Councilman Bob Barr hosted a 4th Ward meeting on Saturday. He was joined by Councilman Keith Hartzell and Council President Pete Madden. Also in attendance were Councilman Antwan McClellan and Councilman Mike DeVlieger. The 4th Ward includes the area from the south side of 26th Street to the south end of the island at 59th Street. The ward also includes the Ocean Reef neighborhood off Tennessee Avenue.
About 30 people came out and participated in lively discussion. The majority of the free flowing meeting focused was on flooding matters and traffic related complaints. That said, the meeting covered a broad spectrum of topics including: standing water; mosquito ditches; commercial trucks driving in residential neighborhoods; long term flood plans; drainage issues; tickets for wrong way parking; a request for parking signs; street sweeping schedules; feeding foxes; 4 way stop signs requested; road rating and paving; alley paving; Roosevelt Blvd paving; bikers not following the rules of the road; the cross-walk law; Christmas lights; a request for a new Fire House; a request for improvements to the 34th Street Welcome Center; concern about the bike lane being used as a right turn lane; and a request for dog poop regulation signs between 47th-52ND on Haven.
Councilman Barr fielded all the questions and/or topics that were offered by the attendees. Many of the topics were able to be addressed on the spot, but a list of follow-up items were tallied. The mode was cordial and productive.
