Bellevue Civic Association General Meeting
January 22, 2008
Holton Elementary School

Pizza Social - Pizza and drinks served.

Call to Order-Meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. by Roy Reynolds.

A flyer was distributed regarding the Bellevue website, and asking neighbors
to sign up for the Bellevueneighborhood Yahoo Group, for frequent updates
on neighborhood occurrences such as lost pets, suspicious sightings, opinions,
requests for recommendations for workers and the Tradespeople database. 
It is important to check the website frequently.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Elected unanimously: Roy Reynolds, president; Joellen Davis, vice-president;
Pat Vitsky, secretary.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Account total is $7931.79.

$7156.92 in general fund.

$109.93 in Arch Fund.

$664.94 in Security Patrol Fund.
 

There are about 250 paying households at time report was prepared, but more

dues were received at the meeting.  Under 25% of Bellevue households are

BCA members. The increase in paying households is a result of an invoice that

was mailed for 2008 dues, including a form to indicate area of interest in

participating in the Association.
 

Dues are $15 per year.
 

In answer to a question, the remaining Arch Fund will be used for landscaping,

clean up and maintenance.

NEWSLETTER DELIVERY:

Roy Reynolds described his frustration with trying to get the last issue of the
Newsletter mailed at the Post Office, which resulted in hand delivery. 
He thanked all those neighbors who  assisted with the distribution.

GUEST SPEAKER:

Lt. Tim Morley with the Richmond City Police oversees sector 412, which
includes the Bellevue neighborhood.  He invited everyone to sign up for
the e-newsletter, which can  be found under
Richmond City/Police/Organization/Sector 412.

Crime Report -

Lt. Morley thanked resident for helping to make Bellevue one of the
safest areas in his sector.

Lt. Morley reminded everyone to put belongings into car trunks -
“out of sight, out of mind”.

He commented that there have been commercial burglaries this year,
and that he was working on those.  

He also mentioned that copper pipe theft was a problem in many areas,
and was a spreading issue.  Because of a suspicious neighbor who got a license
plate number on a red truck (that was mentioned in a Bellevue newsgroup
message), the truck was found and two arrests have been made.  Citizens
are asked to keep an eye on empty houses, if owner is away or if the house
is for sale.  Any questionable behavior or strange vehicles should be reported,
even if it looks like work is being done on the property – the police will check
it out.  If you are watching downspouts  being removed, call 911.  If it already
happened, call the non-emergency number 646-5100.  If you are dissatisfied
with the reaction you receive on the non-emergency number, call Lt. Morley
at 646-4189.

Lt. Morley described the CAPS (Citizen Assisted Public Safety) program and
why it is an important tool in keeping neighborhoods safe.  The program enables
several agencies to work together to correct potential problems by focusing on
“environmental” issues: abandoned cars, uncut lawns, over-occupancy, vermin,
noise, rundown property.  When these issues are reported, the appropriate
agency will visit and take legal measures if necessary.

In answer to a question, speeding in the neighborhood was discussed.  Two
officers are being trained on new radar equipment, which will soon be used in
Bellevue.  One neighbor mentioned the intersection of Fauquier and Bellevue
where cars frequently do not obey the stop signs. 

A 4th district precinct, now located at 107 S. 5th St., is moving to
Chamberlayne Avenue by October of this year.  The Laburnum office
houses Specialty operations, events, K9, etc.

One neighbor, a realtor, reported that thieves are also taking condensers
and heat pumps.

Lt. Morley, in answer to a question, said that officers will ticket pedestrians
illegally crossing streets.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Garden Walk – Susan Murphy confirmed the Sunday, June 8 date for the
Garden Walk.  If anyone would like to be on the committee, have his or
her garden shown, or recommend a garden, please contact her.

Security Patrol – Could use more volunteers, very little time involved and
can match volunteers with partners. More Block Watch captains are needed.

Education Committee – Needs a chairperson to coordinate and call meetings.

Neighborhood Clean-up – Eric Gregory has volunteered to serve as chairperson.

Newsletter Committee – Will be meeting to review and adjust schedule. 
Advertisers will be notified of due dates.  More articles are needed.

Joellen Davis will reply to all of those who expressed interest in committee
activities when sending in their dues.

GUEST SPEAKER: 

Chris Hilbert, Richmond City Councilman, discussed his involvement on
several committees, and regarding the School Board, he plans to learn
where money was spent and who authorized it.  Another budget meeting
is scheduled for Saturday. He mentioned the move to Chamberlayne of the
police station. Also, the green standard bill for school buildings shows
that SOL scores are up in the greener buildings.  90 new police officers
have been added to the force, which he believes is a good investment. 
Since he’s been on Council, murders have been reduced in the city from
94 to 50.

Assessments are coming soon, and Councilman Hilbert said he would strive
to keep them budget neutral.  If anyone has a problem or needs answers,
his phone number is 646-5400.  His assistant is Lisa Townes at 646-6055.

District meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
and everyone is invited to attend.

Other items of interest:

·        Council terms extend to 4 years, beginning with the next election.

·        Richmond will possibly have a new baseball team.

·        The Coliseum needs to be updated.  VCU has expressed interest in
        the land, and there has been discussion regarding a land swap.

·        A big loss to Richmond was the swim facility.

·        Storm Water Utility Fee: Commercial & Residential.  This fee will
        not go into the general fund, but be reserved only for infrastructure
        needs.  Fee may be based on impervious square feet of property. 
        Fee will be included in the city’s budget proposal.

·        Alley upkeep is the responsibility of the resident – to the middle of
        the alley.  City takes care of gravel and some foliage.

NEW BUSINESS:

Roy Reynolds commented on the need for Newsletter articles and the need
for more BCA members (only ¼ of the 1105 Bellevue homeowners are members). 
Sammy’s Bakery has closed, and Tastebuds is interested in the space for a
sit-down restaurant.

David Lydiard noted that the national real estate news does not reflect
what is going on in the Bellevue area, which is much healthier.  When crime
is down, values go up.  In 2006 there were 81 home sales; in 2007, 64 were
sold.  David described the new Classified section on his website.  There is no
charge to list house items, such as doors, knobs, lighting, etc.  He also
mentioned that he is getting more radiator keys, and there is no cost.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

IN ATTENDANCE:             

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