Opening Comments Myron Polster
Introduction of City of Atlanta Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran
Atlanta Fire Chief Chief Cochran
Presented A) Vision for Atlanta Fire Department and B) Upcoming Events
A) Vision:
1) to have enough resources (people, etc);
2) to have training to ensure the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to do the job;
3) to have emergency response readiness;
4) to have all needed facilities, equipment, and supplies;
5) to deliver customer service programs;
6) to provide the public information education
B) Upcoming Events:
June 7 (10 am 4 pm) and June 8 (2 pm 4 pm) Friends And Neighbors in the Stations (F.A.N.S.) - Annual city-wide open house at each station public education, health screenings, station tours, food provided.
Atlanta Public Schools
Mikkal Hart Murunga - Public Affairs Manager at APS, other APS representatives, and local principals. Presented that APS seeks to do a better job of two-way communication between the community and the APS central office.
Recent APS accolades:
Received a $22 million grant from GE corporation largest grant in Citys history
The only urban school district in the nation on the NAEP test to show significant improvement in all grades tested since 2003
83.5% of schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP); for first time in history
All 62 elementary schools made AYP for 2006-2007 school year - one of only two districts in the Atlanta Metro area
Partnered with Emory and Nanjing Universities to open Confucius Institute (inside Coan Middle School) students as young as kindergarten will be studying Mandarin Chinese.
Southside will transition to Small Learning Communties in the 2008-2009 school year.
Renaming Southside High School Send your name submission (along with rationale for name) to hgrantatlanta.k12.ga.us by May 30th.
East Atlanta Strut Laird Ruth
Applications now on website for Artists Market, Food Vendors, & Parade www.eastatlantastrut.com
Sponsorship packages also available on website contact Berit Turner sponsorshipeastatlantastrut.com
EABA Marc Takacs
East Atlanta networking event May 28, 2008 from 4-7 pm at Midway for professionals to come and network with each other.
EACA discounts now in full effect if you have EACA membership card, with signs up at participating businesses.
Brownwood Bike Rally Jill Seider
June 7, 2008 with full information on website www.eastatlantakids.org.
Registration can take place day-of or online at www.active.com.
East Atlanta Kids Club is still looking for food vendors and for on-site volunteers see website for further information.
Crime Report Jennifer Murray
Crime is up 92% versus April 2007 but down 24% from last month.
Most frequent crimes are: Burglary (Residential) 12 instances and Larceny (Auto) 18 instances.
Robbery (Pedestrian) is down and there were no Assaults in April.
Police Report Major Propes
Burglaries are up this month, both city-wide and within our area.
Community support makes a difference in sentencing continue to send letters to the DA, appear in court, etc.
Two 16 & 17 year-old burglary suspects arrested, led to information on how the same stolen car being was used by multiple people to perpetrate crimes via a checking-out process.
City Council Report Councilmember Natalyn Archibong
Appreciation expressed to Fuller Center which has been instrumental in rebuilding homes on Glenwood.
City of Atlanta lay-offs - Natalyn provided explanation of how positions were transferred from the General Fund to avoid additional lay-offs.
Discussion of $140 million budget shortfall and public budget hearings to take place May 14, 2008 all are encouraged to attend budget hearings.
Land Use & Zoning Andrew Walter
2209 Charleston Pointe Variance to reduce setback from 35 to 25 for a new single family residence in existing subdivision. Setbacks of existing neighboring houses 15-20.
Motion to approve variance conditional upon receipt of letter from president of home owners association stating HOAs support of variance (9-0-1)
718 East Side Avenue Variance to reduce setback from 35 to 17 for an addition to single family house.
Motion to approve (14-0-0)
456 Patterson Ave Application to remove condition that structure be built by Northbrook according to a specific foot elevation.
Motion to approve (13-0-1)
