DPNA Meeting Minutes

Regular Monthly Meeting
November 13, 2003

Board Members Present: Carol Donin (President), Andrew Preiss (Vice President), Rob Dilworth (Secretary), Pam Campa (Treasurer), Jesse Eustice (At-Large Member), Daniel Kirk (At-Large Member), Peg Lanier (At-Large Member)

Neighbors Present: Barry Ragin

Guests: Richard Mullinax (President, Old North Durham Neighborhood Association), Becky Ferguson [sp.?] (graduate student, UNC), and Jen Levine [sp.?] (graduate student, UNC)

Topics of Discussion

1. Introduction of Graduate Students Working on New Neighborhood Initiative
Richard Mullinax introduced Becky Ferguson and Jen Levine, graduate students at UNC, who will be working on an initiative to possibly create a new neighborhood association in the "No Man's Land" area and in part of what is currently considered Duke Park and Trinity Park. The project will explore creating a neighborhood in the area north of Trinity Ave., south of Club Blvd.,
west of Washington St., and east of Duke St. (See point 2 in the minutes of the DPNA meeting on August 14, 2003, for some background: http://www.rtpnet.org/dukepark/minutes_081403.html. )

2. Update on Park Renovations
Andrew Preiss reported that the park plans for updating the playground equipment, renovating the loop, and establishing the skateboard area have now been presented to Durham's Planning Department. The department will make recommendations, the plans will be revised, and then the proposal will go out for a bid. The process is moving slowly, but it is going forward. With regard to the pool, three city departments--parks and recreation, general services, and public works--are collaborating financially and logistically to turn the pool into a meadow. Again, things are moving slowly, but the process is going forward.

3. Treasurer's Report
Pam Campa stated that the DPNA's current account balance is about $2,700.

4. PAC II Update
Carol Donin mentioned that Katherine O'Brien has reported that the city's Police Department is dealing with some difficult personnel issues because some officers have left to work in Wake County, where the pay is better. Also, the Citizen Observer Patrol (COP) is seeking volunteers. (Here's some information from the PAC II Web site about the COP: "The purpose of this program is for citizen volunteers to provide an additional presence on the streets and to serve as eyes and ears for law enforcement. The role of COP volunteers is to observe, not to attempt to intervene. . . . The COP program, like a police department, is structured in a hierarchy of military rank. A liaison
officer from the police department coordinates the program in each district. Orientation for new volunteers includes a four-hour training session and the issuance of a manual on policies and procedures.") Please contact Officer Eric Hester at the Durham Police Department for information: 560-4582 x235.

5. Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) Update
Barry Ragin didn't attend the full meeting, because he was talking to city officials, but he reported that the city will be doing another inventory of its parks. This time the inventory will focus on maintenance issues. Also, Frank Duke, the director of the city's Planning Department, will be speaking on December 9 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopol Church (1737 Hillandale Rd.)
about the city's new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This ordinance may change infill zoning rules, which may have an impact in Duke Park. Richard Mullinax expressed some concern that the rules in the UDO may make it more difficult for the Old North Durham Neighborhood Association to deal with
troublesome boarding houses etc. (A "Public Review Draft" of the UDO can be downloaded at http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/planning/udo.cfm. )

6. Scheduled Speakers
Carol listed the upcoming speakers:
*December 11 DPNA meeting: Frank Duke (see paragraph above)
*January 8 DPNA meeting: Cora Cole-McFadden, Durham city council member, ward 1; see an abbreviated resume for Cole-McFadden at http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/council/cole.cfm.
At some point, Carol will schedule John Compton of the Historic Preservation Society of Durham as a speaker. She also expressed interest in scheduling a speaker from the Master Gardener Speakers Bureau, perhaps on a Saturday morning in the spring at Duke Park.

7. Discussion of Committees
There was a discussion about committees and job descriptions for committee chairs. Jesse Eustice said she would chair the Beautification Committee; Barry Ragin said he would chair the Traffic Committee if no one else is interested.

8. Holiday Planning
Luminarias will be on sale the weekends of December 6-7 and December 13-14. Lumanarias will be lighted on Sunday, December 14. (Rain date for lighting: December 21.) Pam Campa talked about the Share Your Christmas program and the fact that we need to find someone to coordinate Duke Park's effort soon (before December 10), or we won't be able to participate. (To read an article about the program, see http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-412770.html. ) Please contact Pam Campa or Carol Donin if you're interested in coordinating the DPNA's efforts.

9. Other Items
Carol Donin mentioned that there will be a meeting to discuss "Cultural Programs in Neighborhoods," a topic related to the Durham Cultural Master Plan on Tuesday, December 18, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church (1737 Hillandale Rd.). Everyone is welcome. If you have questions, you can contact Charles Phaneuf at the Durham Arts Council:
560-2741. See http://www.durhamculturalmasterplan.org for more information
on the "Durham Cultural Master Plan." Richard Mullinax and Barry Ragin expressed some skepticism about the plan.

Barry Ragin talked about increasing the size of the newsletter and including more advertising in it to help subsidize its cost, especially because next year he won't be printing it himself anymore. Barry will create a brief proposal for the DPNA's board.

Next DPNA Meeting: Grace Baptist Church on December 11 at 7 p.m.

 

Minutes of the September Monthly Meeting, September 11, 2003
The October DPNA meeting was the fall potlluck. No business was conducted.
Minutes of the August Monthly Meeting, August 14, 2003
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