GPNA Meeting Minutes - 2018, June

Date:                                      May 15, 2018
Time:                                      7:30pm – 8:28 pm
Location:                               Zoo Atlanta ARC Building, Coca-Cola World Theater
Officers/Chairs Present:     Dr. Michelle Kirby                President
                                                Ron Hatch                              Vice President
                                                Eliza Adams                           Secretary
                                                Chris Newman                      Public Safety
                                                Steve Powner                       Economic Development
                                                Laura Keen                            Fundraising
                                                Heidi Reis                              Philanthropic
                                                Stephanie Warner               Technology

President – Dr. Michelle Kirby ([email protected])

• Welcome, housekeeping rules, and thanks to Zoo Atlanta for use of the theater for the meeting.
• Reminder: The purpose of the monthly general GPNA meeting is for GPNA officers/committee chairs, local organizations, elected officials, etc. to provide brief updates to the community. In-depth discussion occurs at the committee level.
• Zone 6 APD Update: Lieutenant Crowdler
  • Uptick in theft from auto-clean car campaign. Leave nothing of value in your car
  • Uptick in bicycle-invest in bike locks
  • Uptick package theft

• Grant Park Conservancy (GPC) – Michelle Blackmon, Executive Director and Alisa Chambers, Director of Operations. Next meeting will be held Wednesday, July 11th 7pm-8pm at The Circus School, 575 Blvd.
  • Park Pride Visioning Meeting update

1. What is special about this part of Grant Park that is important to you?
2. What experiences/sounds/sights would you like to have in this part of the park?
3. This area will become a major point of entry into the park and Zoo Atlanta due to the development of the Beltline and Gateway parking deck. How would you strengthen its connection to the rest of the park?
4. Fort Walker is an artifact of the Civil War. What is important for people to know about this historic artifact?
5. Is there anything about this site that could be changed to improve your experience here?
6. The existing parking lot has been designated through legal settlement to “ALLOW the maximum amount of greenspace.” Realities of the Zoo moving its entrance to the front of this space will have impacts. What is highest and best use of the existing parking lot?

• Grant Park Parents Network (GPPN) Update: Darcy
  • Music in the Meadow: Ormond- Grant Park 7/12/2018, 8/2/2018, 9/6/2018
  • Summer Social: 6/23/2018, 4-8pm at the Miller family home 622 Grant Street
  • GPPN Playgroups – Playgroups focus on getting Grant Park’s youngest neighbors together to play. Join a group!
  • Tax Appeal Event: 6/27/2018 8pm at the Ormewood church
• NPU update- No Update

Vice President – Ron Hatch ([email protected])

• Passed around committee sign-up sheet and encouraged neighbors to check in and sign up for any committee they may be interested in. Interested neighbors should hear from the committee chair, but if not, please know all committees are open to the public. You can contact committee chairs here for questions/concerns and see committee meeting dates on the GPNA calendar.
• Meeting signs available for neighbors to put in their yard. Please email [email protected]
• Bylaws subcommittee meeting held May 2nd. Date for another meeting TDB

Secretary – Eliza Adams ([email protected]) – May minutes approval vote held towards the end of the meeting

Treasurer – Michelle Botwinick - Reminder: GPNA is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Public Safety – Chris Newman ([email protected])

• Zone 6 Community Prosecutor: Keith Lamar (404) 612-7012 [email protected]

• Public Safety meetings are held in conjunction with NPU Public Safety meetings every 4^th Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Village Church of East Atlanta.
  • License Review Board: Application for Third Street Goods at the Beacon-In the process of getting their liquor license approved via the APD
    • Approved unanimously
  • Echoed LT. Crowdlers’ report
  • Package theft was witnessed by a neighbor. Woman was seen stealing packages from a home. ADP was called and the woman was detained
  • Attempted burglary on Grant street, Suspect ran off
  • Tour APD and AFD 8/11 at 10am
  • If you have a monitored alarm system, check your cry wolf registration
  • Please send concerns to [email protected] and keep your cars cleaned out of visible items!
  • Brad Nevin– Grant Park Neighborhood Watch; if you need a block captain email [email protected]; goal is to get to know your neighbors and help each other stay safe.

Fundraising – Laura Keen ([email protected] Update provided by president Dr. Michelle Kirby)

• Grant Park Tour of Homes results

*Tour went really well. Trolley was a big hit

Economic Development

• Karaoke Pop Up Event: This Friday 6/22/18 at Grant Park Tavern on Boulevard 8pm-11pm
• Sunbursts are available for purchase at gpna.org/sunburst
• Neighborhood Gathering, Farm Burger on June 13th-Went well and was lots of fun

Philanthropic – Heidi Reis ([email protected] Update provided by president Dr. Michelle Kirby)

• Tour of Homes
  • Tour of Homes was a great success and thanks to everyone who volunteered
  • Between 8k-9k was raised
• Prepare meals for the families at The Nicholas House in Grant Park. Volunteers are needed. Please email Heidi at [email protected].
• 8 volunteers showed up this past Saturday and served 40+ folks

Technology – Stephanie Warner ([email protected] Update provided by Rick Hudson)

• Make sure you and your neighbors are signed up to receive email correspondence from GPNA at gpna.org.
• We are looking for a way to allow neighbors to electronically sign-in at meetings to speed up the process.
• Technology Committee meetings are every 4^th Tuesday, 8pm, 393 Ormond St.
• Kroger Plus Cards neighborhood rewards & Amazon Smile (get info from website)

Homes & History – Paul Simo ([email protected];)

• Meetings every 4^th Monday at Atlanta Preservation Center at 7pm; enjoy wine & cheese!
• CoA at 551 Cherokee Ave

Land Use and Zoning – Rick Hudson ([email protected])

• Beltline Rail Now is seeking a vote from GPNA. -Motion approved
• Affordable ordinance
• Department of City Planning: Office of Housing and Community Development Workshops: June 30th next workshop
• Department of City of Planning:Office of Housing and Community Development: Equitable Housing in Atlanta upcoming workshops: June 23rd and July 21st
• Movies on Memorial: 6/21 Memorial park Greenway 7:30pm-showing AntMan

 
The following items received support via voice vote:

• Correction to May minutes. Vote for Beltline rail now, motion wasn’t denied but supported
• May 2018 Minutes supported unanimously

 
New Business/Open Floor

• Steve Carr mentioned he has a problem with Kroger not having a distribution spot for the Porch Press. Rick Hudson will look into solving the problem
• An attendee asked about the timing of the lights on Boulevard.

 
Adjourn – 8:27 P