Date: November 21, 2017
Time: 7:35 pm to 8:56 pm
Location: ARC Building, Coca-Cola World Theater, Zoo Atlanta
Officers Present: Dr. Michelle Kirby- Vice President
Michelle Botwinick- Treasurer
Laura Keen- Secretary
Paul Simo - Homes and History
Chris Newman - Public Safety
Rick Hudson- Land Use and Zoning
Heidi Reis- Philanthropic
Stephanie Warner- Technology
Amanda Watkins Puche- Fundraising
7:36 pm Meeting Commenced
Vice President, Dr. Michelle Kirby
- Welcome and thanks again to Zoo Atlanta for the use of their space!
- Please read/review the Housekeeping and Meeting Conduct points above.
- 2018 GPNA Officers and Chairs election:
- Dr. Michelle Kirby read aloud the election procedures to be followed this evening
- Jim Vorris and Rick Hudson gave a statement on their qualifications for LUZ chair
- Welcome to new members: Name, Street and profession; hobby; burning question?
- Elected Officials’ SHORT Update (if any are present)
- Leslie Grant: APS is tight on money, those who have not paid their property taxes, please do to help the schools
- Grant Park Conservancy (www.GPConservancy.org)-
- Milledge fountain is now fully operational
- Grant Park Parent Network Update – Holly Wilhelm (www.GrantParkParents.org)
- Winter Wonderland Saturday December 9th 4-6 pm
- New babies group- sign up on website
- Grant Park Schools
- Grant Park Neighborhood’s Park Happenings
- 2017 Grant Park Farmers Market – Every Sunday, 9a – 1p, April – December
- Candlelight Tour of Homes- December 9th and 10th 6-10 each night
- Nine homes including the Grant Mansion and St. Johns
- Artist market and bake sale
- Trolley shuttle service thanks to Floor and Décor
- Meat Ballerz food truck
- Saturday night event: Victorian tour of Oakland 4-6pm $10 additional
- Sunday night event: Eventide tasting and heavy hors d'oeuvre
- Historic Oakland Cemetery
- Grant Park Community Garden Please contact Jack Beckford jgbeckford@juno.com
Vice President, Dr. Michelle Kirby
- Passed around sign-up and volunteer sheet, make sure info is correct
- Advised new members to check in or sign in
- GPNA meeting signs: contact Michelle if interested
- Committee Sign-up Sheet; Committee Chair contact info on left
Secretary
- October minutes presented and approved with the change from “gateway project” to parking deck project and tree removal
Treasurer:
- Report: $33,788, of this approximately $5,000 has been earmarked for specific projects
- The GPNA is a IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible!
Public Safety Committee Chair, Chris Newman
- Zone 6 APD update:
- Be aware of package thieves during the holiday season
- Do not leave your car running outside your home
- Armed robbery around Hill St. at 2 pm on Friday. Please be aware and alert
- Zone 6 Community Prosecutor: Keith Lamar, keith.lamar@fultoncountyga.gov, 404 612-7012
- Neighborhood Watch Update: if you see something, please call 911
- Prevention organization, on Nov 5th Detective Sluss witnessed juveniles pulling car handles. He apprehended one of the juveniles and turned him over to Zone 6 police
- Zone 6 will be having a holiday party for disadvantaged children
- Committee Chair Chris Newman requested $200 to be donated, motion approved
- NPU-W meets on Wednesday nights
Philanthropic
- Nicholas House – Norma Nyhoff
- Seeking engagement from neighbors for possible donation ideas
- GPNA looking to host a neighborhood dinner- Doodle poll to go out to neighborhood for volunteers
- Nicholas House has tours every Saturday
Technology
- Sign up at gpna.org and follow us on Facebook (info below)
- Kroger Rewards & Amazon Smile
Economic Development
- Welcome to the new GP businesses: Squash Blossom, Shep’s ACE Hardware and Grant Park Market
- Grant Park Gathering Update- very successful
- Next Gathering will be in 2018
- Now in charge of Sunbursts – Order one today and have it by Friday!
Fundraising
- Sponsorship Package update. Businesses, please become a sponsor! Contact fundraising@gpna.org for more information.
· Mothball 2017 -Very successful! Fun was had by all!
- Volunteers needed- GPNA is trying to engage people more in 2018. Will only make GP stronger
Homes & History
- Confederate Ave Renaming Update:
- The Mayor’s committee has still been in talks; GP is abstaining from the process until the national historians conduct their assessment.
- List of conditions were given to the committee, waiting to hear back
- Keep an eye out for public meetings on this issue
- Design Regs. Benefits & Ramifications (262 Ormond Demo)
- Atlanta Urban Design granted a post demolition certificate. Will be rebuilding the house to the exact specifications as it was originally built
- Tip of the Month: beware of freezing pipes during the holiday season
- Call in suspect work, material removal or work: Matt Adams in planning (mdadams@atlantaga.gov) or Office of Buildings to send an inspector. Please contact the Office of Buildings at 404.330.6150 -- any neighbor can call!!
Land Use and Zoning (including Transportation and Transit)
• 385 Grant Circle - Variance Application V-17-303- Alex Brock on behalf of Providence Group
Motion approved
• 603 Boulevard – Variance Application V-17-298 approved 1 against 1 abstain
2018 LUZ Chair Voting Results:
- Rick Hudson- 65 votes, 5 provisional
- Jim Voris- 21 votes, 2 provisional
October Minutes Approved with edits
Open Floor Discussion:
8:56 pm - Meeting Adjourned