Ave. (north), Trinity Ave. (south), Washingston St. (east), and the Ellerbee Creek "greenway" (west). If this new neighborhood is formed, it might extend into part of Trinity Park and Duke Park. (In Duke Park, it would probably extend into portions of West Markham Ave., Green St., and Washington St.) According to Richard, the new neighborhood association would help this area become organized and deal with common concerns (crime, housing issues, community development, etc.). Richard says that a group of organizers, some with fluency in Spanish, will begin to work in the area in the fall; their first meeting will be on October 7 at a location that hasn't been determined yet.

3. Park Update
Andrew Preiss reported that no progress has been made on the renovation of the park. The contract for the renovation wasn't even on the city council's agenda for its August meeting. The lack of progress is mainly because of the attrition of key city employees. The skateboard area remains poorly planned. If no progress is made to improve the plans, the board agreed to withdraw its endorsement for the skateboard area. Carol Donin has written to Cora Cole-McFadden and expressed concern about the delays in the park renovation.

4. Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC)
Barry Ragin gave an update about the INC, mentioning that attendance at INC meetings has improved over the last year. Regular attendees now often include members of the city's government.

The INC is investigating whether the city has made promises to renovate parks that exceed the remaining funds from the 1996 bond referendum. Someone from the DPNA will take photographs of Duke Park, which the INC will review and maybe present to the city.

5. DPNA Board Elections
The DPNA will elect a new board of directors at the DPNA's September meeting (Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m., at Grace Baptist Church). The following nominations were made:

*President: Carol Donin
*Vice President: Andrew Preiss
*Secretary: Rob Dilworth
*Treasurer: Pam Campa
*At-large member: Peggy Lanier
*At-large member: Esther Bent

There are two remaining at-large positions without nominations. Plus, the DPNA will need one board member to be its representative at INC meetings.

The board stressed that DPNA members are welcome to run for any of the board positions, including positions for whom members have already been nominated. The board would like to see new individuals step into leadership roles and is particularly interested in members running for at-large positions, because this is a good way to participate without having to deal with the regular duties of non-at-large positions (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer). Anyone who is a member of the neighborhood association can make a nomination on the listserv; all nominations must be seconded by a DPNA member. Nominations may also be made at the September DPNA meeting before voting commences.

6. Neighborhood Sign Committee Update
Andrew Preiss outlined the preliminary work of the Sign Committee. This fall, the committee will make a recommendation for budget, design, and location, and the DPNA's board will vote on the recommendation.

7. Open Discussion
Barry Ragin. Barry stated that he's putting the fall issue of the newsletter together. He'll try to get it ready for distribution shortly after Labor Day. He also mentioned that cleaning up the Geer St. Cemetery probably won't happen this fall because of legal issues etc. (For instance, it's uncertain who owns the land.) Finally, Barry provided a brief update about Open Spaces/Trails, mentioning the possibility of having a trail near K-Mart and the difficulty of having a pocket park on Avondale Ave.

Peggy Lanier. Peggy talked about ways the DPNA can do better outreach in the neighborhood, especially by intiating more personal contact with neighbors. It was agreed that this is an important issue and should be on the agenda of DPNA's September meeting.

 


The July DPNA meeting was the July 4th picnic. No business was conducted.
Minutes of June Monthly Meeting, June 12, 2003
Minutes of May Monthly Meeting, May 8, 2003
The April DPNA meeting was a potluck dinner. No business was conducted.
Minutes of March Monthly Meeting. Mar. 13, 2003
Minutes of Feb. Monthly Meeting to Discuss Duke Park Renovations Feb. 13, 2003
Minutes of Special Session to Discuss Duke Park Renovations Feb. 20, 2003