SOUTH NORFOLK CIVIC LEAGUE MINUTES

OCTOBER 21, 2019

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by Tim Buma, President.

Dawn Morton led the invocation and pledge.

Tim thanked Bishop Fred Hill for wanting to partner with us in working with the community. He is hoping to establish a church in the former SunTrust building at Southgate Plaza.

A motion was made to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and seconded.  All in favor, motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report was given:

Operations Account (redacted)

Special Events Account (redacted)

Last meeting a vote was taken to donate $250.00 to ForKids, which would be matched by a grant.  Motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report and seconded.  All in favor, motion passed.

Carolenn Latham resigned from the South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch tonight.  She was thanked by the civic league for her work as president and her years of service.  This is the community’s only 501(c) non-profit group.  Greg Gonzales with be the new president.  Information will be on their Facebook page.  Carolenn thanked everyone and said she would still be around to volunteer. 

SNCL will assist with the trunk or treat at the community center.  A motion was made to donate $100 for candy and seconded.  All in favor, motion passed.

SNCL with partner with civic leagues to help schools in the area.  More information to come.

Some accomplishments of the league:

• In favor of ForKids coming to South Norfolk.  Staff of approx. 150.  $22M facility.
• Section 8 housing in the Southgate Plaza stopped
• 2 area cleanup days
• Restroom are now unlocked at the library.
• Changed dropoff locations for the homeless from South Norfolk to the new We Care Resource Center on S Military Hwy near Greenbrier
• Overton redeveloping their empty lot with a Fortune 500 Company

Captain John Landfair was introduced by Tim Buma.  He is the new commanding officer of the South Norfolk Second Precinct.  He is a huge proponent of community policing and problem solving. More officers (foot, bike, and patrol) are needed in this area.  Wants to engage more with the community.

CPD’s Officer J. K. Matthews, is SNCL’s liaison with the police department.  If you have any problems, please contact him with any problems you are having.  He will try to resolve any issue, which includes trash collection, vacant buildings, abandoned vehicles, etc.  He is here to help.  His business card was given out to everyone in attendance.  Officer Matthews want to fill the seats with residents at the next civic league meeting.

Mike Barber, Director of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation and Tourism, spoke next about the Lakeside Park.  Some positives that have been accomplished are:

• New shelters
• New walkways
• New picnic tables
• New fencing around the park is almost completed

In reference to the bird droppings, he explained that a protected bird species has taken residence in a tree and had babies.  This has caused a problem.  The birds did leave the nest and tree limbs were cut to help the situation.  Equipment has been cleaned.  There is also a leave problem.  He asks that the residents call when there are too many leaves.

The Lakeside Park fountain is for decoration and does not aerate the water.  It has colored lights that can be used for special occasions.  He also asks the citizens to call when they see the fountain is not working properly or has a low spray.  They want the opportunity to resolve the problem before it gets out of hand.

In the very near future, a learning barge will be parked at the Elizabeth River Park.  Also, the Ship Store at the park needs our patronage in order to stay in business.

Some accomplishments of Parks and Rec:

• 17 of 27 park lights have been replaced
• A new park as near Rena B Wright
• 14 new playgrounds have been established in the last 3-4 years
• Working on the Johnson Park with ForKids
• A splash pad is planned near the South Norfolk Community Center.

Eric Martin, Director of Public Works, says they are developing a new lake management program for all city lakes.  Lakeside Park had some unusual problems year with the dry weather and then heavy downfalls.  The Canadian geese are another problem.  They are looking for an aerator to help with circulation in the lake.  Dredging may be another possibility.  The league was assured that lack of funding is not an issue with fixing the lake.

This part of the meeting ended with an update of projects in South Norfolk.

• Sign Sweepers are in action.  Consider becoming authorized to remove them.
• 22nd street bridge is moving right along.   Hoping to be completed between May-June 2020
• Design work has started for the new parking facility between the Gateway Building and the ForKids property.

Tim Buma ended the meeting thanking both Mike and Eric.

Meeting adjourned 8:44