MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE 24th MAY 2023

MINUTES FOR THE MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE

NEW KILLARNEY-RIVIERA ASSOCIATION

HELD VIRTUALLY OVER THE INTERNET

ON WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2023 at 18H30

PRESENT:        Wayne Ford (Killarney Village); Charles Whyte (Beverley Heights and Daventry Court); Leon Mare (Castlerosse); Eleanor Huggett (Ward councillor Ward 73); T. Bell (resident).

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1. WELCOME

• Wayne opened the meeting, and welcomed all attendees.

2.  APOLOGIES RECEIVED

• Kim Robinson (Killarney Hills).

3. DISCUSSION OF TIME CONSTRAINT

• Although we currently have no load-shedding in progress, we will still try to keep the meeting to one hour if possible.

4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES, AND MATTERS ARISING

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

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

• Pavement and pothole repairs – as has been reported already in the most recent monthly newsletter, the NKRA patched the pavements that were dug up but never repaired in 2^nd Ave, in 1^st Street, in 3^rd Street, and in 8^th Street corner Newtown Road. At the same time we also repaired serious holes in four places in 7^th Street and 8^th Street, although that required an extra truck and a half of hot asphalt-mix. The total cost of the project was R93,000.
• By chance the Discovery Pothole Patrol was active in Killarney at the same time, and we had some discussions with their people on site. They explained their processes, and their work schedule in Killarney. They were only repairing potholes in the street, not pavements or major excavations, because their equipment cannot cope with deep holes. However they have done a lot of good work for us, and we hope they will do a lot more in future as well. Please continue to report issues of damaged roads to the Discovery Pothole Patrol.
• Overgrown pavements in 7^th Street – as has been reported already in the most recent monthly newsletter, the NKRA hired a service provider to clear the rubbish, rubble and huge overgrown weeds on that pavement. The pavement is not perfectly clean now, but it certainly is very much better than before. The original quote was for R8,250, but we only had to pay R6,348 as they only used two skips to clear the waste rather than the anticipated three skips.
• Cleaning the park – over time a large pile of fallen branches and other garden refuse had accumulated. This was removed at a cost of R1,850.
• The illegal taxi rank in 1^st Street has been a bit more quiet of late, perhaps due in part to the actions of the SAPS, and perhaps in part due to the current cold weather. It was again explained that the Mall is undertaking a major renovation project which will incorporate a taxi facility on the Mall premises, but that no timelines have yet been agreed. They have assured us that the community will be consulted before these plans are finalised.
• Phone snatching on the pavements is still a problem. Residents are reminded not to display cell-phones on the pavements, so as to avoid being targeted by robbers.
• At the previous meeting it was proposed to launch a lawsuit against the municipality to compel them to enforce the by-laws. An advocate in Killarney has offered to lead this process pro bono on behalf of the community, but we also need an attorney to volunteer to undertake the attorney-level activities. In the previous newsletter we asked attorneys who live in Killarney to volunteer, but so far we have had no response. If we succeed in getting an order for the municipality to actually do its job, it will be a valuable precedent for all of South Africa.
• It was noted that the class-action lawsuit against the municipality to correct the serious over-billing of sewerage costs, is still proceeding at a glacial pace.
• The two Martin buildings have been auctioned, and large bids were received for both buildings. However Dr Martin has not accepted any of these offers. The agents are continuing to seek buyers for both buildings.
• The NKRA gardener in the park is also addressing weeds on the pavements and traffic islands in 4^th Avenue. In the next few days he will give attention to the weeds on the bridge in 4^th Avenue as well. Winter is now upon us, and hopefully the weeds will not grow back again until spring

• 6.  GENERAL

• The Killarney Mall has approached us to do a joint project for Mandela Day on 18 July, when Nelson Mandela’s birthday is traditionally celebrated by citizens performing 67 minutes of volunteer community service. Please let us know if you have any specific suggestions for celebrating this occasion as a community?

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The meeting was closed at 19h07, with thanks to all who participated.

Our next public meeting will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2023 AT 18H30

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PLEASE PASS ON THESE MINUTES TO OTHER RESIDENTS IN YOUR BUILDINGS

JMPD call centre hotline number – 080 872 3342

JMPD Control Room – 011 758 9620

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