MLPA Board Meeting February 8 2010

Morningside-Lenox Park Association (www.mlpa.org)
Monthly Board Meeting Agenda –February 8, 2010

Call to order and welcome

Reports from Elected Officials and Political Candidates

Council Member Alex Wan was present and reported that City Council is preparing to tackle the tough issues facing the city such as budget and safety. Search teams for Chief of Police and Fire Chief are being announced today.

Lt. Danny Shierbaum from APD was present. He is our evening watch commander now. He has returned to our community after a brief stint in Zone 5. Currently crime is low, some of this is due to the increased presence of patrol cars for traffic enforcement. APD has approved 2 months of overtime for extra patrols in beat 601 (our neighborhood and VAHI)

Security Committee Report
For the second month in a row, our reported crimes were centered on vehicle larcenies in the parking lot on North Highland at University. There were two reported vehicle break-ins at that location.

Vehicle larceny is our most preventable crime. Please don’t leave anything in view inside your vehicle and keep it locked at all times. Vehicle larceny is a crime of opportunity. If the criminals don’t see anything, they don’t break into a vehicle. Please let your visitors and workers know this.

Please report all crime or suspected crime, no matter how small, by calling 911.

Please remember to keep the doors and windows of your house locked, even when you are at home. In addition, please be cautious when walking in the evening. Always be aware of your surroundings and other people in the area.

If you see or hear something that does not seem right, please call 911 immediately.

There have been reports on our Yahoo! Message Board regarding a scam artist working our neighborhood and Virginia-Highlands. Recently, he was working North Highland at East Rock Springs. This individual is well dressed, claims that his car is broken down and that he needs a ride to City Hall East to meet someone. Once in your vehicle he asks for money. So far, he has not produced a weapon or threatened those who pick him up. If a stranger approaches you needing help, please call 911.

Morningside Lenox Park residents - don't forget that Highland Wine & Crystal will accept delivery of packages so they don't have to be left on your front porch. Just stop by, sign their release, and have all your presents delivered safely. You might say thanks to Skip for providing this service to our neighborhood by buying a bottle of wine!

CRIMES REPORTED JANUARY 2010

VEHICLE LARCENIES (2)

LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 01/28/10 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE
LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 01/11/10 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE
***********PARKING LOT N.HIGHLAND****************************

BURGLARIES (0)
VEHICLE THEFT (0)

LARCENIES (1)
LAR-PARTS FROM VEHICLE 01 / 27 / 10 CUMBERLAND RD

VIOLENT CRIME
None to Report

The condos on Dutch Valley Road has voiced an interest to join MSP. Mark will meet with them to discuss their needs as well as what services MSP might provide.

Treasurer’s Report:
No report

Events Committee Report:
No report

Communications Committee Report
No report

Membership Committee Report:
No report

Traffic Committee Report:
No report (see Lt Shierbaum's report above)

Parks and Environmental Affairs Committee Report:
New
Morningside Nature Preserve--Replaced wooden foot bridge at first stream crossing. Phil Ozell and Clay Dunn (MNP Steering Committee) organized and designed and did the construction with assistance from Phil’s family and others in the neighborhood.

Old/Continuing
Met with representatives of Morningside Place Homeowners Assoc. (MPHOA) along with a representative from PATH to obtain permission to use MPHOA road to access the Georgia Power right-of-way. This access is needed for construction on the east side of the creek for the cable suspension bridge across the S. Fork Peachtree in MNP. The bridge will link the east (Lenox Road) trailhead and the west (Wellbourne Dr.) trailhead. Construction access for the west side of the bridge will start at Wildwood Road and use the Georgia Power transmission line right-or-way. The expected completion date for the bridge is spring 2010.

Education Committee Report:
GRADY TRANSFORMATION Grady has set up an email address where you can send your comments and questions about the transformation/reorganization. The e-mail address is gradyreorganization@gmail.com. Those questions for which there is an answer will get an answer promptly, and then the Q&A will be posted on the Grady website. Those questions for which there is not yet an answer will be compiled for the reorganization design teams and Dr. Murray to consider.
A Night of Jazz for Haiti, Friday February 12th at 6:00 pm

Please join the Inman Jazz Ensemble on Friday February 12th at 6PM in
the Inman Gymnasium for a Night of Jazz to benefit Haiti.

Tickets: $5.00 in advance or $5.00 plus in medical supply donation at
the door. Items needed include gauze, ace bandages, cloth diapers,
powdered milk, children's Tylenol, children's vitamins, and alcohol
pads. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to benefit Haiti.

GENERAL PTA MEETING

BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SPEAK AT MES On Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00PM in the MES Auditorium, Cecily Harsch-Kinane, area Board of Education Rep, will speak about APS Initiatives in Our Area during the PTA General Meeting. Cecily will speak and answer your questions about new APS initiatives, demographics, Grady, and High School and Middle School Transformation. Agenda includes: election of Nominating Committee for next year's board and vote on PTA dues increase from $6 to $10 per year. All parents and teachers are welcome (but only PTA members can vote).

NPU-F Report:
No report

Approval of Disbursements:
Chuck Tobias asked for approval of $1000 for expenses associated with Monumental Ball. Approved unanimously.

Zoning Committee Report:
No zoning cases this month!

Old Business:
Board members to meet Feb.18th to discuss website, newsletter, upcoming events. Leslie Bryan's at 7p.m.

New Business:
Sheik Burritos n Kabobs --on Piedmont Road in Artlite shopping center. Opened since November. Seeking liquor license. Application is not completed.
All voiced support of the business. Owner, Jahan Ostad will return later for liquor license.

Rosebud -- Owner Ron Eyester seeking permanent liquor license. Has been operating with a temporary license. All voiced support of the applicant's request for a liquor license.

Adjourn