Minutes for November 16, 1998
Beat 22X Dimond Park SubcommitteeAttendance: Traci Corcran- OPD, Keona Savage- Ranger, Tim Chapman, Meg Bowerman, Elaine Danforth-Glenview NCPC , Matthias Grabiak- Glenview NCPC, Niccolo Deluca Council Aide-, Jim Hill, Mark Zinns- Park Director, Karen Schroeder-DIA, Luqman- Community Activist.
Meeting called to order 7:15 at Dimond Library 3565 Fruitvale.
The group would like Tony Acosta to attended the next meeting which is scheduled for December 9th at 7:30 , Dimond Library.
Niccolo began the meeting informing the group of the Public Safety Council meeting December 15th at 3:00pm at City Hall Hearing room #2. This meeting will be dealing with the proposed Park Permit process. He encouraged the community to come to raise issues to the Public Safety Council.
Jim Hill asked Niccolo to get the group on the agenda rather than having the group show up to report on open forum. Niccolo promised to look into the option of the group getting on the agenda.
Meg Bowerman indicated that she could not take responsibility of being chair of Dimond Park Sub committee, but would be happy to be phone tree organizer. Traci Corcran-OPD asked if anyone in the room would be interested in the position of chair, it was suggested by Mark Zinns that someone should contact Malcolm Higdon and ask him if he would consider the role. Traci Corcran indicated that she would contact Malcolm and ask for his participation.
Jim Hill informed the group that OPD has not begun the process of suing AWOL records, for the destruction to the neighborhood June 27th, and that AWOL records did not put correct information on the permit and is unable to be found at this time.
The group began to discuss what they felt were the main issues in Dimond Park. Alcohol in the park has been a consistent problem. The group wanted to know how it could enforce 0 tolerance for drinking in Dimond Park. The group also expressed concern for hot coal receptacles, and a path that would allow for owners to walk dogs through Dimond park without getting ticketed. There was an overall concern for tension surrounding diversity in the park and how to deal with it as well as improving the lighting in the park.
Keona Savage reported on the overall condition of the park. She explained that staffing for the rangers is at an all time low. 8 rangers to police 100 parks in Oakland. She also stated that during the day there are usually 2-4 ranges on duty while in the evening usually 2. Enforcement of the 0 tolerance alcohol rule was enforced but unfortunately there weren’t enough rangers to just sit in the park and ensure that the rule was followed continually.
Tim Chapman suggested that we eliminate rules that don’t make much sense and push harder to enforce the rules that are most important and sensible. Tim also suggested that one of the number one goals the group should advocate for is more staffing.
Mark Zinns spoke in detail about the Permit process and what he would like to see happen. He indicated he was open to suggestions. He explained to the group the dynamics of the Park and how it was a very “positive” thing to have large groups in the park on the weekends. Stating it makes the park a nice place to be. He explained reconfiguring the picnic areas would only invite smaller, negative influences into the park. Currently the areas are mostly used by church groups and large family gatherings who have responsibly used the park for years.
The group began to brainstorm on more positive ways to use the park, suggesting that perhaps the group should host a “Diversity Celebration” in the summer time. Allowing youth and residents an opportunity to see how much we appreciate the park and how it should be utilized and enjoyed by all. It was also suggested that the group host a Greek step show to entice neighborhood teens into the celebration. It was indicated by Keona Savage that some police officers are involved in Greek fraternities and may be able to help with this portion of the celebration.
Tim Chapman volunteered to produce a leaflet indicating the importance for attendance at the Public Safety Council meeting , December 15th. Meg Bowerman indicated that she would help him distribute the leaflets. Traci Corcran was asked if she could contact all NCPC‘s that were neighboring parks and ask for their participation to form a coalition of residents that live near parks.