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Monday, March 12, 2012

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2012 MEETING

BELMONT-DEVILLIERS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2012 MEETING

The meeting was opened at 5:30 p.m. by President Dolores Curry. Attending were: Dolores Curry, Vivian Lamont, Dottie Dubuisson, Rosemary Kirkland, Rev. Carl Reeves, Rose George, Pattie Krakowski, Ann Hill, Eddie Todd, Robin Reshard, Neil Richards, Jim Myatt, Beverly Perry, Kareem Safe el-din, Marlin Mueller, Gloria G. Horning, George Hawthorne, Andrew Rothfeder, Heather Greer and Eleanor Johnson. Guests included at-large City Council candidate Lara McKnight. Minutes were read and approved.

Rev. Carl Reeves, our liaison with the Police Dept., was congratulated on his reappointment by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council. Rev. Reeves is pastor of the Greater Mount Lily Missionary Baptist Church in Pensacola. He noted that there is a growing trend toward home invasions and car thefts and urged everyone to make sure their doors are locked and their house secured. He said most of these break-ins are by people who live in the neighborhood. He encouraged people to dial the new 311 citizen support line for non-police non-emergencies. You can use this number to report potholes and broken sidewalks, burned out streetlights, damaged park equipment and to ask general questions relating to city services. The website is at www.pensacola311.com .

Lara McKnight, who is running for the at-large seat reportedly being vacated by Councilman Sam Hall, is president of the Scenic Heights Neighborhood Association and immediate past president of the Council of Neighborhood Association Presidents of Pensacola, resigning when she chose to run for public office. She noted that the new association has already had some success, including fending off some East Side zoning that a member group opposed. She said her civic involvement began as an angry letter writer, and now she is seeking a seat on City Council because she is concerned that citizens are not always heard at the governmental level. She hopes to add a voice of common sense to the equation.

Vivian Lamont gave an account of the Belmont Youth Band’s recent performances and academic achievements. Ceresa Elliott will be singing the National Anthem at the Blue Wahoos game on Sunday, April 15 at 3:30 pm at the Maritime Park. Graham Louisell and Ramel Price will be playing violin duets, etc. on April 2 at 5:30 pm at the ARC Gateway, 10th Ave. off Fairfield. Students will also perform at UWF’s Festival on the Green at 10 a.m. March 31 and later at Bayview Park on the pier at 6 pm. They will also appear at this year’s Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival. Ms. Lamont will again star in the Senior Follies at Pensacola State College. Tickets are $12 each for the shows at 7 pm March 16 and 2 pm on March 17-18.

Dottie Dubuisson gave a brief summary of the recent meetings she has attended, including those of the Downtown Improvement Board and its associated committees, Code Enforcement hearings, the reinstated Environmental Advisory Board and the mayor’s new Urban Redevelopment Advisory Committee.

The mayor’s new committee will meet every other Friday for four months (the next one being March 9) from 9:30 to 11 am. The meetings are open to the public and are of great importance to members because they deal with the urban core, including our neighborhood. Each meeting brings in speakers who have a perceived stake in Pensacola’s future. Dolores Curry has been invited by the committee chair Brian Hooper to address the views of the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood.

Members expressed concern that some city officials are suggesting that the city merge and rename some of the downtown districts and change city coding to reflect the new urbanism belief that form is more important than function. While the mayor’s committee has not endorsed this idea that how a building is used is second to how it looks (called a form-based code), some of the key players on the committee want Pensacola to adopt what has worked for Seaside resort near Destin.

Eddie Todd noted that Councilman Brian Spencer wanted to address our group regarding some of the ideas he has for urban redevelopment. We are also still trying to work out a Saturday in late March where we can all walk the DeVilliers corridor and develop priorities on how to improve it. Members expressed concern about the Philadelphia Green / Vacant Land Management presentation Councilman Spencer gave to the City Council. Information regarding this program on the Internet indicates Philadelphia relies on eminent domain to take control of some of the vacant spaces, and no one at the meeting seemed ready to endorse this option.

Ms. Dubuisson discussed a draft plan the Downtown Improvement Board housing committee is working on that might avoid some of these pitfalls in finding ways to provide infill housing. She also noted that the city’s Code Enforcement is aggressively enforcing city ordinances and that homes are being found in violation for maintenance and lack of city sanitation services.

As a result of this group discussion, it was moved by George Hawthorne and seconded by Rosemary Kirkland that we write a formal letter to let the City Council and the Mayor know that we oppose gentrification of our neighborhood in any planning and that we continue to support the original Belmont-DeVilliers mixed-use development plan that was created during neighborhood hearings. The letter will emphasize that we want to protect existing residents, the heirs of property owners, the disabled and the elderly.

We have received permission from the artist to use a musician image for our logo, branding and our neighborhood sign, but the details have not been finalized.

A thank you letter was sent to Councilman Ron Townsend (with a copy to the mayor) for the $500 check to help defray the cost of putting up outdoor banners. We have not heard back from our request to Councilman Spencer. The Rev. John Powell sent a $300 check from the Truth for Youth as a donation from the black history festival. Elvin Jones contributed the $61.25 we owe for taxes to the IRS.

Robin Reshard is looking for a 501(c) 3 to work with her as a fiscal agent regarding donations offered to underwrite her Belmont DeVilliers documentary. She expects the cost of the 90- to 120-munute production to be about $1,000 per filmed minute. She has a professional business plan for such a partnership.

Dr. Gloria Horning is now working with Pathways for Change. That group’s new center at 2050 West Blount will have an open house week beginning April 2. Pathways for Change is a faith-based nonprofit with a mission of changing lives, reducing crime and building futures.

Hot Glass, Cold brew will be back on Friday, March 23. In addition to live glassblowing, pottery and glass bead demonstrations - it's also member appreciation night with surprises for new and renewing members. Enjoy the Belmont’s unique ambiance and talents and partake of some complimentary pizza and beer. Live music will also be provided.

Geraldine Vaurigaud invited everyone to the North Hill Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday (March 12) at 6:30 pm at the new Open Books in Long Hollow Community Center. She said the relocation of the Belmont Arts Center to Long Hollow will be discussed at this meeting.

Ms. Curry asked if anyone would like to attend the Neighborhood Leadership Training classes that will be offered on Tuesday evenings. Please call her if you want to join these highly rated excursions into the depth of city government.

Mr. Hawthorne noted that Paradise Gardens is working to correct its zoning issues and that he expects to make a major announcement soon.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.