By Kimberly Gibson
President, Lauren Rocereta welcomed everyone, explained the agenda, open floor rules, and voting eligibility,and thanked Zoo Atlanta for allowing the use of the building. She noted that the next meeting is Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 7:30pm. New member welcomes and introductions were made.
Carla Smith introduced herself and provided her contact info: csmith@atlantaga.gov. Smith informed neighbors that she is working actively with Louie Ingle (Transportation Chair) on traffic calming, Rick Hudson (Land Use Chair), and Lauren Rocereta (President) on 800 Glenwood.
Two neighbors expressed concerns, one about a grate w/manhole on Augusta Place SE & Augusta Ave SE that needs attention, and another that said Atlanta Ave and Grant St needs a stop sign. A neighbor asked to start with GPNA Transportation Committee.
President, Lauren Rocereta presented the minutes from July 2013, and Vice President, Jeff Rogers passed around sign-up and volunteer sheet to make sure info is correct. They advised contact info for committee chairs and officers can be found on the Agenda.
Treasurer, Michelle Botwinick advised of 501 (c)(3) status, $54,803.66 and said thank you to New Belgium with the Grant Park Criterium for a $400 donation to GPNA.
Public Safety Committee Chair, Chris Newman introduced Keith Lamar, Prosecutor. Ronald Lockett, entering auto perpetrator has been caught. Lockett has previously been arrested 114 times, so no bond was issued. CourtWatch will provide court date so interested people can attend. Marquis Lester, arrested for Aggravated Assault will get 20 year term with 15 served. Juvenile crimes are a serious problem right now, so they are exploring ways to detain juveniles longer.
Major Peek, new Zone 6 Commander, introduced himself and said robberies, burglaries, vehicle larcenies are elevated. APD has stepped up enforcement efforts and patrols which they hope contributes to an overall 4% decrease in crime. There has been no news on Braves game shooting of Saman Balkhanian and it is still an active investigation. Police could not get a positive ID on a suspected juvenile phone snatcher. He advised residents to walk to Braves games with a group of people, go outside and be seen in their yards and in the community since criminals avoid areas where people are, and always be aware of your surroundings. Neighbors provided information about locations for speeding and cut through traffic during early morning hours. Juveniles should be in school; call 911 if you see school aged children out during school hours to report truancy. The Atlanta Police Department seeks participants for Citizens Police Academy.The grantparksecuritypatrol.org is a neighborhood patrol that consists of five officers doing 30 hours a week.
GPPN Committee Chair, Angelique Edwards announced a move fundraiser which will be held on Friday, September 20. Toy Story will be shown at Burns Mansion on Grant Street; suggested donation: $20 Family; $5 Individual. The next Music Monday will take place at the Grant Park Meadow on Monday, Auguest 26. The event is free. A scarecrow contest will happen this fall; more info coming. The Halloween Parade will be on Saturday, October 19. To join the Grant Park Book Club, email vicepresident@grantparkparents.org. The ANCS Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 19 at the Elementary Campus at 688 Grant St. The cost will be $25 Family, $8 person. The ANCS Yard Sale will take place at the Elementary Campus at 688 Grant St, Date TBD.
The Land Use and Zoning Committee Chair, Rick Hudson spoke about 800 Glenwood. The Special Administrative Permit (SAP), pre-emptive rezoning submitted by Carla Smith received ZRB support on August 8. He thanked the 600+ people who attended and made history. Ana Allain, President of SAND, was introduced. She is working with GPNA on 800 Glenwood efforts. GPNA has hired an attorney and filed an appeal of the SAP approved by the City of Atlanta on July 12 on the grounds the SAP is in direct violation of city code. This fight is not against any anchor tenant. It is a fight for smart development in line with the BeltLine plans. There are upcoming meetings the public needs to attend: CDP Amendment: August 27, 12:30 pm, City Hall, Committee Room 2; Zoning Committee of Council: August 2, 9:30 am, City Hall, Committee Room 2; Full City Council: September 3, 1:00 pm, City Council Chambers; and Attorney Appeal: October 10, 12:00 pm, City Council Chambers. There will be an email campaign to Council Members requesting support of the rezoning legislation submitted by Carla Smith. We have requested Brenda Muhammad’s help with including Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School on the appeal. Go to www.smartgrowthatlanta.org to sign up, learn about, and DONATE to the lawyer fund.
President, Lauren Rocereta, introduced Cullen Boudreaux as Fundraising Vice Chair and Mothball Committee Chair. Boudreaux gave an update on the Mothball. The theme this year is Hootenanny, and it will be held at The Arts Exchange on Saturday, October 19. The committee needs: hay bales, corn husks, crafters, a wood worker to create barn door for photo booth, and a volunteer photographer. There will be a great band (we can’t announce yet), costume contest, and a Hootenanny Dance Off contest.
The Parks and Recreation Committee Chair, Robert Greenage said that park season is winding down. A lighting survey was done for the park, and we are awaiting our lights. If vehicles are scene in the park, please call 911 or Parks Customer Service at 404.546.6813. Grant Park Ambassadors will be in the park until the October; volunteers are needed. Contact grantparkambassadors@gmail.com. There are increased homeless in the park, so they are working with the Path Team and United Way to assist; call 911 to report. Volunteers are needed Friday, August 23 to help prep the vendor area for Summer Shade festival, contact info@gpconservancy.org. The City of Atlanta stump grinding crew has been called for stump at Cherokee Ave and Sydney St meadow. The poplar tree behind Milledge fountain is inspected every six months and has a green line painted on to show any ground movement. The Summer Shade Festival will take place August 24-25. “Go Grant Park” will replace Corks & Forks at the Pavillions; this features Grant Park businesses and organizations. The next Conservancy Board Meeting is September 26 , 6:30 pm at the Atlanta Preservation Center. The Halloween Lantern Paradeis brought to you by the Conservancy on October 26 in Grant Park. Please check Grant Park Rec Center calendar for great work out room, great meeting and event space.
Historic Committee Chair, Paul Simo said Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) are on the rise. Grant Park is part of two overlapping historic districts. 696 Oakland Ave will complete demolition with new build. 405 Atlanta Ave Quads: innovative designs being submitted for renovating quads. They are looking for historic binders put together around time Grant Park was designated a historic district. Preservation Minute: odor is a good indicator something is wrong; make sure crawl spaces are aired out and have vents cleaned.
Transportation Committee Chair, Louie Ingle said new street signs are coming: No Right on Red at Grant St and Memorial Ave; Stop Sign at Grant St and Woodward Ave. They are working on traffic calming plan.
President, Lauren Rocereta said the Economic Development Committee and Technology Committee had no report. The July meeting minutes were brought forth for approval, seconded and approved without one correction, and Jonathan Lewis presented Atlanta BeltLine proactive rezoning information and future meetings.
Open Floor Discussion: Mark Riley is running for Atlanta School Board, http://bit.ly/18MYCEa. Carla Smith is running for District 1, www.carlasmith2013.com. The Grant Park Singers will hold a free childrens’ choral clinic. Park Atlanta is aggressively writing tickets in the neighborhood; practice safe parking.
Motion for meeting adjournment made, seconded and approved without opposition.
Meeting Adjourned.
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