Minutes for Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Normal Heights Community Center/Zoom
4649 Hawley Avenue
Attendees:
X = in attendance
| X | Paul Coogan (C) | X | Kenny Patrick | Emilie Colwell | |
| X | Allan Harjala (VC) | X | Dan Soderberg | X | Jacob Koopman (P) |
| X | Sami Burrows (S) | Greg Stone | X | Brian Adams | |
| X | Frances Prichett (T) | Nancy Lawler | |||
| X | Julia Corbett | X | Scott Kessler (AABA) |
Paul called the meeting to order at 6:03 and read the opening reflection. Then Paul gave a brief overview of the meeting procedure.
Board introduced themselves and their favorite artist.
Community Attendees
2 zoom participants, 7 attendees in person.
Agenda modifications
No agenda modifications.
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- Zoom comment: Request from the city for the fire, that we don’t really have a plan for evacuation and as a canyon community we should have a plan. Would like Board to ask for the city for the plan for tomorrow and all the in-fill of our community, particularly with people who do not have cars, and how to evacuate. Jacob Koopman said a plan to invite Fire station 18 to give an update.
- Jacob brought up that NW corner of 35th Place and Monroe, stagnant water issue–causing smells and mosquito issues.
City Process Presentation by Paul Coogan
Paul provided an overview of his understanding of the city process as it relates to: funding sources, annual budget cycle, performance and accountability and long-term planning.
The entire presentation is available on the NHCPG website: https://normalheightscpg.org/.
Streetlights Presentation by Allan Harjala
Allan provided a presentation on the need of adequate street lighting for sidewalk users, Normal Heights current situation and how we can improve. Allan included the minimum city standards for street lighting and then a map of Normal Heights current street light locations including blocks longer than 600 ft with no mid-block street lights what is scheduled for undergrounding, on the unfunded needs list and not on unfunded need lists. When city undergrounds a street, this is the best opportunity for getting new street lights as city is supposed to get up to minimum city standards and put new street lights. Scott advised through his experience, the best way is through MAD – Maintenance Assessment District.
Allan’s call to action: submit new street light requests to the city of dark, underlit areas using the city’s Traffic Service Request online form.
The entire presentation is available on the NHCPG website: https://normalheightscpg.org/.
Paul called a 10 minute break at 6:55.
Action/Decision Items
Approval of previous meeting minutes
October 1 Regular Meeting
Kenny motioned. Brian second.
Unanimous approval from 8 participants on board.
One abstained: Scott.
Vote: Election of Board Seats for Open Seats
Madison Stevens provided a quick bio and expressed her interest of being voted onto the board.
Paul motioned the board vote.
Unanimous approval.
Letter of Support for Grant Submission
Paul provided overview of the grant submission for the community garden to get some funding.
Allan motioned we approve. Scott second.
Unanimous board approval.
Shall the CPG loan the Owl to the CPC?
Paul asked if CPC can borrow CPG Owl to demo before purchasing. Paul will need to check with Parks & Rec Group to see if they need the Owl as well as Jim currently uses it for the Parks & Rec meetings; otherwise okay to loan.
Reports/Updates
Elected Representatives
Officer Jenny Hall, SDPD
Coffee with a Cop November 13th from 8AM-10AM. Officer Jenny Hall provided an update on the two shootings in Normal Heights: 1st on 7-11 09/20/2024, a person got in an argument with someone at 7-11 and came back with a shotgun and fired off shots in the air and at another person. SDPD treated it as a homicide attempt, were able to track the person down and arrest this person as well as confiscate several firearms from their home. Wilson/Adams
On 09/26/2024 where shots were fired in the area–were identified as potentially gang related; currently being investigated by SDPD gang detective. Graffiti Strike Officer Holden has interest in coming to the next NHCPG meeting to talk about the best process for reporting graffiti–can carve out time in agenda with Paul. If there are instances, it is recommended to call or report to non-emergency 543-2000/9-1-1 when appropriate or file online.
