Meeting
Minutes
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January 15, 2025
Blocker Family YMCA
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Meeting Called to Order by Jack Kavanaugh at 7:02 PM.
Board members present were: Jack Kavanaugh (President), Michael McCartney (Vice President), Shirley Ward (Treasurer), Penny Powers (Secretary), Greta Gustavson, Donna Jatho, Carol Naumann, Gerry Roth, Tyler Sherwin, Steve Sigmon, Madeline Sly, Lee Van de Water, Bruce Wilcox, and Sarah Whiting.
New Residents: Mr. Kavanaugh opened the meeting with the introduction of our new neighbors.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes will be available on the website: https://www.freemasonnorfolk.com/
Police Report: Resource Officer Ryan Logan reviewed the recent crime statistics for Freemason. In December 6 larcenies were reported and none have been reported so far for January.
Regarding the motorcycle activity that has been previously reported, Officer Logan has spoken with the park rangers and has searched social media trying to learn how these groups organize their meetups. It is unclear if there is more than one group congregating at the Pagoda. He appreciated the photos of motorcycle activity that neighbors have sent him and would like to receive photos of license plates. If caught, the riders can be charged with reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor; if used to commit a crime there may be a possibility that the vehicle could be confiscated. Overnight please call the non-emergency line (757-441-5610) to report. During working hours Officer Logan can be reached at 757 910 7325
Officer Logan shares that the police continue to work details at the local Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) stores to reduce shoplifting. He also notes that patrol officers are busy making arrests.
Speakers:
Joe Reynes, Citizens for Responsible Lighting, notes that in the last 100 years the magnitude of lighting has increased so that it is now obscuring the evening sky. The use of light emitting diode (LED) lighting, an energy efficient option, is increasing this problem. The brighter lights interrupt the circadian rhythm for all living creatures and also cause night blindness.
Locally, the city of Norfolk has contracted with Dominion Power to replace existing high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting with LEDs. Artificial light is measured in Kelvins; the lower levels of LED lighting emit a “warm” yellow tone while the upper levels emit a blue tone, which causes adverse effects. For humans lighting should not exceed the 2700K - 3000K range; for wildlife areas lighting should not exceed 2200K. The city initially planned to used 3000K - 4000K lighting but agreed to halt the replacement program when they were made aware of concerns.
Mr. Reynes notes that our current lighting placement was not determined by need but rather by where poles and electricity existed.
Citizens can contact their City Council representatives to give input on this issue.
More information can be obtained by writing to: CRL.norfolk@gmail.com
Sean Washington, Director of Economic Development, City of Norfolk, announced the following:
· Jet Blue will start direct daily service from Norfolk to Boston beginning April 30. Additionally, the moving sidewalk at Norfolk International Airport is nearly completed.
· Secretary of the Navy announced the names of three Virginia-class submarines, with one being named the USS Norfolk.
· The Ice Rink outside MacArthur Mall will be open until mid-February. MacArthur mall recently lost 2 retailers (Sephora and AT&T) resulting in 50% vacancy.
· Military Circle continues to look at creating a sports center, including an ice rink, to promote “sports tourism”. They will analyze studies in late January to early February.
· Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Norfolk casino at the end of October; despite the change of general contractor, they are confident of meeting the previously announced timeline. As the casino project gets underway the Amtrak parking area will be relocated to Lot E at Harbor Park.
· City Council allocated $750,000 for rehab of the Selden Market and will open an urban grocery store in the space next to the Stockpot.
· Grant funding applications for small business are open.
· The Epworth Church on Freemason Street has closed. The United Methodist church will continue to own the building and future development plans to be announced in 60-90 days. The options include:
o Renting to another church.
o Converting to residential spaces
o Use the space as a venue for live performances
o Lease out the parking lot for big events.
· Waterside: The retail spaces are struggling, will probably do more live events.
Victoria Lannetti, Community Engagement Coordinator, Norfolk Public Library. Her role includes all of the outreach, volunteers and internships, and mobile delivery, a program that came out of the book mobile. She notes that Norfolk has 12 library locations across the city and she discusses some of the programs that are available at different locations. In addition to books the library offers the following:
· Access on-line resources for classes, Ancestry online, language learning and the New York Times.
· Equipment library, available at different locations, where one can check out items such as nature backpacks (with parking pass for all state parks in Virginia), electric guitars, microscopes, telescopes, American Girl dolls and chrome books.
· In addition to the many youth programs, they offer early literacy programs for all ages at every location. The sponsor a summer reading program to prevent summer learning loss (summer slump). They also offer a summer-food program and free book program for children <17 years old.
· For adults they offer a range of technology classes, and adult literacy programs including an opportunity to earn a High School Diploma on line as well as Revive training
· Volunteer internships are available for people who need to meet community service requirements.
· Regarding a question about the availability of Hoopla, an online digital resource, Ms. Lannetti explains that funding only allows a certain amount of usage per day. The library is moving funding away from some areas (not buying new DVDs) so that more funds are available for other things that patrons want. Another solution is to ask the City Council for more money.
Presidents Report:
Jack Kavanaugh reported that he formed a group of 7 people to engage with the City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the coastal storm risk management plan and the proposed 11’ floodwall. This group recently met with the Project Manager, the Corp Commander, and the Chief engineer in Freemason to walk the neighborhood to increase understanding of the disruption and safety hazards that a wall, as currently conceived, would cause for residents. Additional information about the project can be found at: www.Resilientnorfolk.com; and www.norfolk.gov/3612/Office-of-Resilience
Membership Report: To date we have 45 individuals and 4 businesses with paid FSAA memberships.
Treasurer’s Report: The balance in the account is $2800.
Committee Reports:
Pagoda: Madeline Sly thanks everyone for their positive remarks and donations to the Pagoda in appreciation of the holiday lighting.
Historic Oversight Committee: Gerry Roth reported the following:
· Mr. Waitzer, owner of 355 W. Freemason Street lot, will submit the engineers plan once it is complete. It will then be sent to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) with a list of materials.
· Reminder that residents of the Historic District require ARB approval for any exterior changes.
· Taylor Whittle House repairs continue with asbestos remediation and downspout installation.
· Greta Gustavson will complete her term on ARB in March.
· Planning commission will consider an amendment to prohibit short-term rentals in Freemason on 1/23 at 2:30PM.
Beautification Committee: Steve Sigmon announced that the next neighborhood clean-up day will be held on Saturday January 18 at 9:00. Volunteers can meet by Lola, the mermaid at Freemason Green (corner of College Place and College Cross).
The following issues were discussed:
· Recurrent problems with the overflowing dumpster on the corner of Bute and Botetourt.
· The lawn at Freemason Green was damaged by City of Norfolk trucks and will be repaired by them.
· Street lights that are not functioning should be reported to Dominion using their online form
The next Board Meeting will be held at 7 PM on February 19, 2025 at Freemason Harbour Condominiums.
The next General Membership Meeting will be held at 7 PM on March 19, 2025 at the Blocker YMCA
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.
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Due to Snow