First Ward Neighborhoods, Inc.

General Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2006

A regular meeting of the First Ward Neighborhood Association was held on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at the First Ward Community Recreation Center. All officers were present. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.

Police Report

Officer Vinton Simpson (vsimpson@cmpd.org) gave the community crime report for the time period of January 3 – February 2, 2006. There were 59 reported incidents or 15 once the 44 incidents reported at 600 East 5th Street (Family and Social Services) are subtracted.  The complete report is included with the original copy of the minutes.

Parks and Recreation Report

Katie Robinson (robinka@co.mecklenburg.nc.us) reported First Ward Recreation Center is looking for baseball and t-ball coaches.

Guest Speakers

Moira Quinn (mquinn@centercitypartners.org) from Center City Partners discussed the upcoming CIAA Tournament February 27 – March 4, 2006. The majority of events will occur in Bobcats Arena and Charlotte Convention Center. Quinn reported the Gold Rush will run on extended hours until at least 10:00 p.m. The events at Convention Center are open to public. Fan Guides will be published in the Charlotte Observer and official information is also available at the Arena, Convention Center, and Visit Charlotte. For more information about the tournament please visit the website www.ciaatournament.org.

Jayson Johnston (jjohnston@centercitypartners.org), Director of Event Operations and Neighborhood Liaison, at Center City Partners reported there are no additional festivals or events planned during the time of the tournament. Traffic control will be very similar to the traffic control plan during an arena event and will be in place from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm. Parking in the neighborhood will still be monitored by Park It during business hours. After-hours parking concerns should be reported by calling 911.  Entertainment district will have same activity as summertime/weekend evening crowds and activity with late-night hours to accommodate visitors and patrons. Neighborhood members are encouraged to be the eyes and ears for the community and report questions and concerns to Center City Partners.

General Discussion

The President reported Park It will increase parking enforcement during events. If one-fourth of the vehicle is beyond a “No Parking” sign, the vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed. President will share phone number for towing company. Neighborhood residents expressed concern that additional parking stickers have not been received at Trinity Episcopal School or United House of Prayer for All People. To address citizen concerns an invitation will be extended to Park It to clarify parking policy.

The First Ward Neighbors, Inc. website should be up and running in the next 60 days.

Trinity Episcopal School is doing program during the week of Presidents Day (Feb 20^th) for middle-schoolers called “WOW Week.” Included is the design of public art piece to mark the entrance to First Ward. Anyone interested in participating with Trinity students please contact Rev Smokey Oats (soats@tescharlotte.org).

The March meeting will be held at 7pm at First Ward Recreation Center.

Items of New Business

Can we get an officer office in the First Ward Community Center?

Why are the dump-trucks driving down Davidson Street?

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Westbrook, 02.07.06