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East Atlanta Community Association Meeting, March 12, 2002
by Carolyn West
Meeting was called to order at 7:33 pm with all officers present. President,
Ken Rose, gave the opening remarks and new neighbor welcome. Elected officials
(current and former) were recognized including: Representative Joanne McClinton,
Dekalb County CEO Vernon Jones, and former Dekalb County CEO Leane Levitan.
Henry Bryant introduced Representative McClinton. He also acknowledged her
consistent help with issues surrounding the new library.
Rep. McClinton spoke to the issue of reapportionment, explaining that the
basis for this last round of changes was due to the 2000 census. The U.S. senate
and house were also reapportioned and it is possible 2-3 senators will represent
this area. Our district will now be a multi-member district with three
representatives (Post 1, 2, & 3). The area runs from Pharr Road on the east
to Henry and Clayton counties to the south. The population count jumped from
34,000 to 154,000. Decatur is no longer represented out of this district, only
Atlanta, South Dekalb County and portions of Henry and Clayton counties. The
increased areas are intended to pick up additional democrats moving Georgia from
Republican to Democrat. Now District 59, Jackie Scott has been reapportioned out
of this district, which now includes Rep. George Maddox, Rep. McClinton and one
open seat. Anyone who lives in the 59th district can run for the open
seat.
Rep. McClinton also addressed election reform. The state is trying to get
more informed individuals in the polling places, people who are knowledgeable of
election laws. $54 million has been budgeted to update the voting mechanism,
which will now be electronic. Machines will not be ready for primary but
certainly for the general election.
The state will send a staff member out, upon request, to demonstrate use of
the new machines. Goal is to have one machine for every 250 people unless the
need is proven for more.
Vernon Jones, Dekalb County CEO
CEO Jones made a few introductory remarks but mainly came to listen and
answer questions. Our area is comprised of 3rd Commission District
(Scott) and at-large District 7 (Walker). He also made mention of the regressive
one cent tax for Dekalb County, enabling property taxes to be abated for the
past three years.
Other issues/comments included: HOST funds have been requested and used for
sidewalk repair by 3rd Dist. Rep. Also asking Federal government to
supplement the need. ** Mr. Eugene Davis brought attention to drainage
problem in creek behind his home. Mr. Jones acknowledged that this would be a
City of Atlanta issue but he would try to help find a solution or direction for
Mr. Davis. ** Mr. Jones spoke to the upcoming lifting of the moratorium
on zoning issues on March 21, acknowledging that only 20 applications would be
accepted for the year. ** On the issue of taxation, Atlanta Dekalb tax
was formerly based on Dekalb’s rate. However, new structure is being worked
out that Atlanta Dekalb’s rate would now be the same as Atlanta Fulton rate.
Dekalb County services available to Atlanta in Dekalb residents: animal
control, library and some DFACS services. (Secretary’s note: Health services
also available.)
Former CEO Leane Levitan announced she is running for the 40th
senate district.
Major Carlos Banda, Zone 6 commented on the rash of car break-ins and
burglaries. Zone 6 is having prostitution details. Drug arrests have been made
in the Glenwood-Paoli-Newton area. Zone 6 is redistributing patrol cars – 2 to
each side of Moreland with extras where needed.
Old Business
SouthStar Bike Rack Sponsorship. Vote was 33-2 to support one bike rack
in EAV.
Neighborhood Charter School. Principal Jackie Russworm mentioned their
2-day open house coming up. School will have K-3 this coming fall and
registration from this area is encouraged.
Trees Atlanta. EACA voted 38-0 to give a donation of $350.
New Library. Regarding the library property land swap, Jim Busbee has
applied for a special exception for 24 parking spaces at the current library
site. This would be for four retail shops only. Any change in business type
requiring more parking would have to come back before EACA. Jim gave the
background and new information on the land swap: the City will pay to redo the
current facility 2) the City will be tenant until new site is ready 3) City will
pay Laundromat to relocate. EACA voted in support 41-0. Also, on 4/19 at 1:00 pm
issue is before Board of Zoning Adjustment. Supporters are encouraged to attend.
FEAL (Friends of East Atlanta Library) meeting is 3/20 at 6:30 pm. Issue before
NPUW on fourth Tuesday in March.
GreenStreet Properties. President, Kathryn Kelly and Environmental
Specialist, Walter Brown gave presentation. New proposal reduced total square
footage by over 100,000 from previous bidder. Streets, sidewalk and trees plans
have been approved.
Height limit on eastern side has been reduced 10 feet to 45 feet. Near
Glenwood connector, height limit has been reduced from 86 to 80 feet. The
connector will be a main street. Project will have restaurants and services for
daily living. They are trying to be complementary of East Atlanta Village. Also
included, retail and office space with living above, multifamily housing, and
possibly a school. A traffic study will be done to project future usage on the
connector, but the city feels that 2 traffic lanes, 2 parallel parking lanes and
bike lanes should be sufficient for traffic flow. To learn more or to vote on
this project, attend the NPU-w Land Use & Zoning on 1st Tues or
NPU-w meeting on 4th Tues. Groundbreaking is expected by end of year,
with building beginning next year. Straw vote of support by EACA.
Music Midtown. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up. This effort is our
primary fundraiser. Shifts will be four-hour increments. To be successful, 120
slots need to be filled.
Committee Reports/Regular Reports
Beautification. Coming up is the quarterly clean up in conjunction with
SAND (Moreland Avenue). In between these quarterly clean ups EACA cleans areas
in and around the village. Report to Band of America at 9:00 am this Saturday.
Membership. Pam Aks reporting for Brett Aks, encouraging new members to
join. The membership directory is in process.
FEAL (Friends of East Atlanta Library). Building (design) discussion
begins next Wed.
SouthStar report in the EACA Update.
Other
Evelyn Bailey mentioned that the new Kroger store is opening on April 28.
Martha Brown Outreach Ministry. Johnny Henderson of Martha Brown stressed
that Church is staying in the community. They are working on the use of the old
Gordon School facility. Martha Brown sponsors a Lunch and Learn every Tuesday
from 12 noon to 1 pm with complimentary lunch.
East Atlanta Village Strut. Street festival and fundraiser for Boys &
Girls Club will be held on September 29.
East Atlanta Study, Streetscape. Planning for streetscape will begin on
the 3rd Tuesday in April at 6:00 pm. EACA encouraged to participate.
Minutes approved and treasurer’s report distributed. Note: From April
onward, minutes will be posted on the website: www.eaca.net
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