Minutes from Bon Air Neighborhood Association's September 30, 2019 meeting

The following are the minutes from BANA's September 30,2019 meeting.  Our next board meeting, which is open to the public is tomorrow night, October 14, 2019, 6:30 at the Bon Air Library. 

BON AIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (BANA), Inc. 

“5th Monday” Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

September 30, 2019, 6:30pm

Buechel Park Baptist Church

Attendees — 36 people named on Sign-In sheet

Meeting called to order about 6:30pm by President David Houvenagle.  Senior Pastor Erica Whitaker was introduced & she welcomed all during her remarks.

Minutes of Aug 12 & Sep 9 — Copies available for distribution by Secretary Lois Judd; also made available via email & social media postings prior to Sep 30 mtg.  One Sep 9 typo noted (Lisbon Ln misspelled); motion made, seconded & approved to accept minutes with no other corrections.

Treasurer’s Report — Charlaine Reynolds explained what $20 annual dues help cover (liability insurance, signs, PO Box, etc.) & noted that dues paid now will cover calendar year 2020 per 2019 By-Laws revisions.

Report by President David Houvenagle — 

• Commented on trend of decline in the neighborhood as businesses moved out of Bon Air Manor shopping center; spoke about “new urbanism” strategy to improve public areas & privately-owned neighborhood areas like the shopping center & to link to larger surrounding Metro economy; neighborhood needs to continue to improve
• Arts development strategy includes an art hall at the library, statuary & sculptures in the area, & stage at Farnsley Park; stage to be used for both community performances & private groups; to be funded through public-private partnerships; Q&A followed
• Jeff Noble, Legislative Liaison to Brent Ackerson, spoke about 2 meetings with Metro Parks who wants to work with current building on site & focus on Wedgewood Way entrance to park; wants stage be part of current building & not a separate structure; wants to improve restrooms & concession stands; soccer program currently rents space/field with a lease & currently uses field; parking would be on surrounding streets just as for Shakespeare in Central Park

Metro Councilman Brent Ackerson, District 26 —

• Accessible sidewalks & purpose of Farnsley Park improvements over past 10 yrs has been to attract neighborhood folks & thus deter troublemakers & “bad elements”
• Q&A about sidewalks (new & repairs to existing); garbage collection for constituents on Monday schedule; crosswalk for Liverpool Ln & Paris Dr pedestrians crossing Bardstown Rd to shopping center; car break-ins & lack of street lights (Brent’s discretionary funds helping to pay LMPD for OT officers to help address this problem); state help sought but no money available; introduced KY District 40 State Representative Nima Kulkarni, visitor to meeting; lack of state money to address engineering & synchronization of traffic light issues & continuous complaints (Bashford Manor Ln to Hikes Ln & Shepherdsville Rd to Old Bardstown Rd); one Bon Air resident (an engineer) offered to get statistics & contact appropriate state agencies for follow-up
• Follow-up announcements re: crime — David Cotton spoke about Ring camera’s presence, may lower homeowner’s insurance rate by 5%;  David Houvenagle announced his Bon Air Blog posts crime data among other things 

Block Watch Organization — Introduced Richard Pickren.; coordinating “Leave a Light On” campaign & offered battery-powered LED tea lights to make the point; promoting block watch formation among all area neighborhood associations (Bon Air, Bon Air Estates, Fureen area et al.); wants to bring people together via some event, e.g. a pancake social; can contact him at rpickren83@gmail.com.

LMPD 6th Division Resource Officer George McMillan (& Bon Air resident) — 

• Explained new chapter of Pedestrian Safety Ordinance, with formal enforcement to begin Nov 1; can cite violators if seen.
• Provided updates about recent incidents in the 1900 block of Goldsmith Ln & related shootings on Lisbon Ln & Sharon Circle; recovered shell casings & video available from neighbors helped lead to the arrest of 3 teens (2 of whom were juveniles); a home invasion was a separate incident; otherwise, Bon Air had not had a lot of violent crime.
• Officer McMillan stayed for some time after adjournment to answer questions & talk with neighbors.

Announced availability of copies of membership letter & form to encourage BANA participation; dues $20 per calendar year; monthly meetings held on the 2nd Monday each month at 6:30pm at the Bon Air Library.

Meeting adjourned pre-8pm.