MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE 17th JANUARY 2024

MINUTES FOR THE MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE

NEW KILLARNEY-RIVIERA ASSOCIATION

HELD VIRTUALLY OVER THE INTERNET

ON WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY 2024 at 18H30

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PRESENT:        Wayne Ford (Killarney Village); Charles Whyte (Beverley Heights); Leon Mare (Castlerosse); Muhammed Lokhat (The Riviera).

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1. WELCOME

• Wayne opened the meeting, and welcomed the attendees.

2.  APOLOGIES RECEIVED

• None.

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 are still camping on the motorway embankment. There is now also an increasing problem with people squatting on the Oxford Road pavement at the corner of Riviera Road, outside the office of the Nelson Mandela Childrens’ Fund.
• RCS Security have approached the SAPS about the various squatters, and have been told that the main problem is still the shortage of alternative accommodation for the many homeless people who are constantly flooding into Johannesburg. However the SAPS have undertaken to intervene when dangerous activity is noted. We need to report these problems using photographs, so as to illustrate how bad things have become at this intersection.
• It was suggested to approach Home Affairs about these homeless people as well, in case some of them are in the country illegally.
• The project to add a security camera to watch over the 7^th Street car-park area has been completed. The camera has a zoom function, and it does record footage on site. The invoice for the installation is R2303, and the meeting approved the payment. Leon is researching creating an internet connection to allow us to monitor the camera remotely.
• There is concern about the dangerous intersection at the corner of Riviera Road and Oxford Road. Traffic speeds along Oxford Road to beat the lights, often driving through on a red light. The road has a substantial bend in it at that intersection, which not all drivers know about, and serious accidents have happened here.
• Pedestrians who cross half-way and then wait on the traffic island for the next round of lights, are very vulnerable to fast-moving vehicles which might misjudge the curve. It was suggested to ask for concrete traffic bollards on the islands, to protect the pedestrians to an extent. It would also help to attach reflective signage on these bollards to warn drivers of the bend in the road – especially at night.
• It was proposed to ask the Council to install a traffic circle at the intersection, to slow down the speeding traffic that tries to jump the red light. It was also suggested to ask for camera traps for drivers jumping the red light, as that would probably provide more deterrence than an occasional JMPD cop. It was also suggested to ask for the construction of a slip-road for cars turning left from Riviera Road south into Oxford Road, to facilitate traffic flow and reduce frustration. Charles will speak to the ward councillor about this on our behalf.
• Charles will also speak with the principal of the Saxonwold Primary School, about any other issues and potential solutions.
• The RCS street-cleaner project for the 7^th Street car-park area and pavement has been completed. The meeting approved the payment of the invoice, for R4370 for 10 days of cleaning work. We will need a sponsor if we are going to continue, but it was agreed that we might need to ask RCS for an occasional one-day project from time to time, if there is serious dumping etc. It was suggested to add additional dustbins in this area, after most of the concrete bins were smashed. Some research into the options is needed.
• Charles will ask the ward councillor for specific guidance and direction on the residents perhaps purchasing that piece of land, and about perhaps getting official “no-hawking” signs installed there as well.
• The risk of cell-phone snatching on pavements continues, and all buildings need to repeatedly warn their residents and visitors of this risk. There is also the risk of cat burglars, who have an amazing ability to climb over impossible fences, who can climb up buildings to unprotected windows and balconies on high floors, and who seem to be impervious to razor wire. We all need to take extra precautions, even if we live on high floors.

6.  NEW ISSUES

• Various dead trees have been reported, including one on the motorway embankment at the top of 4^th Avenue. This tree poses a danger to motorists if it falls onto the motorway. Crumbling branches are blocking the 4^th Avenue pavement, and they pose a substantial risk to pedestrians – particularly at night.
• The pipe repair on the bridge in 4^th Avenue also remains unfinished and dangerous, after many months and many requests for service. This is exactly opposite to the dead tree, so the pavement on both sides of that road are a risky area for pedestrians.
• The “new” municipal water meter on the pavement of Daventry Court in Riviera Road has not been completed, after many months. It also poses a serious hazard to pedestrians.
• The road repairs outside PPS in Anerley Road have finally been refilled. However the surface has not yet been tarred over. The intense rain of recent weeks is washing the soil out of the holes, leaving a dangerous excavation once again.
• 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 requested to paint high-visibility murals on the walls of the Mall parking garage around the library entrance. The Mall manager has promised to take this up with her board.

The meeting was closed at 19h41, with thanks to all who participated.

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Our next meeting will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2024 AT 18H30

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