Sara Al-Agha from District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s office
Sara advised that the Transportation Dept will be in District 9 in January to repair street lights. National Weather has issued a red flag warning November 6, 3PM – November 8, 11AM. Can sign up for alerts at sandiego.gov/fire/safety. Regarding the fire, team went door-to-door to check on residents to ensure they were okay and able to provide resources to individuals. No one was injured but some structure damage on Montezuma. Still pending reports of the cause of fire. Last month, budget priorities were submitted by Council President, some included initiatives to lower cost of living in SD and tenant protection ordinances. To view budget, can visit https://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd9/budget.
Mayor’s Office – Fatima Maciel
Mayor is holding their annual contest, Mayor for a Day, for students K-12. Montezuma Fire Investigation is still ongoing, but found it was on private property–unclear of whether it was encampment or brush fire. If brush fire is on private property, it is up to the owner to maintain it.
Paul will connect with Fatima on the property lines presentation and ADA ramps & GID requests.
County Supervisor Montgomery Steppe or representative
No representative present.
State Senator Atkins – Toni Duran
No representative present.
Assembly Member Ward – Christopher Gris
No representative present.
District 51 U.S. Congressmember Jacobs or representative
No representative present.
Adams Avenue Business Association
Scott – powerwashed 7 blocks in preparation for Halloween Haunt, free trick-or-treat contest with cash prizes for best costumes. Postponing the Spirit Stroll to next year due to low bar participation. Street Fair was a huge success this year–were able to go to the old layout with booths in the middle and most profitable Street Fair. AABA picks up litter on Adams, takes care of trees/planters and covers up graffiti every day. Palm Tree Trimming currently underway by WCA; if WCA missed a palm tree, can contact AABA to have them reschedule the trim. AABA has worked on urban tree canopies since the 80s. AABA reballoting MAD this year; hoping to raise 50k annually to 130k annually to continue to help support these services for Adams Avenue. New mural with children and historical figures being installed in the neighborhood by the church alley.
Smart Growth/Community Garden Update
Paul provided update that community garden is in the process of the lease agreement. Kenny is helping oversee board for the garden. Mars Project–developer re-entered permitting process, which starts with preliminary review.
Utility Undergrounding & Street Lighting MAD
Frances mentioned they are ready to send the postcards (around 500), but postponed due to election. Will revisit timing also due to holidays.
Traffic Issue Taskforce
City of SD has Safe Streets Open House online; Allan encouraged people to take the survey and provide as much input as you can. Website is: ss4asd.com.
Community Engagement/Financing Committee
Jacob and Paul met to align on priorities: 1) aligned on consistent places to place the agenda. Jacob is in the process of working with VONs on working on community bulletin. 2) identify specific locations to post general flyer – will be posting at several businesses along Adams Avenue. 3) form a plan to engage other groups in our communities, like CPC, which Paul is currently doing. 4) form a complete list of ads, 1st ad to be posted in NH Living Magazine. 5) inquiring with Abnormal Heights at Adams Ave theater slideshow to 300 locals every month 6) to plan and organize a less formal community meeting setting; identifying different groups to invite, SD Bike Coalition, Fire Coalition, among others 7) in process to survey community, like is Normal Heights safe? affordable? bike friendly? etc. 8) for future events, create printed table banner, i.e. Adams Street Fair. Some other items not touched on from list, 11) would like to continue to work with businesses, 12) research funding methods, like t-shirts, beer mugs. 13) Put together verified list of approved expenses.
To give formal recommendations on the website updates, Paul/Sami to meet and discuss.
Scott advised you could ask Community Rec Center to post on the digital billboard about the meetings. Unplugged is April 26th (Paul asked in regards to potential booth set up).
Executive Session
Paul called executive session into order at 8:20 and reviewed Board Issue Rankings results.
Team discussed sending bios as well as pronouns to Paul to add to website and nametags.
Adjournment
Paul called the meeting to adjournment at 8:33.