July 14, 2003 MLPA Board Meeting Minutes

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Board members present: Susan Drake, Norman McKay, Mike Carew, Ruth Alexander, Alan Perry, Charlotte Gillis, Joelle Spain, Dianne Olansky, Van Hall, Mae Reich, Pat Gardner, John Schwartz, Kathy Payne, Tad Christian, Karen Schaefer

Pres. McKay called the meeting to order at approximately 7:35 p.m.  First order of business was the approval of the June 2003 Board minutes.  Motion made to approve, seconded and passed.

Janet Kishbaugh recognized from Anne Fauver’s office.  Mention made of good website for information on trees.  More information will be forthcoming.

Committee reports:

Security/Public Safety: Mike Carew reported.  Statistics are available again. We have the stats for the first 4 months of the year. They show more car breakins than usual.  However, based on the calls he has received, car break-ins are being underreported. People are still not calling 911 as they should. Would appreciate any suggestions about encouraging folks to call 911 and reporting crimes to the police. Rest of the report deferred until Detective Vazquez can arrive around 8:30.

Membership: Joelle Spain reported.  She has been working on welcome Package with graphics designer.  New members signed up in last few weeks.

Newsletter: Van Hall reported.  Current issue to go to press by the end of the week.  Lead article on the stopping of 485 will be lengthy, resulting from multiple interviews.  Newsletter will be longer than usual.  Archive of documents related to this portion of the City’s history, which some believe resulted not just in stopping a highway and preserving several intown neighborhoods, but also in re-working City government and how it operates, being developed to donate to the Atlanta History Center.  Motion made to donate $2000 to the History Center; seconded.  Extensive discussion.  Issue tabled.  Suggestion made to ask for donations in newsletter.  Also discussion about memorial in honor of stopping the roadway.

Parks: Charlotte Gillis reported.  Karen Schaefer is a new member of the Tree Commission.  The City has a new arborist; Charlotte and Karen plan to introduce themselves.  Great improvements going on in Sidney Marcus Park.  Graffitti problem mentioned.  WUFG had moderately successful workshop with interaction from neighborhood.  Rock Creek has been targeted by Park Pride to receive teenage volunteers on four occasions over the next 2 weeks.  Need for supervisors.  Resolution of issue with tree removal on Robin Lane; Parks Committee satisfied with agreement but neighbor may not be satisfied and has filed an appeal.  Question from resident about what MLPA could do to check on safety of large trees to avoid another tragedy such as the Virginia-Highlands incident.  Charlotte replied that all we can do is to educate the owners of the trees.  Discussion about need to prevent backlash of indiscriminate cutting of old trees.  Technically, City Arborists available to come to homes to check on trees.  But staff is overworked.  Discussion about engaging a consulting arborist/tree company with a guaranteed minimum number of trees for homeowners to sign up so that discount available to neighborhood.  Putting information on website of some utility.  ArborGuard representative to be contacted.

Beautification: Pat Gardner reported.  Habersham doing good job on roundabout.  Grass is getting cut.  Questions regarding whether some parts of City parks are in fact getting cut.  GDOT has necessary information on Cheshire Bridge so improvements may be forthcoming.  Question re need for more celebration by MLPA when sidewalk repaired.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported through Pres. McKay.  Grady and Inman undergoing extensive renovation.

Tour of Homes: Charla Silvia reported through our President as well.  Concept of a “Chef’s Tour” is definitely bearing fruit.  We may have more chefs than we need.

Traffic: Bill Ellis reported through Dianne Olansky.  Crosswalk awareness performed recently on E. Morningside near Woodrow Wilson Park with help of two officers who were aghast at speeding vehicles on that road and Laser detection subsequently done for several hours.  Traffic calming project made its way into the 2004 CDP with a #2 priority.  Traffic subcommittee dealing with MARTA.  Neighborhood Night Out on August 5th.  MARTA shuttles will be provided free of charge between Morningside and Carter Center on that night.  More details forthcoming.  Need for $150 for fliers and for customers of selected businesses.  Money is in the budget.  Question re whether MLPA will be in Zone 2 or 6.  Still up in the air.  Motion made to approve up to $150 for purpose previously stated.  Seconded and passed.

North MLPA/Sidewalks: Kathy Payne reported.  4 homeowners got new sidewalks.  Question regarding getting rid of framing and damage to yards repaired.  Idea of fliers going out to owners of sidewalks needing repair.

South MLPA: Barry Berlin reported through the President that Sidney Marcus improvements team raised $85,000 which will be matched by the City.

NPU Representative: Reps. present but nothing to report.

Treasurer’s Report: Ruth Alexander reported.  Nothing surprising.  Liability insurance quote would cover Tour but not Celebration of Summer and Security Patrol officers would be covered only to the extent that we can provide evidence that the police officers are covered under the City’s policy.  Detective Vazquez appeared and confirmed that Atlanta police officers are “covered” by the City once the “extra job” permit has been approved by the Chief of Police.  Good month overall: 3 vehicles stolen (but with extenuating circumstances such as keys left in the car) and breakins down from beginning of the year. One officer recovered a stolen vehicle from the neighborhood while on active duty.  Chief Pennington insistent on commanders having action plans to deal with any crime stats going the wrong way.  Gang unit uses graffiti as a tool to interpret gang movements but not really geared up to combat the graffiti itself.  Graffiti in this neighborhood is much more likely resulting from teenagers in the area as opposed to gangs.  Joelle asked about delays in getting yard signs out -- may be a problem with City email but Detective will pay attention to this issue.

Zoning: Tad Christian reported.  No cases to deal with but he does report “encouraging” signs of potential homeowners getting in touch with him before buying houses.

New Business: July 15 public hearing from 4-7 pm at Emory University on Athens to Atlanta Commuter Rail.   Www.garail.com.  Need to push for more members discussed, especially MSP members.  Need to go to online signups discussed.  PayPal to be explored.

Old Business: brief update about Georgia Power substation on 2020 Lenox Road.  No offer made to buy third house down but apparently serious about buying second house down.  CDC’s clear position that back-up service not needed has apparently thrown issue back to Georgia Power planners.

Antigraffiti legislation passed.  Property owner given notice to clean it up within 10 days and then City cleans it up and charges the property owner.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 pm.

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