Recap of 2023 Annual Meeting
Posted on Oct 25th, 2023
PBA Annual Meeting
October 18, 2023, 7 p.m.
Ahavath Achim Synagogue Srochi Hall
40+ In Person Attendees (14+ on zoom)
Juan Johnson, PBA President
Called the meeting to order at 7:05
Board Motions
Minutes approved for August.
Minutes approved for April.
Motion to proceed in lieu of the notice timeframe – Approved.
Kendra Adams, PBA Vice President introduces Jim Elgar of Mary Norwood's Office – District 8 City Council rep
- Havenridge & Woodward – The orange marks on the trees were a mistake and are not going away. Additional storm drains, granite curbing.
- Still have second phase of tree ordinance to go which will be more complicated – recompense, fines, etc.
- Work on curbing traffic at E. Rivers and get flashing beacons (push button flash).
Kendra introduces Debra Warthen, Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods
- The goal is quality of life in neighborhoods.
- Started Buckhead Public Safety Council.
- Phone numbers 470-676-9535 and 470-676- 9537
Kendra introduces Catherine Spillman, Executive Director of Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy
- Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy started as 501c3 in 2011 and master planned Memorial Park. In 2016, the state took over the other side with the golf course, etc.
- The conservancy has three main pillars – watershed, connectivity, and green space.
- We hired a fluvial geologist and Mary Norwood funded the study. We are studying between Howell Mill and Northside Drive to show us what needs to happen to help us create a healthy creek. We will then have a dollar number on what we need to fund.
- Creek Clean-up days – about 60 kids from Atlanta International School.
- Connectivity – sidewalks around Memorial Park, beltline and nature trails. Working on improving corners on Memorial Park side. Soon will be working on Howell Mill meadow. Land issues are almost resolved. Corner of Peachtree Battle and Howell Mill. 4th Corner is Peachtree Battle and Woodward Way.
- Chris Hastings of Arbormedics trimmed all the trees behind Bobby Jones Club House. Also pruned trees on Beltline and raised the canopy pro bono. Cleaning up graffiti.
- Betty Young Park – Woodward Way & Alton Road - Took 3-4 years and got approval in August. The work has started. It is going to be a passive park. Park Benches with Arm Rests in the middle, 2 bucket swings, balance beam and trash cans. Betty Young (Zach Young) approached about donating all the funds that made the park possible. Betty lived across from the FEMA lots for 65 years.
Kendra thanks guest speakers Jim, Debra and Catherine and turns attention to PBA committee reports.
Kate Allgood presents Membership committee report. Thanks 8 committee volunteers. Committee is tasked with 3 main functions: Block Captains, the 40 block captains who serve as eyes and ears within our neighborhood; New Neighbor Outreach and Annual Membership Drive. 570 homes in the neighborhood. 430 are members. Shows how to renew online. The list of why to join is long: security, green space, getting to know neighbors etc. Asks members to please renew for 2024.
Kendra presents Traffic committee report on behalf of co-chairs Susan McGonigle and Chris Carpenter.
- Sinkhole on Peachtree Battle. PBA worked with the Watershed Commissioner Browning to turn the new pipe correctly towards the creek. Sat down with Mary to talk about city. Paving bucket for planned projects. Emergency bucket is divided between city contractors. There was not a plan to pave after trenches were dug up Sagamore, but then Ruby Collins agreed to pave.
- Watermain break on Havenridge. They dug up the yard and drainage and closed it up. PBA advocated for the homeowner.
- Tire Slicing Curb on Woodward Way. Zero visibility. We have put cones and flags out. We’ve met with GDOT, Catherine Spillman etc. and are in a study to figure out what will happen and how to remark the intersection and move the light.
- Dillon and E. Rivers. Numerous conversations with city entities, E. Rivers, homeowners, etc. We talked to president of Integra and are working on what we might do. Probably will get signage and put it up until we can get a permanent solution.
- Working on a 4-way stop at Havenridge and Woodward Way. Always get information about who is working on your property and advocate for yourself and then call PBA if needed.
- Developed a map of all sidewalks on Peachtree Battle that need to be repaired/addressed.
Kendra presents Social committee report on behalf of Dana Hudson, Social Chair
Social helps us stay connected. Sponsorships are also needed for Spring Party and Fall Family Festival. Open to ideas for other events. Looking for committee members and volunteers.
Wendel Greider presents Security committee report. Introduce Captain Jeff Baxter. Off-duty officers who work in the neighborhood have been here since the 80s. Neighborhood is safe. Patrols and communication are instrumental. Most of the crime we have is property theft such as lawn equipment, vehicle break-ins. First full year of our security vehicle. Travels approx. 500 miles per month. Zone 2 has had a reduction in crime vs. the city with the exception of shoplifting. Cameras are throughout the neighborhood. License plate readers, quad cameras, flock cameras etc.
Captain Jeff Baxter thanks the Synagogue which allows us to use this building as hub. We park our vehicle here. Mary is a staunch supporter of our training center. Our police chief is committed to having it up and running by December next year. There is going to be a state patrol post behind the Governor’s mansion. Residents are purchasing cameras for Upper Woodward Way. Visit ConnectAtlanta.org to register your home camera with the Atlanta Police Department. It lets police know that a camera exists at your house. PBA security vehicle provides consistency and pays dividends. Hundreds of house checks every year. It is a bonus to have a uniformed Atlanta Police Officer moving your trash cans and mail. The E. Rivers school speed detection cameras are in effect.
Marc Schneidau presents Parks committee report. Our committee divided into four areas – entrances, median, tri-party agreement for BJ greenspace, 501c3
- Sagamore and Northside and Northside and Peachtree Battle. Park has been renamed in honor of Sam Roberts. Construction should be started before year-end.
- Hired a company to limb up trees on Peachtree Battle.
- Rivers Lodge – Lodge has been painted and trees trimmed. APS is supposed to sell the building and PBA is on top of that.
- Habersham at Peachtree Battle – huge tree removed and grass replaced thanks to Hil Harper and neighborhood volunteers.
- PBA will assume maintenance of the three new pocket parks.
- 501c was formed to improve green spaces. 5-person board with three of them being PBA board members and two other neighbors. Structured as a not-for-profit. Goal is to do larger projects that PBA budget does not cover. PBA Neighborhood Improvement Website is up and running.
Juan Johnson, President, conducted business of meeting and elections,
The Board thanked Wendel Greider, Susan McGonigal, Mark Rusche, Jennifer Stump and Gerry Woodruff who have completed terms of service and are rolling off the board.
The Board proposed that the membership elect David Moeller, Anna Patton, Craig Mullins, Amy Githens, Suzanne Jones and Nory LeBrun to new or second terms. All in favor, none opposed. Directors are approved.
Raised dues last year in keeping with extended obligations such as maintenance of car, parks maintenance, 501c3. We made a contribution to the 501c3 and felt it was appropriate to make a donation at $30k. Extended additional bonuses to security patrol and raised their pay this year. Ending the year with a little more than we started with last year. Next year we will have additional obligations such as maintenance of the pocket park.
At present, there 17 board members and 8 possible vacancies.
There will be a full board meeting in November where we will confirm officers.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:41pm
