GPNA General Membership Monthly Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2018
Location: Arc Building, Coca-Cola World Theater, Zoo Atlanta
Officers present: Dr. Michelle Kirby – President, Ron Hatch –Vice President, Chris Newman –Public Safety Officer, Stephanie Warner – Technology, Steve Powner – Economic Development, Amanda Watkins Puche – Fundraising, Heidi Reis – Philanthropic
President, Dr. Michelle Kirby
- Welcome and thanks again to Zoo Atlanta
- Please read/review the Housekeeping and Meeting Conduct points above.
- Welcome to new members: Name, Street and profession; hobby; burning question?
- Elected Officials’ SHORT Update (if any are present) – No updates
- Grant Park Schools Update – No updates
- Grant Park Conservancy (GPConservancy.org) – No updates
- Grant Park Parent Network Update – (GrantParkParents.org), Kristen Silton
- Have different play groups based on 6-month age range. Contact the President for more information
- The new board for 2018 is:
- Kristen Silton, President, president@grantparkparents.org
- Darcy Millard, Vice President, vicepresident@grantparkparents.org
- Kristi Malloy, Secretary, secretary@grantparkparents.org
- Alyssa Hallick, Treasurer, treasurer@grantparkparents.org
- Meredith Bier, Marketing Chair, marketing@grantparkparents.org
- Amy Klenc, Community Outreach, community@grantparkparents.org
- Katie Kurumada, Playgroups Chair, playgroups@grantparkparents.org
- Chaice Garner, At-Large, cgarner@grantparkparents.org
- Erin Drakeford, At-Large, edrakeford@grantparkparents.org
- Kindergarten Forum: 1/23/2017 at 7:00pm at Park Ave Church. Objective is to learn of the different school options in the neighborhood
- Easter Egg Hunt: 3/31/2018
- Run Before You Crawl: 4/14/2018
- Grant Park Neighborhood Happenings
- Flux Projects art event in Grant Park, Anne Dennington (anne@fluxprojects.org). Flux projects does temporary public art projects and has been working with GPC to put on an event potentially in October, with possibly 3-5 projects over a 3-day period. Will continue to work with GPNA, GPC, and the city for the proper permits
- Historic Oakland Cemetery, Richard Harker, New Director of Programs
- Arts at Oakland, Saturday, May 19 from 4:30pm to 10:00pm
- Many other events coming to Oakland Cemetery and wants to engage the neighborhood. For further information, please go to:oaklandcemetery.com/events
- 2018 Action Items and Proposed Budget—To vote on budget in February meeting, after the steering committee planning retreat
Vice-President
- New VP, Ron Hatch, introduced himself and provided a little background of himself
- Asked for attendees to please check in and sign in if you’re a new member
- Passed out the committee Sign-up Sheet
- We have new GPNA Monthly meeting reminder signs if anyone would like one. Please contact the President if interested
Secretary
- Chair not in attendance and President provided brief update
- December Minutes (approval vote toward the end of the meeting)
Treasurer
- Chair not in attendance and President provided brief update
- The GPNA is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible! Please support GPNA today!
Committee Reports
Public Safety
- Public officials/neighborhood update
- Zone 6 APD update
- Crime was down 7% for 2017
- YTD crime is down 8%
- Zone 6 Community Prosecutor: Keith Lamar is moving to the aviation division at Hartsfield
- Captain Neil Klotzer is the new Zone 6 Commander
- Zone 6 APD update
- Please pay attention to what the officer said:
- Please don’t leave car running
- Don’t leave bags in your car
- Many commit crimes of opportunity; be aware
Philanthropic
- Nicholas House – “Make a Meal” Grant Park volunteers needed.
- What is Nicholas House—it is the only temporary shelter in Atlanta that allows families to stay together and they inspire and provide the tools to let the families get their feet back on the ground and become independent.
- Ria’s Bluebird is willing to sponsor a meal. Philanthropic chair will follow up
- Volunteers needed! Please email philnathropic@gpna.org to sign up.
Technology
- Sign up at gpna.org and follow us on Facebook (info below)
- Kroger Rewards & Amazon Smile. For Amazon Smile, login to your account via smile.amazon.com and select GPNA as you donation. This is at no cost to you, but Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to GPNA. We can then use those funds to give back to the community
- If you are not receiving contact information from GPNA, please contact technology@gpna.org. In Gmail, our emails go to your promotions folder so look for us there.
Economic Development
- No new businesses in Grant Park were in attendance
- Grant Park Gathering Update: next gathering will probably be in February and at a place TBD
- Now in charge of Sunbursts – Order one today and have it by Friday! It is $75 and those funds support GPNA.
Fundraising
- Sponsorship Package update for 2018. Businesses, please become a sponsor! Contact fundraising@gpna.org for more information.
- Volunteers needed! We need your help—please email me at fundraising.gpna.org to sign up.
Homes & History
- Chair not in attendance and President provided brief update
- Final design of McDonald and Boulevard will be discussed at the next Home and History meeting
- There are about eight projects going on in the neighborhood
- Preservation Tip of Month
- Freezing temperatures tonight and be sure to take care of your pipes
- Since we are a National Historic District, please pay attention to renovations around the neighborhood to ensure we maintain our status
- Tax perks available for historic renovations
- Any questions on our historic nature, contact the H&H chair
Land Use and Zoning (including Transportation and Transit)
- Chair not in attendance and President provided brief update
- GPNA is working with the city to turn Loomis Street into a 2-way street
- Grant Park Gateway (Grant Park Parking Deck and green space) update—President had no updates but inquired to the Finlayson’s regarding their lawsuit with the city in the open floor
December Minutes – Approved
New Business/Open Floor
- President of the Save the Trees of Grant Park request that GPNA consider a different venue for the monthly General Membership Meetings. President will confer with the Steering committee and look at other neighborhood options. GPNA officers and chairs noted that the Zoo provides the space for free, along with security and ample parking. This items will be challenges for other venues.
- Finlayson’s law suit with the city was settled in December. 10 trees from the original plan, will not be cut down. Additional design changes were also agreed upon with the city. GPNA president will follow up with the plaintiffs to obtain new plans from the original proposed in April 2017 by the city.
Adjourn – 8:20pm
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