MEMBERS PRESENT

Cheryl Sweeney Northgate Park NA

Sabrina Lamar Trinity Heights HA

Fred Lamar Trinity Heights HA

Lynn Kohn MHNA

Johnea D. Kelly Duke Park NA

Dale Stouch PVHA

Michael Shiflett WHHNA

Robert Larson Grove Park

John Dagenhart Trinity Park NA

John Compton Old North Durham NA

Fred Foster, Jr. Old Farm

Patricia Stubbing Lakewood Park NA

George Gloren Jr. Sedgefield Street

Lynwood D. Best City of Durham

Jennifer Albright Tuscaloosa-Lakewood NA

Fred L. Mowry Colony Park NA

Administration and Announcements

President Johnea Kelly opened the meeting.

Program

The program was given by Mayor Bill Bell. He noted that at the City Council retreat, the goals identified for this year were:

· Reduce crime

· Assure balanced quality growth

· Fiscal responsibility

· Increased police visibility.

Along with these goals, Mayor Bell said he would also strive for afterschool programs, continued downtown revitalization and inner city redevelopment. He also pointed out that the American Tobacco project wouldn’t work without tax credits and good tenants and that projects such as this take a great length of time to reach commencement. Council’s strategy at attracting developers back into the City would require better land use plans. This is something Staff is working on and should have concrete suggestions in 60 days. These would include a streamlining process for inner city development. This tied into his vision for downtown Durham in conjunction with TTA. To be a destination, downtown must have arts, entertainment and housing and incentives to draw the entrepreneurs who would create them. He also mentioned that the City had no control over the NC DOT’s plans in relation to their effect on surrounding neighborhoods.

New Business

Needed policy changes were discussed relating to notification from Planning to neighborhoods who stood to be impacted by zoning decisions. Mike Shiflett made a motion that a letter be sent to Frank Duke, head of Planning, requesting: 1. website notification, 2. email notification, and 3. public workshops on the planning and zoning process. This was seconded by John Dagenhart and passed unanimously.

INC membership dues of $25 per neighborhood are now due for the upcoming year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50P.M.