7:36 pm meeting commenced
President, Lauren Rocereta
- Welcomed everyone, explained the agenda and open floor rules, and voting eligibility
- Thank you to the zoo for allowing the use of the building
- Next meeting is Tuesday, November 19 at 7:30pm
- New member welcome and introductions
- Motion approved unanimously to appoint Kelly Tenedini as Fundraising Chair
- 2014 Steering nomination period closes October 15. Elections will be held at November meeting.
- Bennett’s Market is now open at 568 Boulevard.
Vice President, Jeff Rogers
- Passed around sign-up and volunteer sheet, make sure info is correct
- Advised new members to check in or sign in
Treasurer, Michelle Botwinick
- Updated Treasurer’s report
Secretary, Kristin Andris
- Minutes from September 2013 meeting were presented
Public Safety, Chris Newman
- § Reminder to clean out cars, particularly when visiting Oakland Cemetery
- § A marathon will be coming through the neighborhood on October 22, which may cause street closures
- Prosecutor, Keith Lamar
- David Mitchell was sentenced
- Earl White was sentenced
- Allen Goddard will be in court again on Wednesday
- Citizens’ CourtWatch Coordinator, Reiko Ward
- Gave overview of Citizens’ CourtWatch, a program that motivates residents to become actively involved with the criminal justice system; CourtWatch provides dates and cases to citizens, so they can attend (www.gpna.org/info/101907)
GPPN, Katie Howard and Angelique Edwards
- Katie Howard: School Updates
- ANCS Fall Festival: 10/19/13, Elementary Campus at 688 Grant St, $25 Family, $8 person
- Parkside Elementary Fall Festival: October 26; 11:00am to 3:00pm
- o SEACS BOE Candidate Forum was October 14
- GPPN is obtaining Maynard Jackson sports schedules, so neighbors can support sport teams
- Neighborhood Events Update
- Scarecrow Contest to benefit GPPN: October 1-26. Winner announced November 1. $5 to enter. Prizes available.
- Halloween Parade and Picnic: October 26. Parade lineup at 4:30pm. Parade at 5:00pm. Picnic to follow.
- Pajamas & Puppets is the second Thursday of each month from November through April. 5:45 pm, Park Avenue Baptist Church.
- o The movie night fundraiser was a success.
- GPPN has a new playgroup for children born March 2013 – present.
Economic Development Committee, Chris Balch
- SEABA Network Soiree: Thursday, October 17, 5:30pm, Garden*Hood
Fundraising, Cullen Boudreaux
- Grant Park Mothball: Tickets are available at www.gpna.org/mothball; $30 now. $40 at door
- Volunteers are welcome to help decorate on Saturday
Land Use and Zoning Committee Chair, Rick Hudson
- § 800 Glenwood
- o City rejected Smart Growth Atlanta’s appeal against Fuqua’s Special Administrative Permit (SAP)
- o Smart Growth Atlanta now planning to take further action in either Federal or Superior Court.
- o Go to www.smartgrowthatlanta.org to sign up, learn and DONATE to the lawyer fund
- § Motion approved unanimously to support special legislation to exempt Bennett’s Market from 1.500 feet alcohol ordinance, so that Bennett’s Market can obtain license to sell off-premises beer and wine
- § Motion approved unanimously to recommend approval of owner’s variance for 481 Atlanta Avenue, with condition that there is no encroachment into the front yard
- § Presentations from organizations hoping to obtain alternate use of Hope Elementary
- D’AIR Project – an acrobatic dance studio that provides affordable work-study programs to youth who receive free or reduced cost lunches
- Liberty Unity Outreach Program – a 24 hour center that provides shelter and food to homeless women
- Motion approved to recommend DAI’R Project for the alternate use of Hope Elementary, due to the technicality that Liberty Unity Outreach Program was not present at Land Use & Zoning Committee meeting
Historic Committee Chair, Paul Simo
- Number of COAs
Transportation Committee Chair, Louie Ingle
- Take the Atlanta Regional Commission Bicycle Survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GRP3PTP
- The Grant Park area might obtain some bicycle racks, as part of a bicycle rack grant
Technology Committee – Report given by President, Lauren Rocereta
- Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrantParkGPNA | Twitter @GrantParkGPNA
- Create account at www.gpna.org to receive neighborhood news and security alerts
- Local Business Directory: www.gpna.org/directory/partners
~September meeting minutes were brought forth for approval, seconded and approved
Open Floor Discussion:
- Bill Powell is running for City Council District 1 – www.powelldistrict1.com
- John Paul Michalik is running for City Council District 5 – www.growatlanta.org
Motion for meeting adjournment made, seconded and approved without opposition.
8:54 pm meeting adjourned.
