[NENA] Minutes of D4 Aug 19th Meeting

[JOE YARDUMIAN]

                                                                                              August 24, 2009

                                           BRIEF MINUTES OF THE 8/23/09 D4 COALITION OF 
                                                 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS MEETING

Brief presentations were made in support and opposition of the 1/4 cent transportation tax.  Greg Payne and staff supported and Brad Winter presented opposition arguments.

Proponents noted that if the program is not extended, the city will not be able to provide the level of service in the ABQ Ride system.  In addition, rehab, maintenance, and improvements of the $1.7 billion dollar system will be degraded and past years improvements will disappear.  Extending the program will permit 60-70 more miles of added capacity to the network, rehab of 2100 lane miles of city roadways, and 10 more miles/year of added or rehabilitated bike/trail network.

Opposition notes that $49 million in unencumbered and unspent funds exist in programs which can be used to accomplish much of what the proponents desire.  Some 36% is scheduled for transit and, if needed, Council can fund addition moneys.

The issue will be on the ballot for voter decision.

The  D4 Community Outreach Program appears to have gotten off the ground through coordination with APS and the PTA.  D4 will be supporting the PTA Clothing Storehouse.  Supplies for needy children are urgently needed:  Underclothing, school supplies, socks, shoes, boys shirts, etc.  Some 3500-4000 school children are in need.  D4 Coalition approved $400 from our treasury to the PTA for use in this effort.  In addition, the Coalition has informed member NAs of the need and the point of contact: Kim Kerschen, 798-3761 home,  400-3761 cell.  Address and related info is as follows:  used or new clothes, new or gently worn shoes, new undies, school supplies, etc, can be dropped at 11806 San Francisco, just East of Eubank (almost to Holbrook).  It is a red brick home of the Southside of the street. 

Brad Winter noted that 5 incumbent Councilors are up for re-election and that a number of challengers have filed.  Council is getting many calls regarding the proposal to defer impact fees for one year.  In addition, the Mayor's veto of the proposed City Charter changes was over-ridden by a 9-0 vote of the Council.  This item will be on the ballot for the public to decide.

Pigeons are a major problem.  In one of the NAs, a lady has been feeding birdseed to pigeons at the rate of over 100 pounds/month.  Literally hundreds of pigeons gather each day on power lines and neighborhood houses creating much pigeon poop, feathers etc.  D4 has suggested calling Environmental Health and 311 for any helpful suggestions.  For some unknown reasons, pigeons are a protected species.  Go figure. 

Adjourned at 9:10 PM

Respectfully submitted
Joe Yardumian
NorEste rep to D4
  
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