Terrace Park Civic Association

Meeting Minutes

November 2001

TERRACE PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 2001
Mary Walker Apts. Community Room

Meeting Minutes

Officers Present: Karl DeRoche, President; the Vice President; Frances Gonzalez, Treasurer; Jeanette Fenton, Secretary. The sign-in sheet contains the names of the members present.

Call to order and Approval of Meeting Minutes
Mr. DeRoche called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report
Ms. Gonzalez read the last bank statement dated September 30, 2001 which showed a balance of $1,550.83. Ms. Gonzalez reported that Terrace Park Civic Association (TPCA) was legally incorporated.

Secretary’s Report
Ms. Fenton informed the membership that Hillsborough County has begun another Neighborhood Grant application process and that applications are due in early December. She indicated that she had written the previous 2 successful grant applications but would not be able to submit the current one due to her work/travel schedule. Mr. DeRoche indicated he would try to submit an application.

Introduction of Guests
Mr. Deroche introduced the following guests: Dawn Colvin, City of Tampa Code Enforcement; Gene King, TPD Community Officer; Office Dudord, Temple Terrace Police; MJ Williamson, Speak-up Tampa Bay; Marilyn Durst and Betty Shaefer, Tampa Neighborhood Watch.

Speak-up Tampa Bay Presentation
Ms. MJ Williamson gave the presentation on opportunities available through the Speak-up Tampa Bay program. She stated that public access is in jeopardy of losing its public funding. Public Access on cable television is open to all and everyone is encouraged to use it. There is a training process which consists of reading the Policy and Procedures Manual. Show producers are responsible for show content. Participants take a quiz, show 2 forms of identification, attend orientation and then are ready to begin production. Speak-up Tampa Bay offers additional classes in editing, word processing/graphics, on-site cameras, and studio production.

TPCA can let Speak-up Tampa Bay produce a show for us. They would like us to consider producing a show on a regular basis. There is no charge for this service and Speak-up Tampa Bay can be reached at 254-1687.
Officer Dudard, Temple Terrace Police Department
Officer Dudard works in partnership with Officer Gene King. They share information and work cooperatively to address criminal activity.

Dawn Colvin, City of Tampa Code Enforcement
Ms. Colvin explained the responsibilities of the Code Enforcement Division. She provided a new printout of Terrace Park violations. There was a complaint about a lot on 50th St. and she advised that a notice was sent to the owner. She updated the members on a complaint concerning high grass at Azzarelli Village which has been taken care of. There was discussion about the need to address the problem with 50th St. being closed off. Ms. Colvin stated that she goes by the apartments at Temple Heights and 50th St. and red tags any cars without tags. There were problems expressed with people violating water restrictions and oak trees with fungus.

Neighborhood Watch
Marilyn Durst, President, Tampa Neighborhood Watch, spoke about the importance of neighborhood participation in the program. She introduced the new incoming president, Betty Shaefer. Ms. Durst will assume the office of Vice President.

Officer Gene King, TPD
Officer King is on “A” Cycle and his phone number if 624-6529. Officer Borges is on “B” Cycle and the cell phone number is 310-0345. Officer Jackie Potenziano can be reached at 310-0620. A member voiced a complaint about a resident of 4120 Okara who has a dirt bike with no tag, rides without a helmet, and is very noisy.

Announcements
Mr. DeRoche stated that the State of Florida Credit Union welcomes anyone who is a civic association member to join and take advantage of the many membership benefits.

Elections will be held at the January meeting. Mr. Deroche asked for nominations for officers to be submitted.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

May 8, 2001

Terrace Park Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
May 8,20001
Mary Walker Apts. Meeting Room




Association Officers Present:
Karl DeRoche, President
John Jones, V. President
Frances Gonzalez, Treasurer
Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, Secretary


Meeting Open
Mr. DeRoche convened the meeting at 7:05 PM. He introduced Shawn Harrison, Tampa City councilman and Gene King, new firehouse officer.

Shawn Harrison Presentation
Councilman Harrison discussed pocket parks, small lots given to civic associations for community parks to be used as gardens, small playgrounds, etc. Associations must have the ability to clean up property and transform it into a park. It was suggested that businesses, Home Depot, Scotty’s, etc., could help with donations. City deeds to civic association, the association controls it. No associations have done it yet
Questions of liability were discussed. The association would be responsible. One reason to incorporate, to limit liability to officers and members. Suggested possible assistance from the city of Tampa. Suggestions of a letter from councilman Harrison to Busch Gardens seeking their assistance in helping with the pocket park issue. If TPCA decides to go with pocket park program, contact councilman Harrison office.

