GPNA Meeting Minutes - 2013, April 16

• Welcomed everyone and instructed people to make sure they sign in
• Explained the agenda and open floor rules
• Thank you to the zoo for allowing the use of the building
• Explained voting eligibility
• Next meeting is Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 7:30pm
• New member welcome and introductions

 
Chris Balch representing NPU-W

• Update on 800 Glenwood project – committee was formed and denied the request for a second time. Committee meets every 4^th Wed

• Passed around sign-up and volunteer sheet, make sure info is correct
• Advised contact info for committee chairs and officers can be found on the Agenda
• Subcommittee for bylaw changes supplied a list of the proposed changes which will be voted on in May

• Minutes from March 2013 meeting were presented

• Advised of 501 (c)(3) status, an update on our financial standing for the year was supplied

• Introduced Officer Wilson, beat officer for zone 6
  • Vehicle break-ins still occurring and are attributed to personal items being left in vehicles and in plain sight
  • Some vehicle thefts typically of older model Jeep Cherokees
  • Be diligent about reporting suspicious activity
• Community prosecutor will be at the next NPU-W meeting with an update on any on-going cases (none pertaining to Grant Park)
• Smart 911 is highly recommended
• Some upcoming discussions for NPU-W include false alarm problems and the potential fines for repeated offenses. City Hall meeting on April 30^th at 3pm. Will require a $5 registration fee of alarms.
• Grant Park Safety Patrol annual meeting is April 27^th at 2pm, voting on officers and discussing questions

• Results of survey indicate that 85% of people are satisfied with our online communications, 82% stated they have visited a local business
• Recommend signing up for other neighborhood newsletters so you can see what’s going on around you
• Forward our Facebook page and gpna.org to new neighbors

• Third application for 800 Glenwood project has been submitted
• Apps for certificate of appropriateness received on properties – structural problems with the property which AHA (Atlanta Housing Authority) now owns. Applied for CoA to demolish
• Memorial Dr is becoming more desired and several letters of intent from developers have been received

• Neighborhood wide yard sale this weekend with over 30 hours participating
• Atlanta charter school fun run on Sat
• Mother’s Day picnic
• Website has been updated with all the events and activities 
   

Parks and Recreation Committee Chair, Robert Greenage

• Conservancy update
  • On Sat the conservancy is participating in astronomy project 10-2 at rec center
  • Participating in the yard sale and you can provide donations at 798 Boulevard
• Sun the Farmers Market reopens for the season
• Sun the Daisy Scouts are working to clean up the children’s playground
• Request for funding towards the Grant Park ambassadors in the amount of $800, Phred Huber and Nancy Howe are present to describe the program
  • Phred Huber discusses how the concept is to provide security and answer questions of visitors with a mission to make Grant Park safer and cleaner with the use of volunteers and off duty Atlanta PD officers. Clean up dates are posted on the FB page. Organization was started by three partners – Grant Park Neighborhood Association, Grant Park Conservancy and Zoo Atlanta
  • Nancy Howe thanks GPNA for the support and proceeds to explain that on busy weekends two officers are hired for patrols and have helped alleviate conflicts at the pool and have made arrests where warranted in the past. They also assist with traffic control. Bike certified officers are the first priority.
  • Phred Huber closes by stating that GPA is funded by Park Pride which is a 501(c)(3) and it’s requesting a matching support request, Zoo Atlanta made a $4,000 donation contingent on the conservancy, pool committee and GPNA meeting that request. Any questions call 404-808-9967
• Motion brought forward for the $1,500 donation which was seconded and approved without opposition.
• Note they are still $1,500 short of their goal so this will be taken back to committee to discuss
• New natatorium is open, details on the website. Parking on 582 Connally St. Most of the gym equipment has been relocated from old MLK natatorium to the GP rec center

• Tour of Homes and Gardens will take place on the 12^th of May, homes and volunteers are needed. Some special events will take place during the tour (honey tasting, horse farm, greenhouse tour). All proceeds benefit GPNA
• Sunbursts are for sale (email [email protected] or purchase online).

• SEABA soiree on April 18th

• Transportation rep not present, nothing to report
• Historic rep not present, nothing to report

• Cafepress site has been updated
• Plant sale in front of ARC building 8am-12
• David Epstein will have a play day in Grant Park which consists of a fun free day of sports, fitness and nutrition on May 12th
• Safety Tip of the month pertains to being careful walking and driving
• Literacy month – reserved Grant Park rec center for Sat, April 27^th to teach children the basic rules of savings with other financial tips
• Acknowledge that APS rep, Brenda Muhammed, is present