First Ward Neighborhood Association

April 4, 2006 Minutes

A regular meeting of the First Ward Neighborhood Association was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at the First Ward Community Recreation Center. All officers, except the President were present. Dennis Hilliard, Vice President, facilitated the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m.

Community Center Report

Terri Stowers reported that due to the construction next door, the Rec Center has lost a fire exit and consequently, the Fire Department has cut the capacity to 49 people. Several programs have been relocated, and the Fire Department is working on a temporarily resolution. The Center is also forming an Advisory Council for future direction on programming, parking, etc.  Applications for the Advisory Council are located at the front desk of the Recreation Center.

Police Report

Officer V.K. Simpson (vsimpson@cmpd.org) gave the neighborhood crime statistics for March 3 – April 2, 2006. There were 34 total reported incidents, highest with 5 was non-aggravated assault, 5 larcenies from auto, 5 hit and run, 5 larceny from other auto, 3 residential burglaries, 1 auto theft. Last year over the same time period, there were 44 reported incidents, with non-aggravated assault as the highest reported incident. Second was larceny from auto, third, hit and run. 

The hit and run incidents (property damage) were reported mainly in the bar district during evening hours.

During March 3 – April 2, 2006, Fourth Ward had 31 incidents, with highest larceny from autos, 5 armed robberies, 4 hit and runs, 3 auto thefts.

Guest Speakers

Doreen Szymanski, CDOT

Adam Isen and Tim Ro, Park It

Representatives from CDOT and Park It answered questions about the First Ward Parking Program as well as registered residents into the program.

General Discussion

Young basketball players came to address the neighborhood association about the basketball court situation.

There is a great need for recreational facilities for the youth of First Ward. The YMCA utilizes the community center for summer camp, and due to construction, the outdoor basketball courts have been removed. Members were urged to contact their City and County representatives to expedite a solution to these problems.

Motion that the association press the County Commission and Park and Recreation Committee to immediately resolve the Recreation Center capacity issue.  Motion was made to authorize association to address this issue, approved by majority vote.

The Association will work on bringing a member from Park and Rec in for May meeting.

www.firstwardneighbors.org is still under construction and as soon as the board approves it, we will notify the neighborhood.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Westbrook, 04.04.06