Shawn provide his telephone number: 274 7073 office

Gene King – Firehouse Cop
Introduced himself, left business cards and work schedule.

Review and Approval of March 3/15/01 Meeting Minutes
Karl DeRoche reviewed minutes of March 15th meeting. Motioned, second and unanimously approved.

Treasurers Report
Ms. Gonzales announced a $1811.86 balance in the account after expense for meeting signs and the purchase of a coffee brewer for Mary Walker Apts. (appreciation gift). It will also be available to civic association.

Secretary’s Report
Ms. Fenton discussed the status of incorporating the civic association. Incorporation will take approx. 60-90 days. Still working on acquiring trees, from the city’s annual 1000 tree fund, to be planted and dress up certain major right of ways
A question about the number of paid members and dues requirements. $10.00 for HH and $5.00 for seniors.



Rose Ferlita Presentation
Karl DeRoche introduced City Councilman, Rose Ferlita and the accomplishments of the Rose Patrol conducted March 4,2001. Rose mentioned that she was not there to compete with Councilman Harrison but to work together and cooperate so that Terrace Park has 2 representatives. Ms. Ferlita introduced William Doherty, manager of Neighborhood improvements and Dawn Colvin, code enforcement officer.
She started the Rose Patrol for neighborhood improvements and understood that people got frustrated if there was no quick response.
Rose Ferlita also mentioned:
 Neighborhood could do a trash clean up and will not be charged at McKay Bay but it must be coordinated through Neighborhood Relations office.
 Ross Ferlita acknowledged the concerns over the overgrowth and dead vegetation in Takomah Trail Park. The park will have a controlled burn in the future, the wetlands will be restored, and the exotics will remain.
 Elton Smith of Transportation couldn’t attend w/ Rose but he will happy to address transportation concerns.
 Asphalt curbs were put in because of terrain and soil retention and that cement curbs are expensive. The asphalt curbs could be repaired.
Rose provided her telephone numbers: 274-7071 office
254-3536 home
293-8469 cell


Mr. Doherty
Reviewed code violations found in Terrace Park and mentioned citations that were issued. He wants us to have a good quality of life, safety and rising property values. The results of the inspection, 75 addresses had been issued violations during the Rose Patrol. The code enforcement officer would return to review whether property owner had taken care of problems. Fla. statues treat code enforcement differently from other violations. Mr. Doherty sited 70% compliance rate, which increases as complaints are placed in the system. Need to keep the level of activism up. 32 inspectors work 6.5 days a week. After hours for code enforcement is 690-4631.
Mr. Doherty also mentioned:
 That new code enforcement cards were being reprinted to remove the civic association address. This would eliminate hostility towards civic officers. The new cards should read Neighborhood Improvement.
 That noise has become a big issue. Inspectors have noise meters to measure 60 decibels in day and 55 decibels after 10 PM. Busch Gardens is exempt from the ordinance.
 A new arrest program, begun 2 months ago, for code violations. They will not arrest individuals who are financially strapped, disabled, or elderly. The arrest for code violations is a 3rd degree misdemeanor. Violator receives summons to appear in court and if they fail they could be arrested.
 Barking dogs are considered a code violation, but loose dogs are Animal Control concerns.
 Vacant structures must be secured and maintained.
 Parked cars, there is no specific law about where a car is parked, unless they are obstructing a sidewalk or blocking view at stop signs.


Member Questions
 Gang activity at Takomah Trail Park
 Requested TPD to increase surveillance at 50th and Temple Heights Ave. apts. and Takomah Trail Park. Officer King responded that he has seen gang graffiti at the park.
 Member suggested lights at the park, might help situation
 Shopping carts on Greenwood from all different stores
 Problem with garbage collection. Workers are careless when throwing trash into truck allowing it to blow around neighborhood.
 Question regarding incomplete house that backs up to Takomah Trail. Noted that fines are being placed against it.
 Ninevah north of Poinsettia, lots of boats and car repair going on.
 Suggested online code with complaint capability. Noted it should be available by the end of the year and direct to code enforcement.
 Speed bumps on 97th will be referred to Elton Smith, Transportation.

Miscellaneous Issues
July 28, 2001 Terrace Park scheduled for N.E.A.T. clean up.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM