April 2006 Minutes

A Summary of the Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, April 10, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Clark School Library
The meeting was called to order by Chris Gensic, President.
1. Project / task force updates
Traffic: We have a new engineer, although its possible this position is only for VDOT relations and paperwork, not full engineering. Either way, Chris will ask about the two locations seeking stop signs: Monticello near Douglas, and Rockland and Rialto. Hopefully we can get more sidewalks built, maybe the 501c3 can help. Bolling Avenue between Avon and 6th is experiencing much cut-through traffic, and could use sidewalks to help provide safety and reduce street width, it was added to the sidewalk
Development: The City is considering lowering the property tax rate. Copies of the City budget are available at City Hall. Some decisions may be affected by the upcoming elections (May 2). SAX, a jazz music venue, is set to open very soon in central Belmont. An international school for pre-K and kindergarten is planned for fall opening at Belmont Baptist Church
Treasury: We have $400 in the account. Newsletter: the summer edition is being written. Articles/photos/ads/ classified ads are welcome. Contact Chris.
2. Spring Cleaning & Dump or Donate event – March 18

The event was a big success. 18 bags of trash, 6 tires, one car door and some lumber were included in 2 roll-off containers (provided by Bob Hughes,), both filled to the brim. A box truck was filled with donations of clothing, furniture and household items. We are considering a repeat of this event later in the summer.
3. Spring picnic event planning
July 4 is the tentative date for the Belmont block party. Volunteers are needed for setup, crowd control and traffic management, as well as to coordinate food and beverage vendors (will alcohol be available?) The exact location has not yet been determined. We will discuss this at our May meting.
3. Bike Safety Event
This event is to be held in cooperation with ACCT in the upper parking lot at Clark School Wednesday, April 26 4-6 pm.Volunteers are needed to help fit helmets and guide young riders through safe turning and crossing practices. 40 helmets are available for participants, and the PTO has agreed to reimburse purchase of any additional helmets.
4. Hazardous Waste amnesty
An Electronics Waste Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 22; you may drop off old computers, TVs and video games for environmentally safe disposal or recycling. The cost is $8 for computers, $12 for TVs and $2 for video games and other software. You may take old paints, chemicals, batteries, pesticides, etc. to Ivy “landfill” Sat May 6 for FREE!
5. Noise Reduction at the Amphitheater Kevin is leading a group of neighbors concerned about the general level of noise at the downtown amphitheater, with particular attention to the upcoming concert by Ween, a group noted for loud and highly obscene lyrics. A meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7pm in the Hinton Avenue Methodist Church, where legal precedents and possible code violations will be discussed. It has been reported that Coran Capshow has expressed concern and has budgeted $200,000 for noise abatement. Jim Rounsevell noted that when the transit center is completed, the concrete wall will make a great difference
6. Rivanna Trails
A trail cleanup is planned for Sunday April 30 and a potluck will follow. Rivanna Trails seeks to maintain trail sections along Moore’s Creek in Belmont-Carlton. Frances (frances@spandrel.net) is organizing the April cleanup, and welcomes volunteers.
8. Police close substation at IX
A petition is being developed for restoration of the Ix substation.
9. Adopt-a-Spot Susan Pleiss is the Elliot/Monticello contact for the City Parks department’s Adopt-a-Spot program, which allows groups or individuals to develop planting and improvements at medians, easements and alleys. Chris is researching this.
10. Proposed bylaws adjustments Minor technical changes were made in our recently-developed bylaws. A copy of this document will be visible on the website soon.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting of the Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association will be April 10 at 7pm in the Clark Elementary School Library.

The main topics for the May meeting, the last meeting before summer break, will be getting our traffic plan in order and discussing the possible summer street festival.

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