Minutes, January 14, 2002

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January 14, 2002 MLPA Board Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order at @ 7:32 pm by Pres. Olansky.

Board members present were Dianne Olansky, Martha Porter Hall, Mike Carew, Kerry Brown, Mae Reich, David Garr, Ruth Alexander, Lee Kintzel, Joe Giardina, Michael McCool, Steven Rowell, Norman McKay, Susan Drake, Alan Perry, and Charlotte Gillis.

December 2001 minutes moved for approval; seconded and passed.

Committee reports

Security Patrol: Mike Carew reported. Overall 13 reported crimes last month (down from last month) but that included 7 house breakins. Also another breakin not included within that statistic. Officer Stewart injured while chasing perpetrator. Everyone wishes him well.

Membership: Jodi Mansbach reported via the President because of a conflict. Pretty good response so far with membership drive: 675 new and renewal members from drive now totaling over 700 for total 2002 membership. Under consideration now is how best to do follow up. Suggestion is for a "one call" call about a week after newsletter is delivered. Another suggestion is to call people you know personally. Question re going door to door with street captains but we lost the person who was going to head that up.

Newsletter: Martha Hall reported. Present newsletter will be on Public Safety and should go to printer soon. Next issue will be on "Green" in Morningside. It will also contain notice of the annual meeting.

Parks: no report. Request from Charlotte from Parks Committee for letter of support to go with letter of intent from WUFG to Arthur Blank for permission to apply for grant. Beautification: no report.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported. Next CINS meeting this Wednesday at Walden Middle School at 7 pm. 1/24 meeting at Inman Middle School for "Build Smart" and how that program might impact Inman and Grady. 6 pm.

Special Events: Michael McCool reported. Celebration of Summer will be held again on last day of school. Committees already formed and Nancy Odonnell and Carla Holliman helping out with key committees already. Sponsors Committee needs chair. Most importantly, Cochair of event needed. Please get in touch with Michael if you are interested in chairing a committee; contact Carla if you are willing to volunteer at the event.

Tour of Homes: no report.

Traffic: Bill Ellis reported via email report through President. Work going on building consensus on collector streets via URS study. Pilot consensus-building for N. Rock Springs will be held at the home of Rhonda and Robert McIntosh tentatively planned for 1/31. Mini slowdown at corner of Reeder and N.Highland worked great. Cars ticketed that did not yield to pedestrians.

North MLPA/Sidewalks: Lee Kintzel reported. Monies reportedly still there for Ponce to University sidewalks. But timetable pushed back with new administration.

Treasurer: Ruth Alexander reported. Budget presented for 2002 that was developed at a lengthy budget meeting yesterday at the president's house. Discussion about budgets for both MLPA and MSP cut into the surplus that each entity has present. Also discussion re need to increase membership in both entities.

Terry Kearns presented briefly on the website. Visits need to be increased to website for comments. Board needs to send input to be posted to Board. Everyone encouraged to visit and comment.

Zoning: Steven Rowell reported.

Z-01-95: 2030 Rockledge Rd. Motion made to approve application for rezoning from R4 to R-LC. Very little residential is left on the street, with only one owner-occupant remaining. Rezoning of next door properties approved in 2000. Per the recommendation of the Zoning Committee, motion approved with condition that no adult businesses (with multiple definitions of same) take place therein.

V-01-412: 1785 N. Rock Springs Rd. Application for variance for a parking pad in front yard. Motion made to deny per the recommendation of the Zoning Committee. Opinion expressed that neighborhood usually does its best to see that no parking allowed in front yard. Motion passed.

Question re necessity for sign showing Notice of Issuance of Building Permit; necessity discussed so that neighborhood knows about impending construction.

New Business: Debbie McCown from Piedmont Park Conservancy presented. First project is an off-leash area for dogs. 10th street meadows area will be closed this spring for renovation. Proposal is to designate off-leash area and enforce leash law elsewhere in Park. Explosion in use of park since this was discussed in 1999.

Also assisting in report were John Webster, Kathryn Kennith, Corinne Powell and Chris Nelson. About use of presently-unused area to north of park drive bridge over RR tracks. Because of natural boundaries and necessity for fencing, this area seems the logical choice. The off duty police funded by the Conservancy will take a harder position on leash laws once they have this area in place. Plan already endorsed by NPU-E and Virginia-Highlands Board has as well. City ordinance will have to be changed. Motion made for Board's support of project; passed with one abstention. Update: Community Center almost finished. Grand opening will be this spring. Meadow project will start this spring and, when finished, will be like Oak Hill. Meadow will be regraded to allow for better drainage. Lake being renovated presently. Plan is for it to be finished this summer. Question re spring events. They will be held on the ball fields and elsewhere (not Oak Hill). Also, event organizers are on notice that they will be held accountable for damage from their events. Second project is to establish a community garden in the park. Idea evolved out of environmental education program. Locations investigated; best appears to be on Halpern property: available water, restrooms. Atlanta Public Works has expressed willingness to work with Conservancy on this project. Landscape architect has volunteered; seed money also available. Question re testing of soil to make sure that it is adequate for this purpose. They are testing the soil now. Several different kinds of gardens, including demonstration gardens, could be available in this one acre.

Present are the owners of the new Indigo Restaurant: Jean Marc Carelle will be the chef. French touch with Caribbean (where he lived for several years). Patrick Molesti also present. Opened in early February. Aiming for a regular restaurant, not just for special meals.

Janet Kishbaugh from Anne Fauver's office present at the meeting. 4/330-6049: afauver@ci.atlanta.ga

ANNOUNCEMENTS

At 6:30 AM, Tuesday, 2/5, an attempt was made to break-into a home and its garage in the Johnson Estates area. The doors were locked and the attempt was foiled. The residents were home at the time and were just getting up for the day and did not see the person or persons. Residents are reminded to keep alert, make sure their homes and cars are secure and to call 911 if something similar occurs to them or if they see anything suspicious. The police need to be alerted to these situations. Our own Security Patrol has also been alerted. Hopefully, this was an isolated incident but it never hurts to be aware.

Tree Planting: Time once again to have our annual MLPA tree planting and mulching of trees in the parks. This year it will be held on February 23, 2002, Saturday at 9am. We are meeting at two parks this year so pick your favorite park to work on and bring your gloves. Some tools provided. Park locations are Lenox / Wildwood Park at 1760 Lenox Rd. and Sidney Marcus Park at 786 Cumberland Rd. Rain or shine. MLPA works with Trees Atlanta www.treesatlanta.org in coordinating the big task of keeping the neighborhood forested. Park trees are planted as well as street tree plantings. If you would like a free street tree or one for your front yard you can sign up for one at Treeeagle.org. The treeeagle web site is sponsored by MLPA to promote tree care and protection. The tree ordinance is also located at this site.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:05 pm.

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