We held our first meeting for 2006 on January 26 at the Presbyterian Church. Here are some of the highlights:
- Officer Jim Benson, our area patrol officer stopped by for a Q & A session. Interesting tidbits from Officer Benson:
- Rochester has a total of 120-30 officers, with only 12-14 on duty per shift. Only a few officers are assigned this neighborhood and everyone can do their part in keeping the neighborhood safe.
- Theft from garages is the “biggest” problem in our area. See the Rochester Police Department Crime Tips to learn what you can do to stop it!
- The best way to report any traffics concerns is to fill out a Traffic Concern Report the Rochester Police Department website. You can also contact them online, via email, or telephone.
- Social Committee Chairman, Greg Mader spoke of the social events coming up for 2006. The next big event is the garage sales on May 19-20. They will post ads for individual garage sales on the website.
- Because association dues are not being collected this year, the meeting attendees did some brainstorming on how to raise funds for our neighborhood events. Ideas brought up were to have wine tasting parties and charging fees for the garage sale, as well as the idea of letting businesses advertise on the website. More follow up will be done in the coming months.
- Treasurer, Marla Berg gave the financial report with the association having $760 in the bank. This amount will decrease $340 to pay for the postcards that were sent to all residents in the boundaries.
- Brief summary of development and traffic issues: (Watch for more details in followup blogs!)
- They still plan on moving the stoplight from the front of Econo Foods to closer to the new Credit Union.
- In regards to Chateau Road development, we decided not to send a letter to the city on behalf of the Association. Marla Berg will bring more specific information to the next meeting.
- The city is still studying the idea of adding a 65th St. /Hwy 52 ramp.
- Speed control is still an issue for 55th St. Estates. Solutions they are looking at are speed bumps or tables, or a pedestrian path with easements.
- Developments that were approved by the City Zoning and Planning Board are a new Think Credit Union on Circle Drive next to the existing Credit Union building and a new Menards on the land North of 65th St. and West of Hwy 52.
- A new elementary school will probably be built in 2008-9.
Watch this blog for more details on traffic/development details, for fundraising ideas, and for the upcoming garage sale in May.
-Bonnie Lodermeier