2009 Minutes of the Belmont-DeVilliers Neighborhood Association - Complete Year

BELMONT/DE VILLIERS

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MEETING NOV. 5, 2009

Meeting was opened at 5:35 p.m. by President Delores Curry.

Minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

Those in attendance were: Dolores Curry, Rosemary Kirkland, Vivian L. Lamont, Ann Hill, Officer Alex Fox, Steve Bauer, PPD, Richard Puckett, Reginald Dogan, Rose George, Desiree Cicale, Oliver M. Darden, Neil Richards, Alexa Canady-Davis and Eddie Todd.

Officers Fox and Bauer spoke first to discuss the recent media coverage of Teens and Guns. Ms. Curry expressed her appreciation of the efforts the police dept. has made to reduce the crime and drug problems associated with the Teen Nights at the corner of Belmont and DeVilliers, but said she wished they had narrowed their discussion to the club involved and not Belmont-DeVilliers as a neighborhood. Officer Fox said he was sorry the report put heat to the neighborhood, but noted that the Teen Nights have been disbanded. He also reported on the capture of a suspect in a neighborhood gunfire incident and the arrest of half-a-dozen teens associated with a ring of car thieves that have been active in this area.

Vivian Lamont said the youth band is growing weekly and asked for donations of musical instruments. She also noted that the Music Jam held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Belmont Arts Center is well attended. She invited those in attendance to enjoy the wide variety of bands that play there.

Eddie Todd reported there will be two months’ delay on the Maritime Park efforts caused by a referendum petition by a group seeking to block the construction.

Neil Richards noted (1) the repaving on DeVilliers Street and how asphalt is being reapplied onto the bricks and trolley tails exposed by the stripping. He suggested the utility companies need to give a heads-up to the association when major projects get under way in the neighborhood. At present, no one is notified. Ms. Curry said she will inquire into this issue. (2) He noted that the Maritime opposition group can perpetrate unfactual accounts to win signatures and that we need to make an effort to block their fabrications. The Maritime opposition group must get 15% of the voters to sign the petition in order to move forward on it. He noted that the Charter proposal that will be voted on this month reduces the percentage of signatures to 10%. (3) He reported that the new draft of the CRA boundaries is being read now by City Council and will be made public on Nov. 12. (4) He noted that the new Gumbo gallery will be on the route for Gallery Night on Nov. 20.

Ms. Curry reported that the 501(c)3 application was denied, but that the association is eligible for a 501(c)4 status. Motion to accept 501(c)4 was moved, seconded and passed.

Ms. Curry reported that Downtown Improvement Board staff will be going to St. Louis to meet with potential investors/developers. Estimated cost of sending a neighborhood association member was put at $600 or more. Neil Richards agreed to represent the association during these talks. It was moved, seconded and approved to give him $200 toward the expenses of the trip.

Desiree Cicale discussed her efforts to buy and tear down a house at 523 West Wright Street, where 26 calls and arrests for crack dealing and prostitution have been made. She noted that McCormick, Barren and Salinger developers are interested in investing in this neighborhood and that tearing the house down would rid an eyesore and crime area from the neighborhood. What she’s facing, she said, is not being able to have the $12,000 in fines against the house removed so that she can proceed without this added expense. The city officials she’s dealing with have suggested she propose a plan for development and a timetable for building, which she doesn’t know at present. It was moved, seconded and approved that the association write a letter supported attempt to buy and tear down the house in order to rid the neighborhood of a nuisance and a house that is beyond repair.

Ms. Curry reported that she called the Sanitation Dept. to schedule a Major Trash Pickup Day for the neighborhood. It will take place on Dec. 4. It will cover both sides of the street from Reus to A Street
from Gregory to Jackson. She needs help in trying to get the word out on this and distributing flyers. Mr. Corley with the Clean and Green committee will arrange labor help for the elderly and infirm who cannot take their trash to the curb.

Ms. Cicale noted that a Taste of Goombay will be held Nov. 14 at Paradise Gardens. Reginald Dogan has tickets for this event. 

Membership dues were collected by the treasurer.

There was no update on a proposed Belmont-DeVilliers festival proposed by the Northwest Florida Outreach Dev. Corp, but Rosemary Kirkland said the festival is still in the works.

Association officer ballets were tallied with these results:

President – 11 votes for Dolores Curry, 1 vote for Tony McCrae, 1 vote for Eddie Todd

Vice President – 11 votes for Eddie Todd

Secretary – 11 votes for Ann Hill

Treasurer – 13 votes for Alexa Canady-Davis.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Hill, secretary


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BELMONT/DE VILLIERS

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MEETING DEC. 2, 2009

Meeting was opened at 5:30 p.m. by President Delores Curry.

Minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

Those in attendance were: Dolores Curry, Tony McCray, Rosemary Kirkland, Carl Reeves (PPD), Oliver M. Darden, Reginald Dogan, Rosetta McPherson, Diane Mack, Desiree Cicale, Neil Richards, Kim Kimbrough, Eddie Todd, Vivian Lamont, Walter Miller and Alexa Canady-Davis.

Rev. Reeves reviewed teen night concerns and noted the police are still circulating in the neighborhood. LaRua and A St. showed a crowd increase, according to Dolores Curry.

Belmont Youth Band to perform at McGhee field and 40 N. Palafox, second floor.

Folksingers Sparky and Rhonda Rucker are coming to Pensacola Feb 13 as a fundraiser for the band.

Cheryl McCray sent word that Operation Christmas Tree would assist 10 families.

Neil Richards reported December events at the Belmont Arts Center and at Peter King’s studio. Also discussed McCormick, Baron, Salazar trip to St. Louis, Mo. This group helps build communities as well as affordable, workforce and market-rate housing. He has DVDs and literature.

City Councilwoman Diane Mack noted that St. Louis has created an outstanding mix of all-income-level housing. She noted that Escambia County Commissioner Robinson would give his report at the next meeting of the county commissioners.

Dolores Curry said the Carlisle only has one elevator and that she has other concerns about this project.

Walter Miller said his reaction to the trip was similar to that of Neil Richards and Diane Mack and that he thinks the Carlisle may be focused too much on tax credits. McCormick integrates their development into community, education and retail business. He said 30-year-old projects look as good as recently built projects.

Kim Kimbrough noted there is still much studying to do and that we still have to get all of our elected officials onboard. If this developer came to Pensacola, we would be the smallest community they develop and that the impact would change the West Side forever. The developer will be communicating with Pensacola by the first of the year.

Eddie Todd said we shouldn’t let one person stop the potential for the developer to come forward and that he was glad that the group was diverse.

Walter Miller the next county meeting should be neighborhood and church supported.

List of people to be contacted related to our neighborhood history.

Eddie Todd: Please review the Maritime Park site plan posted on the city’s web site. There have been changes such as DeVilliers Plaza now facing the water.

Desiree Cicale reported that the liens were removed from the house on Wright near Coyle streets that she was interested in purchasing and tearing down.

The group was reminded about the special trash day collection.

Financial records: October $2,467.74.

Other December events: Northwest Florida Outreach’s Chillin’ and Grillin. Rhonda 850-255-0129; St. Joseph annual fundraiser.

Alexa Canady-Davis reported on the library design: just input so far but no vote. Neil Richards stated there is a coffee shop, large areas for meetings and areas for children. Entrance will be off Spring St.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Hill, secretary