Minutes

Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes � 11/10/2009

1. State Rep. Brenda Gilmore � legislation, thoughts re: neighborhood improvement, state issues � �All you gotta do is call me.�

Talked with Svet at NNO in August re: getting people employed, therefore, introduced AJ Stallings (Davidson County Election Commission and political director for AFL-CIO) to address issue:

• praised Gilmore�s efforts
• 10% unemployment and eligible for additional unemployment benefits from fed
• President putting $$ into infrastructure, therefore, construction will be the first piece to come back

Recommends:

1. go to career centers and seek help and training for high-demand jobs (paid for by career centers)
2. apprenticeship programs � plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, general laborers � jobs with permanent skills that translate anywhere in U.S.; pay good wages; schooling 2 nites/week for 4 years; test required
3. working with TN Dept. of Education to bring skills training back to classroom � for students not college bound

�Fighting competition of crime� � �if you�ve got a record, it�s hard to get a job� How to address:

1. job fair
2. apprenticeships

Gilmore volunteers to help with sponsorships for fair (food, music).

Manufacturing base of country pretty much gone; nurses in high demand

Gilmore:
a. Knock on doors with invite to job fair
b. Talk at schools

2. Bruce Wood and RC Barlett: Looking for location

Solid Waste Reform, Pesticides and Chemicals
Sunday p.m, Dec. 13th � fundraiser to honor RC�s 75th and BURNT 21st anniversary NAACP has endorsed

3. Good Food for Good People

• providing free fresh food to neighborhoods, starting farmer�s markets
• working with kids in school gardens
• proposing to Metro Parks use of Richland Park for learning garden in old swimming pool (plus restore bathroom and shower). Would benefit young men, women underemployed � 1 or 2 during school year; 6 youth thru summer (includes education )
• proposal�s modeled on successful programs in Cleveland, Austin, Milwaukee
• could redirect staff to garden here
• requesting letter of support from SHNA

4. Kenn Gindon � putting together application for traffic control

• 37th from Redmon to Charlotte
• 38th from Sentinel to Charlotte
• 33rd from Elkins to Charlotte

5. Yolanda Adams (NRC) -- 28th to 31st Corridor (Are we concerned? If so, she�ll look into it on our behalf.)

6. Annual Christmas Party

• Nashville Opera location
• 2nd Tuesday of December (Dec. 8)

Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes � 2/10/2009

I. Crime

Leiutenant Matthew Pylkas was on hand to discuss recent crime and answer any questions from Sylvan Heights residents. He noted three important developments:

• Sergeant Chick has been moved back to the patrol division during daytime hours. She will be a good catalyst for the neighborhood and has a proven track record. In addition, she has many contacts within the neighborhood and was previously assigned to the Sylvan Heights area.
• A new evening zone officer � Erik Wagoner - has been assigned to zone 19. He will be ultimately responsible for zone 19, which includes Sylvan Heights. This is his second career, and he is very motivated with his new role.
• From a big picture perspective, crime has improved in the neighborhood. While serious incidents still occur, the number of crimes reported has been on the decline in recent months.

Three carjackings were reported in the past two months. A suspect was caught at 28th and Clifton, who may be related to one of those three carjackings Lt. Pylkas was not aware if that suspect had been related to the other two incidents. He noted that carjacking in Tennessee is treated as a separate charge, with stiff penalties for convictions.

During the week of Thanksgiving, there were two home burglaries in the neighborhood. No updates were available to the officer in attendance, but the Neighborhood Watch Director will be following up with police to get an update. Lt. Pylkas emphasized the importance of locking all cars and homes.

A question was asked regarding a recent news story about a woman in Hermitage that was ticketed for leaving her car unattended while it was running. Lt. Pylkas confirmed that the story was true, and reminded everyone that it is illegal to leave your car running and unattended (whether the car is locked or not). 50% of cars stolen last week were cars running with keys in the ignition and doors unlocked.

One resident asked about increasing patrols during the summer months when school is out and days are longer. There may not be funds for CRT officers who are asked to patrol problem areas. In addition, during the most recent allocation, three officers were reassigned from the Sylvan Heights to other surrounding areas due to a higher number of reported incidents. The number of officers assigned to particular areas is determined annually.

