ARCHCOM – PAUL HIGGINS
– Archcom meeting was held on Wednesday 07 02 2024 attended by Gordon Hart, Ulf Martz and Paul Higgins.
– One new plan was submitted and approved.
– Two “no objection to departures” together with four standards issues were dealt with.
WATERWAYS – RALPH RICHARDS
17th January 2024 – 17th February
Zandvlei Mouth
Opened 8 Feb, closed 13 Feb, opening 7 Mar, closing 14 Mar, opening 4 Apr.
Progress of New Weed Harvester
Scheduled to be taken out of the water on 21 Feb for the fitting of the new paddle wheels and a follow-up SAMSA survey. Back in the water by 24 Feb. The only outstanding item is the installation of the aft motors, anticipated for the first week of March. In the meantime, the Shoveler was in operation in Southern channels on the 15 & 16 Feb
Kingfisher 0peration
Sighted in Northern channels 18, 25, 30, 31 Jan & 1, 2, 5 Feb.
Sighted in Southern channels 23, 24 Jan & 7, 8, 12, 16 Feb.
Dredging
According to Reserve Manager to start before the winter.
Litter Collection at Nets and Grids in Sand River
2 Trailers on 29 Jan, 1 ½ trailers on 31 Jan, 12 bags on 14 Feb of waste were collected.
Sewage Spills
Raapkraal pump station entering Westlake River 26 Jan – minimal to no effect on the Marina.
Water Quality
| Parameter | Average |
| e-coli | No results received from CoCT |
| Chlor0phyll (algae) | |
| Salinity |
Visual observations indicate water quality good, and volumes of floating algae reduced.
Liaison with Stakeholders
Rob MacLean – 2 February
- Made contact and discuss where synergy could be held between MDGA and Park Island Community Improvement District (PICID) and Peninsula Canoe Club (PCC). It was decided that continuous liaison when necessary was the way forward.
- The PCC are making signage to discourage fishing from bridges. It was suggested that the MDGA provide a letter of support for this initiative.
Alister Lee & Abdullah Parker (CoCT Waste) – 5 February -Feedback from Emails
- On a request to provide procedures for litter cleaning of the Sand River canals a mail was forwarded to Songezo Ndevu in the Repair & Maintenance section, who is responsible for the cleaning of the canal. No procedure provided.
- Illegal dumping is on the increase. Abdullah Parker is reaching out to Alfredo Roman, who is the Head for Solid Waste Law Enforcement to assist with managing and hopefully reduce illegal dumping in the Retreat area.
- Songezo responded – the contractor has commenced cleaning the Sand River canal again and they started from Retreat Road, working towards Joe Marks Blvd. Also, will be deploying a Bobcat and a Tyre Wheel Excavator in the bottom of the Sand River from Military Road to Zandvlei. The Cllrs and community leaders need to assist in educating residents about the illegal dumping in canals/rivers as the Waste department do not have a budget and resources to clean every time.
Reserve Manager (Kyran Wright) – 8 February:
- ZEMP – All comments and objections are being evaluated.
- Kingfisher still sorting out hotspots. In was requested that residents do not abuse operator and has been instructed to remove from area in this case. The central vlei also needs attention.
- Shoveler will be taken out of water in the next weeks to re-fit paddle wheel and fit outboard motors. Still in commissioning and not yet in the hands of the CoCT.
- The receiving of results from Scientific Services a frustration and now at a higher management in the City. Topic will be raised at ZPAAC meeting to add pressure for progress.
- Coral worm removal – Will be tackled after algal infestation sorted.
- Dredging planned before winter for the sand bar opposite Lookout.
- Mouth opening and closing on schedule. Challenge in get bulldozer operator to perform task to the Reserve Management satisfaction.
TREASURY– JONATHAN WALTERS
The month of January was a more conservative month regarding expenses, compared to the two months prior that involved additional end of year costs and the fence installation, and should be a fair reflection of what our usual expenses are, though an increase in certain expenses such as salary increases will be implemented in the new financial year. The levy increase will also be implemented in the new financial year (next month) and the office has indicated that the statements will be sent out as soon as possible after the financial year-end procedures have been finalised; this should be sent out before mid March. It has been calculated that the anticipated income will cover all expenses, though we need to factor in that all income is not usually receives immediately and trickles in throughout the year, but no major cash flow problems are anticipated. The final accounts receivables figure for the year-end will help forecast a more accurate income expectation percentage. I hope to see some additional notes to the statements received from the debt collector that will report on any outstanding debt and what actions are suggested or being implemented.
STANDARDS – DEMETRI QUALLY
Current analysis of the newly named Standards Tracking System, a descendant of RADAAR.
| Standards Tracking List Analysis | |||
| @ 2024-02-19 | Total | South | North |
| 2023 RADAAR list | 139 | 52 | 87 |
| Resolved | 27 | 13 | 14 |
| Updated | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| No Progress | 25 | 23 | 2 |
| Query | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Not yet visited | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| New | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 144 | 57 | 87 |
SECURITY – ROBIN CARLISLE
November 2023.
No incidents were reported.
December 2023;-
17.12.23 Cannon Island – attempted common theft of copper piping. At 19.53. Perp arrested and charged. Perp returned to the residence and threatened the owners. Incident reported to SAPS
29.12.23 Intersection of Eastlake Drive and Shearwater. Resident threatened (firearms) by two perps on a scooter, demanding her bag. Time 20.18. She screamed for help and the two perps fled on the scooter, which had no registration plates, so not traceable from camera tapes. Reported to SAPS.
