The October 14, 2003 East Atlanta Community Association meeting began at 7:40 pm. President, Ken Rose, began the meeting with the reminder that nominations are being accepted by Carter Smith for 2004 EACA officers. Interested parties may self-nominate.
Elena Kaplan volunteered to coordinate the December 9, 2003 EACA holiday party (short meeting precedes the party). Susan Elliott volunteered to send out the invitations and Dean West will smoke a turkey. Other items will be potluck dishes from the general membership.
Special thanks to Anne Shaw and Katy DeMent for coordinating the successful East Atlanta Village Strut. Thanks also to those who donated to, volunteered at or purchased goods from the East Atlanta Village Strut. A total of $25,000 was raised and the net proceeds will be distributed equally between the Boys and Girls Club, EACA and EABA (approximately $4,000 each). The Strut Committee for the September 18, 2004 is already in place.
APD – Zone 6
Officer Kopiecz and Officer Jones (Mini-motor) presented the report for Zone 6. Signs are posted regarding dogs without leash and will be enforced. Burglaries of vacant and properties under renovation continue. Illegally parked cars in lot across from Grant Central East are being booted. Suspect has been apprehended in the shooting at the corner of Stallings and Flat Shoals. It does not appear to be a random shooting. Attendee complained about speeding on Moreland Avenue.
Belt Line Presentation
Matt Hicks gave a visual presentation of the proposed Belt Line, which potentially could be a linear park with multiuse trails and opportunities for recreation/fitness use. It might also act as a regional collector and distribution system. He also showed a sketch of how it might look. For more information log onto www.cathyatlanta.com. By a show of hands, EACA voted to support this project.
AFD – Station 13
Kudos from EACA to Station 13 for rescuing a man in a fire on Gilbert Street in September. City Council gave the unit a proclamation. Recent statistics: 140 calls (71 medical, 69 fire), 65 blood pressures taken. Car seats are available. Nicolette Williams, car seat technician is available for installation (on C Shift – every third day). Smoke detectors are available. Remember – It’s the smoke in fires that kills. Station 13 (and Fire Department in total) needs EACA’s support on two issues: (1) The department is 38 firefighters short on every shift. City needs to hire enough personnel to adequately man each truck on each shift; (2) City needs to address the issue of retroactive increase to the pension fund on behalf of the firefighters. Ed Gilgor will work on a resolution of support.
Treasurer’s Report presented and accepted.
NPU-W Elections
NPU-W elections will be held in November for EACA’s six representatives and two alternates. Anyone interested in serving, please see Ed Gilgor.
Island Redesign
No one from Three, Inc. was in attendance; however, it was mentioned that the redesign was on hold.
Brownwood Park Rededication
Joyce Taylor shared information about the Brownwood Park rededication, which will include a health fair and fall festival with the fire house, Colgate van and much more. Activity will be held on October 25, 2003 at 10:00 am.
Land Use & Zoning
Vanessa Turner wants to open a piano bar at 495 Flat Shoals Avenue (currently Panacea Spa & Salon). Panacea will relocate to the north end of Flat Shoals Avenue. EACA voted support by show of hands, none opposed (information only; no vote count required).
A new French Restaurant will open this Friday, October 17, 2003 called Le Café Hines (Anderson Hines, owner). Business will be next to Earth Shaking Music and is asking for liquor license. EACA approved 34-0.
East Atlanta Art and Antiques Bazaar (EAAAB) needs a variance from NC2 zoning for a wall in front of building. EACA approved 26-0-4. No variance needed for columns.
Report from Natalyn Archibong, 5th District Councilperson
District 5 report was distributed. Ms. Archibong is still working with the Fire Chief to locate a site for the new fire station in East Atlanta Village. There is a planned 45% increase in water/sewer rates on January 4. Let your input be heard when city personnel presents this to the neighborhood associations.
