October 4, 2005 , 6:30 PM
Laurens County Library
The president said that the association is doing a great job and our neighborhood is visibly improving. New homeowners are moving in, new homes are being constructed and older homes are being renovated. The DHNA web site has been updated and includes more links to useful information. Members who wish to have pictures of their homes included in the �Images of Our Neighborhood� and �featured home� pages on our web site should contact the president.
Melanie Gunn suggested that we look into the possibility of establishing a �turn on your porch light day� each month to show that the neighborhood is organized and to reduce criminal activity. We also ask that neighborhood residents tell us if additional streetlights are needed near their homes. Members discussed ways to improve neighborhood and home security. We should walk at night and monitor neighborhood activities. Mary Jo Nemzek advised that scam artists are at work in the neighborhood and we should look out for them.
You are considered the owner of any stray animal that you feed for five days or more. City ordinances require all cats and dogs to be restrained by owners with a leash or fence.
The city government is responsible for trimming and removing limbs and shrubs over sidewalks and streets, if they restrict passage or cause blind spots.
The members agreed that we should urge the city government to establish an ordinance requiring overgrown lots to be cleared and maintained.
The city web site has been updated and improved so that Dubliners can email the administrators including the mayor and city manager.
The president asked for committee reports. There were no committee reports for this meeting.
We discussed the activities at the corner of Duncan and Highland on the lot occupied by the old coin laundry. Several members of our association checked with the city building inspector and he assured them that the lot is zoned R-2 residential and only R-2 activities are permitted on the lot. The owner of the lot is renovating the old laundry building and has positioned several outbuildings on the property. The lot was non-conforming property when the zoning ordinances were established. When no business was conducted on the property for twelve months, it converted to R-2 residential zoning. Members expressed concern about the owner�s trucks obstructing the streets, speeding through neighborhood streets and running through stop signs. The members agreed that President Harold Cline should make sure that the city government enforces all appropriate city ordinances regarding the old laundry lot.
The president will identify streets in our neighborhood that do not permit on street parking. City ordinances restrict parking on R-1 and R-2 residential lots to four vehicles.
The president will follow up of the recommendations previously made to the City Council including extending the time for posting rezoning notices. He will also find out if there is an official/formal method of making recommendations to the city government for changing or adding ordinances.
The association established a committee to develop and work on neighborhood holiday activities. Donna Phillips is chair. Tina Ivey, Jane Smith, Jody Fulghum and Kendel Browning are committee members. Melanie Gunn suggested a neighborhood block party to be held around St. Patrick�s Day.
We discussed neighborhood improvement projects. Members could gather on a Saturday to cut shrubbery for elderly neighbors. We should obtain a liability release for such projects from property owners.
The DHNA acknowledged the support that Junior Scarboro has shown in maintaining and preserving our historic residential neighborhood. Individual members may wish to show their support for Mr. Scarboro by posting political signs in their yards.
Although it is too late for the upcoming election, in the future we may wish to invite local candidates for public office to indicate their position on issues of interest to the DHNA. The president will obtain a map of the city council election districts.
The president will set up a system of DHNA �block coordinators� to distribute meeting announcements and collect petition signatures when needed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
