Minutes October 8, 2001

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President Olansky convened the meeting at approximately 7:35 pm.

Board members present were Dianne Olansky, Bill Ellis, Norman McKay, Lee Kintzel, Pat Gardner, Bob Silvia, Ruth Alexander, Alan Perry, Martha Porter Hall, Jodi Mansbach, Joe Giardina, Mike Carew, Steven Rowell, and Mae Reich.

Moment of silence was held for victims and families of 9/11 attacks.

Motion made to approve September minutes. Seconded and passed.

Security Patrol: Mike Carew and Bob Silvia reported. Only 6 reported crimes, 2 car breakins. Unusually low for fall. Report crimes! Free pancake breakfast on 10/20 at Morningside Presbyterian Church to meet the Security Patrol officers.

Membership: Jodi Mansbach reported. Working on mass mailing and hoping to go door to door in January. Survey results inconclusive showing a majority of respondents would pay dues on website, but not overwhelming demand. Strong sense that emails should not replace quarterly newsletter. Meeting on website to take place with interested neighbors.

Newsletter: Martha Porter Hall reported. Issue delivered.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported. CINS meeting; box lunch at noon on 10/10 at Grady high school. Board of Education candidates. Mayoral candidates: ethics in government 101: can the next mayor pass? 10/24 at First Presbyterian Church at 7:30. Bill Nygut will narrate; Cynthia Tucker on panel. Common Cause sponsors.

Parks; Les Spenser from Cub Troop 17 addressed the Board. Idea of erecting flag pole at Smith Park. One of ideals endorsed by Troop is community activism. 30 foot pole with landscaping and 1 or 2 lights. Cost estimated between 8-10,000. One anonymous neighbor said would match any MLPA contribution up to 2000. No attempt made yet to solicit funds from adjoining businesses. Has been in touch with Parks Dept. Motion made to donate $500 with matching from anonymous donor with sense of Board being to reconsider issue of possibly supplementing donation at next meeting.

Other Parks reports: Pres. Olansky reported from an email report transmitted by David Robertson. Motion made via David that check for $100 for street tree planting be assigned to Parks budget for future tree planting. Motion tabled for further future discussion. Motion made and passed for renewal of annual Trees of Atlanta membership. MLPA to send letter in support of appeal for tree removal before replanting takes place; signal that we support strong and consistent enforcement of tree ordinance. Motion made, seconded and passed.

Beautification: Pat Gardner reported. Request for $225 for flowers at Pelham traffic circle. Motion made, seconded and passed. Request for $2000 to bring up to code the Beech Valley water system. $ in budget. Motion made, seconded and passed. Bridge going in to Wildwood Gardens. Still need volunteer sponsors.

Tour of Homes: everything seems to be under control. Still may be need for volunteers; could be on an on-call basis. Motion made to approve Tour of Homes expenses of 881.03 and 485.40 for printing and mailing expenses. Passed.

Traffic: Bill Ellis reported. 65 "caught" with laser gun at 3 different locations in last month. October 10th morning rush hour slow down. Barclay, Berkshire and Sussex intersection: problem with City solution.

North MLPA/Sidewalks: Lee Kintzel reported. Go see new sidewalks on N. Highland.

Treasurer's report: Ruth Alexander reported. Report handed out.

Zoning: Steven Rowell reported.

V-01-306, 1171 Lenox Circle. Building addition to house; reduction of front yard set back. Approved per site plan. Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

V-01-323, 814 Yorkshire Road. Reduction of rear and side yard setbacks to allow for construction of detached open carport. Approved per site plans accepted by City on 9/7/01. Side yard setback to be 1 foot instead of zero feet. Standard conditions for garages imposed. Neighbors ok with this. Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

V-01-336, 825 Wildwood Rd. Variance to reduce rear and side yard setbacks from 50 to 40 and 10 to 8.5. Allowing for addition to house. Motion to approve per site plan dated 9/26/01. Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

New Business

Gloria Bromell-Tinubu, Mayoral candidate, appeared and spoke briefly on the unique opportunities available to the next mayor. She became active first through PTA, then NPU-Z and on to other civic activities. Important for citizens to be involved in their government. Citizen engagement and involvement at core of campaign. Role of mayor is to balance business interests with neighborhood interests. We need each other. Academic background in economics and only candidate so qualified. Committed to hiring top people and letting them do their jobs. Ultimate charge is to build better city for our children.

Warren Bruno, District 6 candidate for City Council; owner of Atkins Park restaurant. Served on many task forces, including studies on parking and N. Highland corridor study. Study on liquor code and changes that needed to be made to it. Consensus builder; likes to bring businesses, neighborhoods, and government together.

H.Lamar Willis, At Large Post 3 candidate for City Council. Atlanta native. Northside High School. Focus on integrity issues; also thought that needed more focus on policy and legislative issues. Background in urban studies; law degree and now with FAA. Qualified as a policy analyst. "Closing gap with credibility." Check out hlamarwillis.com

Bob Silvia, State House of Rep., District 47 candidate. Seeking to replace Jim Martin. Originally from Pennsylvania. Chair of NPU-F and active in other civic activities. Waited until last minute to enter race, wanted to see neighborhood activist candidate. 8 candidates for position. Vote on 11/6.

Discussion on amendment of bylaws postponed.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:35 pm.

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