COMMITTEE and OTHER REPORTS
SouthStar
Corby Hannah reports that Streetscape is moving forward. The design committee has met and is focused on more detailed drawings for Flat Shoals. A broader community meeting will be scheduled. SouthStar has received a grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission to educate the community on the value and maintenance of trees. (Thanks to EACA for its support of this grant.) Among projects planned is a tree inventory.
A planning grant is being sought that will include a center in West End area but use will be inclusive of the East Atlanta area. Sarah, an intern from Emory, is helping to institute the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to supplement the home repair program. First project is planned for November 15. Small home repair will be done on three homes in the SouthStar area. More details at the November 11 EACA meeting. Vanessa Turner is finalizing details of the next SouthStar fundraiser. The SouthStar marketing committee and the EABA cultural committee may merge.
Parks
Elena Kaplan announced the next “In the Park” social on October 26. Theme is Pizza in the Park.
Library
Henry Bryant reports the demolition has started and construction should be complete in about a year. The Friends of the East Atlanta Library book sale at the East Atlanta Village Strut netted FEAL $400. Remaining books are now on sale at Joe’s on the book cart. Attendance is encouraged at the Fulton County 2004 budget meeting on October 29, 7:00 pm, at the Senior Center in the 4th ward. Barring budget cutbacks, the plan is to have the new library fully staffed, which will enable longer hours of operation.
Public Safety
Ed Gilgor announces that the city Traffic and Transportation Dept. has received the petitions for the Ormewood Avenue speed humps. 75% of the residents have signed in support. Department will verify signatures.
Public safety chair asked for a vote of support for a proposal to reduce speed (to 20 mph) on Glenwood between Moreland and Monument and Flat Shoals between McPherson and Ormewood. EACA (and previously EABA) voted in support of the reduction and instreet crosswalk signs.
Criminal trespass waivers are on file at Zone 6 for the following properties: The Gordon School, Tucker Automotive, House north of Best Buy (456 Flat Shoals), vacant lot at 469 Metropolitan Place and the vacant lots between the Chiropractic Clinic and Patterson Avenue (1336, 1342 and 1350 May Avenue). No one is allowed on these properties. Anyone seeing persons on these properties should call 911 and police will require the person to move on or be arrested.
The dog leash laws are being enforced in Brownwood Park and the APD is actively enforcing this law following multiple complaints.
Please report downed or missing traffic signs or burned out traffic lights to Ed Gilgor at publicsafetyeaca.net.
If you are missing a green trash container (herbie curbie) or black recycling bin please e-mail publicsafetyeaca.net for replacement.
EACA voted 20-8 in favor of continuing the quarterly Moreland Avenue cleanup.
Volunteers were asked to e-mail public safety chair to report on the amount of trash on the ramps to and from I-20
An NC-2 zoning rewrite is being drafted for presentation to EACA. Issues being looked at are sidewalk passability, limits on the number package stores and limitations on adult businesses.
Graffiti reports may be called in to 404-330-6190 (per Susan Elliott). Code Enforcement has been educated on enforcing graffiti laws.
NPU-W is seeking volunteers to serve as neighborhood deputies. The neighborhood deputies assist the city in enforcing the Housing and Commercial Building Codes. Training takes 8-12 hours. Anyone interested please email publicsafetyeaca.net.
Commissioner Graves of the Department of Planning and Community Development will be visiting the neighborhoods of the NPU-W on Friday, October 24, 2003.
Diversity Action Group
Carolyn West, on behalf of above group, asked for more meeting signage for placement outside the village area. Mark Dobiecki volunteered to assist EACA is obtaining more signs. Other EACA members will be asked for assistance as well. $150 is in the budget for additional signage.
Other
Ms. Archibong announced that a task force has been formed to study right of way and other rules for sidewalk cafes. Cary Duncan gave some historical background regarding this issue. Also, the 2:00 am bar closing issue, which most EAV business owners oppose, is again up for debate.
NPU-W Environmental Chair
Steve Carr cited an Atlanta Journal Constitution article about water rates tripling.
Note: membership cd’s will be available at next month’s meeting or list is available via email.