January 2023
3.1.24 – Assault, sexual harassment and public disorder.
East Lake Island Way/East Lake Drive/ Battleridge Road. 15.05 to 15.25. 5 C/M teenagers to young men came from Park Island, crossed into Eastlake via the pedestrian bridge. They sexually harassed two 14 year old W/F`s. They were approached by a resident who asked respectfully not to address the girls with such obscenities. The resident made for the Eastlake guardhouse to call Deep Blue. The perps followed into the guardhouse where they assaulted both him and the guard. He followed the perps and videod them, which led to further assaults. Deep Blue ARV`s came on the scene. And as the perps turned into Battleridge Road they stoned a passing vehicle.
I have discussed this matter at length with Francois, and report on it below. Investigation Officer Sergeant Hofstader has advised that they will not pursue the matter because both sets of videos were not clear enough for them to make any meaningful identification.
3.1.24 .
Resident asked perp to remove his car from the slipway at 20.20. Resident was threatened with a knife – Threat with a deadly weapon. Reported to SAPS.
18.1.24. Park Island Way,
Attempted theft of a boat at 05.17. Fled in a bakkie with no clear registration. Reported to SAPS.
20/21/1/24.
Kidnap and robbery. An assignation was organised where the perps would meet the victim at an Airbnb in Dabchick quay. He was then kidnapped and taken to an ATM where he was cleaned out. SAPS are investigating.
22.1.24
Robbery at 12.00 . Resident waiting to turn into Uitsig at the robots. Four perps stole material from his trailor.
My concerns:
-Crimes against the person are increasing quite fast.
-There is a racial thread that makes it imperative that we seek always to prevent crime as opposed to dealing with it once it has been committed.
– The cameras stand us in for about R750000 per annum. The MDGA pays approx. R180 000, mostly to Deep Blue, but also to two other providers. The residents, via their security committees, pay R566 000.
The residents clearly demonstrate their faith in Deep Blue, which faith I have always shared since they first came our way. At the same time, I am not comfortable with these people crossing PI, Eastlake, and then down to Battleridge doing nasties as they went. There was a clear racial edge to their aggression. I am even more uncomfortable about being visited by bigger and more aggressive groups who see how easy it is to dodge consequences We need to come together to see how we can do better, residents and security providers.
A meeting has been proposed to stakeholders for 18-23 March. Exact date to be confirmed.
COMMUNICATIONS – LISE CARSWELL
- New website is finalised and up and running. It has a new, modern look and feel. All the pages have been updated and current portfolio holders added.
- All the documents off the old site have been saved to a google drive folder which is now linked to the new website.
- Newsletter has a new look and feel to tie in with the website
- Vicky Mason Design will be doing the fortnightly newsletter and website maintenance.
- Cost R2000 per month for newsletter
- R500 per month for website maintenance and a month free when we pay for 6 months upfront.
- This is a R2000 per month saving on our last provider.
CONSERVATION & ENGAGEMENT – CAITLIN MELIDONIS
Past Month’s Activities
- Helped Valerie to organise a well-attended bird walk around the bird sanctuary at Zandvlei Nature reserve
- Attending the Zandvlei Protected Area Advisory Committee (not directly linked to MDGA, but still relevant)
- Arrange next bird walk and/or night walk with ZNR in Q2/3
EVENTS – VALERIE BENSON
Upcoming events
Marina Quiz Night –Thursday 7 March 2024 @ 6:30pm at Marina Pub and Bistro – Jill and Andy Rumbelow will be the quiz masters
Pending events
February/March/ April 2024 – “Anything Floats” competition
MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE – ULF MARTZ
The last month’s activities revolved around liaison with the City of Cape Town officials relating to MDGA infrastructure maintenance.
PARKS AND GARDENS – VALERIE BENSON
Due to the weather being so hot, the team concentrates on tidying and weeding areas. They can’t plant new plants as it is too hot and the plants will die. They also pick up litter at the various entrances on a weekly basis. One person will be painting over graffiti on two walls in Eastlake.
Bought the following equipment for the MDGA Gardeners:
Gardening gloves, 3 plastic rakes, 2 pairs of secateurs, toilet paper, handwash, Q20
Still pending: replacement line for strimmer and new chain for chainsaw
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES’ LIAISON – LATHIF GAFOOR
* Regarding the reconfigurations relating to the M5 / Oudevlei intersection. This is an involved project which hopefully will address my concerns regarding the smooth and safe flow of traffic at this intersection
* I initiated the project representing the Social Justice Network and ward 45 on which I serve. As a matter of interest and in all fairness as the challenges at the intersection impacts directly on Marina residents I was duty bound to brief EXCOM on my approach and interactions with City officials. Respectfully it was therefore not necessary to report this to Marcia as my brief emanated from the SJN and ward 45
* I had a 2.5 hour meeting with Songeso, Kyran and other officials from the Catchment Stormwater and River Management branches at Kyran’s office. Thereafter we had an on-site inspection tour in familiarising ourselves with what was needed to address amongst other issues, the subject of siltation and its impact on the system. In conclusion
* The bobcat assisted by an excavator will commence operations if all goes well on the 05/02/24. This coincides with Kyran opening the estuary mouth connecting to the ocean on the 05/02/24 resulting in a considerable drop in water levels in the canal allowing the Bobcat to be safely lowered into the canal
