President, Myron Polster:
• Walk-in Clinic “NextCare” has opened in the Edgewood Retail District above Figo Pasta. They are open 8-8 Mon-Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday.
• New neighbors and new meeting attendees introduced themselves.
Mary Yetter, for East Atlanta Strut:
• Saturday, September 15 is the date for the 10th annual East Atlanta Strut.
• Strut organizers are calling for volunteers to help on many committees, including artist market, music, permitting, parade, kid’s area, website development, waste management, etc. They will be meeting the 1st Tuesday of every month at Honey’s Kitchen in East Atlanta Village at 7pm. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
• For more information, visit www.eaca.net.
January meeting minutes approved by voice vote.
Fire Department Report:
• Several fires (no injuries) were successfully put out in vacant homes recently. Community members are requested to report vagrants living in abandoned buildings to try to prevent future fires.
• The new East Atlanta Fire Station should break ground this month, and should be complete by the end of the year.
• Reminder to all citizens that the Fire Station is open 24-7, and that in addition to furnishing smoke detectors and car seats, they also take blood pressure and glucose readings.
Public Safety Crime Report, Jennifer Murray:
• Overall crime was down 34% from 2005 to 2006, with the largest declines seen in burglary, larceny auto, and assaults. Year end maps and statistics are available at www.eaca.net.
Police Report, Major Propes:
• Two perpetrators who have been responsible for several East Atlanta gun-related crimes, including auto theft, are in jail and Major Propes was hopeful that witnesses could positively ID them in relation to additional crimes to keep them incarcerated.
• A/C units have recently been stolen in our area (to resell the copper).
• Numerous car registration stickers and license tags have also been stolen. Suggestions from attendees included using hex bolts to put tags on making them impossible to remove with a regular screwdriver, and slicing an “X” through your registration stickers with razor or knife to make them more difficult to remove.
Report from City Councilwoman, Natalyn Archibong:
• Thanked new EACA officers for volunteering.
• Congratulated Andy Schneggenburger, EACA’s Land Use and Zoning Chair, who has been asked to serve on the City’s Beltline Affordable Housing Board.
• Currently working on legislation with Mary Norwood and others that would set up a code enforcement board with subpoena power that could handle cases more expeditiously than the current system. See www.eaca.net for more details.
• Readdressed the proposed Tree Ordinance—which would allow homeowners to remove one tree per year from their property without arborist approval or permit. Archibong’s position is that when a healthy tree is compromising the integrity of someone’s home this could be a compelling reason to provide leeway. However, the ordinance has no tracking or enforcement built in so she fears the legislation as currently written could easily be misused or overused. Currently, anything over 6” in diameter (particularly if it’s a hardwood), is considered a tree by law.
• Tire recycling, which was Archibong’s initiative, is now going to be implemented citywide for Earth Day.
Transportation Report, Larry Johnson:
• Johnson’s song this month was about adding more bicycle racks in EAV and was sung to the tune of “Bicycle Built for Two.”
• He introduced Amy and Scott, representatives from SOPO (a non-profit bike resource center based in East Atlanta that provides tools, parts and education), who led a presentation on the benefits of installing bike racks outside of area businesses. SOPO educates businesses on what type of racks to use and why, and how to best install racks. They are installing racks at cost ($130) to interested business, requesting only a $25 donation for the service. Visit sopobikes.org for more about their mission, bike shop hours, etc.
Sylvester Cemetery Report, Larry Johnson:
• Larry will be offering nine tours of Sylvester Cemetery in conjunction with the Atlanta Preservation Center’s “The Fifth Annual Phoenix Flies: A Citywide Celebration of Living Landmarks” this March. Tour schedules will be discussed in the Porch Press, posted on the Sylvester website (http://sylvestercemetery.org/), and on the APC website.
2007 EACA Budget, Myron Polster:
• Budget disseminated for review and comment.
• Approved 13-0 by hand vote. A mandatory second vote (at next month’s EACA meeting) is required for final passage.