II. Efforts to Reduce Crime at Skyview

A meeting will be held on Sunday, February 15th at Skyview Apartments to discuss the crime situation with police and with Skyview management. There was concern expressed that Skyview�s management is not putting enough effort into addressing crime. Sunday�s meeting is intended to facilitate cooperation between Skyview management, residents of Skyview and the surrounding area, and the police. Sgt. Chick will play an active role in this meeting.

Residents expressed concerns to the police that crime at Skyview has gotten worse in the past 5 years. In particular, residents noted that some troublemakers have been �banned� from the property, yet they are regularly on the premises. Lt. Pylkas agreed that it was a problem, but noted that he must not violate an individual�s civil rights when dealing with these troublemakers. He emphasized that any illegal activity should be reported to give the police additional information.

III. Neighborhood Beautification

A few tasks are underway for neighborhood beautification. First, the SHNA is working with CSX railways to paint a mural at the Sylvan Heights entrance on 37th. The mural is intended to welcome people to the neighborhood and to discourage graffiti that is often found on the walls of the railroad underpass.

Volunteers from TSU have offered to help clean up around the neighborhood on the 21st of March. The SHNA will be coordinating an effort to focus on cleaning up the neighborhood. More details will be forthcoming.

Anyone interested in helping to report codes violations on a regular basis should contact the SHNA Steering Committee at steering@sylvanheights.org. According to a recent citywide neighborhood association meeting, codes violations are a common problem, and the city is working on improving ways of collecting fines.

On Tuesday, February 17th, large bulk items will be picked up for disposal. You can leave your items at the curbside (on the wide side of the pavement) outside of Skyview Apartments. Items that can be picked up are furniture, mattresses, sofas, lawn furniture, A/C units, auto parts, and other large items. Be sure to have your items out on the curb on the evening of Monday, February 16th!

IV. Elections

Annual elections for the SHNA Officers and Steering Committee were held. Results are as follows:
Svetlana Stepanovic � President
Jonathan Gilligan � Vice President
Susan Henderson � Treasurer
Tim O�Brien � Secretary

The following Steering Committee members were also elected.
Carrie Apple, Chuck Cardona, Joy Dexheimer, Jim Hoeffner, Mandy Langford, Chuck Koehler and Erin O�Brien

Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes � 1/13/2009

I. Crime

On New Year�s Eve, a car fire was reported at 38th and Park Avenue. The fire department was dispatched to extinguish the flames. The issue has been reported to police, but little information is available about the person responsible for setting the fire. As of the meeting, the owner had not yet claimed the vehicle, either.

A car jacking occurred at 39th and Elkins. This has also been brought to the attention of police, and the SHNA Neighborhood Watch will discuss this incident in detail with police, since it marks a shift from victimless crimes (such as shots fired reports) to violent crime against individuals. A request will be made to have a representative from the West Precinct available at the February 10th SHNA meeting.

Any suspicious behavior should be reported to police. Even less serious nuisance crimes such as loud car stereos can and should be reported, as it gives police more latitude when stopping a vehicle. In addition, the number of crimes reported to police factor into decisions regarding allocation of police resources.

II. Metro Codes

Several questions were raised regarding dilapidated houses, graffiti clean-up, and other codes violations. The SHNA will be reaching out to owners of these houses requesting attention their help in maintaining the properties. Specific codes violations can be reported using the Nashville.gov website. Here is a link: http://www.nashville.gov/codes/report_violations.aspx

A codes evaluation in the neighborhood will also be conducted in February. The following link contains information about codes requirements and how Metro codes will be evaluating any violations: http://www.nashville.gov/codes/codes_info.htm

III. Galvanizing Plant

A neighbor from Normandy Circle concerned with noise from the Galvanizing plant joined the SHNA meeting to discuss cooperation on noise complaints. SHNA will be sharing information about past efforts to address the problem of noise and will hopefully learn new ways to address this problem. In addition to addressing noise violations, traffic from the Galvanizing plant will also be brought to the attention of Metro Traffic Management to address truck traffic along 33rd, Elkins, and 32nd avenues.

