MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE 19th JUNE 2024

MINUTES FOR THE MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE

NEW KILLARNEY-RIVIERA ASSOCIATION

HELD VIRTUALLY OVER THE INTERNET

ON WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2024 at 18H30

PRESENT:     Wayne Ford (Killarney Village); Johan Marnewick (Whitehall Court); Raj Parekh (Whitehall Court); David Spencer (Brenthurst Court); Vinod Rowjee (external); Trish Terry (Gleneagles); Lindi Metz (Killarney Park).

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1. WELCOME

• Wayne opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees.

2.  APOLOGIES RECEIVED

• Charles Whyte (Beverley Heights); Sanjay Lala (Sloan Square).

3. DISCUSSION OF TIME CONSTRAINT

• We will try to keep the meeting to one hour if possible.

4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES, AND MATTERS ARISING

• The minutes of the previous meeting have been circulated to all attendees, and have been approved by them. The details thereof were incorporated into the monthly newsletter.

5.  STATUS OF OUR SUBURB, AND LIST OF ISSUES REQUIRING ACTION

• Street and pavement repairs: We continue to update the issues register. We must finalise this soon, so that we can undertake the pothole and pavement repair project before the rains begin. We must however do the asphalt work when it is a bit warmer, because the asphalt doesn’t work properly if it cools down on the truck.  We will do the brick-paved areas separately. We will continue to ask the municipality to repair 2^nd Avenue in particular, where the surface damage is severe and extensive. If anybody is a Discovery customer, please continue to call the Discovery Pothole Patrol to help as well – particularly in the main roads where we will struggle to do repairs because of the traffic.
• New community upliftment initiative: Johan arranged for Themba to clean up the pavement on the corner of Anerley Road, where the fallen tree caused a lot of damage. Clinton from Biarritz arranged to pull the steel fence back upright, and he arranged his gardener to repaint the steel fence as well. This corner is now looking very much better!
• We need to maintain momentum on this initiative, which will require additional donations. Johan will investigate getting a QR Code or SnapScan code to make it easier for people to donate to this project.
• The next community project will be to clean the embankment alongside 7^th Street and Newtown Avenue. We will seek out sponsors for this project. We should also try to arrange banners and flags, so as to create a visible presence to attract the attention of other community members and to encourage them to join in. Johan undertook to obtain a banner, and we will speak to estate agents as well. Banners with NKRA branding would be great, but any banners on the day will be useful in creating a spectacle.
• Thereafter we will attempt to repair the concrete security fence along that embankment. Quotes are being researched.
• Security cameras in 1^st Street: We need to get additional cameras into 1^st Street, to monitor and record the drug selling and other illegal activity. The NKRA PZT camera in 1^st Street at Daventry Court cannot record the illegal activity at the corner with 2^nd Avenue, because there are too many trees and other obstructions. It was suggested for the NKRA to purchase another PZT camera, and to mount it on the Killarney Court and Gardens building, where the awning over the front door extends far across the pavement. RCS are confident that those guards will be able to operate the camera. More research is needed on the technicalities of this idea, and the probable costs involved.
• Illegal hawkers and drinking on pavements: The trustees of Brenthurst Court and Dukes Court are considering hiring pavement guards from Vision Tactical, each with a little wooden guardhouse and a floodlight and a camera, for the corner of Killarney Avenue and 2^nd Street, plus the corner of Killarney Avenue and 1^st Street. The idea is to deter illegal activity, and to provide additional security for the passing residents and motorists.
• Dead pavement trees: The big dead tree on the corner of 7^th Street and Anerley Road has been removed by the municipality. We still need for the municipality to deal with the dead tree in 5^th Street corner 2^nd Avenue, and the several large dead trees on the motorway embankment near the 4^th Avenue traffic circle.
• Repainting street names on kerbs: We are still seeking a reliable and affordable painter.
• Security: In addition to the drug sellers and drunken loiterers, we still have issues with phone snatchers. All buildings are encouraged to continue warning their residents and visitors of this risk, especially people who are waiting outside for an Uber.
• Killarney Mall refurbishment progress: We have not received any further information on this – the directors of the company which owns the Mall have not yet reached a decision. It was agreed that this is massively frustrating. We continue to push the Mall management for plans and for progress, as this illegal taxi rank is a serious factor in undermining our suburb. However, the municipality has agreed to wait for the refurbishment project.
• A physical inspection was conducted around Killarney to gather information about missing manhole covers. The outcome has been reported to the municipality. Research is now being done to identify a practical and affordable solution. Custom-fitted composite covers seem to be the best bet so far.

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The meeting was closed at 19h35, with thanks to all who participated.

Our next meeting will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2024 AT 18H30

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PLEASE PASS ON THESE MINUTES TO OTHER RESIDENTS IN YOUR BUILDINGS

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City emergency hotline on 011 375 5911

SAPS patrol van – 071 675 6001

If you get no response from the patrol van, please call 10111

Councillor Huggett – by SMS or WhatsApp – 071 785 8068

JMPD call centre hotline number – 080 872 3342

JMPD Control Room – 011 758 9620

JMPD number to report Homeless People camping in the vicinity – 011 490 1538

JMPD number to report Illegal Dumping – 011 490 1684

JMPD number to report Noise Pollution – 011 718 9684

JMPD number to report Illegal Advertising – 011 490 1547

JMPD number to report Illegal Trading – 011 490 1744

JMPD number to report other By-Law issues – 011 490 1684