August 2006 Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM

A welcome to new attending neighbors and introductions.
The approval of the July 2006 minutes was deferred to next month.

OLD BUSINESS
City of Atlanta Police are definitely making a better show of presence in our immediate neighborhood.
Prostitution has increased during the last two months. The most impacted area is on Boulevard between the Citgo Gas Station (corner of Custer and Boulevard) to Ms Weiner's restaurant (corner of McDonough and Boulevard).
Neighbors report a prostitute hang-out with possible drug activity at a house near the corner of Boulevard and Casanova Street. Frequent traffic is seen there.
This year, there is more prostitution and drug activity in Benteen Park. It was suggested that any residents witnessing this type activity should contact Nathaniel Miller, Drug Court Administrator, at 404-699-5297, (fax) 404-699-5293, or email nathaniel.miller@co.fulton.ga.us Nathaniel Miller is a contact for Project Fresh Start. It is very important you have the correct address of the property in question.

Stated: Carla Smith promised to help with traffic calming devices, i.e. Speed humps. We have not heard back from her on this, nor have we received an application for neighborhood speed humps. It was suggested we send a formal letter to Carla Smith, Ms. Fordham and other district members. This letter will be written and presented for approval at our next meeting. Stated, if there is no response to this letter within a reasonable time, we will take the issue to the City Council.
Motion was made for the letter to be composed. Seconded and passed.
The letter will be presented at our next meeting for approval.

THE FLOOR WAS PASSED TO APD REPRESENTATIVE, OFFICER RUBY NAYLOR.
Officer Naylor reports residential burglaries are on the increase. The main targets are garages and sheds. Areas of increased activity are Pontiac Place, Woodland Avenue, McDonough Street, Wellswood Avenue. McDonough Street is experiencing increased pedestrian robberies. People in their cars, who stopped at traffic lights on McDonough, had their cars stolen at gunpoint. Ruby Naylor reports, two suspects were arrested but others escaped.

Housing Code and Zoning: Officer Naylor stated a large employee turnover is the cause for lack of service. She stated the city trains people and they leave after a short time. She said the reason for their leaving is unclear.

It was stated that our next step for Code and Zoning issues should be taking complaints to the City Council. Discussed: the Health Department and Zoning are not following up. When called, representatives at the Health Department state “(we) are backed-up. We will get to it when we can.” It was suggested we contact NPU-W and SAND to group for a council meeting. Those attending should come with one complaint each– rather than several people with the same complaint. People repeating the same issue takes up time and will tax the City Council's time.

Officer Naylor suggested we visit Code Enforcement Court on Wednesdays or Thursdays at 2:00 PM. (she was not certain of the weekday). She stated witnessing the court dynamic would be educational.


NEW BUSINESS
September 19th, 2006 @ 6:30 PM. Pastor Shapell, Latter Day Ministries at 1041 Moreland Drive, is willing to host an informational meeting for discussing neighborhood issues and concerns. This date may be tentative and will be discussed more at our September 2006 neighborhood meeting. For more information, email Officer Ruby Naylor at RNAYLOR@ATLANTAGA.GOV
Suggested: The Benteen Park Neighborhood Association become involved in the Belt-Line Project. It was stated that SAND is already involved with the Belt-Line Project and those desiring involvement can contact SAND for more information.

TREASURER REPORT
Account balance is $520.29.
Proposed expense – signs to advertise neighborhood meetings. The signs need to be bilingual. Pricing for at least three (3) signs will be investigated and reported at our next meeting. For more information or suggestions, email Katie Kaiser at KATIE@KATIEKAISER.COM

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Safety and Zoning: A number of unleashed dogs are roaming the neighborhood. Also, discussion concerning lack of response from the Health Department and the Zoning and Code Ordinance Department and ways to facilitate action as written within these minutes (refer to Office Naylor's discussion).
Neighborhood Improvement and Special Projects
Neighborhood Clean Up will be 9:00 AM this Saturday. Meet at Benteen Elementary School.
Safety and Police Committee
No report.

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS
Nominees selected:
President: Joe Glessner, nominated, seconded by Rick Matthews, and passed
Vice President: J.P. Machalik, nominated, seconded by Rick Matthews, and passed
Treasurer: Rick Matthews, nominated, seconded by Chris Micallef, and passed
Adam Brackman, nominated, seconded by Katie Kaiser, and passed
Secretary: Diane O'Rea, nominated, seconded by Joe Glessner, and passed
Chris Micallef, nominated, seconded by Zachery Ross, and passed
NOMINATIONS CLOSED AND BALLOTS COUNTED

2006-2007 Elected officers are:
President: Joe Glessner
Vice President: J.P. Micallef
Treasurer: Adam Brackman
Secretary: Diane O'Rea

Motion was made that committees and members be part of the minutes. Seconded and Passed.
Safety and Police Committee
Rick Matthews, Adam Brackman, Chris Micallef, Eula Tirey

Zoning and Code Enforcement Committee
Joe Glessner, Diane O'Rea, Adam Brackman

Neighborhood Improvement and Special Projects Committee
Bill Nugent, Joe Williams, Katie Kaiser, JP Machalik, Chris Micallef, Zuaquis Ross

The NPU-W meeting is the last Wednesday of each month at the East Atlanta Library.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.