IV. SHNA Elections

As a reminder, SHNA�s annual elections will be held at the next neighborhood association meeting in February. In previous meetings, the following officers were unanimously elected to serve in the following positions:
Svetlana Stepanovic � President
Jonathan Gilligan � Vice President
Susan Henderson � Treasurer
Tim O�Brien � Secretary

Two additions to the Steering Committee were also approved unanimously:
Mandy Langford
Joy Dexheimer

Chuck Cardona, Carrie Apple, Jim Hoeffner, David Miller, and Erin O�Brien will also continue serving on the Steering Committee. Additional nominations can be made by emailing steering@sylvanheights.org.

Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minues – 9/9/2008

I. Criminal Activity

Neighborhood crime had previously been isolated to a few locations, but criminal activity has increased in recent months. Examples include:

1. Multiple accidents on 38th Ave. North
2. Shootings on Elkins & 38th Ave. North
3. Drugs and Crime in and around Park Ave. School playground was stopped due to police activity and reports from neighborhood

The SHNA Officers and Steering Committee have been actively working with police to address these problems. Several officers were in attendance at this week’s neighborhood meeting.

• Lieutenant Pylkas
• Sergeant Tripp - Community Sergeant available during daytime hours. Sergeant Tripp is responsible for all community issues and recurring problems.
• Sergeant Humes - Responsible for officers on the street
• Officer Ward - Zone officer, responsible for patrolling Sylvan Heights area
• Sergeant Chick - West Precinct Detective’s Sergeant

In the past 30 days, 79 calls have been handled by the police. This number includes both reports from citizens into the police, as well as proactive stops made by the police. 33 calls were made to Skyview Apartments, and 12 calls were made to Chamberlain. Other focal areas include Elkins and 38th, the area surrounding Discount Tobacco, and Nevada and Colorado, where auto burglaries have been a recent problem.

At the Skyview apartments, fewer calls have been made following the arrest of a man with 14 outstanding arrest warrants. He had been responsible for many of the “shots fired” calls. The arrest involved Operation Safe Streets, with K-9 units, helicopters, and additional forces.

A recent double-shooting at 38th and Elkins should not be a cause for concern for neighbors. The crime was directed at a specific target. Neighbors should not consider themselves at risk to these criminals.

II. Instructions for Reporting Criminal Activity

For crimes in process, call 862-8600 or 911 (if it is an emergency). For community issues and recurring problems, contact Sergeant Tripp with the West Precinct.

Drug related activity should be reported to 244-DOPE. All reports to 244-DOPE must be addressed by the police. Be sure to get a case number.

Another method of reporting criminal activity is through the Nashville.gov web site. Follow the “Public Safety” link any provide details of the crime in the Criminal Activity Tips section of the site.

If you see criminal or suspicious activity, report it. “Nothing is ever too small to bug us about” – Sgt. Tripp

III. Neighborhood Watch

The Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Watch will be organized to provide feedback to police and to distribute information to neighbors. Volunteers are needed to be Block Captains, who are responsible for communicating to about 10 nearby neighbors. Block captains will filter information up to the Director of the Neighborhood Watch and also share information with his or her block.

Please see the www.sylvanheights.org web site and email notifications if you are willing to volunteer. Additional information will be provided in the near future.

IV. Neighborhood Beautification

The Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association is seeking volunteers needed to help with Neighborhood beautification. The group will generate ideas for beautification and pursue efforts such as mailbox repair, alley clean-up, and others. Some neighbors have already made progress on the alley clean-up, and they will be assisting the SHNA in its efforts.

To volunteer, please see the www.sylvanheights.org web site or contact the Sylvan Heights Steering Committee.

V. SHNA Elections

Interim elections for SHNA officers will be held at the November neighborhood association meeting (Nov. 11th at 7:00 PM at Park Elementary). The standard elections will still be held in February. The following positions are currently vacant:

Vice President
Responsibilities include support of President when needed
Lead membership drive in Feb-March
Secretary
Record meeting minutes and maintain accurate membership lists

Depending on election outcomes, vacancies on the Steering Committee may also need to be filled.

To report Metro Codes violations: www.nashville.gov/codes/report_violations.aspx
Brush pickup schedule: www.nashville.gov/recycle/brush.htm
SHNA Crime Watch group: groups.google.com/group/SHNA-CrimeWatch
SHNA Talk group: http://groups.google.com/group/SHNA-talk