ECCO MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
August 17, 2006
Ford Mason, President, presided over the meeting.
This year's National Night Out Celebration was a great success. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped plan and staff the event. Thanks were also offered to the Target on Garners Ferry for the $34 gift certificate donated for this event. Eboni Ramm and Rain entertained for the second year. 134 sandwiches were prepared for the almost 100 participants.
Jim Larson from the City of Columbia spoke about the planned renovations to Earlewood Park. Allison Baker was unable to attend. Mr. Larson reported that the master plan for the community center renovations was developed about 6 years ago. The first phase of renovations, the construction of outside restrooms, is ready to accept bids. Bids go out August 31 - Sept. 15, 2006 and should be back within 3 to 4 weeks. An additional 10 days is then required to verify references. When the bids are in, it will be decided how much work can be done in relation to the amount of money currently available for the project. The entire bid will include the renovations to be made to the interior of the community center. Mr. Larson did not have specific information about the funds that were available for the project. He believed that the money budgeted for Earlewood Park had already been spent on finishing the new amphitheater and other improvements.
In response to the decision by the City of Columbia Zoning Board to approve the pre-school Montessori program at 3008 River Drive, a civil action, prepared by Virginia Bedford, was filed on behalf of ECCO in objection. Concerns listed include: the Zoning Board did not show in writing why this particular variance was allowed, the decision incorrectly listed the address of the property involved, the property does not possess the required fenced yard to enclose 3,000 square feet and the renter has not yet filed applied for the required permit. Neighborhood concerns include: the lack of a safe entrance and exit for a child care facility, the large volume of traffic on River Drive, a home is not a day care center, and the destruction of the character of the surrounding property. Since 1980 River Drive has been zoned residential. All commercial activity is confined to either end of the road with the next block designated as step down zoning. A 1997 study recommended the River Drive corridor remain residential. Local real estate brokers, who were consulted, agreed any commercial intrusion allowed could ease the path for future commercial use. ECCO paid $150 to file the action with the court and $15 to have the papers served.
Neighbors are reminded the police are available to address any crime concerns each month at 6:30 pm prior to the regular ECCO meeting. Everyone is encouraged to participate regularly to help maintain safety in our community.
Due to growing concern over the cluster effect of Pay Day lending businesses, ECCO, Cottontown and Elmwood Neighborhood Associations are working together to stop the newest location on North Main Street. Neighbors were also informed that the Williams Building has been approved for use as a homeless shelter until the Bull Street property is sold. The Cottontown Neighborhood Association is opposed to this decision and is requesting additional police support to help with the possible spillover of crime and other problems due to the proximity of their neighborhood to this new shelter. ECCO will continue to communicate with the leadership in Cottontown to keep informed on this issue.
Tiaa Rutherford is working to update ECCO's bylaws. She is requesting any additional comments or concerns on the bylaws be sent to her by Sept. 15 through her email.
On behalf of the Nominations Committee, Dan Elswick reported on the upcoming election of ECCO officers at the meeting in September. After providing the duties of each office, he opened the meeting to any additional nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the slate of officers to be presented for election in September stands as follows: President- Jim Prader, Vice President- Bill Goodson, Secretary- Melanie Lewismoss, Treasurer- Brenda Creson, Member-at-Large- Tiaa Rutherford. Officers must be current, active members and will serve a 2 year term. The election will be supervised by the Election Committee. Only current, paid members will be allowed to vote in the election.
Cingular is again looking to build a cell tower in the area of Elmwood Park. The last effort was supported by ECCO, but defeated by objections in the Elmwood neighborhood. The new tower is proposed to stand at 80 ft. The previous proposal was 165 ft. A crane test for the tower is tentatively planned on Sept. 9 from 10 – 2 pm. More information will be provided when available.
Respectfully submitted by Melanie Lewismoss in the absence of Secretary Hope Furtado.