- Joy started the meeting
- Sgt. McWhirter provided the police report
- Traffic is an issue with speeding especially on Meadow
- 2 aggressive assaults occurred in the area by known offenders (neighbor dispute)
- He reminded neighbors to lock your car doors and not leave Amazon packages out on the front steps for quick and easy theft
- Colette McEachin, Commonwealth Attorney came to introduce herself and provide her personal background
- Amy Robins provided the 5th district report on behalf of Stephanie Lynch
- Texas Beach Bridge repair – expect 3-5 years before reopening
- Leaf collection and street cleaning updates – street cleaning occurs twice a year and leaf collection takes place upon request.
- Infrastructure – sidewalks are coming and a diagram will be shared to show where repairs will be done
- 5th District Holiday Party is December 15 from 5:30 – 8
- Maymont Happenings
- December 2 & 3 – Merry Market
- Bring leaves to the community garden!
- December 3 from 1pm – 3pm will be a community garden workday
- Reminder to decorate your block with Christmas bows – the Civic League will reimburse neighbors for costs
- Our neighbor Jan is looking to create a neighborhood directory – more details to come in 2023
- Compost bins are in Randolph Park – it is a great place to take your compost
- Tax relief/rebate information is also being sent out to neighbors so be on the lookout if that is applicable to you or contact Stephanie Lynch/Amy Robins for more information
- Joy started the meeting and introduced the Board (Joy Rogers, President; Justin Patterson, Treasurer; Leah Hopper, Secretary; Mark Brandon, Community Liason)
- 31 neighbors and guests were in attendance
- Bill Shanabruch of Reedy Creek Environmental LLC was a guest speaker who discussed native plants
- Native plants – before European arrival
- Invasive plants are plants that disrupt the native ecosystem
- Mistaken Identity was a recommended read
- He discussed where to plant native plants and encouraged the neighborhood to volunteer with the Invasive Species Task Force to learn how to identify and remove invasive species
- He discussed the importance of native planting
- Marc Wagner and Joanna Knight of the Department of Historic Resources shared with the neighborhood that we are qualified for the honorary designation of being registered on the National Register Historic District. This designation is just an honor, there are no restrictions as part of this honor.
- Neighbor Kirk Mullican submitted the application and it succeeded Board review and can move on to the formal approval process if the neighborhood agrees.
- Next steps include the formal application and architectural survey. The City may have funds available to assist with this and the VDHR has a grant program.
- Erin and Max of Dominion Energy discussed the Strategic Underground Program which is proposed for parts of Georgia Avenue. They are asking for a 15′ easement and they were available to explain the project in further detail and answer neighbor questions and address concerns.
- Concerns included sizes of yards, the large boxes required for every 3-4 homes, among other process concerns
- Parke Richeson of Maymont reported on Maymont reported that since our last meeting in March, 5,200 mansion tours have taken place, the nature center has seen 9,800 visitors, and 1800 students for educational programs (500 of which were Title 1 students)
- Mutts at Maymont is coming on June 18
- Music at Maymont kicks off on June 9 (Guster & the Wood Brothers)
- The neighborhood voted unanimously to consider participation in National Night Out on August 2
- The neighborhood also voted unanimously to consider hosting a “Maymont Mile” to raise funds for a playground near the skatepark.
- REMINDERS: We are always looking for flyer deliverers before meetings and neighborhood walk and talks take place every Wednesday at 7pm (meet on the corner of Greenville and Pennslyvania)
- The Civic League Board is looking for a Vice President
- Betsy Carr gave her General Assembly report:
- The General Assembly met on Wednesday online
- Her priorities this session include: healthcare, criminal justice, improving VEC, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recommendations, No Child Left Behind, environmental education, and speeding
- They will be adopting a budget this session
- If anyone is interested in meeting with Betsy, a meeting via Zoom or in person can be setup
- Amy Robins gave her report on behalf of Stephanie Lynch for the 5th District:
- Snail mail flyer with Council meeting dates is coming soon
- Elderly and disabled tax relief applications are now open
- Neighborhood announcements:
- A new, more collaborative Facebook group has been created “Maymont Civic League”
- Leaf removal is coming (no further information)
- The North Bank Trail fence may need repair – the James River Park Service will check out
- A historic district designation update will be coming in March or May
- Finally in person! Meeting held at 1000 Westover Rd. location
- Joy Rogers, President, started the meeting at 7:10 with 19 neighbors present and 6 guest.
- Joy reminded attendees that membership is $10 per household and that membership dues go towards scholarships for neighborhood graduates, block parties, and food bank donations
- Weekly Wednesday Walks begin March 30
- Neighbors meet at the corner of Pennsylvania and Greenville
- Kids and pets are welcome!
- Lt. Naroz gave his police report
- There has been a slight increase in violent crimes
- Across the precinct, there have been 36 crimes this year as compared to the same time period in 2021.
- Property crimes are up more significantly
- 462 in 2022 compared to 397 in 2021
- Hondas, Prius, church vans are particularly targeted for vehicle theft
- Amy Robins gave her 5th District report on behalf of Stephanie Lynch
- Byrd Park is supposed to be paved in early April
- Neighbors were notified about elderly and disabled tax relief and warned against scam notices
- Budget season is coming – details on what items are in the CIP are coming
- Bike lanes are coming to Allen, Harrison/Colorado (protected)
- April 27 at 6pm is the 5th District Town Hall
- Reminder to use the RVA 311 app to report issues to the City
- Street cleaning is TBD
- Sidewalk project is still on hold
- Betsy Carr gave her report on the outcome from the most recent General Assembly session
- She discussed an excessive noise bill that passed.
- No budget was approved so the members will have to come back together for a special session.
- Parke Richeson of Maymont reported to the neighborhood
- 850,000 visitors
- The Mansion is reopened with an expanded historical story – reintrepretation
- Stone Barn renovations are underway
- Baby animals are coming! 2 fainting goats and 3 lambs and ewes.
- Herbs Galore – April 30
- Dominion Easter – April 16
- Summer Kick Off – May 6
- Mutts at Maymont – May 21 and June 18
- Beer and Wine Classic – June 11
- April 30 is also Arts in the Park
- The meeting concluded and neighbors mingled afterwards – excited to be able to meet in person.
Richmond, Virginia
