Minutes - May 13, 2002

May 13, 2002 MLPA Board Meeting Minutes

Board members present: Norman McKay, Dianne Olansky, Bob Silvia, Martha Porter Hall, Alan Perry, Pat Gardner, Ruth Alexander, Mike Carew, Mike McCool, Mae Reich, Van Hall, Lee Kintzel, Charlotte Gillis, Susan Drake, Karen Schaefer, Trav Carter, Zac Pasmanick, Steven Rowell, and Joe Giardina

Pres. Olansky called the meeting to order at approximately 7:35 pm.

The usual first order of business, the approval of minutes, had to be postponed at the secretary¹s request because the April minutes had not yet been finalized.

Committee reports

Security Patrol: Michael Carew and Bob Silvia reported. No statistics available for April yet but March¹s showed crime going down: only 2 car breakins and 3 burglaries.  One car theft.  2 of the 3 burglaries involved contractors working on home; they were real victims.  Suggestion for members of Security Patrol is, if you¹re moving out for renovation purposes, put in a ³vacation² request just as if you were going on vacation and the Patrol will check your house for you.  Remember: if problem, call 911.

Membership: no report but transitioning of responsibility is taking place.

Motion made to approve cost of maintaining Tree eagle web site. $173 seconded and passed.

Newsletter: Van Hall reported.  30th anniversary of 485 stoppage is next year, not this year, so next issue will be on zoning.

Parks: Charlotte Gillis and Karen Shaefer reported. Productive meeting of committee recently.  To-do list created.  Meeting on 5/29 from 7-8:30 on the Northern Arc.  WUF made finals of the Blank Foundation grant process.  Also had meeting with legislative aide to Mayor.  Will see if productive.  Sunken Garden Park needs mulch; volunteers needed to spread wood chips before Celebration of Summer.

Beautification: Pat Gardner reported.  Attempting to work on picking up slack where City has cut back, such as mowing of small parks. (1/4 acre or less).   Deal cut with energetic 16 year old to do some mowing of areas that City no longer touches.  More neighbors needed to help.

Schools: last day of school is 5/24.  First day of school is 8/12.  Come to celebration of summer.

Special Events: Mike McCool reported.  Celebration of Summer is still on for 5/31.  Sponsors are: Briarcliff Animal Hospital, Daniel Cherrix-Harry Norman Realtors, Harry Norman Realtors, Sally Westmoreland-Coldwell Banker, Fast Signs, Greg Williamson-14 West Realty, Sara Wessling-Allstate Insurance, Olde Town Pizza, Publix at Ansley, Mambo Cubano Restaurante and Home Rebuilders.

We have to pay for trash removal this year instead of the City providing it.  Clowns, ponies, band, events (giant slide, etc) total @5900. Sponsorships now @ 3000 and usually around that in ticket income.  May spend more on signage since well within budget, dependent upon costs of trash removal.  Motion made to approve payment of costs; seconded and passed.

Tour of Homes: Zac Pasmanick reported.  Message drafted to be emailed to membership soon.  Tour farther along now than in the past.  Still need volunteers.

Traffic: Bill Ellis reported via report given by Pres.  Street meetings held already although turnout light.  Meeting with BTTS planned for early June. URS invoice of 1472.50 presented for approval which had already been budgeted.  Moved, seconded and passed.

North MLPA/Sidewalks: Lee Kintzel reported.  N.Highland sidewalks finished which was one of major goals.  Now looking at taking care of rough spots on E. Rock Springs, E. Morningside, and N. Morningside and exploring areas without sidewalks to see what we can do.  Committee talking about reimbursement policy and how it should be changed to encourage more sidewalk repair.  Discussion re costs and equities of changing program.  Motion made to change policy so that MLPA will reimburse 50% of any sidewalk repair approved by Committee.  Seconded and passed with one abstention.  Discussion re need of committee to stay within annual budget.

Treasurer¹s Report: Ruth Alexander passed out policies regarding reimbursement for MLPA business.  Motion made to approve costs of printing membership directory.  Need to make sure that insurance coverage exists for celebration of summer.  Provisional motion made to allow up to $500 to be spent to ensure coverage of MLPA for event.  McKay reported that he believed that there should already be coverage under the existing policy.  Ruth to check with principal of agency.

Zoning: Steven Rowell reported.  One case:

1287 N. Morningside Drive, V-02-119.  Variance sought to reduce rear yard setback from 15 to 2 feet and to reduce side yard setback from 7 feet to 2 feet to allow construction of a detached garage (open carport).  Special exception also sought for 6 foot wall in half-depth front yard.  Committee recommended approval of variance but denial of special exception.  Variance conditioned upon plans.  Motion made and passed with one abstention.

New Business

Catalina Pescatore, Morningside Principal; Liz Coyle, PTA President; and APS Project Repr. George Harkness.  HVAC being completely replaced at school. Drainage problems also being addressed.  Previous plans called for removal of too many trees.  Once trees marked, MLPA got involved.  Revised plan will only require removal of a few trees.

Batteries Plus: 6 stores in metro Atlanta.  One being opened in Ansley at old Rock Springs cleaners.  They also do recycling of batteries.

Neighbors reported of 742 Courtenay: tree update.  Owners have modified plans and seems to be meeting neighborhood objections.  But pattern of City Arborist approving clearly inappropriate plans is disturbing; also need to stay aware of probable rewriting of tree ordinance.  Question re support from Councilmember Fauver¹s office; her representative reported on difficulty until you get in front of Commission.  Entire neighborhood warned to be vigilant because of problems with Arborist, perhaps the office is too busy?  Need to take action before you hear sounds of chain saws.

Old business:

Air conditioner for this room offered to church and we expect that church property committee will accept our offer.

Barclay Place sewer problems: neighbors concerned of sewer problems down Rock Springs.

Mae Reich offered her formal resignation as NPU rep since she is officer now as Parlimentarian and bylaws only allow person to serve in one officer position.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:00.