Treasurer’s report, Myron Polster:
• Treasurer’s report handed out and reviewed.
• EACA still needs a treasurer. Call for volunteers! The position requires 2-4 hours a month and is a great way to get to know your neighbors and serve your community. Contact presidenteaca.net if you wish to serve.
NPU-W Report: Ed Gilgor
• The next East Atlanta Public Safety Committee meeting will be Tuesday March 6th at Martha Brown Church at 7pm.
• The City is currently considering charging property owners for repaving sidewalks (an estimated $80 million in repairs). Ed and others in our NPU are proposing that sidewalks, like all public right of ways, be maintained with tax dollars and are requesting $100 million in future public funds be dedicated to the sidewalk issue.
• Ed is trying to get to the bottom of recent delays in the Brownwood Park Rec Center design process.
• A successful Decatur bar is considering relocating to the East Atlanta Village; however, due to the village’s proximity to the park, schools, and churches, current zoning prohibits this. As a community, we could potentially approve this business (if we feel it might be a good fit) for this space.
• To find out more about these and other issues, come to the next NPU-W meeting on February 28th at the East Atlanta library, or email Ed at npuw.chaireaca.net.
East Atlanta Business Association (EABA) update, Jonathan Tescher :
• After studying last years’ crime maps and statistics, EABA has suggested a change in Village Security Patrol hours.
• The EAV Farmer’s Market is gearing up for new year and will be held every Thursday, May through October, from 4:30 pm to dark.
• In order to be eligible for Federal commercial revitalization tax incentives, EABA is pursuing getting East Atlanta designated as part of the Atlanta Renewal Community.
• The Brownwood Teen Club will be entering their hydroponic basil in an upcoming competition for a $2,000 prize.
Membership Committee, Heath Turner:
• EACA Member renewals going well—in addition to cash and check payment of annual dues, many have chosen to use the new paypal option online.
• Everyone is encouraged to take the upcoming survey about EACA—what works, what doesn’t--suggestions on increasing meeting attendance, etc. Fill out survey at www.eaca.net or email your feedback to Heath at vicepresidenteaca.net. There will also be a link to the survey in the EACA Newsletter beginning on February 26th.
Land Use and Zoning, Andy Schneggenberger:
• Discussed his appointment to the Beltline Affordable Housing Board, which is a two-year commitment during which time he will help oversee use and expenditures from tax allocation money set aside for affordable housing.
• 1291 McPherson Ave requested a reduction in their sideyard setback (to make way for an addition in line with the home’s existing side wall). A few trees will be impacted, but they are understory pecans. Plans were shown to attendees. Variance request approved by hand vote 16-0.
• Discussed the Mayor’s new affordable housing implementation plan which asks private developers to make 10% of their new units (in developments of 10 or greater units) “affordable” in exchange for a 20% density bonus. This would spread affordable units throughout the city as opposed to clumping them together in affordable projects. However, the density impact could be significant and is being debated.
• The City Bureau of Housing still has funds available for basic code-related repairs for qualifying seniors.
• To get involved, or for more information on these or other landuse/zoning issues, email landuseeaca.net.
Final announcements:
• The East Atlanta Security Patrol went through its first renewal period and all but one household renewed, which is viewed as a very successful start. For more information on the Security Patrol, visit patrol.eaca.net.
• LEAP, the EACA educational group formed to enhance and assist our area schools, will meet February 20th at Burgess Peterson Elementary at 7:30PM to discuss fundraising for the school’s proposed playground. All are welcome.
• The next EACA meeting will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30PM at Branan Towers. Among other agenda items, EACA will be reviewing the options for the new EACA website, reviewing EACA survey results (go to www.eaca.net to take the survey), and holding the second and final vote on the 2007 budget.
• Reminder that the Neighborhood Charter School’s registration period (for East Atlanta residents) is March 5-16th. More info at www.neighborhoodcharter.com.
