MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE 15th NOVEMBER 2023

MINUTES FOR THE MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE

NEW KILLARNEY-RIVIERA ASSOCIATION

HELD VIRTUALLY OVER THE INTERNET

ON WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2023 at 18H30

PRESENT:     Wayne Ford (Killarney Village); Charles Whyte (Beverley Heights); Farzana Hoosen (Park Avenue); Trish Terry (Gleneagles).

1. WELCOME

• Wayne opened the meeting, and welcomed all attendees.

2.  APOLOGIES RECEIVED

• Kim Robinson (Killarney Hills); Paul Dijon (Hampshire Mews).

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

• Squatters camping on the motorway embankment and golf course pavement: This is a by-law enforcement issue, and only JMPD can fix it. The SAPS have also been alerted to the problem, as has the ward councillor. The JMPD gives priority to the issues with the highest volumes of reports, so we all need to continually report these issues when we notice them. Please include photos with your reports when you can, and please ensure that you get a reference number.
• The same applies to illegal hawking, illegal street drinking, and public disturbances generally. We need to continually report these issues when we notice them, include photos with your reports when you can, and please ensure that you get a reference number. The JMPD contact numbers are included at the end of these minutes, and in all the NKRA newsletters.
• We have commenced the project to add a security camera to watch over the 7^th Street car park area. This camera will be included into the existing camera system at Castlerosse, which is monitored by RCS Security. This will cost about R3,300, and the project was approved at the October meeting. The camera should be operating before the Christmas festivities begin.
• It was noted that our damaged NKRA PZT security camera at Daventry Court in 1^st Street has been successfully repaired after all. It was discussed to reinstall it on an extended bracket, reaching out a bit further over the street, so that its zoom function can be utilised to also monitor the activities on the 1^st Street pavements further east toward the Mall.
• The proposed street cleaner project for the 7^th Street car park area and pavement was approved at the October meeting. It had been agreed to ask RCS to consider reducing the quoted rate a bit, but RCS has responded that it would be unviable to reduce the daily rate below R380 per day. The meeting again agreed to accept this rate. It was also agreed to undertake two or three days of cleaning as soon as possible, to remove the backlog of litter and make the area properly clean. Thereafter we will switch to one day per week for on-going maintenance – perhaps a Friday or Monday. It was agreed to persist with this approach over the Christmas period, when we anticipate that littering will be extra severe, and when a lot of visitors will be passing through Killarney. We will reassess and reconsider the project at the January meeting.
• The risk of cell-phone snatching on pavements will also get worse over the Christmas period. We need for all buildings to post constant reminders to all persons. It would be especially valuable if buildings could have a security guard stand with people out on the pavement while they wait for their ride, although this might be impractical for some buildings.
• The SAPS has been reminded regularly about the drinking on our pavements, and a raid took place in 1^st Street recently with some alcohol being confiscated. However we need an on-going JMPD involvement to resolve this problem, so please continue to call the JMPD every time this happens.
• It was noted that a number of these party attendees are from outside of Killarney, who come here to party on our pavements because it is known to be a good place to socialise. However the bulk of the party-goers are Killarney residents. These people are often employees of buildings, who live in tiny rooms where no socialising is possible, or even allowed. Most buildings do not allow the staff members to use the common-property entertainment facilities either, so they socialise on the pavements instead.
• It was also noted that the street parties at the western end of 1^st Street were largely attended by residents living in over-crowded conditions in the buildings of Hyde Court and Lhenveolan. Once that issue was addressed by those two buildings, the street parties in that vicinity effectively ceased to be a problem.
• It was noted that the street parties in 1^st Street sometimes happen in the darker areas, and that extra lighting might be a useful deterrent to illegal behaviour. This will also make the cameras more effective. The buildings in 1^st Street are urged to instal extra floodlights, if they have not already done so. Modern solar LED floodlights are very effective, and they are also increasingly affordable.
• There has been no decision yet from the Mall on moving the taxi rank.
• Although St John’s Wood in 2^nd Street have not yet completed their new borehole, it was noted that borehole water in Killarney is probably not safe to drink, and that the quality of this water can fluctuate quite quickly if fresh contamination is introduced into the water table. It is advised that buildings with boreholes should put warning signs on all taps linked to borehole water, to avoid people drinking contaminated water inadvertently. It was also noted that boiling the water will kill any bacteria that may be present, but that boiling the water will not necessarily remove all chemical contaminants. It was recommended that buildings consider installing Jojo tanks on common property where possible, filled with clean municipal tap water, to provide an emergency back-up supply of safe water.

6.  NEW ISSUES

• It was noted that the Riviera Road street lights have finally been fixed. This is particularly important because of the heavy pedestrian traffic on that pavement, and the many missing manhole covers which make that pavement very dangerous at night.
• The municipality has also recently repainted the kerbs and road markings around the corner of Oxford Road and Riviera Road.
• The parked Ubers in 3^rd Street can be noisy, and sometimes cause a disturbance. It is legal for them to park there, same as any other motorist, but causing a disturbance is not legal. Once again, the only remedy is to report this to JMPD for action. If you can get photos or video evidence, clearly identifying the cars concerned, then emailing the Uber head office might also help.

The meeting was closed at 19h43, with thanks to all who participated.

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This is the last NKRA meeting of the year. Our next meeting will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY 2024 AT 18H30

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PLEASE PASS ON THESE MINUTES TO OTHER RESIDENTS IN YOUR BUILDINGS

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